DAY 1
It was quiet. Friday and Sun sat together, watching how events will unfold. They kept silent, paying attention to very detail, very part. A calm day indeed, particularly in Konko, a humble street in the town of Uko. And on this street, a little walk along its left, lies a cream coloured house, not too big, not too small. Surrounded by a beautiful, finely cut cluster of evergreen, its path way overshadowed by a mango tree, complimented by rose bushes on each side. A little walk in from the wire mesh gate, a porch, tiled scarlet floor with pillars of stone, takes the spot light. Surrounded by a metal fence, the inside verandah is decorated with a wooden bench, a few steps from the front window. And in front of the house, a wooden door with a coffee brown shade separated it from the outside world.
'So... Are you going to knock?'
'Why don't you knock?'
'Hey, I'm the one who brought you here. I did my part.'
'Ah... But iweh you act like she's not your friend also.'
'Its not like that.'
'Then knock. She might open up if its someone either than me. Maybe she's been avoiding me... ignoring me and stuff.'
'That makes no sense, why would she do that?'
'She might be more open to a new face is all I'm saying.'
'(Sigh) Alright, fine. I'll knock.'
Mercy and Frank stood outside this cream coloured house, Chiko's house. It was the 15th house on the street. The house didn't look abandoned, but the dusty floor, dry flower pots and empty feeding bowl formed an unsettling aura in the air that said otherwise. Walking up those steps, one couldn't help but feel uncertain, as though they had entered the home of some evil ghost.
At the door, Frank made three knocks on the wooden door. There was no answer. Again, knocks of three met the door but to no avail.
'Anything?'
'Aweh... Its quiet.'
Once more, Frank knocked at the door. (Knock knock knock)
'Hello? Chiko, its Frank. Are you home?'
He waited in silence for a response but the air was still. He turned to make his leave, probably cooking up a new plan, new idea of how to reach her. A quiet sound however, stopped him in his tracks. A sound from in the house, like a thud... As though something, or someone, fell to the ground.
'Did you hear that?'
'Hear what? What's wrong?'
'I thought I heard a sound... It came from inside.'
'Inside? As in inside the house?'
Frank nodded his head in response. He made his way to the window, trying to peek inside. His fixed gaze was met by an empty house. Dark, lights off... But the TV was still on. Its light gave some life to the room, if only a little. A half empty cup of water, some dirty plates, a blanket on the couch and some paper tossed on the floor is all Frank could see. If Chiko left, then she must have left in a hurry. Her place was a mess! But by the way everything looked, it was obvious that she wasn't home.
But there was something unusual in the house though. By the kitchen door, hidden in the darkness, some sort of light was coming out. This light, sometimes green, sometimes blue, seemed to be coming from two eye-like spheres. They were similar to those of a beast stalking its prey in the shadow of the night. The more Frank looked at it, the more uneasy he felt. It was like a mesmerizing glow that sparking curiosity... But also a unwholesome light, like a death stare from a bogyman or pennywise.
