What Was That?

-


A shrill cry echoed in the mist.
I slammed the brakes. Had I taken a wrong turn? No. That couldn't be. I had driven this route since I was twenty. Before that, I didn't have the courage. 

But something was different tonight. The mist was never this thick. At least I could know where there was a stone and where there were trees. I came out of the car. It belonged to my boss. Ten years old. Why the heck wouldn't he buy a new one? I have always dreamed of driving a Ford, but no, he would give me this second-hand car to drop off his children. The kids must have been frustrated by now, too! Whatever. I locked the vehicle and walked towards the cry, and it sounded like a masculine voice. These misty moors hide a lot more than they are hidden from the eyes!

I took the stony path to the top. I switched on the flashlight, but it had drained due to excessive use. Without a flashlight, I felt like a tiny, afraid little mouse. I thought of returning, but that voice still rang in my ears. I looked up, and there was mist. I looked back, and there was mist. Mist everywhere. I gathered courage, which I had also done when I was twenty. 

I improved my focus, and I could observe an entrance, though a small one. Realizing someone could have been trapped there, I rushed towards it. Outside, I saw a mat, half-torn, the other half drenched with blood. That made no sense at all, but I became more cautious. The door creaked as I gave a little push. Inside the room, I saw nothing, but it was warm. I felt relieved. The temperature transition from one extreme to another gave me a sense of relief. I started a search for any possible form of life, but I only encountered lizards and cockroaches. Oh, wait, there were ants too!

I climbed down the steps and found two more doors. One was open and rusted, and the other was closed. I peeped into the open one but found nothing. I took a deep breath. I took a few strides towards the second one. As soon as I opened the door, I saw a person there. He was half-drenched with blood and had one eye absent. Ah, what a ghastly image! Not knowing what was going on, I shrieked. Instantly, he disappeared, and I was locked behind the door. I panicked and tried to open the door, but everything was a singularity; black surrounded me, and I was terrified. At this point, I couldn't open my mouth anymore. When I tried, all my efforts were in vain.

I waited—I don't know how long—until I heard footsteps approaching. The door near me opened, and then my door creaked—yeah, I could now see the door and someone, too. I saw Watson! He looked at me and shrieked as loudly as possible. I vanished in front of his eyes.

I can't explain how much I want to get out of this hell. I had a vehicle, and I had its key, too. But it was futile, no matter how much I tried. I have known this place since I was twenty.

Oh, and you know what, my name is Watson.

Siba Smarak Panigrahi
(Modified on 5 Feb 2025)

Comments

  1. Moriarty25 December 2019 at 02:19

    What a flow man. Really gets you to wait for it. And doesn't disappoint. Awesome.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Siba Smarak Panigrahi25 December 2019 at 02:23

      Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy upcoming such short ones!

      Delete
  2. Debarpita25 December 2019 at 07:08

    That was wonderful!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown25 December 2019 at 07:10

    This so amazing

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown31 December 2019 at 08:04

    Very nicely described n well written

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tanmoy Haldar1 January 2020 at 01:11

    👍👍

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown3 January 2020 at 23:47

    I remember this from the HSS Lab but this time...I understood it better...Good one bro !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Siba Smarak Panigrahi4 January 2020 at 01:58

      Thank you for remembering! That time it was verbal also! Thank you for checking it out , do check on Wednesdays, new short stories added!

      Delete

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