The Echoes of the Abandoned Terminal

In the heart of Mianyang, a city known for its serene landscape and technological advancements, lay the Mianyang Airport. An airport that, in its years of service, had become a beacon of hope for travelers, but also a silent witness to countless tales that defied explanation. Among these stories, one stood out—the legend of the abandoned terminal, a place shrouded in mystery and whispered about by the staff and locals alike.

The legend began with the construction of the airport, a massive project that reshaped the cityscape. As the terminal expanded, a new wing was added, but it was never fully opened to the public. The locals whispered that the wing was cursed, a place where the spirits of the departed lingered, unable to find their way to the afterlife.

One crisp autumn evening, a young radio DJ named Ling was preparing to broadcast her evening show. She was known for her ability to weave stories of the supernatural into her broadcasts, captivating her listeners with her vivid descriptions and dramatic storytelling. As she tuned her radio equipment to the correct frequency, she felt a strange sensation wash over her.

"Are you sure that's the right frequency?" her assistant, Xiao, asked, glancing at the dial with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

Ling nodded confidently. "It's the one," she said, adjusting her headset and preparing to go live. As she began to speak, a strange static filled the air, interrupting her introduction.

"Welcome to the night airwaves, where the real stories begin," she said, her voice steady despite the interference. "Tonight, I have something peculiar to share with you."

The static grew louder, and for a moment, the signal was lost. When it returned, a faint voice crackled through the speakers. "Please, help me. I'm stuck here."

Ling's heart raced. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice tinged with a nervous excitement.

"I am not human," the voice replied. "I was once a passenger, but now I am bound to this place, forever lost."

Ling's mind raced. Could this be a prank, or was it something more? She decided to press on, determined to uncover the truth. "Why can't you leave?"

The voice grew more urgent. "I tried, but every time I step outside, I am pulled back into the terminal. There's something here, something that won't let me go."

Xiao, who had been listening intently, leaned in closer. "What should we do, Ling?"

Ling's eyes were fixed on the radio. "We need to find out what's keeping this soul trapped here. Maybe there's a way to set it free."

For days, Ling and Xiao conducted their investigation, speaking to airport staff, examining the terminal, and searching for any clues that might explain the haunting. They discovered that the abandoned wing was never completed due to an incident that occurred during its construction. A worker had fallen to his death, and ever since, the place had been haunted by his restless spirit.

As they delved deeper, they found an old, tattered journal belonging to the construction worker. In it, they discovered a ritual he had performed to keep his soul from wandering aimlessly. It was a ritual meant to bind him to the terminal, a mistake that had caused his spirit to remain trapped.

Ling and Xiao knew that they had to break the curse. They gathered the necessary ingredients for the ritual from the airport's supply room and set up a makeshift altar in the abandoned wing. With the help of the airport staff, they performed the ritual, reciting the words from the journal as they worked.

As the ritual progressed, the static in the radio grew louder. Then, there was a sudden burst of energy, and the static was replaced by a clear, desperate voice. "I am free! Thank you!"

Ling and Xiao exchanged relieved looks. The spirit was gone, and the airport had once again become a place of peace.

The story of the abandoned terminal and the spirit that was freed spread quickly across the city. People began to visit the airport, not for the purpose of commuting, but to pay their respects to the young DJ who had helped release the trapped soul.

As for Ling, her reputation as a radio DJ grew exponentially. She had not only captured the hearts of her listeners with her storytelling but had also proven that sometimes, the real stories are the ones that defy explanation and touch the very essence of human existence.

The legend of the Echoes of the Abandoned Terminal remained, a testament to the power of compassion and the enduring connection between the living and the departed.