by A H Alhaila
“Rotten luck!”, said Max. “How is it a letter if it’s just one word?”, he added.
“It’s a long story.”, said Joanna.
“Since you put it that way, I think I’ll get some sleep.”, said Max. “Wake me up at dinner time, will you?”, he added.
“Sure.”, replied Steven.
Steven then went to make sure everyone was okay, while Joanna went to sit next to Mr. William. Five hours later, almost near midnight, Joanna noticed that Mr. William had woken up and was taking ear plugs out of his ears. “Ear plugs Eh?”, said Joanna to herself.
“Hello Mr. William.”, said Joanna.
“What’s your name again?”, said Mr. William, remembering her voice but forgetting her name.
“It’s Joanna.”, replied Joanna. “Don’t you remember when …”, she added but was interrupted by Mr. William when he said, “I remember! I just forgot your name, Joanna, is it?”.
“Yes, it is.”, replied Joanna.
“Well Joanna, let me just say I think your beauty is addictive. Just like marijuana!”, said Mr. William.
Mr. William laughed strongly as Joanna laughed with a little awkwardness. She felt as though that’s how he laughs. “You’re quiet the heavy sleeper.”, said Joanna.
“I love to sleep!”, he replied. “Is there anything to eat?”, he added.
“There are two meals next to you, your lunch and dinner”, said Joanna.
“Excellent!”, he replied. “Where did everybody go?”, he added.
“Everyone’s lying on the floor over there.”, she replied.
“I’ll go meet some of them.”, said Mr. William.
Joanna felt that arguments would start between Mr. William and the rest of the group, but she couldn’t stop him from doing so; so, she tagged along. “Hello everyone.”, said Mr. William when they had arrived.
Some of the group turned towards him and looked at him with disgust, while others looked at him as if he were a hero. They wanted to know how he walked between those creatures, especially how he hit one of them on the head. “Come sit here.”, said some of them.
“Are there women sitting with us? I want to watch my language.”, said Mr. William.
Everyone around him laughed as he continued, “Who’s behind you?”.
“No one.”, said the group after turning around and checking.
“I thought I was the blind one!”, said Mr. William.
Everyone laughed even more making Joanna feel relieved that no problems would happen. Steven went up to his daughter and said, “He seems like a people’s person.”.
“Yes, he does.”, said Joanna.
“Let’s go join them.”, said Steven.
“Sure”, said Joanna.
They all sat in a circle as Mr. William headed the conversations. Their laughter drew the attention of those around them who had also come to listen. Sam sat with them and asked Mr. William, “How were you not frightened of them?”.
“Well son, I fought a lot of creatures in my time; even bears.”, replied Mr. Steven.
“No.”, said Sam. “I was talking about the ghost-like creatures wondering the streets”, he added.
Mr. William did not understand what Sam was talking about. “It’s true.’, said Steven. “Mr. William there are creatures outside. That’s why we’re hiding here. They were once humans but mutated into something else. They’re very violent but you managed to hit one of them on the head!”, added Steven.
“I know that voice”, said Mr. William. “Aren’t you the one who tugged me hard?”, he added.
“Yes, I did”, said Steven. “I did it to save your life.”, Steven added.
“Are you planning another prank to play on me just because I’ve gone blind?”, said Mr. William, interrupting Steven as he spoke. “Wasn’t your first prank of giving me the silent treatment enough? Now you lie to me and expect me to believe it? I’m only trusting Joanna, she will tell me. Come on Joanna, tell me.”, he added.
“Joanna sighed and said, “It’s the truth Mr. William.”.
Shocked by what he had heard, in grief and in pain from his shivering jaws, Mr. William said, “I’ve now lost the only person I trust … You won’t understand what it’s like to be blind and not have anyone to trust. No one to depend on. No matter how many times you explain to a blind man that the road is flat and safe to walk on, he will still imagine thousands of holes in the ground and hundreds of cars passing by. A man without anyone to trust by his side is a living hell and you are making me live that hell.”.
“Someone here knows you.”, said Steven before Mr. William was able to get up and leave.
“Who?”, asked Mr. William.
“His name is Sam. He was your neighbor and he told us about you.”, said Steven.
“What did he say?”, said Mr. William.
“That you’ve only recently lost your vision.”, replied Steven.
Mr. William became silent for a moment then said, “What else did he say?”.
Steven hesitated for a moment then said, “He said that you like to prank those around you. Pranks that caused them harm.”.
Realizing that his pranks actually hurt those he did them to, Mr. William said, “So the families of my neighborhood have decided to turn the tables on me after I had gone blind, by being silent and not talking to me?”.
“No.”, said Steven. “But I’m sure you’ve heard the sounds of destruction happening all over.”, he added.
“I have never heard noise like the noise you’ve made when I arrived.”, replied Mr. William. “As for the destruction though, after I woke up on the day I lost my vision, I found some of my belongings destroyed so I thought my family wanted to give me a taste of my own medicine. I kept calling them, but they wouldn’t answer. I told them this prank won’t work and I took care of myself until I decided to go out to the neighbors, but they wouldn’t answer either. I shouted saying that even though I’m blind and I needed their help, this is payback for the things I’ve done. I returned back home waiting for someone to answer me, but no one did. No one talked to me the next day either, so I decided to leave the neighborhood. I kept bumping into to people on my way and I kept talking to them, but they wouldn’t answer me. I started to question whether I had lost my hearing too! I kept walking until I arrived here.”, he continued.
