The alley

The line, as always, was serpentine. The evening rush hour traffic made things worse. Luckily, a seat next to the spot where I’d been standing on the crowded bus got empty. Perhaps the occupant decided it would be better to walk. Perhaps the thought was in the mind of every other person inside the smelly, overcrowded, claustrophobic bus.

No sooner had I sat down that I dozed off. I woke up as the bus came to a screeching halt knocking my glasses off the bridge of m nose. Luckily, they didn’t break. That would have been equal to a curse for someone like me; I’m blind as a bat without my spectacles.

I looked at my watch and realised I had slept for a full 15 minutes. I then looked outside and, to my horror, realised that the bus had moved just a few metres. The traffic seemed never ending. Perhaps one of our so-called leaders was out on an evening drive and had brought along with entourage of police escorts. Why do they need the police? What are they afraid of? I mean they have criminals for bodyguards, why do they need extra protection?

“Bloody freeloaders,” I murmured and got off the bus.

I was walking down the road, my mind full of endless thoughts, when it suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The alley.

I had seen the path countless times while commuting but had never actually taken it. It was about 200 or so metres long and paved with bricks. There were tall builds standing on both sides and there was barely enough space for two people to walk side by side on it. Even during the day, it looked pitch dark from the distance. I could just make out the outlines of a few trees at the end of it; it was a sight familiar to me. My home was a few minutes’ walk from the park. The alley but the walking distance to my home by more than half and yet I had never taken it.Now, as I stood in front of it, I was confused. There was a risk in taking the alleyway; news of people getting robbed in secluded areas probably just like it was rampant. But then again, my weary legs were urging me to take the chance. I listened to my legs and entered.

The darkness was overwhelming. I took my cellphone out for light and started walking. Pity, it didn’t have a torch or a flashlight app. The only other light was coming from the curtained windows in the high-up buildings. “This is strange,” I said to myself. The buildings had very small windows and the flickering candle flames inside made strange, dancing shadows on the opposite walls.

I could make out the sound of a baby crying, somewhere in the distance. A woman was quarrelling, in a particularly loud voice. Someone was coughing incessantly. Once, I thought I heard someone call my name. It sent a chill down my spine. Your mind can plays strange tricks on you.

As I walked on, the sounds stated become more distant. Even the strange dancing shadows disappeared. Now there was an eerie silence, and total darkness, save the light from my cellphone. I looked up and saw nothing.

Plain nothing. I felt like I was trapped inside a very small box. A sense of fear crept inside me. For the first time, I realised I was alone in the alley. Not a single soul had passed me. Then I heard a voice.

At first it was low and distant, but it grew louder and clearer as the seconds went by. It was a strange, high-pitched sound, nothing like I had ever heard before. I felt a cold wave sweep through my body. The sound was fast approaching to where I was, and as I turned back to where it came from I saw two large silhouettes coming towards me. I felt nauseous. I stared to run, as quick as my feet would carry me. I could hear the other footsteps getting closer. And then, I tripped.

I tried to get up, but felt a stinging pain on my angle. I had twisted it badly. With the wall supporting my back, I tried dragging myself forward, but couldn’t. The pain was too much. I stopped and cursed myself for having taken the alley. I heard a shrill laugh so evil it made me wish I was never born. I covered my ears to block the laughter, but to no avail. I heard the footsteps getting closer and closer. I turned and pointed my mobile at the direction

of thee sound and saw nothing. Just then, I felt two very strong palms on my shoulders, trying to pull me inside.

I woke up to a strong tug on my shoulders. The conductor told me, “It’s time to get off. We aren’t going any further. The road’s been closed for expansion.” He had a puzzled look on his face. I came to my senses, paid the fare and got off the bus. I was sweating profusely. My pulse was racing and I could hear my heart beat inside my head. I was short of breath. “What was that?” I thought. Just a bad nightmare. But it had all seemed so real. Even the alley...I thought I knew the place. It was all too strange.

I knew that place. I had been there many times. The houses, the alley; whatever was happening felt like déjà vu. I tried to not think about it, but the scene did not leave me. My mind had a mind of its own. Things were spiralling out of control.

Even the evening breeze could not cool me down. I checked my head for fever and it was burning. “I have to get home,” I thought as I was unsure of how much longer I could carry on.

“HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM….HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM….” the vibration of my cellphone scared the daylights out of me. It was my mum. “Yes mum I am on my way. I’ll be there in about 10 minutes.” I shoved the phone back in my pocket and started walking briskly when suddenly, I realised that it was all too quiet. A sense of déjà vu started all over again as I stood in front of the long, dark alley.