Little book of horrors

Balete drive (classic Filipino urban legend)

Balete drive is a very distinct street in manila, Philippines where i, Rob am currently living. As a typical taxi driver in the philippines, i am entrusted to take clients to their requested destinations. But from this day on, i refuse to take clients to Balete drive, this damned place.

A couple of years ago, i went out for my lunch break in a local diner with a few colleagues of mine.As we sat at our table, devouring our lunch, my colleague, John said to me ¨Kaibigan, (which is filipino for 'friend') i have to warn you in advance¨

John is a man in his early forties and was often depicted as wise, since he is.

¨what is it?¨ i interrogate him

¨ do you know that street, Balete drive?¨

¨well, yes john. Everyone knows about Balete Drive."

Balete drive is famously haunted by the ghost of the white lady, a woman assaulted by a Japanese soldier, which resulted in her murder. People believe that many deaths are caused by her spirit.

"Well kaibigan, i want to tell you that you should stay away from that place. If someone tells you to drive there, do not listen."

John, being a man in his early forties should be overlooked as very passive, but in fact he is very vivacious and full of life. So taken back by his sudden change in personality, i nod my head in agreement.

After lunch, i had to immediately return to my shift. I spent the next few hours giving people lifts in my designated cab. Because of the sudden change of my surroundings, i began to realise it was already night. Seven o'clock at night. The streets began to clear and fog began to form, which isn't that common here.

As i kept driving, i noticed the street sign, with the bold words flashing 'Balete Drive.'

'It's just an urban legend," I thought "what is the worse that could happen?"

As if to answer my question, i noticed a figure emerge from the fog. A woman, to be precise. She made a hand gesture as if to signal me over. Going back to my usual work ethics, i almost immediately stopped my cab. The woman surprisingly climbed into the backseat. It was surprising because clients often prefer the front seat.

The woman, i noticed is strikingly beautiful with porcelain skin and ebony hair. I'm guessing her white 1800s style dress gave away the fact that she was going to a costume party.

"Where off to, miss?" i asked.

"Just drive and i"ll tell you when to stop."

I began to drive off into the dark. The night was fairly warm, but since the woman stepped into my cab, the air suddenly became chilly, and i felt an uneasy sensation wash over me. And the woman, she just stared into the open air.

Then i decided to break the silence.

"What is your name?"

"Rage" her voice a mere whisper

"Where are you from originally?"

"Vengeance"

"Murder"

"Blood"

"TORTURE!"Startled by her hysteria, i decided to spend the rest of the car trip in silence.

After a few minutes of driving, the woman ordered me to stop. I looked around me. The fog began to clear and i noticed that i have driven into a graveyard.

I looked in the rearview mirror and the reflection beheld in the mirror should leave me traumatised. Replacing the face of that beautiful woman was a face of absolute hell. Half of her face was sullen, clearly showing the bones in her face. Blood poured from her empty sockets.

"LOOK!" she cried, blood pouring from her mouth, her skeletal finger pointing at her own reflection.

"LOOK WHAT HE DID TO ME! I MUST FIND MY KILLER,HE MUST PAY!"Petrified, i ran out of the cab leaving the woman behind. I ran to John's house, which was near by. I told him about what happened, and he told me not to tell anyone. Because for sure no one would believe that i encountered the white lady of Balete Drive.