The Diabolical Chapter 3

Chapter III: Boot’s detour1

The scene was covered in think fog, the road was deserted and there were so signs of life anywhere. Even the air tasted like as if it had been there, like that for centuries. The quietness was still, yet there was unrest. Something unnatural was present there that day.2

The uneasy quietness was broken by the roaring of an engine; the fog was pierced by light from a source. The man eased his motorcycle on the rocky floor. The air was moist; he could smell it in and taste it. He felt as if a shadow crossed him. So, it was here. He stopped his bike. 3

“Come out now, enough games.”4

Miles away four teenagers slept in their beds having no knowledge of this peculiar scene. At 6.00 the alarm began to ring furiously, Boots managed to kick off the shelf with a well executed kick. The clock flew off and hit Gm between the eyes. He woke up, his head throbbing in pain.5

“What the……!”6

He stopped seeing that everyone was asleep. He saw that alarm clock ringing furiously on the floor. He picked it up and turned it off. The last day was spent in too much tension; he planned that this day was going to be different. The earthquake was terrifying, he would be lying if he didn’t admit that but, it wasn’t that terrifying. He wanted to do the things he missed about school. I was the time to get the feel of the school back but, before he could do anything he had three people to wake. It wasn’t an easy job, he needed a plan.7

He gave the alarm clock a look; its front glass was broken. This one had been very persistent and had survived for two years now, which is a huge time for a piece of equipment that is kicked off at least once in a week.8

Gm picked up the alarm clock and aimed it at Boots.9

“ARAGHHHHHHHH!” Boots screamed as the piece of plastic hit him exactly where his brain should have been.10

He jumped off the bed, his screaming getting louder with each passing second. Shah and Bin stirred. Now there too were watching in confusion as Boots kept on screaming.11

“Clam down, Boots.”12

“Calm down.”13

“Calm down.”14

“Will you shut up already?” Gm had joined in the screaming.15

He got up and shook Boots, “Calm down, it’s only a plastic clock.” 16

Boots eyes went towards the bed to confirm this, there it lay. The proud alarm clock, finally defeated.17

“I though I was hit by a bullet.” 18

“How do mange to think this sort of stuff?” Shah asked.19

“Well, I dreamt that I was a doctor and I went to see this patient in war and then there were bullets everywhere, flying all over….” 20

Bin cut him short, “Good, now shut up.”21

“You would have been more respectful if you were in my boots.”22

“Boots you have the feet of an elephant, your boots won’t fit me,” Bin commented. 23

Boots shook his head in disapproval.24

“Come one Boots, we’ll get you a bullet proof vest so you can sleep safely next time. At the moment I am interested in some breakfast,” Shah announced, getting off the bed.25

Having skipped lunch and dinner, the previous day, the others were also interested in breakfast so, they followed Shah’s lead down towards the hall.26

It was when they entered the hall, they realized how screwed they were. The school’s discipline committee was checking the haircuts.27

“Oh, Lord. We are coming to your kingdom, accept us with open hands. Forgive us, Lord and take us in your shelter. Send us to the burning pits if you must but, no don’t leave us at the mercy of these beasts. Ameen” Shah uttered a soft prayer, the boys were laughing as they picked a table.28

They were eating when the committee reached them.29

The In-charge, they didn’t know what his name was, everyone called him “Dp” He had a beard, his butts were high in the air, his body was stiff as always and he walked in a style that confirmed that some part of his body was surely mechanical.30

Fogi (Solider,) was small, wore his pant up to his chest, hosted a long tie and a small mustache. Always jumping randomly, in totally random direction for totally random reasons.31

Ghafur was tall man with an interesting small version of Elvis like hairstyle. He had grown religious in course of few years and now wore a cap that covered his hair and had a beard that was colored brown.32

“Boys, this is not the proper haircut,” the Dp announced.33

“Big surprise,” Gm muttered under his breath.34

After that, he wrote down their names on a piece of paper. They were now suppose to come outside the sports office after the breakfast, there they would be shave nearly bald.35

