Two Men at the Door

It was a wild and blustery Friday. Another week had come and gone. It was afternoon yet the sky was dark and gloomy, threatening to rain cats and dogs. A chilly breeze rustled the lush green leaves, making some flutter down softly. I was walking back home alone, with my arms wrapped around my body. I was immersed in my own thoughts, reminiscing my day in school. I traipsed back home, holding up the book in my arms, with a loud sigh. With a slight pang, I shunned at the thought of the tottering pile of homework my teacher had set us ...        As the lift juddered upwards, I closed my eyes, deep in thought. The lift clanged to a halt and I stepped out, snapping my eyes open. Rounding a corner, I saw the silhouetted figures of two men. One of them was trying to pry open the stalwart metal gate of my neighbour's house. Surmising that they must be thieves I shifted forward, with the intention of getting into the first unit and dialing for the police. It was then that the men saw me. One of them waved a hand at me, beckoning me over. Soon, the images became clearer as I walked towards them and I could make out my neighbour and his friend. My neighbour, Mr. Brown, bustled over and explained that he had lost his key and could not get in. He asked if he could have my hairpin to pick the lock. Without hesitating, I agreed and soon, Mr. Brown was busy picking the lock.        With a soft click, the gate swung open and he carried on with the door. In the end, that too, was opened. Mr. Brown's friend rushed in. Thinking that it was all over, I got into my own house with ease. However, before I could put down my bag, a sudden thud took me by surprise. I peered out. The scene robbed me of my speech. Mr. Brown's friend was holding a kitchen knife while Mr. Brown was cowering at his feet. He was moaning repeatedly, "James, what are you doing? When have I ever hurt you?" James laughed maliciously as a malevolent grin unfurled on his lips. His laugh was cold and high-pitched. My hair stood on ends when I heard him laugh sinisterly again.        "Give me the computer chip and I won't hurt you. I know that you have it with you," James snarled. Mr. Brown was petrified but he remained silent and motionless.        Horrified, I tried to shut the gate as quietly as I could but to no avail. Apparently, James had heard me and was stalking towards my direction. I winced and instantly dumped my bag onto the sofa before taking off at full speed towards the lift lobby. Taken completely by surprise, James pursued me. I ran down several flights of steps before jamming my thumb onto the lift button. Frantically, I prayed hard for the lift to come as the sound of footsteps reached my ears. The lift clattered into place and the doors slid open. I bolted in and the doors closed, leaving James no chance to get me.        Upon reaching the ground level, I sprinted in the direction of the main road. Coincidentally, the "green-man" was flashing and I dashed across. James appeared again but before he could cross, the cars started to move ...        My legs pumped on as I rounded into a glen. Turning left, I found myself in a dead end, which was empty except for several cardboard boxes. I dived into a big one and sat still inside. Short, searing gasps reached my ears from outside the box. "Not here," I heard James mutter to himself as he retreated. After a few minutes I got out of the stuffy box and scanned my surroundings. The coast was clear ...        In no time at all, I was back at my flat. I rapped on Mr Brown's door and got in. I asked him, "Did he come back?" Mr. Brown gabbled an answer and I left, slightly flummoxed ...        Well as the saying goes, "Once bitten, twice shy". I will always be cautious with anyone, even my best friend. Until now, James is still at large. Questions flood my mind whenever I think about this incident. Why did James want a computer chip from Mr. Brown? Where did Mr. Brown get it from? Why had he invited James to his house? These questions still puzzle me and they remain unsolved. Since that time, I have been keeping my eyes open for any sign of James. Hopefully, nothing like this will ever happen again. Hopefully ...

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Written by Ling Li Min Pri 6 Raffles, 2005 Zhangde PS