The Haunted Highway of the Fashion Mall

The Haunted Highway of the Fashion Mall

The Fashion Mall was a beacon of modern elegance, a sprawling structure that seemed to absorb the city's energy, reflecting back a polished, vibrant facade. Yet, hidden within its labyrinthine corridors, there was a place that time had forgotten—a department store called Highway, which had been abandoned years ago.

The mall was eerily quiet on this particular evening, save for the distant hum of the escalators and the occasional echo of footsteps. The young woman, Alice, had heard whispers about Highway, but she never imagined she would find herself drawn to its dark, forgotten halls.

Alice had been researching her family history, seeking clues about her grandmother's past. A photograph in an old album had caught her eye—a picture of her grandmother standing in front of a grand department store with the name "Highway" prominently displayed above the entrance. It was a store that had vanished without a trace, and Alice was determined to uncover the mystery.

As she navigated through the mall, her footsteps echoed off the polished marble floors. She approached the entrance to Highway, its once-vibrant sign now faded and peeling. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit space that seemed to pulse with an unsettling energy.

Inside, the air was thick with dust and the scent of old wood. The shelves that had once been filled with the latest fashions now held nothing but cobwebs and forgotten dreams. Alice wandered through the aisles, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from the back of the store. It was a woman, her face obscured by a dark veil. "Who are you?" the woman's voice was a chilling whisper.

Alice stumbled backward, nearly losing her balance. "I'm just... looking for information," she stammered, her voice trembling.

The woman's eyes, visible through the veil, seemed to pierce through Alice's soul. "You should leave," she said, her voice laced with a warning.

Ignoring the warning, Alice pressed on. She found herself in a back room, the walls adorned with faded photographs and old advertisements. One particular photo caught her eye—it was a portrait of the same woman, but with a different veil. The caption read: "Highway's Favored Daughter."

Alice's curiosity got the better of her, and she reached out to touch the photograph. As her fingers brushed against the glass, the image began to flicker, and the woman in the photo seemed to come to life. "You seek the truth, but you must first face the consequences," the woman's voice echoed through the room.

Alice's heart raced as she realized she had stumbled upon something far more sinister than she had ever imagined. The woman in the photo was no ordinary ghost; she was Highway's Favored Daughter, a spirit bound to the mall by a tragic love story.

The story went like this: The Favored Daughter had been a beautiful and charismatic young woman who had fallen in love with a man from a rival family. Their love was forbidden, and when their secret was discovered, the Favored Daughter was forced to choose between her family and her love. In a fit of despair, she took her own life, leaving her spirit to wander the halls of Highway forever.

Alice felt a chill run down her spine as she learned the full extent of the Favored Daughter's story. She knew that she had to help the spirit find peace, but she couldn't shake the feeling that the mall was more dangerous than she had ever imagined.

As Alice made her way back through the store, she encountered the same shadowy figure she had seen earlier. This time, the woman's face was visible, and Alice could see the sorrow and longing in her eyes. "You must help me," the woman pleaded. "I cannot rest until my love is avenged."

Alice knew that she was in over her head, but she felt a strange connection to the Favored Daughter. She decided to help the spirit find the peace she so desperately needed.

Her investigation led her to the mall's security office, where she discovered a hidden room filled with old records and documents. Among them, she found a letter that revealed the truth about the Favored Daughter's love. It was a letter written by her lover, confessing his love and promising to avenge her death.

With the letter in hand, Alice knew what she had to do. She returned to the Favored Daughter and handed her the letter. The spirit's eyes filled with tears as she read the words of her lover. "I will not rest until you are free," the letter read.

As the Favored Daughter's spirit seemed to gain some peace, Alice felt a sense of relief wash over her. She knew that her journey was far from over, but she had taken the first step in helping the Favored Daughter find closure.

The next day, Alice returned to the mall, determined to uncover the truth about the Favored Daughter's lover. She discovered that the man had been a notorious criminal, and his death had been shrouded in mystery. As she pieced together the clues, Alice realized that the man had been killed by the rival family, just as the Favored Daughter had predicted.

With the truth finally revealed, Alice knew it was time to say goodbye to the Favored Daughter. She returned to the abandoned department store and found the spirit waiting for her. "Thank you," the Favored Daughter said, her voice tinged with gratitude. "Now you must go."

Alice nodded, knowing that her role was over. She turned to leave, but before she could step through the door, the Favored Daughter's voice called out to her. "Remember, Alice. Love can overcome even the darkest of fates."

With those words, Alice felt a strange sense of peace. She stepped through the door and into the light, leaving the Haunted Highway of the Fashion Mall behind.

As she walked away from the mall, Alice couldn't shake the feeling that the Favored Daughter's spirit was still with her. She knew that the story of Highway's Favored Daughter would never be forgotten, and that her own life would be forever changed by the encounter.

The Haunted Highway of the Fashion Mall had revealed its secrets, and Alice had faced the consequences of the past. But in the end, it was her love for the truth and her determination to help the Favored Daughter that had led her through the darkest of places.