APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION

 APPETITE FOR DESTRUCTION

 

In the dimly lit engine of the Kanchanjunga Express, the atmosphere was heavy with an impending doom. The five ghosts, masquerading as friendly and helpful locals of New Jalpaiguri, surround Amol, a middle-aged, unsuspecting loco pilot of the train. Their dark, sinister plan was about to unfold.

 

Amol, the trusting, good-natured gent, was quickly won over by the seemingly harmless, affable group from his hometown. The two female ghosts, with their superficial, spectral beauty masking a deadly intent, began the assault. Their voices, once sweet and dripping with fresh honey from the bee hives of neighbouring Agartala, were now laced with poison. Their cruel, sharp tongues hurled a barrage of abusive taunts at Amol. His patience and confidence took a severe beating. Confusion, fogginess and panic began to cloud his mind.

 

The elderly ghost, with a face hiding evil deeds and years of sin, had a look of false and distorted wisdom. He added his own scorn, his words dripping with contempt. The bald ghost laughed wickedly and leaned in close, his eyes gleaming with sadistic joy. The gay ghost, with an extravagant flair, mocked, jeered, and taunted, his words cutting deep into poor Amol’s psyche.

 

Under the relentless verbal assault from the group, Amol lost his focus. The engine controls, which he once knew like the back of his hands, now felt strange and alien under his shaking hands. Beads of sweat trickled down his face as he struggled to keep the train running on course. His vision started blurring, and his mind swam in the deep sea of confusion and despair.

 

As the Kanchanjunga Express raced through the night, its journey became highly erratic. Near Darjeeling, the inevitable happened. In his last moments, Amol’s eyes widened in horror as the headlights of the oncoming goods train crashed into his train. A defining loud noise echoed through the hills of Darjeeling, the sounds of metal twisting and screams breaking the silence of the still night.

 

The aftermath was one of chaos and destruction. Train wreckage and debris were scattered across the tracks, mingled with the helpless cries of the injured and the dying. Among the dead bodies lay Amol, his final moments of torment inflicted on him by the five vengeful ghosts captured on his lifeless face.

 

Standing among the carnage, the five ghosts gave each other high fives and exchanged triumphant glances. Their mission was accomplished, and with satisfied smiles, they dissolved and merged into the shadows of the dark night they came from. They disappeared in search of their next victim, leaving behind a scene of unspeakable horror and heartbreak.