The world we live in today appears peaceful—almost like a paradise for humankind. At least, that's what we like to believe.
But it wasn't always like this.
There was a time when a simple tooth infection could cost a life. A ruptured appendix meant unbearable pain with little hope of survival. A single fracture could leave someone crippled forever. Wars, droughts, pandemics, and famine pushed people to their limits—turning desperation into cruelty, forcing them to fight for something as small as a piece of bread.
Today, things are different. Medical care has reached most parts of the world. Food is more accessible, and in my country, many organizations provide meals to those in need, day and night. Compared to the past, life seems safer.
But safety is not certainty.
Everything we have built—every system, every comfort—can collapse in a single moment.
And sometimes, it does.
It was an ordinary evening.
A schoolgirl walked along the riverside, her bag slung over her shoulder, a faint smile on her face. The day had been good, and she carried that lightness with her. The breeze was calm, the road nearly empty.
As she walked, she slowed down.
For a reason she couldn't quite explain, she stepped off the path and moved toward the riverbank. It was a place she often visited with her friends. Today, she was early.
She sat down, quietly, looking at the water.
Waiting.
A sudden screech broke the calm.
A car sped down the road, faster than it should have been. It swerved slightly, the driver losing control for just a second—
—but that second was enough.
The vehicle veered off the edge and crashed straight toward the girl.
She didn't even have time to react.
The impact was immediate.
Her body was thrown forward and disappeared into the river.
For a moment, everything went silent.
The driver stumbled out of the car, his movements unsteady. The smell of alcohol lingered around him. He looked toward the river, his breathing heavy, uneven.
"What have I done…?"
He took a step forward, then stopped.
His eyes scanned the empty road.
No one was there.
No witnesses.
Panic replaced shock. His thoughts raced—if he stayed, he would be caught. There would be no explanation, no escape.
He hesitated for a brief second longer… then turned back.
Rushing into the car, he didn't even bother closing the door properly. The engine roared as he reversed and sped away, leaving everything behind.
Except one thing stayed with him—
A leather bag. A small Ganesha charm hanging from its strap.
A while later, her friends arrived.
They called out to her, expecting her to jump out from somewhere, laughing as usual. She loved playing pranks.
But this time, there was no answer.
Her bag lay on the ground.
Her water bottle was nearby.
But she was nowhere to be seen.
At first, they smiled nervously.
"She's hiding," one of them said. "Trying to scare us."
Then Teris noticed something.
"The ground…" she said slowly.
The others followed her gaze.
Tire marks.
Fresh.
Deep.
Leading straight toward the river.
Their smiles faded.
"Look where they stop…" Teris whispered.
Right where her bag was.
"Calm down," another friend said quickly. "You're thinking too much. She's probably—"
Teris picked up the water bottle.
It was crushed.
Flattened, as if something heavy had rolled over it.
The group fell silent.
This wasn't a prank.
Without another word, they rushed toward the water.
"Hey! Where are you?" they shouted, their voices growing louder, more desperate. "Answer us!"
The river flowed quietly, giving nothing back.
They stepped in, searching, calling her name again and again.
Time seemed to stretch.
Each second heavier than the last.
"What if—" someone began, but couldn't finish the sentence.
No one wanted to say it out loud.
Then suddenly—
"Wait," Teris said.
Everyone froze.
"What?" another asked.
She pointed toward the water.
"There… did you see that?"
A ripple.
Small.
But not caused by them.
They moved closer.
"Maybe she's there," someone said, hope and fear mixing in their voice.
They stepped deeper into the river, eyes fixed ahead.
The water reached their knees.
Then their waists.
"Call her again," one of them said.
They did.
No response.
Only the sound of water moving slowly around them.
Then—
Teris felt something brush past her leg.
She flinched.
"Did you feel that?"
"Feel what?"
Before she could answer, one of the others slipped suddenly, falling into the water with a shout.
"Hey! Careful!"
"I didn't slip," she said quickly, scrambling up. "Something—"
She stopped.
All of them looked at each other.
No one spoke.
The tension tightened.
"Let's just get out," one of them said, trying to stay calm. "We'll call for help."
They began moving back toward the shore.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Then the last girl froze.
"Wait…"
Her voice was barely audible.
"I can't move."
The others turned.
"What do you mean?"
She looked down, her face draining of color.
"My leg… it's stuck."
"In what?"
She didn't answer.
Her grip on her friend's arm tightened.
"…I don't know."
For a moment, no one moved.
Then—
"Pull her!" someone shouted.
They grabbed her hands, trying to drag her back.
But she didn't budge.
Whatever held her—
held tight.
And then…
it pulled.
And she fell in the water