The Vanishing Milestone: A Yunnan Highway Ghost Story

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the winding Yunnan Highway. The group of travelers, a mix of locals and tourists, had been driving for hours, their spirits high as they shared stories of the scenic route. The road was known for its breathtaking views, but tonight, it held a different kind of allure.

As they approached a particular milestone, the driver, a seasoned traveler named Li, slowed down. "Look, everyone," he said, pointing to the roadside. "That's the famous Milestone 108. It's said to be haunted."

The group exchanged nervous glances. The stories they had heard about the milestone were legendary. Some claimed it was cursed, while others spoke of ghostly apparitions that appeared at night. Despite the eerie tales, curiosity got the better of them.

Li parked the car, and they stepped out into the cool evening air. The milestone, a simple stone structure, stood in the middle of the road, its surface worn by countless travelers. The group gathered around, their eyes wide with anticipation.

Suddenly, a chill ran down their spines. The wind howled through the trees, and the milestone seemed to glow faintly. One by one, they felt a strange sensation, as if something was watching them.

"Who's there?" Li called out, his voice trembling.

The wind howled back, but there was no reply. The group exchanged worried glances, their hearts pounding in their chests.

As they stood there, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a young woman, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. She approached the group, her voice barely audible. "Please, help me. They're coming."

Before anyone could react, the woman vanished into the night. The group gasped, their eyes wide with shock. The milestone seemed to pulse with an eerie light, and the wind grew stronger.

"Let's go," Li said, grabbing the wheel. He started the car, but as they pulled away, the milestone began to glow brighter. It seemed to move, following them down the road.

The group's fear turned to terror as they realized the milestone was chasing them. The car's engine roared, but the milestone seemed to move with them, its light growing ever brighter.

"Stop!" Li shouted, but it was too late. The car skidded off the road, and they were thrown into a nearby ravine. The car rolled, and the group was thrown against the interior, their bones aching with pain.

When they finally came to, they found themselves in a clearing. The milestone was gone, but the eerie light still lingered in the air. They looked around, their hearts pounding in their chests.

Suddenly, the light focused on a single tree. They approached, and there, in the branches, was the young woman from earlier. She was tied to the tree, her eyes wide with terror.

"Please," she whispered, "help me."

Li approached her, his heart heavy with sorrow. "What happened to you?"

The woman's eyes met his, and she began to speak. "I was walking along the highway when I saw the milestone. It called to me, and I followed it. But then, it... it took me. It took me to this tree, and it won't let me go."

Li looked at the milestone, now a faint glow in the distance. He knew what he had to do. He untied the woman and helped her to her feet. "We have to get out of here," he said, taking her hand.

As they ran through the clearing, the light from the milestone grew stronger. They could hear the sound of footsteps behind them, growing louder with each step.

Li and the woman reached the edge of the clearing and looked back. The milestone was now a towering figure, its light blinding. It was coming for them.

Li turned to the woman. "Run!" he shouted. "Run as fast as you can!"

The woman took off, her legs pumping as fast as they could carry her. Li followed, his heart pounding in his chest. They ran through the forest, the sound of the milestone's footsteps echoing behind them.

Finally, they reached the edge of the forest and looked back. The milestone was still there, its light growing brighter. But they were safe. They had escaped.

As they stood there, catching their breath, Li turned to the woman. "Thank you," he said, his voice trembling. "For everything."

The woman smiled weakly. "You saved me," she said. "You saved us all."

Li nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude. They had faced the supernatural, and they had survived. But the milestone was still out there, waiting for its next victim.

As they drove away from the forest, the milestone's light faded into the distance. But Li knew that it would always be there, a haunting reminder of the supernatural forces that lurked on the Yunnan Highway.

The group never spoke of the milestone again. They had seen the truth of the road, and it was a truth they would carry with them for the rest of their lives.