Midnight Adventures

It was nearly midnight.

I was burning the midnight oil in preparation for my boards. I was straining my grey cells over English Literature. I admit formal letter writing isn't my forte. Then, I had a sudden craving for ice cream. 

If you know anything about midnight cravings you would understand that they are hard to resist. I fought with it for a while and tried to concentrate on the notice writing. But when I realised I had written a notice for strawberry icecream instead of one for science exhibition, I knew my mind was set for a cool treat. I got up from my chair with silent determination to get what I wanted.

I picked up my jacket, then decided against it. It wasn't cold. Walking out the door and into the corridor, I remembered just in time to carry the key. Mom would be cross if she knew i was out. She was strictly against it. Our apartment complex was quiet safe, but Mom has a fear of unnamed, unknown and unseen entities. Last week she had a panic attack when I rang the bell at around 1am. 

If you had seen our apartment, you would know that there are six blocks in all, three on either side of a well lit, tree-lined road. Ours was the last block on the right. The first block on the left housed the The Club, my intended destination at this moment, for it had the vending machine filled with yummy treats.

I walked slowly, was in no hurry for I knew it for a fact that the vending machine was filled to the brim. I was humming softly trying to forget about the tiring notice I had to write. From the corner of my eye I could spot the security guard sitting at the far end. All was still . Not a leaf stirred. It was practically windless. For a moment I felt as if the air itself was absent and I'm walking in a vaccum. 

Then suddenly, without any warning, blew a breeze. Cold and icy, it was gone as swiftly as it had appeared and I was left chilled to the bone. I regretted not wearing my jacket. It was so instant and intense that I stopped right in my tracks. I looked around. The tree leaves were as still as they had been earlier, the guard was sitting in the same position as before and nothing seemed disturbed. I was left confused. Was the gust of wind my imagination or was it real?

The gust of wind that left me shivering a moment ago was gone. It was not cold anymore. This left me puzzled. I turned 360 degrees, and found all as it was. The security guard hadn't moved an inch, neither the leaves, nor was there anyone around. 

For a split second, a thought ran through my mind that I should return. Then common sense prevailed. As I crossed the road I thought I heard something. Considered turning round to scan the surroundings, but decided against it. Better to keep my imagination in check rather than letting it loose. 

Late night walks by residents isn't anything new, but today it seemed no one had stirred out of their house. Earlier whenever I would come out for walk late in the night, I would invariably spot at least four or five people. An elderly gentleman who perhaps couldn't sleep, the newly married couple walking hand in hand, the guy with the headphones who would almost collide with lamppost, and the other one who would buy icecream and eat it on his way home. I would then wish that I had the whole road to myself, but today I wish there was someone around. Being alone had an eerie feel today.

A cat ran past me at lightning speed. For a moment my heart skipped a beat. And almost immediately I felt another rush of wind. It felt colder than the earlier blast, forcing me to stop once again. I again looked around. However, all I could see was stillness. I heard a rustling. The leaves of a tree shook violently and simultaneously I heard the flapping of wings. My brain was working overtime trying to figure out from which tree this sound originated. My eyes wide with alarm, I looked all around. As quickly as possible, I wanted to find the root cause of this sound. Something black emerged from the canopy of a tree's leaves. It turned out to be a bat. It flew low, circled overhead, and was soon lost in the darkness. I took at deep breath. It was just a bat. 

Continuing with my journey, I was near the stairs that led to The Club. The vending machine was in sight and I could spot my favourite icecream.

As I placed my foot on the first step, the lights flickered. I ignored the flicker, it being a common occurrence. I finally reached my destination. Though I knew what exactly I wanted, I thought I should check out the new additions. The munchies looked tempting. It was there I saw them. I took a step back, wanted to scream out loud, but not a whimper came out of my mouth. I saw a pair of orange glowing eyes staring at me. 

My brain was telling me I should be logical. They are probably lights, a reflection from outside, or possibly lights from inside the vending machine itself. My heart was thumping wildly, urging me to remember those strange stories Mom would dramatise. My brain won the war of wits. I turned to examine what's behind me and saw that the window on the opposite side was open and lit. In all likelihood, it was a reflection.

