Whispers of the Deep

Nestled at the foot of the Kolli Hills lay a muddy lake, renowned for its fishing opportunities and its murky waters. It was a favored spot for many, including three teenage friends named Karthi, Mohammad, and Ryaz. Their hometown was a distant 70 miles away from the lake, but the allure of fishing drew them there one weekend.

"Hey, Karthi, you gonna finally tell Kayal how you feel?" Mohammad teased, his voice carrying over the water as they set up their fishing gear.

Karthi chuckled nervously, adjusting his cap. "Maybe... someday," he replied evasively.

As they ventured further into the depths of the lake, Mohammad and Ryaz hatched a plan to prank Karthi. They decided to dive beneath the surface and hold their breath, intending to startle Karthi when he wasn't paying attention.

"Let's see how he reacts when we pop up unexpectedly," Ryaz whispered mischievously to Mohammad.

Lost in observing the movements of a large fish, Karthi was caught off guard when he realized his friends had disappeared. Panicked, he called out to them, but received no response. Fearing the worst, he began swimming back to shore.

"Guys? Where are you?" Karthi's voice quivered with concern as he scanned the water.

Suddenly, something grabbed hold of Karthi's leg, sending him into a frenzy of panic and thrashing. It was Mohammad who had seized him, emerging from the depths of the lake.

"What the... Mohammad, you scared the life out of me!" Karthi exclaimed, gasping for breath as he clung to his friend.

Without the knowledge of them, a middle-aged stranger observed their antics from the shore. He had recommended the lake to them as a fishing spot just days before.

"Looks like those boys are having some fun," the stranger mused to himself, watching them with interest.

Relieved to have reached the safety of the shore, Karthi and Mohammad realized Ryaz was still missing. Despite their calls, he didn't surface.

"Ryaz! Where are you?" Mohammad shouted, his voice tinged with worry.

As darkness descended, the situation turned dire. The authorities were alerted, and a search-and-rescue operation commenced. Recognizing the challenges posed by the lake's murky depths, local divers familiar with its treacherous waters were summoned.

"We need to find him before it's too late," Karthi urged, his voice trembling with fear.

Demanding a significant sum for their risky endeavor, the divers had demanded 20 Lakhs INR (equivalent to 25,000 USD) for their risky rescue operation, and Ryaz's father, being wealthy, had agreed to pay.

"I'll pay whatever it takes to bring my son back," Ryaz's father declared, his voice choked with emotion.

With the night proving too hazardous for further rescue attempts, they resolved to wait until morning.

"Please, let's just find him," Mohammad pleaded, tears welling in his eyes.

The rescuers asked everyone not to get into the lake until morning, to leave the turbulence to settle down, making the water somewhat visible for the rescue operation. On the next day morning, the rescuers dived into the lake and searched for almost 7 hours from the morning, finally finding Riaz’s body trapped in the mud. His legs were covered until his hips. His friends and family cried when his body was taken to the shore.

"He's gone... I can't believe it," Mohammad sobbed, his heart heavy with grief.

Heartbroken, Ryaz's loved ones mourned his loss as his body was brought ashore.

Months later, a muscular man leisurely floated on the lake's surface one afternoon, savoring the tranquility. Suddenly, an unseen force dragged him beneath the water's surface, shattering the calm once more.

"What's happening? Help!" the man screamed, his voice echoing across the lake before being swallowed by the depths.

And so, the mysteries of the murky lake continued to unfold, leaving behind tales of tragedy and unanswered questions.

Readers, what do you think is hiding in the murky depths of the lake, causing these mysterious incidents? Share your theories in the comments below!