Writer's Recipe vol. 4 (2019)

HOSTEL

Written by : Amirah Afiqah binti Mohd Yusri

SPM examination was just around the corner. Mairah and I were the only two people left at the hostel during the weekend. Both of us live quite far away from the hostel. So, we did not want to trouble our parents to pick us up from far away for just the weekend. Being the diligent students we were, we also figured if we stayed home, we were a lot less likely to study due to all the distractions there.

It was Sunday night. The leaves rustled and the trees swayed slightly, making groaning heavy sounds. The twigs crackled, snapped and sputtered. At about 10.00 p.m., Mairah and I were still studying quietly at the hostel study room. "Ugh, I think I have a terrible stomach ache," I broke the silence.

Unable to keep it in, I excused myself to the toilet and left Mairah alone at the library.

After I finished doing my business at the toilet, I looked at the mirror. Out of nowhere, I heard a loud scream filling the hostel. The hair on my neck stood up. I did not knew whose scream it was but I was too scared to find out.

It was quiet for a while. I was about to let out a sigh of relief when I heard a sound. It sounded like a sharp object being dragged against concrete. Cold sweat trickled down my forehead.

First thing that came to my mind was to hide but the toilet wasn't the best place to do so. I entered a room next to the toilet, locked the door and hid in the one of the lockers in the room. I sat in the lockers very quietly while trying my best to hold my tears. Frightened thoughts raced through my mind.

For some moments, it was as quiet as grave. I did not knew what to do. Out of the blue, I heard the scratching sound from the door. I tried to stay calm and quiet. Tears were falling down my cheeks as I covered my mouth so that I wouldn't scream out. I just can keep one's fingers crossed that everything is just fine out there. I remained there until I eventually fell asleep.

The next morning, the warm touch of the sun from the small openings on the locker woke me up from my sleep. I heard a sound of footsteps. I looked through the openings on the locker and saw a figure walking outside the room.

When I looked closely, I found out that the figure was actually the security guard that was doing his daily job which was patrolling the hostel. Without hesitation, I called the security guard. "Uncle! Uncle!" The security guard looked at the locker I was in with a puzzled face. "Uncle, please tell me it is safe for me to get out of here," I stammered in fear.

The security guard gingerly walked towards the door. His face was gravely pale-looking. "Do not come out! Stay there!" said the security guard. I was so eager to leave the wretched, cramped locker, so despite his warning, I went out from the locker. Nervously, I opened the door. As soon as I did, fear gripped me and I dared not to move a muscle.

A horrific sight greeted me. Mairah was lying in front of me in a pool of crimson liquid. An axe was buried deep in her stomach. The horrific sight made my stomach turn. I fell on all fours and threw up.

Suddenly, I heard a chuckling sound.

I looked up with my eyes as red as burning coals. My heart thumped wildly. I saw the security guard smiling at me while holding the axe. I was paralysed with fear. I tried to scream but my voice was stuck in my throat. Last thing that I saw was a swinging axe.