Whispers of the Departed: The Night Bus's Hidden Passenger

The rain pelted against the windows of the old, dilapidated night bus, its red lights casting eerie shadows on the wet cobblestone streets. The driver, an elderly man named Mr. Chen, was used to the solitude that accompanied his nightmarish route. It was the 9th of the month, a night when the supernatural seemed to come alive with a peculiar fervor.

The bus was filled with the usual late-night travelers—drunkards, tired workers, and those seeking the comfort of a warm bed after a long day. Among them was a young woman named Liu Mei, who was returning to her hometown after a long trip. She had taken the night bus to avoid the long wait for the next morning's train.

As the bus rolled down the rain-slicked road, the passengers settled into their seats, trying to catch some sleep. Mr. Chen's voice broke the silence, "This is your stop, Number 13. Mind the steps."

Liu Mei stepped off the bus, her head throbbing with exhaustion. The cold wind hit her, and she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. She had barely made it to the curb when the bus's door slammed shut with a loud metallic thud, followed by a chilling silence.

As the bus drove away, Liu Mei looked back and noticed a figure standing in the rain, staring intently at her. It was a woman, dressed in an old-fashioned dress that seemed out of place in the modern city. The woman's face was obscured by her hair, which was tied in a long, flowing braid.

Curiosity piqued, Liu Mei returned to the bus and asked Mr. Chen, "Sir, did you see that woman? She looked like she was waiting for someone."

Mr. Chen chuckled, "Oh, you saw her, huh? That's my old friend, Lin Mei. She's been haunting this route for years now. Say hello to her, would you?"

Liu Mei felt a shiver run down her spine as she called out, "Hello, Lin Mei!"

The woman turned her head, and for a moment, Liu Mei thought she saw a hint of recognition in the woman's eyes. Then, the woman's expression turned sad, and she turned back to the road, disappearing into the mist.

Days passed, and Liu Mei couldn't shake off the feeling that she had seen Lin Mei before. She decided to research the woman's past, hoping to find some connection. She learned that Lin Mei had died mysteriously under circumstances that remained unsolved. It was rumored that Lin Mei had been involved in a love triangle, and her heartbreak had driven her to an early grave.

As the nights grew colder, Liu Mei's encounters with Lin Mei became more frequent. The woman would appear at various stops, waiting for the night bus, only to vanish before it arrived. Mr. Chen became a source of comfort, sharing stories about Lin Mei's life and her final moments.

One night, as the bus approached the last stop, Liu Mei saw Lin Mei once more. This time, the woman approached the bus and pressed her hand against the window. The passengers were silent, and the driver, Mr. Chen, seemed deeply affected by the sight.

Liu Mei called out, "Lin Mei, are you alright?"

The woman's voice, soft and sorrowful, echoed through the bus, "I need help. Please, take me to Number 13."

The passengers exchanged nervous glances, and Mr. Chen's face was pale. "Number 13, huh? That's her final resting place, but I can't let her stay here. We need to find a way to help her."

Liu Mei decided to take matters into her own hands. She spoke with a medium and learned that Lin Mei's spirit was trapped in the night bus, unable to move on due to unfinished business. The medium suggested a ritual to help release her.

The ritual took place at the bus stop on the 13th, under the watchful eyes of Mr. Chen and the passengers. As Liu Mei and the medium performed the ceremony, Lin Mei's presence seemed to grow stronger. Her voice became louder, and she demanded answers.

"I need to know why he left me," Lin Mei's voice echoed through the night, her sorrow cutting through the cold air.

Liu Mei's heart raced as she stepped forward, "Lin Mei, he left you because he didn't know you were alive. He loved you deeply, but he had no idea you were still here."

A moment of silence followed, then Lin Mei's voice softened. "Thank you, Liu Mei. Thank you for helping me."

The ritual concluded, and as the last incense burned out, Lin Mei vanished, leaving the passengers in a state of shock. The night bus, now free of her spirit, continued on its journey, and Mr. Chen finally seemed at peace.

The following morning, Liu Mei received a letter from Mr. Chen, thanking her for her bravery and for helping Lin Mei find peace. It was signed, "With love, Lin Mei."

Liu Mei held the letter close to her chest, a sense of fulfillment washing over her. She had faced the supernatural and helped a spirit find its way to the afterlife. The night bus, with its red lights and its secrets, had brought her an unforgettable experience—one that would stay with her forever.