THE NIGHT OF FEAR
Chapter 1: The Guest House in the Fog
The rain was falling heavily that night. The road was silent, empty, and covered with thick fog. Ayaan, Sara, and Hamza were returning from a school trip when suddenly their bus stopped with a loud jerk. The engine had failed.
The driver stepped outside with a flashlight, but after a few minutes, he returned with a worried face.
"There is no signal here," he said. "And the nearest town is far away."
The students became nervous. The cold wind was growing stronger, and the fog made everything look unreal. Sara held Ayaan's arm tightly.
"This place feels strange," she whispered.
Hamza tried to laugh. "It's just a forest road. Nothing will happen."
But even his voice sounded weak.
Then Ayaan noticed something through the fog.
A building.
An old guest house stood alone beside the road. Only one dim light was glowing from inside, flickering like a dying candle. Above the entrance, a wooden sign swung slowly in the wind.
"HILL VIEW GUEST HOUSE."
The teacher decided they had no choice. They walked toward it, their footsteps echoing in the silence. The gate creaked open as if it had been waiting for them.
Ayaan felt a chill run down his spine.
The door opened before they could knock.
A thin old caretaker stood there. His smile was wide, unnatural, and his eyes were dark like shadows.
"Welcome," he said softly. "Travelers do not come here often."
The teacher explained their situation. The caretaker nodded slowly.
"You may stay," he replied. "But remember one thing…"
His voice became lower.
"Do not leave your room after midnight."
Sara's heart began to race.
"Why?" she asked.
The caretaker's smile faded for the first time.
"Because," he whispered, "after midnight… the house wakes up."
A loud sound came from upstairs.
Thump… thump… thump…
As if something heavy was being dragged across the floor.
Everyone froze.
Hamza swallowed hard.
"This place is not safe," he whispered.
But it was too late.
The door shut behind them.
And outside, the fog erased the road completely.
They were trapped.
To Be Continued…