The Silent Scream of the Forgotten Child

The moon hung low over the city, casting a pale glow on the dilapidated hospital that had stood abandoned for decades. Its once pristine white walls were now streaked with soot and grime, the windows shattered, and the iron gates chained like the bars of a forgotten prison. The air was thick with the scent of decay and the whispers of forgotten tales.

Lena, a local historian with a penchant for the eerie, had always been fascinated by the hospital's legend. She had heard whispers of a child who had gone missing many years ago, her scream echoing through the corridors, never to be heard again. The story had become part of the city's folklore, a cautionary tale for those who dared to delve too deeply into the past.

Tonight, Lena had gathered a small group of friends, all of whom were intrigued by the hospital's grim reputation. Among them was Alex, a photographer with an eye for the macabre, and Sarah, a journalist looking for her next big story. They stood at the gates, the cold night air biting at their skin as they exchanged nervous glances.

"Are you sure about this?" Sarah asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lena nodded, her eyes fixed on the old hospital. "It's just a story, right? A ghost story. But what if it's real?"

The group pushed through the gates, the chains clinking ominously. The hospital was silent, save for the occasional creak of the old wooden floorboards. They moved cautiously, their flashlights cutting through the darkness, revealing peeling wallpaper and cobwebs that clung to the walls like spectral hands.

They reached the maternity ward, the door slightly ajar. Lena hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. "Let's go in," she said, her voice steady despite her fear.

The room was small, with faded blue walls and a single bed. The air was thick with dust, and the scent of mildew was overpowering. Lena's flashlight beam caught something on the floor—a small, dusty picture frame. She knelt down to pick it up, her fingers brushing against the glass.

Inside the frame was a photograph of a young mother holding a baby. The mother's face was a portrait of joy, but the baby's eyes were wide with terror. Lena's hand trembled as she turned the frame over, searching for any clues.

On the back, in faded ink, were the words: "She will never scream again."

A chill ran down Lena's spine, and she looked up to find Alex and Sarah standing behind her. "What did you find?" Sarah asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Lena handed her the frame. "It's from the maternity ward. Look at the baby's eyes."

Sarah peered into the frame, her eyes widening. "That baby looks like it's screaming."

The group exchanged glances, a sense of dread settling over them. They knew they were on the brink of something supernatural. Lena's flashlight beam danced across the room, revealing a hidden door behind the bed. She pushed it open, and the sound of a baby's cry echoed through the darkness.

They followed the sound, their hearts pounding. The corridor was narrow, the walls closing in on them. Lena's flashlight flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. The air grew colder, and the cries grew louder.

At the end of the corridor, they found a small room. The door was slightly ajar, and the cries were coming from inside. Lena took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. "Let's go in," she said, her voice steady.

The room was small, with a single bed and a crib. The baby was lying in the crib, its eyes wide with terror. Lena approached, her heart racing. The baby's eyes locked onto hers, and Lena felt a chill run down her spine.

Suddenly, the baby's mouth opened, and a sound unlike any scream echoed through the room. It was a sound of pure terror, a sound that seemed to come from the very depths of the baby's soul.

Lena's legs gave out, and she fell to the floor. The baby's eyes widened, and a hand reached out towards her. Lena felt a cold touch on her cheek, and she screamed, her voice echoing through the room.

The baby's hand vanished, and Lena's eyes fluttered open. She was lying on the floor, the baby's cries still echoing in her ears. She looked around, and the room was empty.

The group had vanished, leaving Lena alone in the silent hospital. She got to her feet, her heart pounding. She knew she had to get out, but the hospital seemed to close in on her, its walls whispering secrets she couldn't bear to hear.

As she reached the door, she heard a faint whisper behind her. "She will never scream again."

Lena turned, her heart stopping. The baby was standing behind her, its eyes wide with terror. Lena screamed, her voice echoing through the hospital, and the baby's hand reached out towards her once more.

The baby's hand brushed against Lena's cheek, and she felt a cold touch once more. Lena's eyes fluttered closed, and she fell to the floor, her scream lost in the silence of the abandoned hospital.

The next morning, Lena's body was found in the hospital, her eyes wide with terror. The baby's photograph was in her hand, the words on the back still visible. The city was left in shock, the legend of the silent scream echoing through the streets once more.

And so, the hospital remained abandoned, its walls whispering secrets to those who dared to listen, its baby's silent scream forever echoing through the heart of the city.