Sinking Fear 😱😨

"Vikas… Vikas… help me!" Andy’s panicked voice echoed through the empty landscape. "My leg is stuck in the mud!"

Vikas spun around, eyes widening in horror. Andy was knee-deep in the thick, murky sludge, struggling desperately to free himself.

"Hold on, Andy! Do not move!" Vikas grabbed a sturdy stick and thrust it towards his friend. "Here! Grab this and push your feet out while I pull!"

Andy gripped the stick tightly, his face contorted in effort. "Arghhhhhh! It is not working! The more I move, the deeper I sink!"

Vikas pulled harder, his knuckles turning white, but it was no use. Andy was sinking fast.

"Help… somebody help us!" Vikas shouted at the top of his lungs, but his voice was swallowed by the vast, empty surroundings. Not a soul was in sight.

His mind raced. "Wait! Hang on! Do not move. I will go to the main road and find someone!"

"No! Do not leave me alone, Vikas!" Andy pleaded, fear glistening in his eyes.

But there was no time to argue. Vikas sprinted to his bicycle, his heart hammering in his chest, and pedaled furiously towards the main road. His legs burned as he pushed harder, faster.

When he reached the road, his breath caught in his throat. It was deserted. No cars. No people. Nothing.

Then, a glimmer of hope. A phone booth.  Vikas leaped off his bicycle and ran to it, his fingers trembling as he picked up the receiver. Static. No dial tone. The phone was broken.

"No… no, no, no!" He slammed the receiver down, his chest heaving in frustration. His fists clenched. "Why do people vandalize public property?!"  

Defeated, he stumbled back, hands gripping his hair.   Andy… I left him alone!   

As panic jolted through his veins. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, jumped back on his bicycle, and pedaled with every ounce of strength he had left.

As he reached the abandoned mining pond, an icy chill ran down his spine.  Andy was gone.

Vikas’ breath hitched. His knees felt weak. "Andy! Andy, where are you?!" His voice cracked with terror.

A lump formed in his throat. His mind screamed for him to jump into the water and search for Andy, but fear paralyzed him.  What if I get stuck too?

Regret hit him like a tidal wave. Pak Cik Dollah warned us. He told us not to come here. Why did we not listen?

Dizziness clouded his vision. The heat. followed by exhaustion & fear it was too much. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.

Suddenly, a cold splash of water hit his face. His eyes shot open.

Blurred figures moved in the distance. An ambulance. A stretcher. A familiar figure being carried away.

Vikas scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding. "Andy!" His voice cracked, relief flooding his body as he saw his friend weakly lift a hand and wave.

Tears streamed down Vikas face. Andy was safe.   Later, he learned that Pak Cik Dollah had found Andy just in time. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Vikas thanked the old man with everything he had in him before pushing his bicycle home, his body heavy with exhaustion.

The next day, he visited Andy at the hospital. His friend had a few bruises and was under observation, but he was alive.

That day, they made a solemn vow. Never again would they go near abandoned places.

Never again would they ignore the advice of their elders. And never again would they take safety for granted.