The Haunted Dealership: A Car Salesman's Frightful Night

The neon sign flickered ominously above the entrance to the dealership, casting an eerie glow on the rain-slicked parking lot. Inside, the only light came from the flickering dashboard of a classic convertible, its engine idle, the engine oil bubbling like blood under the hood. The car salesman, Tom, stood frozen at the threshold, his heart pounding in his chest. It was late, the last of the customers had long since departed, and now he was alone with the ghosts of the night.

The dealership had been struggling, and Tom had taken it upon himself to stay late, hoping to find a sale that might save it. The rain had started an hour ago, turning the parking lot into a treacherous labyrinth of puddles and slippery surfaces. Tom had seen strange shadows darting through the lot, but he dismissed them as the product of a weary imagination.

The first car he checked was a sleek black sedan, its interior as dark and intimidating as the car itself. Tom ran his fingers over the cold, metallic surface, his voice a mere whisper as he introduced the car's features. But when he turned to step back, the sedan's door opened of its own accord, revealing a passenger seat that was already occupied by a figure shrouded in shadows.

"Hello," the figure said, its voice echoing with a haunting quality that sent shivers down Tom's spine. "I've been waiting for you."

Tom's eyes widened in terror. He stumbled backwards, knocking over a stack of brochures. The sedan's door slammed shut, and the figure vanished, leaving only the car and the echo of the voice.

The next car was a cherry red sports car, its engine purring like a beast. Tom approached, his hands trembling, but before he could speak, the car's door opened and a hand reached out, beckoning him. Tom hesitated, but curiosity got the better of him, and he stepped inside.

The car interior was pitch black, but the hand guided him to a seat. As he sat down, the car began to move, the engine roaring louder with each passing second. Tom tried to open the door, but it was locked from the outside. The car's speed increased, and Tom's heart raced in his chest as he realized he was trapped.

The car careened through the parking lot, bouncing over the slick puddles, its tires screeching against the asphalt. Tom clutched the seatbelt, his eyes wide with terror, as the car approached the edge of the parking lot, the rain-soaked ground below rapidly approaching.

Suddenly, the car stopped, the engine cutting out with a loud pop. Tom's breath caught in his throat as he looked around. He was in a small, enclosed area, the only light coming from the car's headlights, which flickered and dimmed as if something was drawing power from them.

Tom's mind raced as he tried to figure out where he was. He had no idea how he had ended up there, and the thought that the car had brought him there filled him with dread. He began to explore the area, finding a narrow path that seemed to lead deeper into the dealership.

As he ventured further, the darkness grew thicker, and the sound of his footsteps echoed in the silence. The air grew colder, and Tom shivered, his skin crawling with anticipation. He could feel something watching him, something lurking in the shadows.

The path opened up into a large room, the walls adorned with faded car advertisements and dusty photographs of classic models. Tom's eyes widened in shock as he realized he had stumbled upon the dealership's storeroom. It was filled with old cars, some in disrepair, others gleaming with an eerie shine.

He moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of the figure that had haunted him. His heart pounded as he approached a row of cars that seemed to be arranged in a specific pattern. As he drew closer, he noticed that each car had a nameplate, each one written in an old, faded script.

Tom's eyes fixed on one nameplate in particular: "Evelyn." He had heard that name before, but he couldn't quite place it. As he reached out to touch the plate, the car's engine roared to life, and the car's door opened, revealing the same figure from before, now standing in the doorway.

"Welcome, Tom," the figure said, a sinister smile playing on its lips. "You have been chosen."

Tom's mind raced as he tried to understand what was happening. The figure stepped forward, and Tom felt a chill run down his spine. He backed away, his eyes wide with fear.

"Run, Tom," the figure commanded. "Run and never look back."

Tom turned and began to flee, his heart pounding as he ran through the storeroom, his footsteps echoing in the silence. He darted through the room, his eyes scanning for an exit, but every door he tried to open was locked.

Desperation set in as Tom realized he was trapped. He stumbled to his knees, the weight of the night pressing down on him. The figure appeared behind him, its face twisted in a grotesque grin.

"Time is running out, Tom," the figure said. "The night is far from over."

Tom looked up, his eyes filled with terror. He knew that the night was just beginning, and he was the only one who could stop it.

The story of Tom's nightmarish experience at the haunted dealership spread quickly, sparking discussions and debates among those who heard it. Some believed it was a mere tale of a car salesman's overactive imagination, while others whispered about the supernatural forces that had been unleashed upon the dealership.

As for Tom, he never returned to the dealership. He sold his car, packed up his belongings, and left town, never to be seen again. The dealership closed its doors shortly after, the neon sign finally succumbing to the relentless rain that had pounded the parking lot for what seemed like an eternity.

The legend of the haunted dealership lived on, passed down through generations of locals who spoke of the eerie sounds that sometimes echoed through the empty parking lot on rainy nights. The cars, it was said, remained, their engines idling, their doors opening and closing, waiting for the next unsuspecting soul to step into their cold, metallic grasp.

The night was far from over, and the story of the haunted dealership was a chilling reminder that sometimes, the things we fear are more real than we dare to believe.