THE HIGHWAY HORROR STORY

 A few winters ago, something unusual happened that I can never forget. It was freezing cold, and some of my relatives had come to visit us from another city. We cousins—Rashid, Adnan, Areeba, Maham, and I (Abdul Rahim)—decided to go for a late-night outing. Our families agreed and allowed us to go.

It was around 10 PM when we left in the car. We did some shopping, enjoyed dinner, and completely lost track of time. The chilly breeze felt refreshing, and none of us wanted to head back home just yet. So, we chose to head out towards the highway for a drive. Lost in conversation, we kept going farther and farther.

It was only after a while that we noticed we had gone much farther than we intended. I told them firmly, Let’s not go any further — let’s return.

 There’s nothing around here." Everyone got a bit nervous as it was clear we were in an unfamiliar area. I tried to turn the car around and drive back, but the engine suddenly stalled. Despite several attempts, it just wouldn’t start.

Rashid suggested calling someone, but to our surprise, none of us had any signal on our phones. He said, “I’ll step out and see if there’s anyone nearby who can help.”

Rashid and I got out of the car. The road was completely deserted. Then, suddenly, a bright light flashed in our faces and a deep voice boomed, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

We were startled, but as the person came closer, we felt slightly relieved—it was a guard in uniform. He scolded us For being out so late in such an isolated place. After we explained everything, he said, “There’s a hotel not far from here. You’ll find help there, and you might get phone signals too.”

At first, we hesitated, but after he insisted, we locked the car and followed him. Upon arriving at the hotel, we were taken aback—it was unexpectedly large and luxurious. However, there was only one girl sitting at the reception. The guard spoke to her, and she smiled at us and came forward to welcome us. She handed us two room keys.

We had no other choice, so we decided to stay the night and wait for morning. Areeba and Maham went to their room, while I, Rashid, and Adnan settled into ours.

Exhausted, we fell asleep quickly. Not long after, we were jolted awake by Areeba and Maham's screams. We ran to their room and found them completely frightened. They claimed that someone had been banging violently on their door. When they finally opened it, there was no one outside.

Shaken, we asked them to come stay in our room. They agreed and fell asleep again in our room.

A short while later, the same banging started on our door. Now we were truly frightened. We were still deciding what to do when the door suddenly burst open—but again, no one was there.

As we stared at the doorway in horror, something even more terrifying happened. Areeba’s voice and expression changed. Her voice deepened, sounding exactly like the guard’s, and she began screaming like a madwoman, “None of you will leave alive!”

We were frozen in fear as she started throwing things at us. Panicking, we tried to run out, but the door was locked from the outside. The lights went out, and a dreadful voice echoed through the hotel: “Whoever enters here... never leaves.”

Suddenly, we saw a massive creature with large horns and a horrifying face. It was advancing toward us when, out of nowhere, the hotel doors flung open, and a bright light flooded the room…

Then everything went black.

When we woke up, we found ourselves inside a small house. An elderly man and woman were reading something beside us. All five of us were safe.

The old woman said gently, “Don’t be afraid. Nothing will harm you anymore, she said, before unfolding the dreadful reality.

“You were caught in a demonic trap. This hotel was once very famous, but after a newer, bigger hotel opened nearby, no one came here anymore.”

“The hotel’s owner, desperate to revive his business, turned to dark forces for help. But instead of helping, the demonic powers destroyed him and his entire family. Since then, the hotel has remained abandoned, but the evil spirits still lure people inside with illusions—and destroy them.”

Had we not arrived when we did, none of you would have survived.

SYEDA SHEHZANA HAIDER