C5 CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
It gives you a different feel when you stroll at night, when rest of the world has already fallen to bed. Though I'm afraid of darkness, strolling at night gives much peace. There's no one to look at you with those judgey little eyes at this time. Night time is turning out to be the better time at least for now for people like me who don't want to interact with humans but just want to enjoy their own company. The road looks so beautiful when the moon reflects its light on it. I walked until I realized that I've come across the forest, the one located near my house. I sat on the empty bench placed under the streetlight of the road.
”AAAAAAA”
What was that? I felt my heart throbbing. It's peaceful at night but also dangerous at the same time. The voice came somewhere from the forest. It was as if someone was screaming out of pain. Who could be in the forest at this time? Shall I go and check? No. What if it's the smugglers or any criminal because why would anyone else be in the forest at this time? But what if someone is genuinely in need of help? My mind was having severe thoughts and doubts.
Pushing away all the doubts, I decided to enter the forest and check.
”Hello…”
”Is anyone there?” no answer.
”I'm here to help you” still no answer. I think that the person must have lost his balance and tumbled down on the ground. I guess there's nothing serious. I better head towards home now. It's been too late and I have classes in the morning.
The next day as I was walking on my way to college I saw a group of people intensely discussing something. Their voice was too low for me to hear but the way they were talking it seemed like they were discussing something very important.
I went past them and at the distance of fivr minutes there were again four to five people discussing something in the same manner. What are they talking about? I thought.
”Hey” I felt a tap on my shoulder, Mr. Rude standing with a wide smile on his face.
”Hi” I greeted him back.
”Can I walk with you? Actually my car has gone for service and I don't wish to walk alone, it's quite boring” well did I ask for any explanation? No!
”You can” I said
”Thanks” he replied.
Just like the last time, this time too, we were walking quietly, without any talks until we reached the campus. Didn't this guy say that he finds walking alone boring? But then walking with someone without saying a word is equivalent to walking alone right?
”Don't you think that we should come to college together everyday?” now that was unexpected.
”And why do you think so?”
”Just… So that journey appears short?” he replied.
”But I don't think we should!” he looked confused by my statement. ”I can't stand everyone staring at me in the campus”
”With their eyes and mouth wide open” I added. He looked around in the campus before saying ”You don't have to care about them”
”Easy to say” I said and left his company. I walked as fast as I could so that he doesn't catch up with me again.
When I entered the classroom, Zane was already sitting on the bench next to where I usually sit. All the other benches of the class were occupied so I had no option other than sitting next to him.
”Hello, again Miss Blaire” he smiled.
”How come you are here before me even when I was the one who was walking ahead of you?”
”Have you heard the story The Turtle And The Hare” I gave him a weird look indicating that it's not relevant.
”Well that's because I didn't stop there, at the girl's room. My bad. I mean men's room” Oh Yeah, I did take a halt at the girl's room to wash my hands in order to banish the fresh paint that was being applied on the staircase, that got stuck on my hand.
After English class was over, Julie ma'am entered the class to announce that the remaining classes have been cancelled due to certain reasons. Good for me. I need a book from the library and after that I'll head back home.
The atmosphere in the library today was different from any other day. Everyone were holding newspaper in their hands and were totally engrossed in it. I wonder what's so interesting in the paper today that no one wants to take their eyes off of it. Out of curiosity I removed the paper from the rack to see what's the news that was so attractive. I unfolded the paper and the headlines left me shocked –
'MAN FOUND DEAD IN THE FOREST NEAR COLUMBUS ROAD.'
The forest… That's the forest near my house. I continued to read the article –
'A man aged forty was found dead in the forest near the Columbus road. According to the reports, the incident took place yesterday at 2:30 am. Senior Cop Drake stated that bite marks was found on the man's neck and it indicates that he was attacked by some wild animal.'
2:30 AM. Forest near the Columbus road. I was there at the same place and at the same time. I was sitting on the bench placed outside the forest. It means that the scream that I heard yesterday belonged to this man who's dead now. When I heard him scream, he was being attacked. I felt numb. I can feel the numbness in my knees, my legs and brain. I lost my balance but before I could tumble someone grabbed me and saved me from the fall.
”Are you okay?”
”Zane… I'm…” I don't know what to say. I couldn't feel my legs.
