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'Never STOP at haunted railroad crossings!'�

Written by: CHERYL LYNN JONES

© March 2oo6

[ NARRATOR: Alex Daine, a Senior from Malt valley High School. Was sitting around a small camp fire along with 3of his classmates. On a cold and creepy Friday night. Just talking and telling each other ghost stories. When he suddenly begins to say:]

In many cases, during childhood nightmare dilemmas. One, has heard horrifying myths and tales about the 'boogie man'�, 'bloody Mary'�, and the monsters that live in the basement; down stairs. But never would a child develop a fear of crossing rail road tracks. All alone, at midnight, when the street lights have blown out. And the underground gutters have begun to evaporate. Then develop steam, which sometimes turn into thick white clouds of smoke. To roam the earth like the dead do on Halloween. For many years, at Malt valley High, students have passed on the long lost legend. About not stopping at the old railroad in the small town of Delves; on 13th street. Right in front of the ragout and tarnished tin house. Where the ol` little red-haired girl by the name of Dannie stayed. Then later, tragically died on.
It was said, that Dannie loved to watch the trains roll by their home. Because out in the country and here in Georgia. That was all that she could do for fun. Unlike, all of the other children, whom went to her Elementary school. Dannie was called, 'odd '�. True enough, she had a big imagination. And she would often run through the mile-long corn fields. To pretend and play with her hound dog, Yike.




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Dannie's mother and grandfather always told her to never go near the rail roads.
Whenever she decided to go outside. Of course, at 5 years old. She was obliviously disobedient and curious. Yet, anxious because curiosity was what killed her cat. So, she would often ask her very wise old grandfather questions. Such as, 'Why she couldn't at least stand by or touch the railroad tracks?'� Well, her 90 year old and gray headed grandpa would say:
'My dear, cause it's waay too dangerous. And because since we don't have a warning signal. To sound off when the train comes a going. You'll never know if it was coming. In time, to be able to get away.'�
Like so, he would doze off upon their porch. And she frowned up her face. Her grassy-green eyes would tear up. Therefore, he would wake up and start singing to her. For hours, he rocked her til she felt better. Then she began to soon forget about that ol` train track. But, still there was a strong force hidden inside of her. That dared her to touch and set foot upon it.
2 years on down the rocky road. Her grandfather fell brutally ill. And died from tuberculosis. An rare blood disease found in many elderly people. For months and months she cried. Her grandpa meant the whole world to her. In fact, she wanted to die and not continue on with life.
When kids picked on her at school. She had no one to turn to. Because her mother was too busy working at the local coffee shop; in town. Well, consequently, when all hope was gone. Little Dannie Ashbine, whom was at that time about 7 years old. Stayed mostly close to her dog. Yike, somehow wondered off within the wilderness. Then was reported missing for months. So Dannie thought that she was, again, about to lose another best friend.
It was bad enough that her father wasn't there. Because he had walked out on their family.






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Then her mother had to work full-time to pay their taxes. But, to go each day and wonder where her dog was. Was crucial enough to make a naive little girl crock. Consequently, her mother decided to help her look for Yike. They searched high and low through the corn fields. Then through the gloomy and damp valleys. Until, they came to the railroad on their street. Which was 13th street, in front of their old tin house! In silence, they stared at the rusted steel tracks afraid. As they watched the big train roll by and roar aloud. Like an beast down in the depths of hell.
Happily, the conductor began to tug on the string to his horn. To make it sound off and the rotating wheels continued to rumble. All the way down eroded railings. Into a dark tunnel beyond their home.
Quickly, Dannie paused to tuck on her mother's skirt to point and suggest:
'Should we check the tunnel...is it not safe?'�
'No my child, we need to be getting on. It's about to be night and supper is a waiting.'�
She demanded and dragged her daughter by the hand on inside of the house. Through the cracked open screen door at the kitchen table. Dannie stared and couldn't eat all of her dinner. A spirit or that same strong force began to ball up within her. While her conscious called to her. Then lowered her into a trance.
'My child is you well? Why have you not eaten your supper?'�
Her mother asked. As she began to wipe her hands off. With the end tip of her cooking apron. That reminded Dannie of a picnic blanket or table cloth.
'Momma, I must check! I must see if Yike is in there?'�
She mumbled and soon began to place her tiny hands up over her ears. Because the train's horn began to blow and sound more louder. On the inside of her head.
'Dannie, is you losing your mind?'�





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'No maim, I hear sounds!'�
She cried and nodded.
'Yous hush your mouth!'�
Her mother demanded and placed her hand onto her narrow hips.
'Can I be excused, momma?'�
Dannie asked and her mother sighed,
'Ohhh....'�
Then, she thought for a second.
'I'm gonna go on to bed now.'�
Dannie told her and immediately her mother agreed.
'Yes Dannie, you do that. For you do look mighty tired. It's been a long day.'�
'Yeah, goodnight.'�
She added and ran off to bed. The time was about 11:45 P.M., late at night. Around, again, that scary night just before Halloween. When Dannie decided to do what her conscious had told her to do; earlier that day. She went on to check that ol' dangerous rail road track for Yike. In total darkness while the gutters smoked, the winds violently blew, and made the corn weeds sway from side to side. Because it was storming out. Dannie lurked around in her pajamas. Which was an silk gown that was given to her by her grandmother. With an flash light and slippers. Dannie yelled:
'YIIIIKKKEEE, ol` Yike where are you boy? YIKE!'�
She screamed and like so, the voices told her to cross the railroad track. To get to the other side. Where she was suppose to have found her dog.
While taking baby steps, Dannie crept up to the track. Her heart began to pound through her chest.
'YIKE, where are you?'�
'Woooolf-wooolf '�, said her dog and she had thought that she had found her best friend. Too bad that it was only a figure of her imagination.





