THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER!

                                                                     Unsplash 

Shanaya’s heart constricted, as she peered at the blazing green eyes. They were an unusual green, reminding her of the myriad hues of the sea. Fleeting currents lurked within in a slideshow of dark emotions. Her voice shook. “What do you mean by you’re not wearing a mask? That is not even a possibility.”

The eyes smiled maliciously. “You do not believe in the supernatural?”

Shanaya’s breath rolled out in a sudden gust that made him snicker ominously in the dim light, as she imperceptibly tried to move away. From the corner of her eye, she sensed that the door was shut. The only light came from the slats of a small window.

The monster scratched his bloody face. “Cat got your tongue?” he asked, irritably, “I haven’t got all day. I am a creature of the night, after all.”

“Stop trying to frighten me. Monsters don’t exist.” Her tone was strident, though shaky. “I am going to walk out of here, and you will not lay a finger on me.”

She turned to go, when suddenly there was a swooping movement, and she went flying onto the scarred wooden floor as a huge hand swept her off her feet. She hit her head on the side of a cupboard, a thin trickle of blood starting its slow descent down her face.

The mask loomed close as the man hovered over her. In shock, she saw his tongue snake out through the hollow of the mask, as if he were licking his lips.

“Blooood, my favourite drink!” his voice purred, as the tongue came closer. She instinctively put her hand out, warding him off with a convulsive shove. Not expecting that, he lost his balance for a moment, as she rose swiftly, and ran towards the door.

He growled in frustration, but he was quick on his feet, despite being such a large man. “Stop, you wildcat!” he said through gritted teeth. As she ran in panic, he put a giant hand out and caught hold of her long ponytail. Her head jerked back, and she felt as if her neck had snapped with the force, as she hit the floor again.

“Help me, someone!” she screamed with all her might. But the crew had left and the silence outside was deafening. Her mind whirled in desperation. If only she had not been late for the interview! But the time for “ifs and buts” was over and here she was, at the mercy of a green-eyed monster.

Something metallic felt cold under her hand, a long iron rod in the shadows. She turned around in an instant, and slashed him on his face with all her might. He went over backwards, and lay still.

She pushed open the door, sobbing in relief. The next moment she froze as a pair of malevolent green eyes stared back at her.

Shanaya’s eyes were wide with terror. Those green eyes held a tinge of malice.

                                                                        Unsplash

“You were behind me. How... how did you get out?” she croaked, wetting her lips.

The figure spoke in a low, menacing tone.

“No one invited you here. You gate-crashed, and now, you have to pay for the consequences.”

Shanaya looked about wildly. Even if she screamed, no one would hear. This place was desolated; exactly why it had been chosen in the first place.

“Please don’t hurt me,” she whispered, as the figure twisted her arm around, making her face the dark room. He pushed her violently, and she stumbled in, almost losing her balance.

If only she could locate the metal rod again, she prayed, fumbling in the darkness that seemed to have entered her heart.

The figure snarled, “Now don’t try any of your pretty tricks. You know what men like me can do to over-smart women like you, who come in and throw their weight around.”

The voice continued in a monotone. “You journalists, who swarm around like vermin, spreading lies with your honeyed tongues. Even the innocent are not spared. Do you know the harm you creatures can do? Do you?” Coming forward in a rush, it pulled her up so suddenly that her arms could have come out of their sockets.

“We only report what we see,” she replied, trembling.

“What you think you see,” the voice said violently, the green eyes blazing again. “Useless, unprofessional parasites! Remember Malavika, the woman whose life you destroyed? The one you reported as a prostitute?”

“I cleared that up. It was a case of mistaken identity.”

“Yes, but her life was shattered - a living hell. No one believed her. Except her loyal brother. Me!”

The figure came closer, peered at her pale face, and then grabbed at her arm. “Who do you think you are? Joan of Arc? I can reduce you into a whimpering mess in no time. Do you want to risk it?”
Trembling inwardly, she looked away from the mesmeric eyes from which vitriol flowed. This person meant every word. Women were sexually assaulted, thrown from moving cars and trains. She did not want to be one of the victims.

There was a noise behind her, and she looked in horror as another figure rose, and stumbled towards her. He raised his hand and slapped her till her head spun. Then tearing at her clothes till they were dishevelled enough, he took a picture of her cowering, as she tried to cover herself. The next moment, he whispered to the other, and they both went out of the door.

*******

The policeman helped her up. “Are you OK, Ma’am?”

“Did you catch the men who molested me?”

 “No, there was no sign of them. We found two masks though outside.”

He looked at her, continuing. “Luckily, a friend of yours called us. She was outside and directed us here. A lady with green eyes! She said her name was Malavika!” 

                                                                    Unsplash

 This post is a past of #BlogchatterHalfMarathon