Something Wrong - The Phek

The train compartment was filled with a heavy atmosphere of fear and tension after the mystery man vanished into the night by jumping off the train.

"I swear, that was a ghost," said Padmini, still shaken.

"Oh, shut up, Padmini! What nonsense. I think he was just a psycho," said Mrs. Ashwin firmly. "Let's not talk about him anymore."

"Why do all psychos meet us only?" Padmini muttered. "First that old lady… and now this?"

"Don't overthink, dear," said Mr. Ashwin gently. "It's not good for your health. Besides, we're about to start our new life in Phek. Stay positive."

"When will we reach Phek? Can anyone tell me?" asked Priyadarshini, looking out the window.

"We'll reach Dimapur by train, beta," explained Mr. Ashwin. "Then we'll take a bus to Phek New Town. That's where my military headquarters is, and then we'll go to our new home."

"I got it, Master!" Priya saluted playfully.

"Me too!" added Padmini.

"Yaaahhh!" shouted little Suyanshi joyfully.

Everyone burst into laughter. The tension lightened for a moment.

"Now sleep," said Mr. Ashwin. "We'll reach Dimapur around 2:00 AM."

"Chai le lo! Chai le lo!"A tea seller's voice rang through the compartment.

"Oh Jesus! What was that?!" exclaimed Priya.

"Priya, it's just a tea seller," said Mrs. Ashwin. "Don't be scared."

"Who's scared? I'm not!" Priya replied nervously, her voice trembling.

The tea seller had his face mostly covered with a scarf, revealing only one intense eye.He stopped near them.

"You disturbed our sleep, so now make a good cup of tea," Mr. Ashwin said, smiling politely.

"Yes, sir," the tea seller replied.

"It's really cold tonight, isn't it?" Mr. Ashwin commented.

"Yes, sir. Heavy rains have dropped the temperature sharply in the northeast. I assume you're not from around here?" the tea seller asked.

"Right. I'm from Lucknow. I've been transferred to Phek New Town Military Health Center," replied Mr. Ashwin.

"W-where... did you say?" the tea seller asked hesitantly.

"Phek," said Mr. Ashwin again.

"The Phek... the Phek... the Phek..."The tea seller began mumbling the name repeatedly.Then, his body started trembling violently.

Suddenly, he collapsed on the train floor, and foam began coming out of his mouth.

"Oh God—he's having an epileptic seizure!" shouted Mr. Ashwin, springing into action.

As a trained doctor, he began performing first aid to minimize the effects of the seizure.

After 3–4 tense minutes, the tea seller slowly regained consciousness.

Mr. Ashwin offered him water.

But even in a dazed state, the tea seller whispered fearfully,"Don't go there, sir… my family… was destroyed… in Phek… don't…"

Before anyone could stop him, the tea seller ran toward the train's exit, leaped from the moving train — and was crushed under the wheels.

The entire scene unfolded right before Mr. Ashwin's eyes.

He sat back, stunned.

"What just happened?Why did he say his family was destroyed in Phek?What kind of place am I taking my family to?"