Haunted: Digital footprint

Every time I hear a new paranormal story, I realize how much I still have to learn. I am aware that these entities could manipulate our senses, warp reality, and cause memory lapses. When I learnt about Tanisha's story, I understood that paranormal forces are capable of erasing the digital footprint too.

Tanisha, a Mumbai girl got admitted in a prestigious university outside of the state. She was excited for a new experience. As she settled into campus life, everything seemed to be falling into place—she was thriving in the new environment, loving her classes, and making great friends. There was only one catch: the distance. The commute made traveling back to Mumbai impractical, leaving her unable to visit home until the summer break.

When short winter break arrived, most of the campus emptied out as students headed home to their families. Tanisha along with her other friends had to stay back at the campus. They decided to make the most of the winter days. Their idea was a picnic at the river. They meticulously prepped for their day off—mapping out the itinerary and packing food, cameras, spare batteries, and extra layers of clothes. Eager and excited, they set off on a trip that was supposed to be memorable.

Documentation of their journey began right from the university. They captured every moment, the university gate, the colourful travel bus, breakfast and tea stops, the fun games they played, and their final arrival. The river was picturesque - wide riverbank, breath taking mountains, trees draped with autumn leaves. The whole spot was painted in shades of green, red, and brown - perfectly balanced. Equipped with multiple cameras including a DSLR they wanted every pixel to capture the beauty of the nature. Nevertheless, this backdrop was perfect for the social media posts.

The picnic that started with pictures was turning into a fun adventure. The girls were enjoying each minute and making cinematic memories. As the dusk approached, the nature showed the dark side. The scenic mountains started to appear monstrous. The tress began casting eerie shadows. The river water that was flowing gently turned into a raging current. The haunting silence turned the serene spot into a living nightmare. Sensing the sudden shift in the air, they knew they had to leave right away. 

On the way back to campus, the girls sang together, using the music to forget the eerie experience by the river. They returned just in time for the dinner. As they were about to retire for the day, they decided to exchange their digital cinematic memories. Eager to share their adventure on social media, everyone opened up their camera rolls. However, their screens held a bizarre surprise—one that left them completely speechless.

Everything from the start of the trip was there in perfect, high-definition detail—the university gates, the journey, the food. But the snaps from the riverbank were all alike - pitch black canvas. Videos too followed the trend - prolonged black screen with no visuals or audio. The glitch did not stop at a single device; across every smartphone, digital cameras, and the DSLR, the digital footprint of the river had been entirely erased. 

In that chilling silence, the girls finally understood the truth: they had never been alone at the riverbank. Something had been watching them from the shadows, guarding secrets never meant for the camera lenses. In its determination to keep those mysteries locked away from the world, this unseen force had intervened and erased every trace of their presence. The lesson was written on the walls of their minds - the haunting beauty of nature hides dark truths, and ancient forces protect them. If you dare to capture that beauty, the evidence will not see the light of the day.

[Note: The above image is from a different location and has no connection to this story.]