12 THE TAXI

The forest was primordial. Centuries-old trees with sprawling limbs guarded the darkness, blotting out any sunlight. Their bark was mottled and splotched, as if bubbled soup had been frozen in time on its surface. Clumpy combs of wet moss dangled from their rotten boughs. Underneath the moss, lethal larkspur peppered the mulchy floor. A pungent tang oozed from every sentient being in the forest. Bewailing sounds ghosted through the trees. Whether it was from victim or victor, only the forest could tell. It was truly a place to make your veins freeze over. Everything considered edible in another forest was nauseating here. It left you with the same, sickening taste of your own blood. It was a forest to be avoided.

At last I reached my office safely, But I was worrying how could I get back .

It was 4:00 clock ,time to leave the office .I decided to went through a taxi . I stooped a taxi and told him the address .He thought for a moment and replied "No I cannot take you there "

"But why "Liam asked ?

"That forest is haunted . Whoever goes there never came back ."

"But I am living there ."

"Then go away!"

He said that and went ,Similarly I stooped many cars but none of them was ready to take me there . At last ,I found a taxi whose driver was an old man .He was ready to take me to my house .I sat in the taxi. But I found everything so strange . Even some mysterious thing happened to me "

Suddenly , Leo came in the room and .We closed the book.

"What are you boring girls doing " asked Jacob .

"We are studying .We have told you ." I replied .

"What are you boring girls studying " Leo asked .

"We are doing our homework .Now go away ." Ava said .

"Ally ,This...this "Jacob said .

"What this this , go away ."

"Allice this is father's book ." Jacob said.

"Yes but he gave it to me " I replied .

"What are you guys waiting for .Go away" Ava said.

And they both went off .

"let's lock the door and continue the reading " Ava said .

And we closed the door and again went on the bed .

"It's page # 2 ." Ava said.

And we started .

"When I was sitting in the car the old man was continuously seeing me through the front mirror .I ignored the situation . He asked "Do you want to go to the forest? "

I replied "Yes ,of course .I live there ."

"Why ?" He asked staring at me .

"What why ?. I live there .You just have to drop me there .I am paying you for it ."

"Don't you have a car ?"

"I have a car but it was ... Wait why are asking ."

"No I was asking that you are a businessman and going to home on taxi "

I stared him and I replied nothing .

We were on way that I found pools of blood on the front seat next to driver .

I ignored . After some while I felt something hurting on my back .I ignored and move to the next seat . The driver stooped the car .

"What happened ?" I asked .

"Nothing .There is some technical issue" and he went off the car .

I opened the window due to suffocation. Meanwhile, I felt someone's presence but no one was there . I started listening music and closed my eyes . My eyes opened when I felt suffocation but I was left in shock when I saw the window closed . I opened the door of the car and saw the old man here and there but he was busy turning the engine . I sat again because my house was miles again. I opened the window and started listening music again and this time I didn't closed my eyes. Suddenly ,I felt someone sitting with me . I turned my face to this side ,but there was no one . I sat straight and when I saw my window, I was shocked that it was closed again .

I again ignored . I kept on listening to music . The driver came and started the car and we reached home . It was my worst ride ever " and the page ended.

"It was too strange " Said Ava .

"Yes"

And suddenly Leo came inside the room and said "Come and have supper ."

"ok we are coming " said Ava

And we both went away.