Placing a shaky palm on my chest, I told my heart to relax. Exhaling loudly, I moved towards the icecream aisle. But before I could get the door open, a breeze blew once again. And along with it came a foul odour. It was really nasty. I covered my nose in a swift reflex action. Inspite of it, the odour was so strong that it caused a wave of nausea. What was it?

In addition to covering my nose, I shut my eyes tight, as if it would be of any help in blocking out the foul odour. After a few seconds, but what seemed an eternity, I could no longer hold my breath. I released the hold on my nose a tiny bit to let some air, and immediately realised that the horrible smell was gone. It vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. It baffled me to no end. How could the smell disappear all of a sudden? I reasoned with myself that perhaps it was a dead mouse or any such dead creature in the bushes nearby. The wind brought the smell along. I also made a mental note to inform the maintenance staff of the same. 

I felt I should better hurry, pick up the icecream and return home. The door of the aisle opened with a click, along with the announcement, "Please pick up your item." I couldn't decide on what flavor to choose, chocolate or strawberry. "Please close the door." The announcement lady was impatient as usual. She would repeat the same if I kept the door open for a few seconds more. I decided to end the debate and picked up both the flavours. "Thank you for your purchase," she said as I closed the door. 

Finally! Nothing made me more happy than an icecream. After eating, I will get on with that notice writing. I will also finish one sample paper tonight. I was busy planning as I turned towards the stairs when I heard a click, "Please pick up your item." The aisle of soft drinks opened. What happened? I never wanted any soft drink. Might have been a glitch. I went ahead and closed the door. "Thank you for your purchase," the recorded voice said. I turned to leave. Again I heard the unmistakable click, "Please pick up your item." Yet another door opened. I was bewildered. "Please close the door." My logical brain was loosing the battle against the panicky heart. "Please close the door," it repeated. I rushed forward, slammed the door shut and ran down the stairs. "Thank you for your purchase." I heard it say and I felt too scared to look back.

I ran halfway, then slowed down. I noticed the security guard was not in his seat. But he was there just a minute ago, whatever happened to him? The lamppost in front of me flickered. Now the one at the far end also flickered. The opposite one too flickered. I turned around. The one at The Club's entrance was flickering too. Panic was rising within me. My breaths became shorter and faster. Mom! Help!

The brain told me, "Run!" But my legs were frozen stiff. I was clutching the icecreams tight, as if they could provide me with the necessary courage. I felt a presence near me. I held my breath. I heard a faint sound of someone breathing. Was it me? No, it wasn't. I was too scared even to breath. It got closer. I could hear it loud and clear, as if someone was standing right behind me. Whoever it was, he was practically breathing into my ear. I forgot to blink. And I could smell the foul odour building up. I held the icecreams even tighter. But they could provide me no solace. "Run! What are you waiting for?" My brain was screaming. Every muscle in my body seemed to have turned to stone. 

There are moments when there is a miscommunication between your brain and the rest of your body, and you get caught in between. You feel helpless and devoid of hope. I was in a similar situation. I knew I should run but my body seemed to have fallen asleep. 

Somewhere a twig snapped. This jolted me into action. I ran. I ran for my life. I heard the sound of something falling. I neither stopped nor turned around to check what it was. I was too petrified. The adrenaline finally rushing through my body, I chose the flight option. I never knew that I was capable of such speed. I reached the door, fumbled for the keys, almost dropped them, thrust the key in the lock, stepped in and closed the door shut, all in a matter of a few seconds. Once in my own room, I shut that door too. Only then could I breath. Closing my eyes, I thanked my stars and and felt relieved at last.

I took a few deep breaths until my heartbeat returned to its normal. Then I slowly opened my eyes. What I saw left me more confused than ever. I was at my desk, the pen in my hand, and in front of me was the sample paper half done. How is it even possible? I was planning to attempt the paper after I return from the walk. I was baffled. 

Was this all a dream? Did I fall asleep while studying? The flickering lights, the awful smell, the cold breeze, the strange vending machine...what this all my imagination? I was clueless, looked all around and decided that perhaps it was after all an invention of my tired and overworked brain. I figured I should get some sleep.