Cʀᴇᴇᴘʏ Wᴏᴏᴅs

A path extends out into the dense woods in front of me, not exactly dense, but a whole lot denser when it comes to the park where I'm currently spending my evening time. It was a hectic day at my college, and so the urge to get refreshed dragged me here.

The thicket looked completely deserted. There wasn't a glimpse of even a single soul except for the huge, seemingly century-old trees out there. Few months ago, this area used to be a busy street with all kinds of people taking the thicket as a shortcut in order to get to the main street, where they all departed to their own destinations. I, myself, was one of those folks to go through the woods to reach college daily. It was one of those experiences of my life that I miss a lot. The memory of going through the woods filled with nature's elements, getting greeted by birds' chirpings, the sweet fragrance of greenery as well as the sheer absence of pollution made me stand still and look out there wistfully.

Few months ago, since the day a mysterious death was reported to have occurred in this very same place, these woods got shut in everyone's minds. It seemed that the person who died mysteriously actually died a natural death. According to rumors being spread like wild-fire, there was no slight indication of injury or any kind of struggle found on the body. Few days after that painful incident, many eerily similar deaths were reported in that area itself. Anyone who entered into this thicket never made out alive on the other side, where the main street comes into view. The woods had become completely secluded. Although the whole town has almost surrendered to the rumors, there has not been a single proof reported by anyone for the same. Yes! I'm talking about evidences that these woods are haunted. Yet everyone, except me, had vowed themselves to never enter this place anymore.

I sighed and groaned. I would have definitely given anything to get my woods back. I so badly wanted to roam around freely without anybody stopping me. Yes! that anybody includes my parents who made it clear for me not to land even a single toe into these woods. After a long argument, I finally gave in. If the fact of me not going to enter here anymore made my parents feel better and relieved against this constant worry the whole town is facing, then I have no other choice but to ……..

 “Hey Anna! Long time no see... Oh my Gosh!! How come you are so close to this spooky area? Come here quickly!” Nikki, my closest friend, pulled me further away from the woods toward the nearest bench, where we seated ourselves.

“I still can’t believe my eyes to see you so close to the woods, Anna. What were you doing there?”

I sighed. “Well, I was just lingering there with my mind replaying fond memories of this spot which used to be so beautiful earlier. Now see, how this thicket has turned out to be…full of loneliness, negligence and desertion. Don’t you think, we are responsible for this current condition?”

Nikki nodded. “Yes, I used to think so, but not anymore. In fact, I’m having a feeling that this secluded area is more responsible for what the whole town is going through,” Nikki left an angry glance on the woods.

I looked at Nikki with confusion. “Aren’t you the only one who dared not to let the rumors take the control of your belief system? Have you forgotten the part wherein we both have determined together not to let folks’ spooky rumors shatter our beautiful memories associated with the woods?”

“I do remember that very well, Anna… and I would have also continued the same determination if not for bad experiences of my closed ones,” Nikki had a sad look etched on her face.

I touched her arm and said, “What are you talking about?”

Nikki hesitated but said eventually, “Few days ago, my neighbor became a victim of another mysterious death in these woods,” she gestured toward the woods. “Also, there was this one day when my father got to notice spirits whooshing through the woods.” She started to shake at the thought of spirits.

“Oh! That’s too creepy…I’m sorry about what you and your family members had to go through.” After hearing what Nikki had to say, it made a complete sense that why she started to believe in the haunted ness of this place. However, at the same time, I was adamant of my belief.

“Anna…I think we need to take life seriously from now on. We should stop arguing with our loved ones regarding this place. Also, I don’t want you to linger around here anymore, do you understand that?” Her stern look on her face showed that she clearly became overprotective for me.

I smiled and agreed unwillingly, “Hmm, but I would never forget the best memories attached to these woods.” My gaze lingered over the woods once more.

Nikki sighed and got up. “Okay, as you wish. But you will eventually realize the seriousness of this situation if you see it with your own eyes. Till then, mark my words Anna.”

I stood up and shrugged. “Let’s see.”

“Okay then…It’s time to go. My mother told me to buy some groceries, and here I am disobeying her orders, I guess!”

We laughed and bade each other goodbye.

I waited for Nikki to disappear from my sight and took a breath of fresh air.

I turned around and looked at my favorite spot once more. It made me smile and I started to get lost in its beauty.

After a while, a familiar pat on my shoulder brought me back to the world again. I turned around to see who it was……. Nikki?.... Again?

“Hey Anna! Long time no see… It’s been a week since we met. How have you been?”

              I FROZE…..