Thirteen Tales of Ghosts is a collection that explores the eerie, the mysterious, and the unexplained. Among these haunting narratives, The Urban Jungle stands out as a captivating tale that bridges the past and present, revealing the spectral consequences of disregarding history.
In The Urban Jungle, the story begins with John, a weary official tasked with overseeing a development project on an old, forgotten site. The project should have been straightforward: clear the land, prepare for construction and build homes for those in need. But the site, long abandoned, holds secrets that will not stay buried.
John is accompanied by Rowena, an archaeologist, sent to ensure the area holds no historical significance before construction begins. But as the day wears on, a thick, unnatural fog descends on the site, separating the two. As John stumbles through the growing darkness and mire, desperate to find Rowena, she finds herself entangled in a far stranger, far older place.
The fog lifts, revealing an eerie, ghostly forest with towering trees that seem to glow with an otherworldly green light. Rowena’s initial confusion turns to awe and wonder as she explores this forgotten wilderness, but she soon realises that this is not an ordinary forest. It is a spectral remnant of a world long gone, calling out from the past—offering a glimpse of a time before the modern world ever touched this land.
As John eventually stumbles upon the same ghostly forest, he is faced with creatures and illusions that push the boundaries of his understanding. But the truth of the forest is more profound than either of them can imagine. It is not just the past that haunts this place; it is the very spirit of nature itself, desperate to survive in a world that has long abandoned it. The forest, alive in its own way, is calling for respect, remembrance, and perhaps, a chance to return.
The tension between Rowena’s fascination and John’s determination to continue his work presents the core conflict of this chilling tale. The question arises: Should we honour the past, no matter how spectral or intangible it might be, or do we push forward for progress—sacrificing everything in our wake?
The Urban Jungle is not just a ghost story about a haunted site—it’s a reflection on what we lose when we forget our past, when we fail to listen to the whispers of nature, and when we ignore the ghosts of old worlds in our rush to build new ones. With its vivid descriptions of a ghostly, living jungle and its exploration of the human desire to tame nature, this story is sure to linger long after the last page is turned. If you’re a fan of stories that blend the supernatural with real-world dilemmas, The Urban Jungle is a must-read. It’s available as part of the Thirteen Tales of Ghosts collection here!
Scott Andrew Bailey - Author 