The Stories of the Sufferers

Decayed and Deserted: The Unfamiliar Man's Dwelling

Amal was visiting Zaki, her cousin. They both wandered around the neighborhood. They took their time talking and playing with each other. After walking around, they sat on the front porch of Zaki's townhome.

"Yo, I'm dehydrated," Zaki said, his black curls sticking to his face. "Imma go get some water."

"Wow," Amal said sarcastically, her hijab stained with sweat. "Nice vocabulary. Get me a bottle too, please."

Zaki chuckled and went into his house, grabbed two water bottles, and returned to their spot.

"Thanks, man."

They resumed their discussion. Amal was elected valedictorian for her upcoming graduation. She needed Zaki's aid with her speech.

Zaki thought critically. "Maybe you can list off the people in your grade in groups, saying a positive trait they have that can help them succeed in life. It'll take a lot of time 'cause there are 68 graduates, and then you won't have to worry about adding more to your speech."

Amal thought for a little. She wiped the sweat off of her brown face. "You know, that's actually a really great idea. Thanks again, man."

"You're welcome."

On and on, they went about their high school graduation. It would be an exciting day. As they gazed across the street, a filthy, decayed house caught their attention.

"Bro, look at that house," said Amal.

"The green and white one, right?" Zaki asked.

"Yeah. Does anybody live there?"

"I don't think so. I never saw anyone entering or leaving. The place is probably deserted."

"Let's check it out."

They walked across the street to the house. Its main color was a dirty off white while the roof, door, and the bottom fourth were green. The small windows were atop the single leveled house. It was shattered, and glass strewed the outer window sill. One of the windows was covered by a wooden board and caged. Pretty flowers were growing in pots on top of a rusty, white and green shelf underneath the encaged window. Bird excrement befouled the exterior of the property.

"Goddamn," he swore. "I haven't seen so much bird shit in my life."

"Me neither," she replied.

Zaki always saw the house; he simply never paid attention to its details.

"Okay, take out your phone," ordered Amal. "Can you take a video from the inside of the house?"

She left out the reason: she was too short to reach the top.

Zaki looked at the window. "Okay."

He turned on the flashlight of his camera and pressed play. He placed his hand cautiously through the window to avoid cutting his skin.

"Dude, don't put your phone down; that's not how you take a video," Amal said.

"Then what do you want me to do?"

She clasped his wrist and drew it up.

"Like that."

"All the camera is gonna shoot is the other side of the wall, smart one."

"Okay, just put it down, then."

His phone faced downward. He started to slowly move it side to side to capture more footage. What was being taped was unknown to him.

What was also unknown, was that he upset the man dwelling in the residence.

A crinkly hand shot up and grasped the black iPhone. A man with the intensest green eyes. A man with the most devilish glare.