"Why are you leaving so soon? Is the party not good enough?" Apoorva asked in a drunken voice.
"No, the party is amazing. I just have some urgent work at home," I replied while checking my car keys in my pocket.
"Alright. Goodbye," Apoorva said, walking me to the door.
I pressed the unlock button on my car key. The car beeped twice. It was the first model Ferrari Portofino.
"What a beautiful night sky," I said, starting the engine.
Usually, I take Uzika Road to get to Uzika City, my hometown. But since I was running late that night, I took Kaisha Road instead—a shortcut that cuts through the forest. People avoid it because of an old legend. They say ghosts live there, and whoever enters their territory… never comes back.
"People are so weird, believing such stories," I muttered to myself, trying to stay calm.
Honk. Honk.
I heard a horn behind me. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I saw… nothing.
Must be my imagination, I thought, looking away.
Honk. Honk.
"Who the hell is honking at this time of night?" I shouted, checking the mirrors again. Still, there was nothing.
A strange unease started creeping in, but I kept driving.
Honk. Honk.
"Oh my god…" I tilted my head back to see who was honking—
"AHHHHHH!" I screamed as I saw a girl in white clothes with black hair sitting in the backseat.
I lost control for a second but quickly looked forward to regain it. That's when I saw a brick wall just a few meters ahead.
"Oh hell no!" I twisted the steering wheel hard, sending the car swerving onto a narrow path into the forest. Bushes scratched the sides, but I didn't slow down.
Eventually, the forest opened up to a road leading toward my house. I floored the pedal.
Ring. Ring.
My phone rang. It was my wife.
"She's gonna kill me tonight," I muttered through clenched teeth.
Up ahead, I spotted a bridge to my right, with a red-lettered sign hanging above it:
[Shortcut to Uzika City]
"Let's take one more risk," I said, turning right without hesitation.
As soon as I entered the bridge, my headlights cut out.
"Perfect timing," I grumbled, tapping the light switch.
One. Two. Three. Four taps later, the lights flickered on—and I slammed the brakes as I saw a woman standing in the middle of the road.
"Help me," she said softly. Too softly.
Something about her voice didn't sit right.
"What do you want?" I asked, forcing confidence into my trembling voice.
"Can you please give me a lift?"
"Where do you want to go?"
"Uzika City."
"You're in luck. By God's grace, I'm headed there too. Hop in."
She got into the passenger seat, and I started driving.
"What were you doing on the road at this time?" I asked, glancing at her.
"I was searching for something," she replied, her face turned downward.
"Did you find it?"
"Yes."
"Oh… that's good. Can I ask what you were looking for?"
She turned to face me.
"I was looking for you."
"Huh?" I looked at her, confused—and oh boy…
"AHHHHHH!" I screamed as I saw her face: half-skinned, mouth slit wide open in a toothless smile.
I lost control of the car and looked ahead, but it was too late. The car and I plunged into a mud pool.
"Is this how I'm going to die?" I whispered, crying as I sank deeper into the mud.
My eyes closed. Silence and complete darkness took over.
Lub-dub. Lub-dub.
I could hear my heartbeat. Everything was calm…until a scream came rushing toward me, louder and louder—until I suddenly opened my eyes.
Huff. Huff.
I looked around. I was in my room.
"Oh, you're awake," my wife said from the balcony, smiling.
"I can explain why I was late last night," I said, still shaken.
"Late? From what?" she asked, chuckling.
"Apoorva's birthday party. Don't you remember?"
"Birthday party?" She laughed. "You were sleeping the whole night, cuddling my hand like a baby."
Huh? I thought. Was it all a dream?
"Hey, don't space out. Get ready. You've got office work today," she said, snapping her fingers in front of my face.
"Ah… yeah."
I got ready, took my bag, and paused for a moment, staring at my car keys before picking them up.
"Be safe, and don't take Kaisha Road," my wife said, waving.
"Yeah. Bye."
I walked out and opened the garage. My red Ferrari Portofino gleamed under the morning light.
Why did she say that? I wondered.
I opened the car door and noticed a blank piece of paper on the passenger seat. I sat in the driver's seat and picked it up. When I flipped it over, my heart skipped a beat at what was written on the other side:
[Thanks for the ride]