The warm sun shone on the kids as they dug holes in their backyard garden. They were having a fun time planting, laughing and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Mark, with a twinkle in his eyes, pulled an unusual root from the soil. His normally playful demeanor was replaced by curiosity.

As the root emerged from the earth, there was an eerie silence. Mark held what appeared to be a Mandrake root, its humanoid form making the kids gasp.

The sun seemed to dim as fear seeped into their hearts. Adam, who had been reading about Mandrakes, told them how deadly the root could be.

"In folklore, it's said that if a Mandrake root screams, it can kill those who hear it," Adam warned grimly, the others looking at him in horror.

Ignoring the danger, Violet proposed a game. They would pull the roots, and if it screamed, the person would ‘die.' The kids, however, found this idea exciting.

One by one, they pulled the roots, their hearts pounding in their chests. The roots swayed in their hands, but no deadly scream was heard.

Eventually, it was Sam's turn. He grinned nervously, gripping the root tightly. His eyes widened in horror as a shrill scream resonated from the root.

The sound was piercing and full of terror. As it screamed, it echoed a horrifying "Death awaits!" Sam's body went limp, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Panic ensued among the kids. They screamed for help, but it was too late. Sam was not moving. He appeared dead, his body lifeless and cold.

The Mandrake’s scream was such that it caused the victim's heart to stop, the blood to freeze in their veins, and their life to slip away.

Austin, the last to act, was a unique child. He had magical abilities. He could revive the dead. He stepped forward, his face rigid with determination.

He knelt beside Sam's body, his hands glowing faintly. With a whispered incantation, a warm, radiant light engulfed Sam. The magical energy pulsed around his body.

Moments passed, and Sam's chest began to rise and fall. His eyes fluttered open, and he gasped for air, returning from the brink of death.

The kids sighed in relief, hugging each other. They decided never to touch the Mandrake again, understanding the deadly consequences they had narrowly escaped.

From that day forward, they respected nature's warnings. They understood that messing with dangerous things, even in fun, could lead to serious consequences.

The Mandrake root, a plant as dangerous as it was fascinating, had taught them a life-altering lesson. That day, their garden adventure became a haunting memory.

The group of friends, once carefree and naive, had gained wisdom through terror. The memory of their close brush with death would stay with them forever.

Their story circulated around their neighborhood, turning into an urban legend. The tale of the 'Cursed Mandrake' and the group of kids who survived its deadly scream.

The bravery of Austin, who had revived their dear friend Sam, became a beacon of hope. The kids admired him greatly for his courage and magical abilities.

Every now and then, they would visit the garden where the Mandrake root once sprouted. A silent acknowledgment of the adventure they had survived together.

They learned to value life more deeply. They all grew older, their friendship strengthened by that fateful day. They kept their secret, the mystery of the Cursed Mandrake.

From then on, everytime they'd meet, they'd fondly remember their garden adventure. It brought them closer, knitting them together in a bond of shared fear and survival.

They would often recall that scared yet brave version of themselves and smile. They were just kids unaware of the danger, yet they emerged victorious against the odds.

The Mandrake adventure gave them a sense of unity. Although the memory was terrifying, it had given them strength and a will to protect each other.

Their covert whispers about the Mandrake adventure became a ritual amongst them. They were bound together by the roots of the deadly Mandrake, forever.

The 'Cursed Mandrake' they once dread became a symbol for them. A symbol of survival, unity, courage, and friendship. They wore their ordeal as a badge of honor.

Eventually, they grew up, the memory of the Mandrake root almost fading. Yet, the lessons they learnt, the fear they felt, and the triumph they shared remained.

Every time they would pass the garden, their eyes would seek the spot where the Mandrake root once grew. A silent tribute to their childhood adventure.

The Cursed Mandrake, though a thing of fear and danger, had become a legend for them. A story of their childhood that they would pass down generations.

The tale of the Cursed Mandrake wasn't just a story for them. It was a part of their life, their identity. And that identity was etched in the roots of the deadly Mandrake.

The Mandrake, a symbol of their shared past, united them in an unbreakable bond. The root that could have killed them was what had brought them together.

As the years turned into decades, the eight friends embarked on various life paths. Yet, every year, without fail, they would return to their hometown.

They would meet in the old garden, their laughs echoing through the air, their eyes seeking the spot where the Mandrake once grew. It was their tradition.

They shared stories about their respective lives, but the conversation always found its way back to that fateful day of their childhood adventure.

With a shared smile, they remembered how they faced death and how Austin brought Sam back. It was a story they wore with pride.

Every reunion reminded them of the power of their friendship and the shared survival. The Mandrake incident had become a part of who they were.

Sharing their Mandrake memory became a sacred ritual. It was a testament to the invincibility of their bond, rooted deeply in courage and mutual respect.

As the sun would set, they would stand, clasping hands, and gaze at the spot where the 'Cursed Mandrake' once sprouted, acknowledging their shared past.

With time, the Mandrake story was shared with their families, becoming a link between generations. The legend of the 'Cursed Mandrake' lived on.