The Waiting Passengers - By Anjaneya Kaushik

Written By: Anjaneya Kaushik

Category: Psychological Thriller

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In "The Waiting Passengers," author Anjaneya Kaushik crafts a gripping psychological thriller that captivates readers with its chilling narrative and suspenseful atmosphere. Submitted to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this harrowing tale unfolds in the eerie setting of an airport terminal, where unsuspecting travelers become embroiled in a nightmarish scenario. Anjaneya Kaushik's masterful storytelling invites readers into a world where survival hinges on quick thinking and bravery, making it an unforgettable entry in this prestigious competition.

About the Work

Anjaneya Kaushik's "The Waiting Passengers" immerses readers in a tense and claustrophobic environment, where the mundane quickly transforms into a scene of terror. The story's mood is gripping and foreboding, with vivid descriptions that bring the chilling setting to life. Kaushik employs suspenseful pacing and evocative imagery to convey themes of survival and the unexpected horrors that lurk beneath the surface of everyday life. The narrative's unexpected twists and the protagonist's resilience create a thrilling experience for readers.

The Waiting Passengers

Original Submission by Anjaneya Kaushik

The Waiting Passenger

The terminal was a purgatory of exhausted travelers, lost in a landscape of endless grey chairs and buzzing, sterile lights. They sat on their suitcases, staring at phones and waiting for a flight that would never come. None of them realized that beneath their feet, something terrible was stirring. They couldn’t hear the rhythmic scratching in the walls or the low, predatory growls vibrating through the vents. They were trapped in a cage they hadn't yet noticed.

Through the dark runway, a single plane rolled toward the gate like a ghost ship. Its windows were black, and its engines emitted a strange, dying rattle. As the plane clicked into place, the passengers finally looked up, hopeful they were going home. They didn't know the "passengers" on that plane were bringing a nightmare with them.

The gate’s intercom buzzed with a burst of static. The room went silent in anticipation of an announcement, but instead of a pilot’s voice, the speakers filled the terminal with a horrific sound: a mix of wet snarls and hungry gnashing.

"Is that... a prank?" someone whispered.

At that exact moment, the power surged. The overhead lights flickered and died, plunging the terminal into darkness. Suddenly, the static cleared. A calm, professional voice filled the room.

"Attention, all waiting passengers," the voice said, steady but tired. "We apologize for the power failure. This is a minor technical misunderstanding. Please remain in your seats. Security is on its way...".

The voice stopped mid-sentence. There was a second of heavy breathing, then a loud crash and a bone-chilling scream that echoed through the speakers. The microphone hit the floor, and the passengers listened in frozen horror to the sound of something being dragged away.

The "misunderstanding" was a massacre.

The emergency exit's dim light was the only thing visible as the crowd turned into a panicked stampede. In the chaos, a young man turned his phone light toward the duty-free shop. He saw a pale, bony figure that looked human and moved toward it to help. He realized too late it was an undead creature. As he turned to flee, the roof above him was torn open by a massive horde of zombies.

The exit was locked from the outside. But Ellis, a young man with army training, spotted a baggage conveyor belt that was still whirring. He sprinted for it, escaping into the back as the sounds of the terminal became a chorus of screams. After sliding through, he slammed the conveyor shutter shut and neutralized the few zombies that had followed him.

The terminal was now a tomb. Moving through the shadows, Ellis found three patrol officers lying flat on the ground. He realized the entire airport was infested. His only hope was the security room. Using his training, he forced the locked door open and gathered weapons before heading into the departure hallway, which was littered with the dead.

In a quieter section of the airport, Ellis found an intercom and tried to call for help, but his voice only echoed throughout the building. Soon, a figure rushed toward him.

"He could be... a zombie," Ellis whispered, raising his weapon.

"I heard you on the intercom!" the man shouted. It was Dr. Harvey, a renowned scientist. He confessed he had been on the ghost flight with a zombie; a serum he was researching had accidentally infected a human. He revealed the only way to kill them was with an anti-zombie serum he had developed.

As the horde closed in, the doctor urged Ellis to flee. "Go! I will hold them back!".

But Ellis was furious at the doctor’s negligence. He used most of the anti-serum to clear the path around Harvey, but he failed to notice the doctor had already been bitten. As Ellis reached the final exit, a cold hand grabbed his wrist.

He turned to see Dr. Harvey, now a zombie. The doctor bit him, and Ellis was forced to kill the man he had once admired. As the virus began to take hold of his own body, Ellis felt a vial in his pocket-the last of the serum. He injected himself, stumbled out of the airport, and collapsed.

When he finally woke, the authorities told him the airport and the nightmare inside had been leveled. He was the only one who made it out.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary creativity and expression. This event brings together writers from diverse backgrounds, inviting them to showcase their talents in poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing. Participants are given the opportunity to explore a range of themes and genres, captivating audiences with their unique voices and storytelling prowess. The competition fosters a vibrant community of writers, encouraging the exchange of ideas and the pursuit of literary excellence.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Anjaneya Kaushik for sharing "The Waiting Passengers" with us. This thrilling submission to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 showcases Kaushik's exceptional talent for crafting suspenseful narratives that captivate and entertain. We appreciate the creativity and effort put into this work and look forward to seeing more from Anjaneya Kaushik in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.