The second morning arrived wrapped in an unsettling stillness. Ahmed, Abdul, Peter, Diljeet, and their silent companion Amit sat together in Ahmed’s house, each burdened by the horrifying memories of the previous night. Outside, the city carried on with its normal rhythm, but inside the room, sorrow and fear lingered heavily. None of them could erase the image of Waseem’s cousin’s fatal accident—the mangled vehicle, the bloodshed, and the terrifying words he had spoken before dying.
Unable to bear the suffocating silence any longer, Abdul grabbed the television remote and switched on the news, hoping the distraction might calm his mind. The news anchor appeared on the screen, speaking somberly about the tragic accident from the night before. Her serious tone only deepened the tension in the room.
Suddenly, the broadcast was interrupted by the sharp sound of a breaking news alert. A crimson banner flashed across the screen as the anchor’s expression turned grim once more.
“Another disturbing accident has occurred on the National Highway,” she reported urgently. “A truck driver claims he had to slam on his brakes after seeing a bride suddenly appear in front of his vehicle late at night. In trying to avoid hitting her, the truck lost control and crashed into a tree. Thankfully, the driver survived with only minor injuries, though the truck suffered major damage.”
The five friends exchanged anxious looks. The mention of a bride wandering alone on a dark highway instantly filled the room with unease.
The anchor continued, “The driver later stated that the woman was dressed entirely in white and appeared out of nowhere in the darkness.”
A cold wave of fear swept through the room. Abdul quickly muted the television, his trembling hands betraying his anxiety.
“Did you all hear that?” he asked quietly. “Another accident… on the same road.”
Everyone stared at one another in silence, a horrifying realization slowly settling among them. These incidents no longer felt random.
“This can’t just be coincidence,” Ahmed said after a pause, his voice heavy with suspicion. “Something unnatural is happening there… and I’m certain it’s connected to the graveyard nearby.”
No one argued. The ticking of the wall clock filled the silence as each of them sank deeper into thought.
A little while later, they gathered around the dining table for lunch after the smell of food drifted from the kitchen. Yet the usual warmth of shared meals was gone. The atmosphere remained tense, and every conversation circled back to the terrifying incidents.
The food felt tasteless, their minds consumed by fear and unanswered questions.
Peter finally broke the silence. “There’s something wrong here. Two strange accidents on the same stretch of highway… and now a mysterious bride appearing in the middle of the night? None of this makes sense.”
Diljeet nodded thoughtfully. “It feels familiar somehow. Like the stories we’ve heard before.”
Before anyone could respond, another breaking news alert echoed from the television in the next room. Startled, Abdul hurried to turn the volume back up.
The anchor reappeared, her expression even more alarmed than before.
“Another bizarre event has been reported near Chaukandi on the National Highway,” she announced. “A man named Najeeb claims he encountered a strange passenger while driving home late last night. According to him, he stopped his car after seeing a man asking for a lift by the roadside. The stranger entered the back seat silently. However, after driving some distance, Najeeb turned around to ask where the passenger wanted to go… only to discover the back seat completely empty.”
She paused dramatically before continuing.
“Najeeb insists he is telling the truth and believes the incident was supernatural. Residents of the area are now expressing fear about paranormal activity connected to that road.”
An oppressive silence filled the room. The horrifying pattern was becoming impossible to ignore.
Abdul switched the television off again and looked at his friends with fearful determination.
“This is beyond normal,” he said firmly. “Too many strange things are happening around the same place. Fatal crashes, ghostly sightings, disappearing people… everything points toward something evil.”
Ahmed leaned forward slowly. “Chaukandi Graveyard,” he said in a dark tone. “That’s the center of all this.”
Peter tightened his fists. “We’ve encountered spirits before. We’ve dealt with things ordinary people wouldn’t even believe existed. But whatever this is… it feels stronger. More dangerous.”
Diljeet looked around at the group, uncertainty and bravery mixed in his expression. “Maybe this isn’t just about satisfying our curiosity anymore. Innocent people are getting hurt. If we stay silent, more lives could be lost.”
His words weighed heavily on everyone present. Deep down, they knew he was right. They had always been more than friends—they were investigators of the supernatural, united by their experiences with the unknown. And now fate seemed to be calling them back into darkness once again.
Ahmed slowly rose from his chair, the scraping sound echoing ominously through the room. Determination burned in his eyes as he faced the others.
“It’s time,” he declared with unwavering resolve. “The ghost hunters must return.”
At that moment, fear transformed into purpose. Their grief and uncertainty hardened into a single decision. They would uncover the truth behind the terrifying events on the National Highway. They would journey to Chaukandi Graveyard and confront whatever sinister force haunted that cursed place.
Outside, the fading December sunlight stretched long shadows across the city as the evening cold slowly crept in. It felt as though the world itself sensed the darkness waiting ahead.
And within Ahmed’s home, five friends prepared themselves once more to step into the unknown—toward a place where death, mystery, and restless spirits awaited them.
Author’s Note: This chapter was edited with AI assistance for grammar, readability, and flow.
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and then Add to home screen.