An Old Tree By The Road

I had lost my way while returning from my friend's place in Jatani, Odisha. I took a less-maintained, muddy road, riding my bicycle. I could see an old, tall banyan tree in the distance. As I approached, I noticed a rope hanging with an empty loop, swinging vigorously as if someone had recently been using it. The tree's branches were very thick and bushy.

As it was nearly sunset, the darkness was playing tricks on my eyes. I occasionally thought I saw faces in the branches, but dismissed them as illusions created by the light. Suddenly, I felt as if someone was grabbing me from behind. I couldn't see anyone, but the sensation was real. I started chanting holy mantras and quickened my pace. When I looked back, I saw someone hanging from the rope, their hair longer than usual, staring directly at me.

Horrified, I lost control and started running. I saw a man covered in a dark shawl, standing and waving at me to come closer. As I approached, I realized they were just crows perched on a large staff. There was no man.

I fled the area and finally escaped the banyan tree's vicinity. That night, I had disturbing dreams of people being burned and stabbed to death. When I asked my friend about the place, he revealed that many unexplained murders had occurred there, and a female spirit tormented passersby.