The Ghastly Train

Grandfather once wanted to go to Garishpur. He wanted to see his cousin and his family there. Since Grandmother was ill, Mother was busy with work and Father in US, I had to accompany him. My elder brother could also come, but his examinations were going on. So, Grandfather and I set off.

We went there by train. There was no difficulty in reaching there, we saw our relatives and after one or two days, we had to come back. But, there was a big problem while returning.

The vehicle which we boarded was a ghastly train. First, I got a creepy feeling when we came to the platform. It was deserted and no person was to be seen. Second, when we got on the train, we saw all the passengers dressed in black and everyone had there faces covered. I sat coyly beside Grandfather and asked softly, "Are they ghosts." He replied, "No ghosts." It seemed everyone had heard our conversation. Suddenly, a big phantom came and pulled my neighbour and thundered, "We are ghosts you foolish man! How dare you tell a lie to this child! All of us are ghosts. And you better believe it because, we don't lie at all!"

I tried to make Grandfather sit. I realized my face was white like a sheet! I asked the phantom stopping him, "Where are we going?" He turned back, laughed and replied, "To the hill! You two will now fall from there and become like us!" I was terrified, Grandfather fainted. Somehow, I wanted to stop that train. I started running towards the engine with all my might, but the passage would not stop. I was tired, but still I couldn't stop. Grandfather shrieked, "Dear, the hill! The hill! It has come! Closer! Coming closer! We are done for!" I looked out of the window. The hill was not far away. I still kept running.

After a moment, I felt as if I was going uphill. Grandfather shouted, "Down we die! Save us O Lord!" He banged against the window and I kept hold of a seat. But, alas! I failed my mission. We turned to ghosts, with those ugly features like crooked teeth, crooked limbs, crooked body and believe it or not! We got a crooked mind too! At that time we laughed evil, but then I screamed and woke up.

Gosh! It was a dream. Grandfather and Mother came running. I did not yet tell them the reason. Mother comforted me. She said, "Don't worry dear. Today you and Grandfather are going to Garishpur, right?" Garishpur! Grandfather and I! Train! Ghosts! Phantoms! NO. NO. NO! I'm not gonna go there anymore. Of course in the fear of ghosts. I said stiffly and firmly, "No. I don't want to go there. I won't let Grandfather go there. Or else, we...we.." I told my nightmare. Meanwhile the whole family had come to my room. After narrating, everyone was shocked. Some thought it was a warning, some a myth, while others thought it was too superstitious or a story made by me for an excuse. Mother and Grandfather believed it for they had read a huge collection of real ghost stories. 

"Fine", said Mother, "Instead you do your sums." Oh! What a relief! Even though I hate maths, I loved doing sums on that awful day. But a strange thing it is, that dream came every night. Maybe those fearsome creatures are urging us to visit them. Even though they had pleaded a thousand times, I refused every time, for I knew what was there in store for me.