Silent Night (a short story)
I've always been warned about going out with my phone or other valuables at night. Especially in this part of the country. Getting robbed was so frequent as getting a new hair cut from the salon. Walking at night could get you accosted by men of the underworld, and when they finally leave, they do it with your phone and money.
I had known all this, and still I had gone out with my phone. It wasn't too late, just around 8:30pm. The entire area was shrouded in darkness, lights could be seen through the windows of the locked houses. But none of these lights bled into the streets. So the street was so dark and appears lonely, there were shadows in which boogeymen could hang around lying in wait for the willing prey.
I saw all this and still walked on. I was on my way home from the pharmacy, where I had gone to get drugs. Earlier in the day, I had come down with severe fever. After spending the entire day in bed, it was night and I was able to push myself to get out and go get drugs before the illness became worse. But due to the nature of the environment, most shops made sure to lock up before it was even 7pm. So I had to take my phone along, so that I could call a pharmacist once I got there. My going had been without a hitch. I had gotten the drugs, now I had to make my way back home.
With the drugs in hand, I walked through the dark streets. Not using my usual gait because of my illness. My strides were slow, I guess I looked like a poor slob. As I got to my street, I heard the hiss. I recognized it at once. It was the kind of call used to call over victims.
I ignored and instead tried to increase my pace. Then I realized I was being followed. I picked up the pace, my hand holding my phone firmly. I knew I was in no condition to face these guys, so I looked around for help.
I found none.
I walked faster. The footsteps were getting faster and I could tell the person was walking faster.
He hissed again.
Despite my fear, despite my pounding heart, I still refused to turn, to look. So with eyes straight ahead I walked faster.
My weak body was starting to give up, it ass in no condition for such stress. “No....” I whispered just as I saw my house emerge from the darkness. “I'm almost there.”
The footsteps were getting even closer, in no time the person would surely catch up. Saying a prayer, I turned into the compound, pushed the gate open and in one swift movement, made to slam it shut in the face of the robber. Then I froze.
There was no one there.
I heard the hiss once more. Pulling out my phone, I activated the flashlight and shone it into the darkness. The beam fell in coiled length of a medium signal python. Even as I looked at it incredulously, it hissed again.
“What the...” I gasped just as it turned and began to glide off.
Slowly, steadily, my heartbeat slowed down. I swiftly locked my gate. I didn't know how to feel because I felt I had been saved from what could have been a deadly python bite but I also felt the python might had tricked me.
Was I a survivor or was I a fool?
Till this very day, I still don't know the answer.
.gif)
Great blog
Thank you.