Chereads / Eastern Horror Story Antholog / Chapter 15 - The Late-Night Passenger

Chapter 15 - The Late-Night Passenger

The night had grown remarkably late, and a taxi driver decided to take one more passenger before heading home. With few people on the streets, he aimlessly drove, not sure where to pick up the next fare. Suddenly, he noticed a white figure swaying ahead, waving for a ride. What was supposed to be a serene night turned eerily unnatural with the arrival of this unexpected passenger. And in such moments, people can't help but think of something they'd rather not – the supernatural, ghosts!

Despite the unease, the driver eventually decided to take her in. The passenger got in the car and, in a voice that was both mournful and hoarse, said, "Please take me to the crematorium." The driver shuddered with a sudden chill. Could she really be...? He couldn't bear to contemplate it any further; he couldn't afford to. Regret settled in, but he had to get her there as quickly as possible.

The woman had an elegantly pale face and remained silent throughout the ride, sending shivers down the driver's spine. He couldn't proceed much further. When they were close to her destination, he found an excuse, stuttering, "Miss, I'm sorry, I can't make a U-turn up ahead. It's very close; you can walk from here." The woman nodded and asked, "How much is the fare?" The driver hastily replied, "Never mind, really. It's late, and it's not easy for you to be here at this hour. Consider it on the house."

"Are you sure?" she asked. "Yes, that's the least I can do," the driver insisted. She couldn't argue further, so she said, "Alright, thank you," and opened the car door. The driver turned to start the car, but he didn't hear the door shut. So, he turned around. How could she have vanished so quickly? He looked in the back seat, and there was no one there. No one around the front, left, right, or behind the car either. Had she really disappeared?

The driver's curiosity got the better of him, and he had to find out. He got out of the car, approached the still-open door, and muttered, "Could she have simply walked away this fast, or was she...?" The driver felt himself on the brink of a breakdown when suddenly, a bloody hand rested on his shoulder. He turned around and saw the bloodied woman standing before him, finally speaking, "Sir, next time, please don't park near a ditch."