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'Dannie is that you?'�
A male's voice asked.
'Grandpa?'�
She wondered and suddenly, she saw his immortal frame standing right in front of her. Therefore, she reached out to him. And he did the same to her. Meanwhile, her mother heard her voice and the train's horn blowing. Immediately, she leaped out of bed and rushed outside to see her baby girl. Upon the railroad crossing in the pouring rain. With her hands stuck out. The train was about 20 feet away from them. So, her mother had to think fast.
'DANNIE, GET OUT OF THERE!'�
She hollered, but got cold feet.
'DANNIE!'�
Again, her mother squealed and began to tremble. Slowly, her bare feet began to patter through the thick globs of mud and water puddles. To stand at the head of the track. Dannie began to say:
'Grandpa, I missed you!'�
'DANNIE, COME HERE! DANNNNNIIIIIEEEE!'�
Was her mother's last cry. Soon time stopped! The train continued to roll and before, Dannie could come to. Yet, become aware of her surroundings. The bright head lights from the train blinded her! Then it slammed into her body where blood and flesh flew everywhere! Dannie's mother fell out in fear. She screamed loudly, but no one was around to hear her cries. Rain drenched her clothes as tears filled up in her eyes. Suddenly, she grew pale and died from being terrified!
All that was left in our fondest memories was Dannie's gown. That remains lying upon the ground by the crossing. To this day, Dannie is remembered at Malt valley High. The school that she was suppose to graduate from. Every year, we visit her grave. Yet, fear that one day it will be one of us. Who will witness that horrifying site.



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Many have dared to visit 13th street. Most have never returned from there! Where have they gone and why do they stay trapped? No one will ever know. This myth and legend is scary to children of all ages. No matter
what! For no one ever tried to live up to their dares. Me, on the other hand, believe that if you cross that same railroad track. You will get stuck and the train will come. To take your life! With one single blow. After you have died, you will hear its horn. Along with the roaring wheels a turning.
Followed by screams and pure silence...for time freezes! And in front of you stands ol` bloody looking Dannie. With her mother, her dog Yike, and grandfather Ashbine. All pale and dried up.

[NARRATOR: As the fire upon the wood began to blow out. Alex looks over at his 3 friends. Chunky Albert, bookworm Freddy, and the football player Steve to say: 'Woooolf-wooolf !'� Like so, they all jumped up in fear. Yet, stare up at the full moon. Where not even one star glowed up high in the clear dark sky.]

[Albert: 'Let's go by there.'�]
[ Then, Freddy replied: 'NO WAY!'�]
[ Steve: 'Now, come on geek. It'll be fun!'�]
[Freddy: 'Why should we?'�]
[ Alex: 'It's a tradition.'�]

[ NARRATOR: And holds the flash light up and under the bottom of his chin.]

[Steve: 'Yeah, if you don't then I'll give you a big weggie!'�]
[Fred: 'Who cares, you always do that.'�]
[Steve: 'I know, but this time I'll hang you up on the flag pole. In front of the whole entire school.'�]
[Albert: 'Yep, and I'll help too.'�]





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[ NARRATOR: He reassured, while pounding his fists together. So, Fred swallowed hard and had to agree to go along. Ouickly, they loaded up in Steve's car. To head over to 13th street. Which was then deserted. No trains tracked there; anymore. Because the tracks were eroded away. And awfully waay too dangerous to use.]

[Steve: 'Here it is.'�]
[Albert: 'Whoa, it's totally creepy.'�]
[Alex: 'Not really, let's go.'�]


[NARRATOR: So, they all hopped out to stand on the tracks in a circle.]

[Freddy: 'NOTHING! No ghosts...no nothing!'�]
[Albert: 'Ahh, this stinks....man this sucks!'�]

[NARRATOR: Suddenly, out of nowhere. Alex tells them to hush up. Because he had thought that he had heard a noise. Like a dog whimpering.]

[Steve: 'Don't be silly. Nothings here.'�]
[Albert: 'I thought that you said that this place was haunted.'�]
[Alex: 'Shh it is! Did y'all hear that? BE QUIET!'�]

[NARRATOR: He told them and they all leaned forward to listen out for the train's horn blowing. Or the wheels rumbling.]






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[Steve: 'I don't hear anything...let's go!'�]
[Fred: 'Yep, let's go.'�]

[NARRATOR: Just then, Alex seriously did hear a little girl's voice calling his name. As his heart started to race. He heard her grandpa say, ' Don't go near that ol` railroad track...it's dangerous. You won't be able to hear it a coming in time.'�]

[Alex: ' Listen, I hear it!'�]

[He squealed and they thought that he was just joking. So they all laughed it off.]

[Alex: ' Hold on, did you see what I saw? Where is that light coming from?'�]

[Asked Steve and they began to panic.]

[All: 'It's coming! RUN!'�]


[They screamed and backed away from the tunnel. But, Fred got cold feet. He stood still upon and at the head of the train's path. While shaking violently.]

[Alex: 'Come on Fred!'�]

[Alex yelled and the train came closer. Like so, it roared. At top speed it raced down the track.]

[Albert: 'Ahhhh! It's coming for you! You're dead!'�]



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[Alex: 'Move it!'�]

[Alex warned, while trying to play hero. And with the train about 10 inches away. Alex strived to save Fred's life. But, it was too late! Both, were killed right at that instant. Blood splashed everywhere and like so...Steve along with Albert turned pale. Then they blacked out! They were scared to death. And they died of shock.
After all the damage was done, the tracks went back to normal. There it waited for the next set of students to visit. That way it could hunt them. Together, in spirit form stood Dannie. With her mother, her dog Yike, and her pa. In their 'farmer'� suits...laughing for all eternity.]



-The End

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