The Cabby's Nightmares: The Unspoken Fare

The neon sign flickered above the small, dimly lit taxi stand, casting an eerie glow over the rain-soaked pavement. It was a drizzly Thursday night, and the town of Eldridge was as quiet as a tomb. The cabby, a middle-aged man named Tom, had seen better days. His taxi was a relic from the '80s, with a dashboard that looked like it had seen better times, and a smell that could only be described as "old and musty."

Tom had been driving this taxi for as long as he could remember. It was his lifeline, his only connection to the world outside the town's somber walls. He had heard the stories, the whispers about Eldridge's secrets, but he had always dismissed them as mere superstitions. Until now.

The bell above the stand jingled as a figure approached. It was a young woman, her face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat and her coat pulled tightly around her. She approached the taxi with a sense of urgency, her eyes darting around as if she were looking for something or someone.

"Evening," Tom greeted, his voice tinged with a hint of curiosity. "Where to?"

The woman hesitated for a moment, her eyes meeting his for a brief, unsettling glance before she spoke. "I need to go to the old mill," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But... there's something you need to know."

Tom's curiosity was piqued. "What's that?"

"The fare," she replied, her voice still barely audible. "It's not for the distance. It's for the truth. The truth about Eldridge."

Tom's heart raced. He had never encountered a fare like this before. "Okay," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil churning within him. "I'll take you there."

As they drove through the town, the rain seemed to intensify. The old mill loomed in the distance, its once proud structure now a shadowy ruin. The woman remained silent, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.

When they arrived at the mill, the woman stepped out of the taxi without a word. Tom followed her, his curiosity now replaced by a growing sense of dread. The mill was dark and foreboding, the sound of dripping water echoing through the empty halls.

The woman led him to a room at the back of the mill, the door creaking ominously as she pushed it open. Inside was a table, and on the table was a single envelope. She handed it to Tom without a word.

Tom opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. It was a map, marked with a single location: an old, abandoned house on the outskirts of town. Below the map was a note:

"You are about to uncover the truth about Eldridge. But be warned, not all truths are meant to be known."

Tom's mind raced. What was this woman's connection to the town? What secret was she trying to protect? And most importantly, why was he the one chosen to uncover it?

He decided to follow the map. The house was in a state of disrepair, its windows boarded up and its door hanging off its hinges. Tom pushed the door open and stepped inside. The air was thick with dust and decay, and the smell of something foul lingered in the air.

He moved through the house, his footsteps echoing in the silence. The map led him to a hidden room, its entrance concealed behind a loose panel in the wall. He pushed the panel open and stepped into the darkness.

The room was small, with a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he saw the woman sitting on a chair, her face pale and drawn.

"Welcome," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry for the scare. But you needed to know the truth."

Tom sat down across from her. "What truth?"

"The truth about Eldridge," she replied. "This town is haunted by the past. By the sins of its founders. And you, Tom, are the chosen one to uncover it."

Tom's heart pounded in his chest. "How do you know that?"

"The map," she said. "It was given to me by the spirits of Eldridge. They chose you because you are a good man, a man who deserves to know the truth."

Tom's mind was a whirlwind of questions. "What is the truth?"

The woman took a deep breath. "The truth is that Eldridge was built on the bones of the indigenous people who once lived here. The founders of the town, driven by greed and power, committed heinous acts against them. And the spirits of those people still haunt this town, seeking justice."

Tom felt a chill run down his spine. "What do I need to do?"

"The spirits have chosen you to help them," she said. "You need to find the remains of the indigenous people and give them a proper burial. Only then will the spirits be at peace."

Tom knew he had no choice. He had to help the spirits of Eldridge find peace. He had to face the truth, no matter how dark it was.

As he left the house, the rain had stopped. The sky was clear, and the first light of dawn was beginning to break. Tom felt a sense of purpose, a weight lifted from his shoulders.

He knew his journey would be long and difficult, but he was ready. He was ready to face the truth, to uncover the secrets of Eldridge, and to help the spirits of the past find peace.

And so, the cabby's nightmares began, a journey into the heart of darkness that would change his life forever.