Tales Of The Squeaker ~ Fifty thriller stories in one book

Tale Ten : Trees

In the depths of the forest, two elderly trees stood side by side, their gnarled branches interlaced like old friends' fingers. These trees, named Whisper and Echo, had witnessed millennia of secrets and shadows. Local folklore spoke of strange voices heard during moonless evenings, bringing tales of lost souls and hidden treasures.

One rainy evening, a young journalist named Raya ventured into the forest, determined to uncover the truth behind the legends. Armed with a torch and a notebook, she navigated the winding paths until she reached the area where Whisper and Echo stood. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the trees seemed to lean in as if eager to reveal their secrets.

As Raya approached, a shiver ran down her spine. The wind picked up, and the trees began to whisper. At first, the sounds were unclear, but they gradually formed words that told a story of betrayal and vengeance.

A bustling village existed in the jungle centuries ago. Whisper and Echo were planted by brothers Ezra and Tom, who were inseparable. However, their friendship was broken when they both wanted to pursue engineering at the same big university. Tom, consumed with jealousy, betrays Ezra by writing to the university, accusing his friend of cheating on his exam. Upon hearing this, the university takes away Ezra's seat. After being labelled a cheater by gossip in the village, Ezra can't handle it and runs away, leaving behind a heartbroken letter. In his letter, Ezra curses Tom and promises that their souls will be connected to the trees they planted, as the trees tell the story. Suddenly, the whispers became louder and more insistent. She realized the curse was still active, and the brothers' spirits were trapped within the trees, repeating their agony for eternity. Raya, determined to break the spell, looked for hints in the clearing. She found an ancient, weathered diary concealed beneath Whisper's roots. The notebook held Ezra's final words as well as a guide to a hidden artefact capable of freeing their souls.

In the raging storm, Raya followed the map further into the forest. She faced numerous obstacles, including treacherous terrain and mysterious apparitions. Nevertheless, her determination remained unwavering. Eventually, she reached a solitary cave where the artefact, a pendant adorned with a radiant emerald, was concealed.

As Raya clutched the pendant, the forest fell silent. She dashed back to the clearing and dropped the pendant at the feet of Whisper and Echo. The trees began to glow, and the spirits of Ezra and Tom emerged, free of their misery. They thanked Raya before retreating into the darkness, leaving the forest in peace.

Raya returned to her town with a heavy heart, burdened by the story she had uncovered. She had crafted a captivating tale, but she knew that some of the forest's secrets would remain with her forever.

~The End~

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