Floating Ball of Fire

As I said before being new to the lonely life in the plantation,I always took trips to Taiping town during the week-ends.Many a times I stayed back in town only to return to the plantation the following afternoon.There were times that I over enjoyed myself well past the time for me to return to the plantation.

Of course that meant trouble and I was forced to seek ways to return,transport were available until the entrance of the plantation.There after there were railway gates at the railway crossing.In the day light there was always a guard stationed at the guard house but late at night there was none.

Returning home way after 10 p.m., always seemed spooky especially at the railway gate.There were tales of ghosts appearing at the gates,well that really put a lot of fright into my young soul.Nevertheless I did tried to forge up a bold front in one of those evenings when I was at the gate late at night.

Of all days that day the sky appeared to be gloomy with dark clouds floating low above.For sure of impending rain was due.The cold,cold windy blowing past me did not help but further induce fear into my poor soul.I was left alone there by the taxi and there was not a single soul around not even a single dog in sight .

Having no other alternative I had to force myself to follow my consequences.Yea! no choice I got to walk into the plantation - a two miles walked on laterite road with both sides overgrown with thick bushes and rows of old rubber stands.There was no fear of wild animals but unfortunately of ghosts.

I got myself together gripping my fists with gushing teeth I forged myself ahead for the two miles walk.I tried to walk as fast as I could with the cold wind blasting directly at me.A sudden rush of coldness crept within me accompanying with it fear of ghosts.

Half way through my rush I suddenly saw a ball of fire ahead of me,darting about some distance away and then into the nearby bush.Was it a human being ahead I thought but no it could not be because it was a ball of fire floating about three feet above ground.The fire ball was no bigger then a football.Fear within told me that was no ordinary ball of fire,it surely was ghostly.

Gripping with fear I took flight and ran straight ahead,darting at a fantastic speed of nothing less than fourteen seconds I presumed.It was definitely a good run out of fear.I really did not know what to do but to look straight ahead and ran as hard as I could.I past the distanced ball of fire without eying it.

Before I realized it I had reached the gates of the plantation bungalow.It surely was a pleasant delight to see the lights of the bungalow.Yes,it was still on and my fear vanished as I went into the bungalow,panting furiously.By then,all others had gone to bed so I slowly went to my room rested before adjourning to bed as well.

That was,however my first encounter with ghosts in the plantation.Surprising there were more to come.