A room dimly lit by a bedside lamp. A soft music filled the room. A cell phone was kept on the side table. The phone vibrated and rang. A hand was seen approaching the mobile phone. The phone was picked up and that landed on the tired ears of a man. His name was Mike.
A sweet, strange voice was heard from the other end over the phone. The exhausted Mike got up from his bed. He strapped his gown and hurried towards the balcony. He exchanged some words and disconnected the call. Then he jumped out of excitement and flung to the bed again. He smiled and fell asleep.
Mike wake up the next morning and quickly freshened up. He was hurrying to leave for the office. He didn’t eat the breakfast. He drank a few glasses of water, took out his 2-seeater car from the garage and drove to the office.
Upon reaching the office, he was waiting for his intimate colleagues to arrive. He even gave several calls to them, but none of them received his calls. Lastly, he banged his fist on the table and sat on the chair in desperation. After sometime, Jennie, one his colleagues entered the room. Mike poured anger on her. She said,” What’s wrong Mike? Are you okay? You gave repeated calls to me for the past 1 hour. I was stuck in the traffic jam? Is everything fine at your home?”
Mike was about to speak, but John, another colleague dropped in and intervened. John also raised the similar questions as Jennie did. Finally, Mike took a long breath and explained, “Friends, I received a phone call yesterday at late hours. I have won a tour to Marina Island. I want you to accompany me. We will have a great fun there. The expenses will be borne by the travels company. I need your consents. If we visit, we will receive $100000 as bonus”
Jennie and John looked at each other. They signaled by raising their eyebrows. Jointly, they said “Yes, but when?” Mike replied that they would get 3 consecutive holidays the next week. They would visit the island that time. He further explained, “The Island is covered with colorful herbs and shrubs. Many birds inhabit the island. There is a magical waterfall where everyone’s wish is fulfilled”
Jennie and John resumed to daydreams. Jennie wished if she had a beautiful penthouse with modern amenities. John dreamt if he could become the richest man in the world.
Mike clicked his fingers after sometime and diverted the situation. “Shall we dream or do some work now? We will be meeting at the NY bus terminus the next Tuesday”.
The day for the journey dawned. Mike was waiting for his friends to arrive. John dropped first, then Jennie. After the 5-minutes wait, a white caravan arrived. The conductor welcomed the passengers.
The tourists boarded in and took their respective seats. The windows were covered with curtains. The vehicle accelerated. Mike and his friends were in pink mood. A chic waitress offered them drinks.
Everyone drank and lost their consciousness. The unconscious tourists were deported to the island by boat. After reaching the spot, they were taken to an abandoned house and transferred to bed.
It was late at night. John regained his consciousness first. He opened his eyes with fright. He shook Mike and Jennie. Luckily, others regained their consciousness. The room was gloomy and produced dank smell. Jennie vomited and felt uneasy. She asked, “How we reached here? Where is the tour guide?”
The music from a piano was heard beneath the bed. Mike cautioned everyone. He said,” The guide must be taking rest in the other room. Remember, we have come here to win $1, 00,000. Be bold. Move ahead. Everyone help me reach the place from where the music is being played”.
Three of them displaced the bed. They found a pit covered with a heavy iron lid. They removed the lid and found a vertical tunnel, completely dark. They started climbing down the tunnel. They reached the dungeon. The music became louder.
Mike wanted to go near the piano, but the path was full of cobwebs. John helped Mike at removing the cobwebs. Jennie followed, but she was afraid.
And finally what they saw? They were surprised to see that an invisible force was playing the piano. After sometime, the play stopped. A bang was heard above. The lid of the tunnel was closed.
Then, a whizzing sound with circular flashy lights was produced. A female ghost in loose, torn gown circled over the piano and stood still after sometime. At first, she laughed. Then she spoke in eerie voice, “For years, I am hungry. After a long wait, I will enjoy flesh today” By saying that, she headed towards Jennie. Mike signaled,” Move, we are danger”.
The tourists started climbing the ladder. Jennie was behind the boys. The ghost grabbed Jennie by her neck. She was about to bit Jennie. Mike took out his lighter, ignited that and sprayed deodorant from the other hand. The flame severely burnt the ghost and she fell into the dungeon crying in pain.
The trio hurried and reached the exit. They bashed on the lid with their fists and it broke. They ran fast as much they could till they reached the seashore. Luckily, they found a speed boat. They jumped into the boat and sped away to save their lives.
They reached NY late. The friends decided to halt at a hotel to take rest. They booked a room and spent the night there. The next morning, John said,” Thank God, We are alive. This is our biggest prize”. Everyone realized and took respite.
