Haunted Path ( Road )

(Scene: A dimly lit hostel room with Swapna packing her suitcase. Her roommate, Priya, watches while eating chips.) Priya: “Swapna, you’re really going back to your village after all this time? Weren’t you always saying, ‘I’ll never go back to that boring old place?’” Swapna (rolling her eyes): “Yeah, well… boring places become nostalgic after living in this hostel for three years. Plus, I kind of miss my parents. And don’t forget! I’m finally done with that brutal psychology course. I earned this break.” Priya (smirking): “You mean barely earned it. You were binge-watching Netflix two nights before the exam.” Swapna (grinning): “That’s called balancing life, genius. Anyway, I’ve told Mom and Dad I’m taking the normal route. What they don’t know won’t hurt them, right?” Priya (raising an eyebrow): “Wait, wait—what do you mean? Aren’t you taking the highway?” Swapna (nonchalantly): “Oh, you didn’t hear? That road is blocked because of some police investigation. They didn’t say much, but apparently, something creepy went down.” Priya (dramatically gasping): “And you’re choosing the forest road? Girl, you’ve lost it. That road is cursed! People say it’s haunted. There are stories of travelers who… disappear.” Swapna (teasing): “Haunted, cursed, missing people… I didn’t know I was talking to Wikipedia’s horror section. You know nothing ever happens on these haunted roads, Priya. It’s just village gossip.” Priya (seriously): “Swapna, I’m not kidding. My cousin traveled that way once, and she said she saw strange things—like whispers coming from nowhere, and shadows moving between the trees. It’s not safe.” Swapna (rolling her eyes): “What’s life without a little risk? Anyway, it’s just a forest. I’ll be fine!” (Scene shifts to Swapna texting her parents from the bus stop, waiting for the forest route bus.) Swapna (texting): “Hi, Ma! I’ll reach by night. Taking the regular route—don’t worry. Miss you! :)” (Her phone buzzes as her mother replies instantly.) Mom (text message): “Take care, Swapna. We’ll be waiting. And don’t talk to strangers!” Swapna (laughing to herself): “Classic Mom advice.” (Scene: Swapna boards the rickety forest route bus. It’s almost empty, except for the driver and two elderly passengers.) Bus Driver (cheerfully): “Going to the village, eh? Brave of you to take this route, miss.” Swapna (curious): “What do you mean? Isn’t this just a shortcut?” Driver (grinning): “Shortcut, yes… but people call it the ‘Lost Whispers Road.’ They say spirits roam in the woods. But don’t worry—most of them are friendly.” Swapna (smirking): “Oh great. I love a friendly ghost.” Driver (laughing): “That’s the spirit! Hold tight. We’re about to enter the forest.” (Scene: The bus rattles along a narrow dirt road. The forest looms dark and dense around them, with mist clinging to the trees.) Swapna (to herself): “Wow… this place is extra creepy. No wonder people make up stories.” (The two elderly passengers whisper to each other. Swapna catches fragments of their conversation.) Old Man: “...The girl from last month… never found...” Old Woman: “...the trees… they listen...” (Swapna feels a shiver but shakes it off.) Swapna (whispering to herself): “Don’t be silly, Swapna. It’s just old people being weird.” (Scene: Halfway through the forest, the bus suddenly jerks to a halt.) Bus Driver (grumbling): “Ah, these old buses. Always something…” (He steps out to inspect the engine, leaving Swapna and the two elderly passengers alone.) Swapna (muttering): “Please don’t break down in the middle of a haunted forest. Please, please, please...” (Suddenly, she hears a faint whisper—soft and eerie—coming from the forest.) Whisper (faintly): “Swapna… come...” Swapna (startled): “What the…?” (She looks around, but the elderly couple are sitting quietly, not reacting to the sound.) Swapna (nervously): “Did… did you hear that?” Old Man (smiling): “Hear what, dear?” Swapna (hesitant): “A whisper… someone said my name.” Old Woman (chuckling): “The forest likes to play tricks. Don’t pay it any mind.” Swapna (to herself): “This is officially the weirdest bus ride ever.” (Scene: The bus driver returns, looking puzzled.) Bus Driver: “Strange… there’s nothing wrong with the engine. But the bus just won’t start.” Swapna (half-joking): “Maybe it’s the friendly ghosts holding us back.” Driver (grinning): “Could be! They like new visitors.” (Suddenly, the forest around them seems to grow quieter. The usual sounds of birds and insects fade, leaving an unsettling silence.) Old Man (whispering): “It’s starting.” Swapna (whispering): “What’s starting?” Old Woman (smiling eerily): “The forest always welcomes new friends.” (Swapna’s heart races. She glances out the window and sees a shadow move between the trees—too fast to be an animal.) Swapna (to herself, panicking): “Okay… not cool. Definitely not cool.” (Scene: The bus driver tries to restart the bus, but the engine sputters and dies. A low, strange hum echoes from the forest.) Swapna (nervously): “What is that sound?” Bus Driver (shrugging): “Probably just the wind.” (The hum grows louder, and Swapna feels a strange pull—as if the forest is calling her.) Whisper (softly): “Come... Swapna...” Swapna (to herself): “Nope. Nope. Nope. Not listening. I am not walking into a haunted forest.” (Scene: The driver steps back into the bus, looking uneasy.) Bus Driver: “We might be stuck here for a while. I suggest everyone stay inside until help arrives.” Old Man (smiling): “Oh, we won’t need help. The forest will take care of us.” Swapna (muttering): “Yeah, no thanks. I prefer my forests not haunted.” (The old woman suddenly leans closer to Swapna, her eyes glinting strangely.) Old Woman (softly): “It’s always easier if you don’t resist.” Swapna (pulling away): “Okay, lady. You’re officially creeping me out.” (Scene: As night falls, the forest grows darker. Shadows twist and move among the trees, and the whispers grow louder.) Whisper (echoing): “Come… Swapna...” Swapna (clutching her backpack): “Okay, Swapna. Breathe. Just breathe. It’s all in your head… right?” (Suddenly, the bus lights flicker, and the old couple laughs softly.) Old Man: “It’s time.” Old Woman: “The forest is ready for you.” Swapna (terrified): “Ready for what?!” (The bus lights go out completely, plunging everything into darkness.) Whisper (closer now): “Come... Swapna...” End of Episode 1