Hide and Seek with a ghost

Once upon a time, in a small village, there was an old, abandoned house at the end of the road. People said it was haunted by a ghost who loved playing hide and seek. The ghost, they claimed, was a mischievous spirit who would make strange noises late at night. 

One curious boy named Ram decided to investigate the rumors. Armed with a flashlight, he entered the creepy house. As he stepped inside, he felt a sudden chill run down his spine. Heart pounding, he called out, "Is anyone here?" 

To his surprise, a faint voice responded, "Come find me, if you dare!" Ram followed the voice, shining his flashlight through dusty rooms. Suddenly, a door slammed shut behind him, trapping him in the darkness. Panic surged through his veins as he desperately searched for an escape route. 

Suddenly, the ghostly voice echoed again, "Find the key hidden beneath the rug to unlock the door." With trembling hands, Ram lifted the rug and discovered a rusty old key. He quickly used it to open the door, and the loud creaking reverberated through the house. 

As the door swung open, Ram saw a shadowy figure vanish into thin air. The ghost had been playing hide and seek all along! Relieved, Ram stepped out into the moonlit night, vowing never to enter that eerie house again. 

From that day forward, Ram became the local hero, regaling his friends with tales of the ghost house. However, the old house never scared anyone again, as its friendly ghost had finally found someone willing to play its favorite game.

1. When I read this stanza, I feel a sense of loneliness and mystery. The image of a train hooting sadly at 3 a.m. gives me a feeling of solitude and curiosity as to why no passengers get out.
2. The train might hoot sadly because it is empty and doesn't serve a purpose during such a late hour.
3. The time of 3 a.m. makes the train seem more mysterious and lonely because it's when most people are asleep, the streets are quiet, and unexpected events can occur.
4. No passengers might get out of the train because they are ghosts going on an eternal journey.
5. If I could create a story about the Late Express, the train's purpose would be to transport lost souls to a peaceful afterlife, providing them with closure and promising a new beginning.
6. If I encountered the Late Express, I would feel a mix of fear and curiosity. I would want to know more about its purpose, but I'd also be hesitant because it appears to be vacant and has a seemingly haunting presence.