THE GHOST TOWN

Eztli

Waking up in the glorified and dewy morning in a random hill station was my dream ever since. Finally it is real, only because of Andre. He convinced my overprotective parents for this trip. Though, they didn’t agree at first but he knows how to manipulate people. I wish I could learn to do that, as in most cases, I have been told ‘NO’, and it breaks my heart and my dream.

Last night’s haunting dream scared me, I didn't get a wink of sleep then. Walking over the balcony and watched the beautiful sun rising, a scene which is hardly expected to be seen in a metropolis.

Life seemed lively here. All the trees seemed so happy and cheerful, the birds singing their favorite songs and the flowers blooming on this ground were smiling at us.

“Woh!! Isn’t it breathtaking?” Andre approached me with two cups of jasmine tea in his hands.

He knows well about me, every morning I need jasmine tea to calm my anxiety attacks.

“I heard you screaming last night, was that another nightmare?” he inquired and I nodded while taking a seat beside him.

“Yeah.. I was really scared. Don’t know when these haunting dreams are going to leave me alone. This is exhausting…” I frowned and looked away on the top of the mountains.

“They will leave you eventually, and that’s the reason why I brought you here. This place seemed to be peaceful. I always wanted to explore such hidden gems, away from the tiring and stressful life of the city..” he commented while taking a sip from his tea.

“Yes, I agree with you. But not everyone thinks this way…” I said while pointing inside.

Layla is still asleep. 

“Yeah!! She is high maintenance…” he rolled his eyes while I chuckled on his expression.

“Fuck you, Andre.. I heard every fucking word….” she screamed from the inside of the room, and I laughed so hard at it.

“I wish that day would come sooner…” he replied sarcastically…

“Dirty pig…” she grumped under her breath.

“Okay, girls!! Get ready as we have to leave this amazing place. We still have to explore that ghosttown..” he winked at me before heading back to his room.

I got inside the hotel room assigned to me and went to take a bath. I was all excited but seeing Layla’s horrible expression on everything, seriously ruined my mood at core, though i didn’t show it on my face but deep inside, i was hurt.

I dressed up in denim joggers paired with a mustard coloured crop top, and my white shoes. Stick my hair in a ponytail, and a light make up to enhance my features. I always loved dressing as simple and comfortable. Whereas Layla wore a tight fighting bodycon with pumps, like she is attending the grammy here.

“Are you ready?” I asked her.

“Yeah, almost done.” she replied while putting a lip gloss over her red stained lips.

After she was done with her makeup, we left for breakfast. The toast and the juice welcomed me.

Rushed back to Andre’s car and we headed to the ghost town adventure. I am going to get so many pictures of this place as it reminds me of something I can't call, something like home calling… I want to keep the memory of this place forever with me.

Radio in Car was on, and there was my favorite tune that hit me to the core. Humming on it, Andre joined me, so did Layla. The music was hitting all of us on another level. Raising our hands up in the air and waving them like we were leaving something behind and promising to get back to it one day.

“How far is this place, Andre?” I asked him.

He looked back into the map on his phone and replied back to me, “It must be somewhere here, hardly ten minutes.” He pointed at a spot on the map.

We nodded and sat back in the car patiently. Soon, I spotted the banner on the road, however the print was faded and it was really difficult to read it.

“I guess we have reached..” Andre informed us.

“You guess? I don’t want to roam some uncivilized place like a lost tourist.” Layla rolled her eyes and went back to listen to her music in her airpods.

She is annoying as hell, I wish she would really get lost here.

We got out of the car and I carried my backpack which was stuffed with essentials and needy materials. I followed Andre’s lead but Layla was complaining all the time. We still ignored her babbling. If it wasn’t for her, my parents won’t be convinced.

“Come on ,Lay.. This is just a trip and we are here to enjoy it. Can you please leave your attitude here for a while and enjoy the beauty of this place.” i said it out loud.

“Seriously? I can’t believe I am that annoying to you, I wouldn't have come here with you guys…” she rebuked immediately.

“Wait! Girls! Please… “ Andre came in between us and we stopped our argument there.

We walked a little more and then we spotted some stalls and vendors. Though, we did find some tourists there but to be honest, this place does look like a ghost town. Everything looks abandoned. All the buildings were old and mold was covered most of the places.

There was this coldness felt in my hands, though I thought it was just me but I saw Layla covering her hands as well. 

“Are you cold?” I asked and she glared at me.

She is still mad and I knew this isn’t going to be  a fun trip anymore.

“Wow.. this does sound like a ghost is haunting this place..” Andre commented sarcastically…

“Yeah.. after all, the town mates burned a witch here, what do you expect?” a side walker said and we immediately got scared of his sudden presence.

“What? Did they really burn a witch?” Layla asked him

“Guys!! Please, don't get distracted…” Andre covered us from the strange man.

He chuckled and said, “so, you have finally arrived here…” he was staring at me..

“Hey, don’t think of it, get away before I call security…” Andre scolded him.

“You can send me away but how are you going to send her away? She has spotted you…” she laughed with rotten teeth and Layla screamed.

“Enough… I don't want to stay here, anymore..”

“Layla, they are paid actors, they are doing this for a purpose. Do you really think there are ghosts?” Andre calmed her down.

“But he said the town folks burned…” she was stuttering..

“Conservative and orthodox people still believe in these superstitions and witch and witchcraft.. They might have burned a woman claiming her as a witch.. Who knows?” I said to calm Layla and she nodded in understatement.

“Let’s not ruin this anymore, we still have to head back to the hotel.” Andre informed us.

We headed a little more futhor until my eyes spotted a house. A blurred image formed in my kind and somehow, I could relate that image to this house. The temptation to explore this house made me curious. I couldn’t stop myself and went inside.

Dust and cobwebs welcomed me inside, and suddenly, the doors closed with a force.. My insides churned in fear and then, I heard a voice behind me.

“Daughter….. You are back…!”

The blood ran cold in my veins.