The Mango's Shadow: The College's Forbidden Passage

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the lush campus of Bangkok University. The air was cool, a refreshing contrast to the sweltering heat that had plagued the city all day. The students of the literature club were gathered in the old, decrepit library, a place that had been rumored to be haunted for decades. The library was a relic from the college's early days, its walls lined with ancient books and cobwebs, and its atmosphere thick with the scent of aged paper.

"Alright, everyone," said the club's president, a young woman named Nara, her voice steady despite the palpable tension in the room. "We've all heard the stories about the Mango's Shadow. Let's find out if they're true."

The group of six students exchanged nervous glances. They had been planning this for weeks, drawn to the allure of the supernatural and the thrill of the unknown. They were a diverse mix: Nara, the club president; her best friend, Ploy, a psychology major; the quiet, studious Jai; the outgoing, adventurous Chat; the tech-savvy, skeptical Pim; and the curious, but wary, Wann.

As they ventured deeper into the library, the air grew colder, and the shadows seemed to stretch further. The old, creaky floorboards groaned under their weight, and the occasional whisper of the wind seemed to echo through the room. They reached the back of the library, where the walls were adorned with faded portraits of past students and faculty.

"Here it is," Nara whispered, pointing to a small, unmarked door that was half-hidden behind a stack of ancient books. "The Mango's Shadow."

Pim, the tech-savvy one, pulled out his phone and began to record the scene. "Let's document this. We might need evidence later."

With trembling hands, Nara pushed the door open. A cold draft of air rushed out, and the group stepped into a narrow corridor. The walls were dark, and the only light came from the flickering glow of a single candle. The corridor seemed to stretch on forever, and the air grew colder with each step.

"Who's with me?" Chat asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nara, Ploy, and Jai nodded, their eyes fixed on the darkness ahead. They moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the silence. After what felt like an eternity, they reached the end of the corridor. Before them was a large, ornate door, its surface covered in intricate carvings of mangoes.

"This has to be it," Nara said, her voice tinged with excitement.

Pim approached the door and placed his hand on the handle. "I'll open it. You guys ready?"

The group nodded, their hearts pounding in their chests. Pim turned the handle, and the door creaked open. A gust of wind rushed out, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and something else—something ancient and forgotten.

Inside was a large, dimly lit room. The air was thick with dust, and the walls were adorned with even more portraits. The center of the room was dominated by a large, ornate table, covered in what appeared to be ancient artifacts.

As they moved closer, Ploy noticed a single mango hanging from the ceiling, its skin dark and moldy. "That's it," she whispered. "The Mango's Shadow."

Suddenly, the room grew colder, and a chilling wind seemed to sweep through the space. The group turned to see a figure standing in the corner, shrouded in darkness. The figure moved silently, its eyes glowing with an eerie, otherworldly light.

"Who are you?" Nara demanded, her voice steady despite the fear that was creeping up her spine.

The figure did not respond, but its eyes seemed to lock onto Nara. It moved closer, and the group stepped back, their hearts pounding. The figure reached out, and as its hand passed through Nara's, she felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Jai, Ploy, get out of here!" she shouted, pushing them toward the door.

The two friends hesitated for a moment, but then nodded and ran back down the corridor. Nara turned back to the figure, who was now standing directly in front of her. The figure raised its hand, and Nara felt a cold breeze brush against her skin.

"Please," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I don't want to fight you."

The figure's eyes softened for a moment, and then it nodded. It turned and walked toward the door, and Nara followed. As they reached the end of the corridor, the figure paused and turned back to Nara.

"You must never come here again," it said, its voice echoing through the corridor. "This place is not for you."

Nara nodded, her heart pounding. She turned and ran back to the library, her friends close behind. Once they were back in the safety of the library, they collapsed onto the floor, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"What just happened?" Chat asked, his voice trembling.

Nara looked at him, her eyes wide with fear. "I think we just met the Mango's Shadow."

As the days passed, the group of students found themselves haunted by the events of that night. They couldn't shake the feeling that they had seen something truly supernatural, something that defied explanation. They shared their experiences with their friends, and soon, the story of the Mango's Shadow spread throughout the campus.

Word of the haunting reached the ears of Professor Prasert, a respected historian and folklore expert. He decided to investigate the legend himself, hoping to uncover the truth behind the Mango's Shadow.

Professor Prasert spent weeks researching the history of Bangkok University, delving into ancient texts and interviewing the elderly faculty members. He discovered that the Mango's Shadow was a spirit of a student who had been wronged many years ago. The student had been betrayed by a close friend, and in a fit of rage, had taken their own life in the library.

The spirit had been trapped in the library ever since, seeking revenge on those who had wronged them. It was said that the spirit would appear to those who dared to enter the forbidden passage, testing their courage and their morality.

Professor Prasert shared his findings with the students, who were both relieved and intrigued by the revelation. They realized that the Mango's Shadow was not a malevolent spirit, but a tragic one, seeking justice for a long-forgotten wrong.

The group decided to pay their respects to the spirit, leaving offerings of food and flowers at the entrance to the forbidden passage. They also vowed to use their experiences to help others, spreading awareness of the importance of forgiveness and understanding.

As they left the library that night, the group felt a sense of closure. They had faced their fears and uncovered the truth behind the Mango's Shadow, and in doing so, had learned valuable lessons about the human condition.

The legend of the Mango's Shadow continued to grow, and Bangkok University became a place of intrigue and mystery. The forbidden passage remained closed, a reminder of the past and the lessons it held for those who dared to seek the truth.