The Adventure To Death

I was exhausted, drops of sweat dripped down my face. The cool breeze had gone on vacation, the sun's heat hugged my body tight and didn't seem ready to let go. There was a long queue at the railway station to get tickets. Even after waiting for a long time, my love for adventure didn't let me give up so easily. I could have gone by flight, but there were no flights to that place, and there were no buses either. The reason I chose this place was that it was left undiscovered by many people, and there were many stories about the history of that place. In fact, the train did not stop at that place. I made a preplan to pull the chain when it reached there. Finally, I got the ticket! I felt like receiving a lifetime achievement award. As always, my so-called best friend said he would join me but backed out at the last moment, so I guess it's just me then.

The station was so filled up, there was no space even to breathe. The train arrived with a huge horn, which always gave me goosebumps. I didn't make 1% of effort to climb upon the train. People pushing around me definitely deserved a round of applause. I took a long breath when I sat in my seat. The train started to move, and the excitement inside me grew stronger and stronger as time passed.

I was enjoying the green view out of the window when an old grandma smiled at me. After a while, she asked me my name, who I was, and what I did for a living. It looked like she was bored and did not want to snore and sleep like her husband. Anyways, I too wanted to spend time, so I answered her questions and asked her a few questions too. She asked me where my journey was, so I told her the old city of Oakville. Her face turned white, her expressions faded, and she asked me why I was going there. She also said, "You are pulling your death towards you. That place has a dark history of its own, and many people who go there have never come back." Suddenly, there was a strike of lightning which shattered the earth. The train lost its track and crashed onto the ground, an enormous fire covered the train, and I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, an old man was sprinkling water on me. I saw his eyes through a drop of water; it glimmered in the sunlight. I glanced all around to see blood everywhere, a burnt train, half-burnt people, but none of them were alive except me and the old man. The old man told me he was living in the old city of Oakville. My mind was full of confusion. So, this accident happened in Oakville? But why are there no people in this city? The old man gave me some water to gulp down and said I could live with him until I recovered. I felt my body was too heavy, somehow I managed to go to his home. I know he was a stranger, and I couldn't believe him blindly, but there were no people, all the houses were burnt, buildings were broken, shops were shuttered, the city was in a very terrible situation, and I had no choice but to go with him. His house was not as much as broken as the others but a little stable. I was welcomed by the crackly sound of the wooden floor. He told me to get comfortable and started to make some coffee for me, his back was facing me.

"Do you want to explore the city, and that's the reason for your arrival, I guess?" he told with a very deep voice. I wondered how he knew about this, but I anyway told him yes and asked him, "Where are all the people? What happened to this city? And why is it just two of us?" He started his answer with a sigh and continued, "This city has a deep secret of its own that no one could find out, but I know that."

I: What is it then?

Old man: Yeah, yeah, slow down. I will not run away. About 50 years ago, some scientists discovered an Egyptian script. It was very old, at least 500 years old. An old monk had warned them not to read the script, but the scientists ignored the monk's warnings and started reading the script. After a while, the whole atmosphere turned black, and the dark times had already started in this city. A cruel demon arose with a wolf body, sharp teeth, blood pouring out of its mouth, and red bright eyes that let out fire. The demon killed every single one and destroyed this city, and many say that the demon is still there hunting for human blood. But the solution to this problem is also in the same book on page 21.

I: How did you get to know about this? It was a top secret, right? Why didn't you tell this to anyone and ask for help?

Old man: Some things are better off as secrets. I am the only one who knows this.

I: But now I know, and when you knew so much about the critical situation and even the solution, you could have killed the demon, right?

There was a long silence after which the clock struck 12 times, breaking the silence. The old man continued in a very creepy voice; his voice was completely different, and he said, "When you only won't be there, how will you know? And moreover, why will someone put effort to kill themself, unlike you?" I was completely confused when the old man turned towards me. My voice broke, my throat dried, I swallowed my own fear, and I felt my heart skip a beat. The demon was right in front of me. For the first time, I could hear my own heart beating loud and clear: lub dub, lub dub... The demon gave a loud laughter, which echoed for miles.