Knock knock

Just like every college student, I was excited for this upcoming saturday! I was at home and was relaxing in my floral pajamas. After settling down on my sofa i had a cup of tea and was browsing through the latest bolywood gossip. I sat all alone with my only companion; my dog kiki.
As i was reading there was a knock at my door. I glanced at the clock and it was 10:35 p.m. It was pretty late for anyone to drop by at my house. Still i got off the sofa and headed for the door. Well i am not ashamed to accept, but i am scared of dark and the unknown. My hands reached on to the knob and it was death cold to the touch. I twisted the knob and it gave a squeak. I had kiki by my side which gave me a bit strength. But today, even kiki was a bit restless. She was growling and pacing up and down the hall, never leaving the sight of the door. As i opened the door, cold and unforgiving harsh wind gushed in. All I could see was a barren road, dim street lights and houses on the other side of the road. My locality is very lively throughout the day but as barren as the desert at night. Someone definitely knocked. I was not confused nor was i just hallucinating. I peaked outside without putting even a toe out. But no one. Even if I want to go out my fear would restricted me. And as i could see no one, this scared me even more.

As i was closing the door I saw a shadow moving past the road in a frenzy movement. I gasped and closed the door with a slam. This sent chills down my spine. I turned and looked at kiki, she looked horrified. There was fear in her eyes which made me crumble. I sat beside her on the floor and hugged her.  She eased her chin on my shoulder and relaxed. I got up and passed her and headed to my bedroom when I heard kiki growl. I turned to see what she was growling at. She was fixated at the door. I sheepishly walked towards the dog to calm her down when there was another knock. I was startled. I ran to my kitchen and grabbed on to a knife as i was walking towards the door. I walked towards the door as the knocks echoed the empty halls and chimed in by kiki's barking and growling . Suddenly kiki came infront of the door and started to bark, louder than she ever barked as if she didn't want to let in whatever was outside the door. I halt at the door while kiki continued to bark but suddenly she stopped, as if sensing that whatever was outside had gone. I opened the door and again looked at barren road, the dim street lights and the house across the street. I looked at the muddy trail outside and could clearly see footprints. This made me shiver, maybe it was the cold wind but I felt a cold sensation near the nape of my neck. Closing my door i ran to get my mobile and Called for help.

"There is someone in my locality who is knocking on the door repeatedly and i don't feel safe", I said. Police said they would reach my location in a few minutes and asked me not to open the door until they arrived. I did as asked. Those few minutes were the longest  minutes of my life as i was scared to death. I was crouched behind the sofa holding kiki near my chest when i heard another loud knock. It was clearly more aggressive and forceful than the ones before. I didn't dare get up. I begged kiki to stay silent. I just covered my ears and waited for the knocking to die down. Then there was a few minutes of silence. I was easing into the situation and gathering courage to get up when i heard  my doorbell ring. I squealed in fear. Frozen in the place i stood there until i heard," Ma'am we are the police. Open the door." I opened the door. Relief spread across my mind. They asked where i saw the person going, I fell into awkward silence as I didn't see a person but just a shadow. The officer smiled and said,"ma'am there is no shadow without an object". I cleared my throat and told them i saw the person/ shadow going towards the house opposite to mine. The officers went for investigation. I sat there waiting for any information when I was called to the house for some identification. I was puzzled. But still went ahead.

As i entered into the hallway of the house i saw some drops of blood. This alone was enough for me to trigger my fight or flight response. I moved furthur and drops converted into puddles of blood. Soon i saw a boy being carried out on a stretcher. "Rudhra!", I gasped. He was the son of my neighbours. What had happened to him? Was he the one injured? Many questions engulfed my mind. I took a few steps ahead and i was taken aback by the lifeless body of Mrs.Vidya, my neighbour. After some questions i was free to go. But i was left with more questions than answers. The whole night i could not sleep.
I got up at 4 am and went off to see t.v. when I overheard people talking. I opened the door and saw police talking a man with his hands handcuffed. I squint my eyes only to realize, it was Mrs.vidya's husband. I gasped at thA police officer glanced at my direction and came towards me. "Yes officer", I exclaimed. "Miss we thank you for calling us. If you would not have called us the young boy would have died.", he said. I just gave a smile. Out of curiosity i inquired," sir do you know who knocked at my door?" And his face turned pale. I asked again and this time he showed me the footage of the survilance camera on the light pole opposite to my house.

I saw a lady crossing the road who looked like Mrs. Vidya and then she started to fade again after few minutes the same lady was seen crossing the street and going to the house opposite to mine. I looked at the time in the clip, it was 10:35. I was confused,Because when i opened the door, there was no one.  I asked him about Mrs.Vidya's time of death, and he told me," Mrs.Vidya was shot in the head, she died on the spot." My heart sank. I fell weak on my knees and sat on the ground. The knocks were by Mrs.Vidy, she wanted my attention so as to save her son who was badly injured. She died, but her maternal instinct didn't. Even beyond the earthly relms, she struggled to save her son.
Mrs. Vidya's aunt came to stay with Rudhra. And she took care of him.  Ever since then, once in a while at 10:30 I would hear Mrs.Vidya's son saying,"I am ok mom! Thank you!" And then silence engulfed the barren lonely locality as usual.