Chapter 2 — The Bridge Where the Silence Screams

The hours passed with the same speed as a depressed turtle.Classes were finally over, and the sun began to hide behind the mountains surrounding the town.Sam, Riko, and Kenji walked out of the classroom like freshly released prisoners.“Well,” Riko said with a mischievous grin, “are we going to check out the bridge or what?”“What? Since when are we paranormal investigators?” Kenji replied.“You said you wanted something fun to do, genius,” Riko laughed.“Yeah, but I meant soccer, not homicidal ghosts.”“Oh, come on,” Sam said with suspicious calm. “What if it’s true?”Kenji stared at him, half shocked, half scared.“You? The same guy who almost fainted when he saw a black cat at night—you want to see a cursed bridge?”Sam smiled.“I just want to see if people are exaggerating… besides, I’m curious.”(Translation: he has nothing better to do, and his life is boring enough to risk his soul for entertainment.)So they went.The path to the bridge was narrow, surrounded by tall grass and crickets that sounded like they’d signed a contract to be annoying.The air grew cooler with every step, and the sky was slowly painted orange and violet.“What if someone really did die here?” Riko asked quietly.“What if they’re still here?” Kenji added mockingly.“What if you two shut up?” Sam said, still walking.Despite his calm tone, something inside him vibrated—a feeling like the world had just held its breath.Every sound seemed to stretch a second longer than it should.The bridge finally appeared through the mist of sunset.It was old, made of wood and rusted metal, with a crooked railing and a half-faded sign that read:“No crossing after sunset.”(Yeah, because putting that right where someone died is definitely the best way to attract curious teenagers. Great job, local authorities.)Riko stepped forward, lighting the way with her phone.“Looks quiet…”“Yeah, too quiet,” Sam muttered.And then—something creaked.The three froze.Only the sound of the river beneath the bridge could be heard.Sam felt the air grow heavier, as if the entire world was holding its breath.“Probably an animal,” Kenji said quickly, mostly to convince himself.“Right, an animal with human footsteps,” Riko joked, though her voice trembled slightly.Sam looked toward the other side of the bridge.For a split second, he swore he saw a figure—a woman’s silhouette, standing still, holding something.But when he blinked, it was gone.That was when Sam realized something important:rumors always begin where silence screams the loudest.The wind blew, scattering dead leaves.The sun disappeared completely.And while his friends laughed nervously and said “Let’s get out of here,”Sam kept staring at the bridge.He wasn’t afraid—but something in his chest pulsed with a strange mix of curiosity and respect…as if something invisible… had just stared back.