Dark After Dark (short horror stories)

Taxi Ride

Hank was sitting behind the wheel of a taxi on a cool autumn night, waiting for his last passenger of the day before heading home. He had parked the car near the train station, and as he was lighting a cigarette, he noticed a middle-aged woman sitting in the back seat.

"Where to?" Hank asked, adjusting his hat.

"1657 Westfield Lane," she replied in a faint voice.

The trees alongside the road swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling as they drove through the barely lit streets. It was a long drive to Westfield, and after a few minutes of silence, Hank tried to break the ice.

"Long night, huh?" He looked at the woman through the rearview mirror.
The passenger stared out the window, her gaze drifting toward the horizon.

"I'm just... lost," she murmured. "I have to see my family. I need to find them."

Hank raised his eyebrows and glanced at the woman, sensing something was off about her. Her eyes were dazed, and her pale face was faintly glowing in the moonlight. Hank often dealt with strange passengers, and his gut told him this was one of those times. He locked the car's doors with a single click, thinking it would be wise to stay cautious. He needed the money and could not afford to let the woman leave without paying.

As they left the populated areas behind, the streetlights grew fewer, and the darkness welcomed them. The familiar sounds of the city faded, replaced by the calmness of the outskirts. The road was harder and harder to see, given how heavily the mist blanketed everything.

"We're almost there," Hank said, squinting his eyes to make out the surroundings.

They soon reached the coordinates the woman had given, and to Hank's dismay, he found himself parked at the entrance of a cemetery. He thoroughly observed the surroundings, and as he was about to ask the passenger if this was indeed her destination, he heard a soft voice-a whisper:

"Thank you."

Hank blinked, feeling an odd mixture of relief and dread.

"You sure this is where you want to go?" He asked, glancing into the rearview mirror, only to find the seat empty.

The man swiftly turned his head to make sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him, but the back seat was still empty, and the doors were all locked.

"It's time for me to retire," Hank muttered and drove off at full speed, leaving the place as soon as possible.