Violet, Kathy, Dawn, Mark, Adam, Alex, Sam, and Austin were a group of adventurous kids who loved to explore their surroundings. One day, they decided to plant in the garden.

As they were planting, Kathy, being the most adventurous of them all, found a strange-looking root. The root was gnarled, twisted, and had an eerie feel about it.

To their surprise, when Kathy pulled it up, it wasn't just a root. It was an entire mandrake, a magical plant renowned for its lethal screams.

The kids were thrilled to have such a unique find. However, they also knew the danger it posed. The mandrake's scream was said to be lethal to anyone who heard it.

Being the bravest, Kathy suggested they play a game. She proposed they pull the roots, and if the mandrake screamed, the person pulling it would "die", as per the legends.

The other kids, despite knowing the seriousness of the situation, agreed, thinking it was just a fun game since they believed the legends to be just that - legends.

As they took turns pulling, suspense hung in the air. Their hearts pounded in their chests, and their faces were flushed, but they all equally shared a sense of thrill.

Then came Mark's turn. He made the fatal mistake of pulling too hard on the root, causing the mandrake to let out a deafening scream. The kids watched in horror as Mark collapsed.

As legend had it, the mandrake’s scream was lethal to those who heard it unprotected. Mark, in his moment of recklessness, had heard the scream full-on, causing his heart to stop.

As Mark lay motionless on the ground, the mandrake spoke to the terrified kids. Its voice was a creaky whisper, like dried leaves rubbing together, telling them, "This was his fate."

Violet, the curious one, stepped forward and asked the mandrake, "Why did Mark have to die? It was just a game!" Her voice was trembling with fear and grief.

The mandrake responded, "You children meddled with forces you don't understand. The scream of a mandrake is a life-taker. Mark's life was the price."

The kids were petrified, watching their friend lying lifeless on the ground. They all fell silent, regretting their reckless decision to play such a dangerous game.

But then, Austin, who was known for his wisdom, had an idea. He was magically gifted with the power to revive the dead, a secret he had kept from his friends until now.

Seeing no other choice, Austin revealed his secret. He kneeled next to Mark, placed his hands on Mark's chest, and started to chant in an ancient language.

The air around them shimmered, and the kids watched in awe as Mark's chest began to rise and fall again. Austin's magic had brought Mark back to the living.

Mark woke up, gasping and confused. He looked around at the relieved faces of his friends, but his gaze stopped at Austin, who was now drained of energy.

The kids embraced each other, crying and laughing in relief. Mark still couldn't believe what had happened, especially the fact that Austin had saved his life.

They then turned their attention to the mandrake, now silent and seemingly harmless. Austin advised that they should bury it again, ensuring no one else would fall into the same trap.

The kids agreed and worked together to rebury the mandrake, hoping it would never cause harm again. With that, they promised never to disturb plants they didn't understand.

After their unsettling experience, the kids returned home. The atmosphere was somber, and everyone was unusually quiet, reflecting on their near brush with death.

They never spoke of the mandrake incident to anyone else. It became a secret they shared, a grim reminder of their recklessness and a testament to their friendship.

Time passed and the incident became a distant memory. Yet, the kids never forgot the lesson they had learned that day - to respect nature and its unknown elements.

They grew up and went their separate ways, but the bond they had formed through this terrifying experience remained. They knew they had each other's backs no matter what.

And so, while it was a story they hoped to never repeat, the adventure with the screaming plant became a tale that would forever be etched in their hearts.

The story of the screaming plant was a testament to their bravery, their folly, and their friendship. And in the end, it taught them respect for the unknown and the power of unity.