THE DARK NIGHT

THE DARK NIGHT

I had to wake up abruptly; it was a Tuesday night or was it Wednesday already! I opened my eyes but could see nothing but the darkness. It was so thick I might have caught it and stored it in one of the observation jar we use in the laboratory. It was miserably serene and tense. Then I heard it. A soft icy whisper. At first I could not hear the words at all. All my senses had been paralyzed for a split second and that might have cost my dear life. Well what I mean is that the last time I froze like that I nearly caught by a stray dog that we had provoked, so everyone run away and it was difficult for me to decide where to run to. I jerked into realization and went searching for the switch. I found it but it wasn’t working. I focused again and realized the world was grave silent other rooms were submerged into to darkness. A trial to check if my neighbors were awake but i could not see a thing.

Recalling the ghostly sound I remembered the words ‘the hour has come’ The words were not new . I heard heard them a few hours earlier but I could not place who said them. I would have shouted back the questions burning in my head but I resolved to sneak out quietly. I had a new idea; I will be the explorer in the darkness.

First I checked the main switch and verified there was absolutely no power. This was a new occurrence in our house and generally our town. The wonderful shapes that usually adorned the vast town were out and this filled me with such joy as never before. I tiptoed to my neighbor’s garden. This has been a no go zone since I can remember. Our neighbor is the always angry spiteful fella with a dog that ugly scary and extremely lazy. I have memorized this walk from many of my daydreams. I went to the orange tree that was overflowing with ripe oranges and picked a few leaving immediately for the fear that power would be back and I would be caught red handed.

On my last step out of the forbidden field I heard a cough and I first froze. My neighbor was right in front of me and I noticed the smell of his dog. I could feel his penetrating gaze but I dodged off at lightning speed. I knew I was no match for my neighbor who by the way goes by the name Rich. I know no more about his name but tales are that he once represented our county in the inter county competitions and he run so fast that others withdrew from the racing competition. Since then Rich keeps to himself with his monstrous dog. The universe must have been on my side because I either did outrun Mr. Rich or he didn’t bother to follow me.

After a while I was out of breath and had managed to keep some of my loot so I ducked into a corner. I was super surprised because it then dawned on me I could clearly see my environment and realized I had actually seen Mr. Rich icy glare with a mocking smile and his dog didn’t look like it usually did. It had a blanket and very long beard and white hair too. This hideous peace of memory convinced me I had certainly gone insane. Come to think of it I thought I could place the whisper that woke me as coming from Mr. Rich.

The sudden realization scared me out of my wits and as much as I wanted to splint back home I was out of energy. I crawled deeper into the corner and at first could not fathom what was happening. Actually I was falling and the wind was biting and I was expecting to be in pieces when I hit the ground but someone caught me. Needless to say Mr. Rich was maliciously squinting at me. I wished I hadn’t stolen his oranges then the nightmare could be over. I might have fainted or fallen asleep because when I woke up, I was in my room all muddy and my parents giving me strange looks. They suggested I need to see a psychiatrist this weekend or in the evening. I didn't bother to argue because i know howw it ends, besides today is a bad day to talk back.

I gathered there had been a blackout and everybody thinks I sleep walked to a nearby demo garden where I was found in the morning shivering and talking funny of stuff. After my dear parents left me to rest, I looked through the window and sure enough my neighbor was sited on his usual spot and I felt he knew I was watching him and he is definitely trying to ignore me. The power suppliers are rectifying the problem that caused a black out but I hear an old man also might have sleep walked out of town because he cannot be found.

So today I went to school and my desk mate says she did sneak out and went to the city cemetery where she talked with ghosts. She says an eery whisper woke her up and a very thin and faint glow led her there. I might have heard which ghosts she thinks are fun but our creative teacher was matching into the room with his usual youthful energy ready to make us sweat. I have to say many students find him nice enough but not me. He has that weired wink he gives me every time we lock eyes and I swear I don't like it.

Again I am woken from my trance because I think I saw his eyes in that dog. You know Mr Rich companion dog. I think I will just agree to seeing a psychiatrist. At this rate it may not be well with me