“Now I get it.”, said Steven. “I assure you. This is not a prank! What we’re saying is the truth.”, he added.
“Then why didn’t they eat me?”, asked Mr. William.
“They don’t eat human.”, replied Steven. “We were amazed when we saw you walking right next to them. We thought they didn’t attack those who were blind.”, he added.
“Nonsense!”, said Mr. William. “I’m blind which means I’m an easy prey. Why would they let me go?”, he added.
“We don’t know for sure.”, said Steven. “But when they do attack someone, they wrap their hair around their prey. This probably has something to do with eyesight. There are people with us who were attacked and who the creatures tried to open their eyes. Fortunately for them they were able to free themselves and …”.
“Dear Lord!”, said Mr. William interrupting Steven. “I lost my vision and now you want me to lose my head too?”, he added.
“Trust me Mr. William.”, said Joanna, “What my father is saying is the truth. The creatures are on the ground floor as we speak if you wanted to check for yourself and touch their hair. They all have long hair. Even the males! And I’m sure you felt the destruction all around you.”, she added.
“Long hair?”, said Mr. William. “My family had long hair too when I touched them back at home. I thought that was strange. I even told them that I would strangle them with it if they don’t answer me.”, he added.
Mr. William was gradually being convinced. Joanna continued saying, “There is no reason for us to lie. What we said was the truth.”.
“Does that mean my family turned into those creatures?”, asked Mr. William.
Everyone b
ecame silent which implied a positive answer to Mr. William. “I a bad person, why was I the one to survive?”, he said.
Mr. William walked away from them a bit before falling down on his knees. Joanna followed him, placed her hands on his back and said, “Take it easy Mr. William!”.
“I didn’t get the chance to apologize before they left.”, said Mr. William.
“Let it go! You can’t change the past, but you can change and become someone good.”, said Joanna.
“I don’t think I can.”, replied Mr. William.
“You can make amends by helping Sam.”, said Joanna.
“Where’s Sam?”, asked Mr. William.
Joanna called Sam over and when he came, Joanna said, “Mr. William wants to talk to you.”.
Sam was a little nervous when he reached them. “I’m sorry Sam.”, said Mr. William. “I apologize from you, your family, and all the others you know. I owe you a lot.”, he added.
“Don’t be sorry Mr. William.”, replied Same. “You’re a good person.”, he added.
“If your family were here and had heard you, I’m sure they would have forgiven you too.”, said Joanna.
“I hope so.”, said Mr. William as he sighed in relief.
Mr. William then stood up again and started laughing. “If my family saw me apologizing, they wouldn’t have believed that it was really me apologizing.”, he said. “I don’t want to feel upset like this again. I don’t want to imagine not being able to see them for a long time. I will see them soon. I will do what I can to be of use.”, he added.
Joanna felt surprised at what he had said. “Don’t get your hopes up he always does this.”, said Sam to Joanna whispering in her ears.
“I haven’t been properly introduced to everyone here.”, said Mr. William.
“So, you are afraid of those creatures?”, said Mr. William when he returned to the group. “I hit and kicked them all! All I need to do now is take a selfie with them. Anyone knows a good photographer?”, said Mr. William sarcastically.
“You can’t take a picture now it’s too dark.”, said everyone as they laughed.
“Alright then. Tomorrow, I’m taking a group photo with them.”, said Mr. William. “Anyone else wants to take a picture with my friends? They’re good people!”, he added.
Everyone laughed even more as Mr. William kept telling them stories until some of them slept, while the others felt drowsy. Steven walked up to Mr. William and said, “I think it’s time for bed now.”.
“What?”, said Mr. William. “Are you serious? I just woke up why do you want to sleep? I haven’t talked to anyone for a whole day!”, he added.
“You’ll have to adjust your sleep.”, said Steven.
“You know, I learned a harsh lesson the day I woke up and lost my vision when my family and neighbors wouldn’t talk to me.”, said Mr. William. “I started thinking about the things I’ve done wrong and about how obnoxious I was. But I kept my pride and didn’t apologize, nor did I open up to them. I now realize why they were silent. In a way, those creatures actually taught me a lesson. That’s why I want to be useful and help in any way I can.”, he added. thought
“Thanks.”, said Steven.
“Don’t mention it.”, he replied.
“What are you planning on doing now?”, asked Steven.
“Walk around and waist time.”, he replied.
“Just be careful.”, said Steven.
“Of what?”, replied Mr. William sarcastically. “You and the creatures at the ground floor are my friends.”, he added.
Steven smiled then said, “Good night.”.
“Good night.”, replied Mr. William.
At that moment, Joanna went to Brian and said, “You can go now.”.
“So, I won’t turn into one of those creatures?”, asked Brian.
“No, we don’t think you will.”, she replied.
“Great!”, said Brian.
