Chapter 5: The First Night

That night, I nervously started my shift right on time.

I checked the backseat twice before starting the engine, the smell of incense from the nearby temple mixing with the car freshener. I muttered a quick prayer, just in case, and felt the wood pressing against my thigh.

I drove cautiously all night.

Every shadow looked sinister, every streetlight flickered like an omen. The city was quieter than usual, but my heart wouldn’t stop racing.

It was almost dawn.

A thin orange line appeared on the horizon, and I dared to hope. The milkman’s cycles began to appear, and a few sleepy passengers waved down other cabs.

Every time a shadow moved, my heart stopped. But the backseat stayed empty. When the first rays of sun hit the windshield, I almost cried with relief.

Didn’t the old man say she’d come for me seven nights in a row?

My mind began to doubt—maybe it was all some elaborate ruse, a crazy coincidence.

I glanced at the peepal wood wedged by my car door and breathed a sigh of relief.

I stroked it once, almost with affection, and said a silent thanks to whichever god cared to listen.

I knew it—he was just a scammer. How could there be so many spirits in this world?

I chuckled to myself, feeling foolish. Maybe I’d tell the boys at the addaa and have a good laugh.