Lekhny Story, by Riyazuddin. -04-Oct-2024

The Forgotten Town of Whispers

Deep within the heart of a forgotten forest, there lay a town that was not on any map. It was called Whispering Hollow, named after the eerie wind that constantly swept through the streets, carrying faint, unspoken words that no one could fully understand. Legend had it that once, this town thrived with life, its people filled with laughter and joy. But something changed one night—something dark.

Isla, a curious traveler, had heard tales of Whispering Hollow, a place where people vanished without a trace. Driven by an unshakable sense of adventure, she set out to uncover the truth. Armed with nothing but a lantern and a worn journal, she entered the dense forest, its trees towering like silent sentinels. Hours passed before the outline of the town emerged from the mist.

As she stepped into the hollow, Isla noticed something strange. The houses, though old, seemed preserved in time. The town square was deserted, but the whispers—soft and rhythmic—surrounded her. She followed the sound to an old well at the center of town. Leaning over, she peered inside, only to find endless darkness. But the whispers grew louder, as if calling her name.

Suddenly, a voice from behind her whispered, "We’ve been waiting for you."

Turning around, Isla found herself surrounded by the town’s residents—pale, expressionless, and translucent. Before she could scream, the ground beneath her gave way, and she fell into the well, swallowed by the darkness, never to be seen again.

Whispering Hollow was forgotten once more, waiting for its next visitor.