The Wall

It was back in 1969 and riots had engulfed most parts of the city. Curfew was imposed for days. Many people had lost their lives in communal riots. It was a time when death came easy. 

 We were stranded at our uncle's place. Luckily, Uncle Jim was a well-known doctor and apart from that he was respected by many. But, since the riots had commenced he had been getting more than the expected amount of patients. Some would come in serious conditions, some with an arm or leg severed, some with their guts spilling out and many times they would be brought in dead. It was the worst time for me. I can't remember the number of times I puked but ultimately I did get used to all the blood and guts.

The dead bodies were usually taken by family members but many remained unclaimed. So, they were loaded up in a large wagon and then dumped out of the city, where they were cremated or buried by the local undertakers. 

One day the riots had taken a turn for the worse and that evening many patients came in. Many were saved by uncle Jim but many died on the table. Babu, our driver was already overburdened so I decided to help out and drive the old wagon with cadavers to the dumping yard. It was an unusually cold evening and by the time I got to the yard, it was already quite late. I was supposed to meet the undertakers at the entrance of the yard but when I reached there I found no one at the large iron gate. The big round yellow bulbs were on, and most of the area was lit except for the southwest wall that bordered the river bed on the other end. 

I turned the ignition key and shut down the wagon. Now that the engine was off I realized the silence I stood in. The darkness, the cold, and a wagon full of dead bodies; I felt as though I was going to jump out of my skin. I tried to call out to one of the undertakers whom I knew. "Hari, Hari", I shouted. But no one replied. I could feel the cold air through my nostrils and although I had a thick leather jacket, I still felt the chill to my bones. Just then there was a dull thud by the southwest wall. My senses were alert and my heart started pounding like a drum. With a choked voice I once again called out to Hari. But, this time the thud was louder. A sudden chill ran down my spine. An eerie feeling came upon me and I didn't want to stay there any longer. I turned to run, but just then I thought I heard a soft cry for help. It was Hari. I ran back towards the wall and I found Hari lying near a large hole near the wall almost in a half-dead state. His voice was faint and one of his legs was missing. It seemed as though it had been wrenched out of his body. Blood was profusely pouring out and I knew, if I didn't help him then, he would soon die. I quickly wrapped one of his arms around my shoulder and tried to pick him up. All this time the only sound that I was hearing was the sound of the rushing water in the river. As I lifted Hari, he gave out a painful cry. Then I heard something heavy move behind us. Hari was yelling and shouting, telling me to run. I couldn't understand what was he telling me to run from. The mud was soft, mixed with water from the river and Hari's blood. As I had taken a few steps I suddenly felt an excruciating pain in my right leg. A burning intense pain immediately rushed to my head. I suddenly forgot all about the cold and noise. My ears went deaf with a high-pitched sound and my body felt an extreme burning sensation from my leg upwards. I dropped Hari and turned to hold onto my leg. 

That's where I saw something. I could only notice a large head. The eyes were as big as my fists, bright with bloodshot red. Once again, it let out a shrill and deafening cry. This time the sound almost burst my eardrums. I kicked and punched as hard as I could, then grabbed Hari and tried to crawl forward. My leg felt totally numb, but I still pushed forward. Both of us slipped in the blood and the slush. We struggled and soon came into the light. Now on firm ground, I turned to look back. My leg had been shredded and Hari had passed out. Just at the transition where the light merged into the darkness, I saw those large red bloodshot eyes staring back at me. An extremely large hand with scales and immensely large hooked nails was there in the light. It was trying to get to my leg but I moved back. 

I got hold of a wooden log lying beside me and managed to get up. The whole place was full of a foul stench and I knew we were being watched. I fell to the ground now almost fainting with the pain. I reached out to Hari, but he was gone. Blood rushed to my head and I somehow got the strength to move towards the wagon. The wagon now was the only thing that could save me. I dragged myself as fast as I could. I reached the wagon, the pain was increasing. Somehow I pulled myself up and entered the wagon.

Back in the wagon, I searched for the key to start it. But, my hands were trembling and my eyes were already hazy. Then, I felt as though the whole wagon was shaking. I looked back through the small glass window and what I saw, I could never forget. There was something really large feasting on the bodies lying in the back. It had a large wide jaw that was full of chunks of human flesh. With every bite, it bit through bones and ribs, swallowing pieces whole. The sound of tearing flesh and crunching bones was enough to make me mad. It suddenly stopped and turned its focus towards me. I could never forget that stare. It looked as though it would devour my very soul. I didn't wait for that to happen, I found the key lying near the brakes and started up the wagon. The beast was already pounding on the back. Tires screeched and I used all my strength one last time to push down on the accelerator with my injured leg. The wagon rammed into a wall and toppled over. My head hit something and darkness filled my eyes. When I woke, I saw uncle Jim beside me. I was back home and uncle Jim was telling me something, but I couldn't hear. I passed out again.

This time I woke when it was evening and uncle Jim was there. I could hear the sound of the old radio. Uncle Jim smiled and said that everything was going to be ok. I felt better but my leg was still hurting. It was all in bandages. Uncle Jim asked me if I could remember what happened. I didn't tell him much as I still could not believe what I had seen. He held my hand and said, " You have to eat if you want to get better", I felt relaxed and expressed that I was actually a bit hungry. Then, uncle, Jim said," well then my boy, you must get up, as dinner is served fresh at the yard". His grin grew wide and I recognized those red bloodshot eyes.......