The Ghost of the hospital I Story By Eivya Valan, 13, Bengaluru

The Ghost of the hospital

“I do not believe in ghosts”, Snapped Emily Carlson. Jimmy laughed “of course you do. Don’t you remember last Halloween?”

Emily fought the itch to kick the boy beside her. They were sitting at their table in the cafeteria, eating their lunch.

Alex dropped her tray on the table as she sat down. “The way you screamed! I ‘ll never forget”. She shook her head.

Emily scowled. It wasn’t her fault that some guy decided to dress up as a phantom at night…

“That“,she said, “was a year ago I’ve changed.”

“Well, how do we test it?” asked Jimmy.

“I know!” cried Alex “There is an abandoned hospital near my home! We can visit it together”.

“That is a terrible idea”. Said a cool voice.

Without meaning they all flinched. The voice belonged to their quiet friend Peter Kowlensky. Despite being his friend for years, the others could never realize when he joined the table.

“Come on, it’s not that bad” smiled Alex.

“I agree,” said Jimmy

“It is the perfect way to test Emily”. 

Alex grinned “what do you say Emily?”

Everyone turned to look at Emily.

What could she do?

“Fine, I’ll come”.

It was a cold night and fog hung over the buildings. When the needle of the clock tower struck ten, 

A small figure appeared at the end of the road. It was Emily, who was busy mumbling to herself. 

She waited ten minutes till Alex and Jimmy came.

They came from the other side of the road, and waved as they crossed the street.

“Are you prepared?” asked Jimmy as they walked. “There is nothing to worry about”. “Looks like you are trying to continue yourself”.

“Shh! Quiet”. Look we have reached.

“Let’s go”, said Alex as she pushed open the gate and marched inside and the others followed her.

They stood in front of a massive building. But any of its former glory is gone now. The glasses were

broken, the window frames and gate had rusted. It looked cursed.

“Let’s go” said Alex as she pushed open the gate and marched inside and the others followed.

However, the front door of the building would not open. “Great, now let’s go home”, said Emily as

She gave the door one last thug.

“No!” laughed Alex. “The window is missing there. We can enter through it”. She said as she pointed.

Twenty minutes later they stood in the hall of the old building. The room was illuminated by the torch they were carrying.

“Let’s split up,” announced Jimmy.

“No! Are you crazy?” shrieked Emily.

“How else do we know you are brave now?” asked Alex.

Emily looked at her friends.

“Fine,” she sighed.

Emily walked into a random room. They divided the building into different sections. The top floor was hers.

The room had two old cots that were covered with dust. Spiders had long since claimed this room. She spotted an old dusty mirror on the wall. She walked towards the mirror and cleaned it with the back of her hand.

Her eyes widened in terror. A figure was standing behind her. She spun around, but there was no one. She slowly backed out of the room, then started to run. She had to find others.

Alex roamed around. She was bored. The only thing she had seen was beds, shelves and tables.

However, her heartbeat quickened as she turned slowly, just to see a terrified Emily. “I-I saw a-a  ghost!” croaked Emily.

Alex, started to snicker then laugh “Again? I thought you were over your fear!” “I saw one! It was – “, Emily was cut short by a scream. A moment later, Jimmy entered the room.

“Ghost!” he screamed. “It chased me for about two floors”.

“Nonsense” said Alex firmly “Ghost doesn’t exist”.

But as she was speaking, the cupboard started to creek.

As soon as the cupboard door opened, a hideous creature came out. 

The three friends screamed and ran out, they screamed as they ran down the street all the way to home.

The ghost removed its costume. Peter smiled as he folded the costume. He truly was the ghost of the hospital.

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