As Brian left, Joanna sat in front of the glass and started reading some books and taking some notes from the creatures she was seeing through the glass while everybody slept.
Mr. William kept walking around the center as Joanna sieved through the books. Everyone was sleep and the place was quiet which helped Joanna concentrate on her reading and writing her conclusions. Shortly after, Joanna felt that someone was approaching her. She looked up and found two creatures standing right in front of her.
Without notice, the creatures attacked her quickly. The first creature tried to wrap his hair around her head, but she grabbed it before it could and made circular motions with her had wrapping its hair around her hand. The second creature tried to wrap its hair around Joanna’s head, but she did the same thing to it with her other hand. Joanna found herself in a dire situation, not being able to free herself easily. “Dad! Dad!”, shouted Joanna calling her father.
Steven woke her to the cries of his daughter, taking his sword and running towards her. Other followed him also as they all found her hands tied around their hairs, not being able to fight. Steven cut off both their heads which allowed Joanna to free herself. Steven noticed that these creatures wore clothes of two people who were part of their group. “They were part of our group, weren’t they?”, said Steven.
“Yes, they were.”, they replied.
“How did they transform?”, asked Max.
“Weren’t they the two who were on guard duty for the night?”, asked Joseph.
“Yes, they were.”, said Adam.
“Let’s go around the floor to make sure there aren’t any creatures on it.”, said Steven.
They searched the floor they were in and made sure it was clear. However, they found the flash lights of the two who transformed into the creatures on the floor and turned off. Everyone gathered around them. “If we couldn’t find any creatures here, then how did they turn into them?”, asked Steven.
“This is so confusing.”, said Joseph.
“Right now, we don’t know how the transformation process happens.” Said Joanna. “Is it by wrapping their hair around the victims’ heads and using their eyes to transfer the infection or is it something else?”, she added.
“This is frightening.”, said Max. “If we don’t know how it happens, we may transform at any moment.”, he added.
Everyone felt how dangerous the situation is as Steven said, “Hold up … Hold up! … weren’t the two of them watching the place?”. Everyone understood where he was going with this. “That means that they passed by us while we were asleep, which is why they headed straight for my daughter!”, said Steven.
Everyone was surprised because the guard post was at the end of the building next to the stairs, while Joanna was on the other side in front of the glass. The group was situated in between the two and everyone else was asleep. “Does that mean they don’t attack those who are asleep?”, asked Joseph.
“The answer must be yes.”, said Joanna.
“So, now it’s: the dead, the blind, the unconscious and the sleeping that the creatures don’t attack.”, said Adam.
“Yes.”, said Joanna. “We might find other things.”, she added.
“What links all these people?”, said Max.
“That’s the important question!”, said Steven.
“I think I know the answer.”, said Joseph.
Everyone turned to him as he said, “I want everyone to imagine themselves as one of those creatures, what would make you not want to attack these people? What is the common thing between them? DO they have souls? The dead clearly don’t. None of them can hear except for the blind. Neither of them can see. The unconscious and sleeping don’t use their eyes you see!”.
Everyone was astonished at Joseph’s conclusion. “I think you’re right!”, said Max.
“We’re making things more complicated.”, said Steven. “Let’s focus on what we know at the moment without any other examples or assumptions. The most important thing is for us to find out how do people transform into these creatures without wrapping their hair arou
nd the victims’ heads.”, he added.
Everyone agreed with Steven. “Let’s be on high alert. Had Joanna not grabbed their hair and woke us up, she would have turned into one of them.”, he added.
“Wait!”, said Joseph. “Where’s Mr. William?”, he asked.
Everyone stated turning around searching for him and they started whispering among themselves in suspicion. “Where is he?”, they said.
“He told me that he was going to walk around. Let’s go look for him but be careful.”, said Steven.
“Be careful!”, said Joseph as he looked at Joanna.
“Be careful not to do anything rash out of fear!”, replied Joanna as she looked back at Joseph.
The search mission started as everyone searched every corner of the first floor until they were sure that he wasn’t there. Adam passed by the staircase doors and was stopped by a sound coming from behind it. He pointed towards the door until everyone, led by Steven, had come. “Do you hear that?”, said Adam.
Everyone became still so that they could hear. The sounds resembled those of strange chants. Steven opened the door carefully as everyone was ready to fight. When they entered, everyone pointed the guns towards the sound which was coming from above. The sound kept getting closer and closer to them until they saw a masked person wearing wide clothes. “Who goes there?”, said Steven.
Chapter Fourteen
Playing with Fire!
When the man reveled himself, it was Mr. William. “Have I scared you?”, he said.
Everyone got nervous and some of them laughed at how he looked. “No, but you had us worried.”, said Steven.
“Did something happen?”, said Mr. William.
“No, nothing happened.”, replied Joanna.
Joanna then whispered to the group, “Don’t say anything! Just go now. I’ll deal with him.”.
Joanna stayed with him as the rest went back to their places. Steven and Adam went to the basement to make sure it is clear, and thankfully, it was. They went back up and were heading to the roof when Joanna stopped them and said, “I checked the roof and it’s clear.”.