Phone Booth

When I was in my mid-teens, me with my friend, Evan, were really interested in ghost stories. Whenever we met, we'd always share ghost stories with each other.

One day in our mid winter break, Evan was browsing through internet, when he came across a website that had lot of spooky Japanese urban legends. he read about a story about a certain suspension bridge that was located close his home. The website had plenty of pictures of the bridge and the surrounding areas. As he read the legend associated with the bridges, He knew I'd be interested so he called me and told me about the bridge.

It was an old suspension bridge that crossed over a deep gorge and was well known as a notorious spot for suicides. Every year at least 20 - 40 people were found either at the verge of death or dead at the ravine. They said that spot was haunted by ghosts and evil spirits of the dead ones.

That evening I decided to go to the bridge as I desperately wanted to see a ghost. So, the very night I set out for the location where the bridge was. After a couple of hours I reached there. It was about half an hour before mid night. It was dark and the place was lifeless. The ominous atmosphere sent chills down my spine.

I cautiously walked towards the edge of the bridge and peeked down the abyss. I began thinking about the people who may have died by throwing themselves down the dark abyss.

It was so fascinating that I pulled out my phone to call him (my friend). However there wasn't any cellular network. I looked around and at a distance I saw a phone booth. I went inside and put some coins in the slots and called him.

'Hello? Evan? Guess where I am right now?" I said. "I am at the suspension bridge you told me about. The view is amazing you should come and see it sometime."

" Yeah, I'd love to," replied Evan. "I saw all the pictures online.. Wait a second.. What number are you calling me from?"

"Oh, I couldn't get any cellular network here, so I'm calling from  payphone booth up here." I exclaimed.

Evan was confused. "Payphone? There is no payphone booth up there. I didn't see any in the pictures."

"What are you talking about?" I asked looking outside the booth I was standing in. Seeing the line of people standing outside the booth I said," Hold on, I'd better go. There is a line of people waiting to use the phone. I'll call you when I get back home,"

From the other side of the phone Evan shouted," No!! Don't get out of the booth! I know that place! I'll be right there in no time. No matter what dont move!!"

"Why? What's wrong?" I exclaimed in slight fear.

"Just promise me You'll stay where where you are without moving an inch. I am coming and dont hand up!" he said.

I said ok. Then I looked over my shoulder and saw a long line of people standing outside the booth and staring ominously at me. I shivered.

About half and hour later he arrived. He found his friend; me, standing at the edge of the cliff, holding an old cellular phone against my ear.

He then came towards me and pulled me away from the cliff. To my horror, I realized there was neither the phone booth nor the long line of people. If I didn't listen to what he said and had moved an inch form the place I was standing I'd have fallen off the dark abyss. I still am grateful to Evan.

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