After a sudden shower the sky looks autumnal. Though it’s the monsoons. The daring sun loves to play hide and seek with those foreboding clouds.
In the quiet of the desultory noon a slim sliver of soft gold drapes the wall. It’s tantalizing slant drifts into my dream.
A hesitant knock on the backdoor. I ignore. But the knock is persistent. A little louder…bolder now…
But no one’s there. Only a piece of paper lazes on the floor. I pick it up. A lone question stares at me :
Do you still wish to live ?
If no, dial XXXXXX9999.
What rubbish!
I screw up and throw it in the bin.
***
Startled awake I check the time on the mobile It is two to one. I thought there was a knock at the door. Perhaps it was just a dream.
The whistle of the night guard pierces the quiet. He strikes his baton on the railing of the park. Tong …Tong…Tong. I muster courage and unlock the front door. All quiet.
The guard has strolled on to the next block. I can hear him blowing the whistle far away. The street is deserted. The giant trees stand still.
A slip of paper lies on the balcony. Curious, I pick it up. Just a question mark in bold black font against the white.
I step out. The cold dark street tiptoes by the grilled gate winding to the right at the far end.
An envelope of fog waltz up where the street bends. The dark of the night blends with ease into the dark of the shady tall trees. So does a lithe figure. Like a shadow.
Latching the door I return to bed.
Tonight again I shall wrestle with myself.
Hours tick by…
http://vanderloost.blogspot.com/2025/09/blog-post.html?m=1
I marked your post as excellent, Geeta, but I am worried about the things you are writing, and I don’t mean the weather. What brought this on? You are not in great pain, and the world, while chaotic, is still a place of wonder. There will be sunshine one day in your life, too! For now, just be grateful as you normally are to be alive and free, and not in Gaza.
Joanna x
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Joanna, thanks for your concern. This is just fiction. Don’t worry 😊
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I understand, Geeta, and I thought about such a possibility, but still, why don’t you choose to write about something more cheerful…
Joanna x
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👍👍👍👍 Will definitely do.
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Thank you, Geeta!
Joanna x
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Sadness and dread served neat—well delivered, GC. 👍
Chills stitched into words — night doesn’t knock, it lingers.
Life is already sad; why run the wound with salt? Just a thought.
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I just meant it to be spooky!!! 🙀
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I know, GC.😄
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Ooooh, this was a little eerie post Geeta . . . .think everyone is used to funny, informative, thought provoking posts, and reading this, we all just got a bit worried in the sense of what brought this on.
But I do understand, sometimes a break from the norm is nice, something different and captivating . . . .job done with this post i should say so.
Sweet dreams.
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Thank you Meenu
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Such dreams
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Thank you Derrrick
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The piece masterfully builds an eerie suspense, blurring the line between external threats and internal turmoil. A chilling read. 👻
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Thank you so much. Glad that you were able to feel the spookiness.
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Your creepy story has the feeling of Halloween approaching, Geeta.
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Thank you . Happy Halloween in advance
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Very interesting story
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Thank you 👍😊
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You’re welcome
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