The Taiwan Group's Ghostly Gathering: A Night of Haunting Whispers

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the ancient Taiwanese village of Longtan. The air was thick with humidity, and the scent of blooming jasmine mingled with the faint smell of decay. It was the night of the annual Ghostly Gathering, a tradition that had been passed down through generations, a night when the living and the dead seemed to share an unspoken bond.

The Taiwan Group, a tight-knit circle of friends, had gathered at the old, abandoned schoolhouse that stood at the edge of the village. The building was rumored to be haunted, its walls whispering secrets of the past. The group had always been fascinated by the supernatural, and this night was no exception.

The leader of the group, Wei, was a local historian with a penchant for the macabre. He had spent years researching the village's history, uncovering tales of ancient spirits and forgotten rituals. Tonight, he planned to share some of these chilling stories with his friends.

As the night wore on, the group settled into their seats, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. Wei began to speak, his voice tinged with excitement and a hint of fear.

"The story of the schoolhouse is a tragic one," he began. "Long ago, a young teacher named Hsiao-mei fell in love with a student, a boy named Kuo. Their love was forbidden, and when Hsiao-mei's parents discovered their affair, they had her locked away in the schoolhouse. She starved to death, her spirit trapped within the walls."

The group listened intently, their eyes wide with curiosity. Wei continued, "It's said that on the night of the full moon, Hsiao-mei's spirit can be seen wandering the halls, searching for her lost love."

As Wei spoke, the wind howled through the broken windows, sending shivers down the spines of the listeners. Suddenly, a cold breeze swept through the room, and the candles flickered wildly. The group exchanged nervous glances, their excitement giving way to a growing sense of unease.

"Let's go to the schoolhouse," suggested Wei, his voice trembling slightly. "We'll see if we can catch a glimpse of Hsiao-mei's spirit."

The group nodded in agreement, and they made their way to the old schoolhouse. The building was dark and foreboding, its windows boarded up and its doors locked. Wei rummaged through his bag, producing a set of keys that had been passed down through generations.

As they stepped inside, the air grew colder, and the scent of decay became more pronounced. The group moved cautiously through the dimly lit corridors, their footsteps echoing eerily. They reached the room where Hsiao-mei had been locked away, and Wei pushed open the creaking door.

The room was small and musty, filled with the remnants of a bygone era. A wooden desk stood in the center, its surface covered in dust and cobwebs. Wei approached the desk, his fingers tracing the outline of a small, ornate box.

"This is where Hsiao-mei kept her diary," he said, opening the box to reveal a collection of yellowed pages. "Let's read it."

The group gathered around the desk, their eyes scanning the pages. The diary entries were written in a delicate, flowing script, and they told the story of Hsiao-mei's love for Kuo.

One entry read, "I can't bear to be apart from him any longer. I must find a way to be with him, even if it means death."

Suddenly, the room grew silent. The group exchanged nervous glances, and they felt a strange presence in the room. Wei closed the diary, his voice trembling, "I think we should leave."

As they made their way back through the corridors, the air grew colder, and the group felt as if they were being watched. They reached the front door, and Wei fumbled with the keys. The door opened with a creak, and the group stepped outside, the night air wrapping around them like a comforting blanket.

They had barely taken a few steps when they heard a faint whisper. "Kuo..."

The group turned, their hearts pounding in their chests. They saw nothing, but the whisper seemed to come from everywhere at once. Wei's eyes widened in horror, and he turned to his friends. "We have to go back."

The group nodded, and they made their way back to the schoolhouse. They entered the room, and Wei approached the desk once more. He opened the diary, and the group read the final entry.

"I have found a way to be with Kuo. I will join him in the afterlife."

The group felt a chill run down their spines as they realized the diary had been left open. Wei closed it, and they left the room. As they made their way back to the front door, the whisper grew louder, clearer.

"Kuo..."

The group exchanged worried glances, and they knew they had to do something. Wei rummaged through his bag once more, producing a small, ornate locket. He opened it, revealing a photograph of Hsiao-mei and Kuo.

"This is the only thing I have left of them," he said, his voice breaking. "I will give it to you, and you must promise to keep it safe."

The group nodded, and Wei handed them the locket. As they left the schoolhouse, the whisper faded, and the group felt a strange sense of relief.

Back at the old inn, the group gathered around the table, their faces illuminated by the flickering candlelight. Wei spoke, "I think we've learned our lesson. The supernatural is real, and it's not something to be taken lightly."

The group nodded in agreement, and they spent the rest of the night sharing stories and laughter. But as the moon began to rise, and the night grew colder, they couldn't shake the feeling that they had only just begun to uncover the secrets of Longtan.

The Taiwan Group's Ghostly Gathering had left them with more questions than answers, and they knew that the village's haunting whispers would continue to echo through the night.