A Lurker Amongst Us
A Lurker Amongst Us
By: Rukhsana Afridi
Loretta and Mick outdid the other party-goers with their fancy club dancing to the sounds of Usher in the background. “It’s so hot in here! So, take off all your clothes” the DJ blasting the audible lyrics and remixed the song to a catchy beat. Dancing while swinging their hips and moving their arms, Loretta and Mick thought that this night will last forever. But, it didn’t. Beads of sweat were forming on the creases of Mick’s forehead and Loretta was tired. It was time to leave the club after dancing wildly.
As they exited the club, they put on their heavy winter attire and sauntered to the car as the wintry wind blasted on their faces turning them into walking snowmen. Multi-faceted shaped snowflakes began to fall on them which began to stick on the sidewalk, road, and everything else. “I’m driving this time”, demanded Mick. “Ok, as long as you are not drunk like a skunk”, responded Loretta smiling at herself amused at what she said. “Trust me Loretta, I didn’t even have one sip of that hard liquor at that place,” answered Mick grimacing.
They found their way to the car in the parking lot and took off on the highway. The desolate highway was dark and stretched for miles. Just by the looks of it, one can notice, that this location was not the city, but the rustic countryside. The only light that could be seen was the headlights of their car which guided them through this long stretch of land. “Yes, full headlights! Put on your full high beams”, instructed Loretta while Mick was driving. Listen, Mick, I don’t want to get in an accident, please do what I say. “pleaded Loretta. “Sure-thing Loretta, I got this, don’t worry be happy!”, responded reassuringly as he flicked on the headlights to full beam.
After this brief conversation between Loretta and Mick ended, there was sheer silence. Loretta started to get sleepy from the warmth of the car heater brushing against her skin. She fell asleep in the passenger seat while Mick continued to drive straight ahead. A half an hour past and still they were not at their destination just yet. Just then, Mick saw something in front of the road that startled him quite a bit. He saw what looked like a pallid-looking child with whitish-color hair standing at the side of the road. Just simply staring, with shiny black-reddish eyes at him from a short distance. Fear took hold of Mick tightly, and he gripped the steering wheel and veered towards the left trying not to hit this strange looking child. While he swerved the car, there was a loud thump as if he hit something. The sudden jolt of the car woke Loretta from her peaceful slumber. “Oh my God, Mick!” screamed Loretta. “Are you freakin’ drunk, what the hell was that!” continued-on Loretta. “You could have had us both killed!” she shrieked at him. Mick looked horrified and his skin was clammy with sweat. He squeamishly responded while clenching his fists and said, “I saw a person that looked like a child at the side of the road. The weird thing is this place is isolated, why would there be a child at the side of the road for. I don’t know what the hell that was, Loretta! I think I hit something too!” he said in a panicked voice. "Maybe we should get out the car and see what the hell that was, he begrudgingly," asked Loretta. “Ok, we are not injured, no one is hurt, thank God! Yes; Mick, we should get out of the car and check to see if we have a flat tire. As for the child is concerned, I don’t see anyone out there”, answered Loretta confidently.
They exited the car and left the car doors open and looked around; nothing was there, just the blackness of the night. They walked a little further away from the car to see if that child could be found. They started walking back to the car dumbfounded and couldn’t help but laugh at the unusual predicament they were in. As they got nearer to the car and was just about to enter the vehicle, they noticed a little wax child-like looking figure seated in the back seat of their car. This entity whipped its head and stared at them without a blinking its eyes; eyes entirely filled with black like coal with reddish undertones. This thing said to them in a low calm voice,” you should have never gotten out of the car.” Poor Mick and Loretta gazed into this wicked creature’s eyes with terror. Terror engulfed them like flames from within and changed them entirely for the worst.
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