The Purple Taxi Cab

There's an old legend in the old town of Attawatki.  An old legend the children's parents told them. An old legend the children's parents, parent told them.  An old legend the children's parents, parent parents told them.  An old legend that reaches back centuries to when it was first told. The young children believed it.  The adults did not.  They used to, when they were children, but they stopped believing on their thirteenth birthdays-all of them.  All but one grandfather.  Ella Murphys grandfather to be precise.  No one in all of Attawaki took Grandpa Murphy seriously.  They all thought he was insane. Who wouldn't be after the tragic incident, that happened thirteen years ago.  The same reason Ella was left with Grandpa Murphy.  No one who was there when- it - happened was alive now. No one but Ella and Grandpa Murphy.  Ella wouldn't remember, she was barely a year old when tragedy struck.  Grandpa Murphy refused to say anything.

    Ella had grown tired of being the little girl who lost her parents. The poor little orphaned girl, left to her insane grandfather.  He was insane in the eyes of all of Attawaki. Only Ella believed him.  He was perfectly sane, anyone with a brain could see that! She often told herself.  Just because he tells a stupid story no one will believe.  Whats so insane about an old legend, anyway? Of course, taxi cabs were usually a yellow color, not purple.  They usually took you where you asked, not where you needed.  The cab in Grandpa Murphys story were the opposite.  But, still, is that so unbelievable?

She stopped thinking these thoughts and finished packing for her trip.  Journey, Grandpa Murphy had called it.  Ella smiled.  Her grandfather was calling her. To say goodbye, once again.

Ella, granddaughter! Come say goodbye! Came the soft, but firm voice of Grandpa Murphy.

Ella skipped down the hall and slid down the stair railing. She gave her grandfather a hug and kiss on the cheek.

Bye Grandpa Murphy.  Ill see you again one day.

She whispered gently.

Do you have everything? Your tokens? Passport? Pictures? Phone? Letter?

Ella smiled. Yes! I have everything. Even the letter.

With a final farewell, Ella walked out the door and down the street.  After about a block of walking, she threw up her arm and signed for a taxi cab to come pick her up.  Once she got in the cab, shed ask them to take her to the nearest airport.  Then she could fly to the Caribbean Islands, to begin her research on a new species of animals.  Finally, after what felt like hours, a majestic purple cab whipped around the corner and, with a horrendous screech sounding like nails on a chalkboard, stopped barely a foot away from her feet.

Oh my word! That was close. Ella exclaimed, now taking a closer look at the cab. Hmm. I thought suspiciously, Grandpa Murphy's always said not to get in cabs like these. But...whats really the worst that could happen?  

With all my suspicions aside, I flung the door open and leapt inside.  The cab driver was, to be polite, strange looking.  He had short, gray and white hair, cut into a buzzcut.  It was very long in the back, though. Down to his waist, at least, with a stubby little beard, with strands of different lengths hanging down.  He had on a multicolored tracksuit and was wearing a malicious grin across his rather round and chubby face.

    Why, hello there, Ella! Ive been wondering when I might see you again! The strange man exclaimed cheerfully, too cheerfully in my opinion.  How did he know her name?  I certainly didnt know his.  

    Um, excuse me, but, how did you know my name and who in Merlins name are you? I asked, trying to sound fierce, although I knew my voice was shaking.

    The strange man chuckled. Why, I knew your parents! Now, where would you like to go on this fine evening?

I looked at him.  I blinked, once, twice, three times, in confusion.  Fine evening? The night was dreary, gloomy, terrifying, even!  You could hear the wind howling, see the pelts of water droplets on the window.  I vaguely missed the spell of wet bark, and the dew on freshly cut grass, now that I was in the cab. It smelled of mold and coffee, the faux fur seats all matted, filled with mysterious stains.  I ran my hand over the tattered seat belt, feeling the leathery material.  I pulled my long, jet black hair behind my shoulders and up into a messy bun, my side swept bangs touching the rim of my thick, brown glasses.