Emily and Melina were the best of friends. They went to the same school and were in the same class. One day, after school, Emily decided to go and spend some time with Melina at her house. After playing for some time, the girls sat down to have tea and sandwiches. Melina’s mother had also baked an enormous apple pie for tea. The girls were so full that they decided to take a walk out on the street. The girls chatted about school, studies and their upcoming ballet programme for the annual function. Suddenly, Emily stopped. She had heard something. It felt like someone was whispering their names. “Can you hear it?” asked Emily to Melina. Melina nodded. The girls looked around to see who it was but there was not a soul to be seen. “Leave it; let’s go home,” said Melina and the two girls hastened off.
Emily Meets a Stranger
The girls had hardly walked a few paces ahead when again they heard the same whispers. This time they were sure it was for real. They turned back and saw a little girl standing some distance behind them. She was badly hurt, as blood was oozing out of wounds on her face and palms. Melina was so terrified to see her that she ran off. Emily called out to her but to no avail. Melina just would not come back. Emily then turned towards the little girl. The girl had disappeared. ‘Where did she disappear now?’ wondered Emily. She had been appalled at the sight of the wounded girl and wanted to help her out. Emily looked everywhere for her and finally found her standing under a tree and wailing. “What happened, O little girl? How did you get hurt?” asked Emily. The girl would not answer Emily and just stood there bawling.
The Strange Woman
Emily asked the girl many questions, but the girl would not speak. She kept hugging Emily and tugging at her frock. Something had to be done and the girl’s wounds had to be washed. So, Emily decided to seek help from the first house she came across. She held the girl’s hand and walked towards the first house that came into view. Emily rang the bell and waited. A woman opened the door. Emily first introduced herself and then pointing towards the wounded girl asked the woman if she knew her. The woman just stood there dumbstruck. Soon, she came to her senses and pulled Emily inside the house and closed the door. “What happened? The little girl is still out there. She is injured,” cried Emily. The woman asked Emily to be quiet and told her to sit down. “Do you know the girl?” Emily asked the woman again.
A Spirit
The woman sat down, drank some water and said, “Yes, I know that girl. Her name is Tracy. She used to live next door. I used to baby-sit her. One night, her parents were away and as usual they had left her with me here. We were watching television together. Tracy was a naughty girl. The phone rang and I had got up to answer it. Meanwhile, Tracy opened the door and ran out into the garden. I followed her and she playfully ran out onto the road. A speeding car came hurtling down the road at that moment and hit poor Tracy,” said the woman wiping away tears. “Many people around here say they have seen her spirit, but I never saw her before today!” added the woman. Emily was so stunned that she could not speak for some time. Finally, she thanked the woman and left the house feeling sad and sorry for little Tracy.
