Tom, 89, shuffled through the bustling corridors of the shopping mall at mid-day. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead as he made his way towards the food court, his cane tapping against the tiled floor in a rhythmic beat. Despite the noise of shoppers and the smell of fast food, a chill ran down his spine as he felt someone – or something – watching him.
As he reached the food court, Tom found an empty table and sat down to rest his tired legs. The air grew colder, and a sense of unease settled in his chest. Suddenly, a whisper echoed in his ear, sending shivers down his spine.
“Tom,” the voice called, soft and menacing. He looked around, but there was no one in sight. The other patrons seemed oblivious to the chilling presence that had invaded the mall.
Determined to brush off the unease, Tom stood up, gripping his cane tightly. But as he turned to leave, a figure appeared before him – a ghostly apparition with hollow eyes and a twisted smile. It floated towards him, its cold touch sending a wave of terror through his frail body.
“Who are you?” Tom stammered, his voice quivering with fear.
The ghostly figure cackled, its laughter echoing through the empty corridors of the mall. “I am the spirit of a forgotten soul, trapped in this place for eternity,” it whispered, its voice filled with malice.
Tom felt a surge of dread wash over him as he realised the truth – he was not alone in the shopping mall. The ghost had chosen him as its next victim, seeking to torment and terrify him until the end of his days.
Desperate to escape, Tom turned and ran, his heart pounding in his chest. But no matter how fast he moved, the ghost was always there, its haunting gaze following him wherever he went. He could feel its icy breath on his neck, its malevolent presence suffocating him.
As he reached the exit, Tom stumbled and fell to the ground, his cane clattering to the floor. The ghost loomed over him, its twisted smile widening as it reached out a cold, ghostly hand towards him.
“Please,” Tom begged, tears streaming down his wrinkled cheeks. “Let me go.”
But the ghost only laughed, its laughter echoing through the empty corridors of the mall. “You are trapped here with me, Tom,” it whispered, its voice filled with malice. “Forever and ever.”
And as Tom closed his eyes, the ghost enveloped him in darkness, its chilling touch consuming him completely. The shopping mall fell silent once more, the only sound the haunting laughter of a forgotten soul trapped in eternal torment.
About the Author
Ben Macnair is an award-winning poet, playwright and musician from Staffordshire in the United Kingdom.