---36

“That was horrible.” 37

Shah looked in a mirror and flattened his hair in an attempt to make them look more acceptable. This barber was even worst that the last one and that was saying something. It was clear to the boys in a matter of minutes that he had never used scissors or and other such instrument ever before. Now seeing there faces in the mirrors, they saw freshly shaven sheep.38

“Can’t they get a proper barber for a change? It’s always a mochi (Cobbler) ,” said Bin, crying over his fallen hair.39

“This can’t be helped,” said Shah as he abandoned his attempt to make something good out his new hair cut.40

The hair cutting had taken five good hours and the morning had been wasted. It was a shame.41

“Well, we can have some lunch,” Boots suggested.42

"Yeah, go for lunch and get a full body wax this time,” Gm shook his hand violently as he said those words.43

“I mean at the village,” Boots corrected himself.44

“I can’t discuss politics with Amir Bahi, my brain it too tried,” Shah said.45

“We can go some other place,” Boots was now begging for it.46

They all looked at him. “Why are you being so persistent?” Shah asked.47

“Nothing…just…..I though…well.”48

“Let’s go already.” It was Bin.49

With that approval they made their way towards the village. However, they found that the village was filled by couples. Everywhere they looked, every shop, every bench and every corner, all filled with couples.50

There was only one choice left; they went straight into Amir’s Bahi’s kitchen. His place was also filled with couples but, they were always a few tables in kitchen that weren’t offered to most of the people.51

They took their seats; they were greeted with warm enthusiasm in the kitchen. They had known these people for eleven years now.52

“I need to go to the errr……restroom.” Boots said.53

“Boots, we spent forty minutes there at school crying over our new haircuts,” said Shah sounding bored. 54

“Yeah well, I only realized I have to go.” Said Boots running off.55

“Be quick!” Bin yelled after him.56

Boots quickly raced towards the restroom and tightly bolted the door. His heartbeat was going wild; he couldn’t believe this was happening. It was like a dream, those rare ones in which there were no bullets. He took a pink paper from his pocket; he smelled it, taking in the aroma. It had been sprayed with perfume. He read it again, just top be sure he was not mistaken; this was almost too good to be true.57

“Dear Ziyad,58

You don’t know me but, I know you. I study in your neighboring school. I have seen you coming around a lot of times. I wanted to talk to you but you are always surrounded by a gang of boys and I find it awkward. I have never sent a letter like this to anyone. Will you please meet be by the lake, tomorrow at 3p.m. I’ll be waiting for you. Don’t disappoint me.59

Your secret admirer.”60

He read it a couple of times in quick succession. It was even better than his fantasies. Even in that, he was one who sent the letters, he never thought he would receive one like this. Another sniff and he opened the window. And quickly ran off towards the coniferous forest.61

He was running faster and faster, he didn’t want to be late. The lake was in sight, there were still fifteen minutes left, would she be there? Or had she just set him up, there was only one way to find out. He was at the lake. His heart was drumming wildly. No one came near the lake in this weather, the water was too cold and the whole area was covered in dense fog.62

“Are you here?” Boots shouted. His curiosity was getting the better of him. He was shaking for head to toe.63

“Yes.” 64

She was here, it was real and it was all happening to him. She came closer, he could see her face. He knew here by look. She had participated in a speech contest with Gm, Gm had won. He remembered it so well. He also remembered how attracted he had been towards her. He had secretly hoped that she would win. Now she was here, right in front of him.65

“I wanted to say..that…say..that.” she was laughing now.66

Boots didn’t find anything amusing in the situation. It was growing louder, more voices could be heard. This was getting confusing. Soon it became clear to him. She wasn’t alone; there was a whole gang of girls. By now they had formed a circle around him, they were laughing. Humorous, senseless laughter it was.67

“I told you he would come.” One of them said.68

More laughter, they had gone mad, they was no stopping them, they kept on laughing.69

Something was dying inside Boots, he tried to control his tears but, they were no stopping them, like the laughter they too had to come. He ran breaking through their ranks. He couldn’t let them see him like this, he couldn't let them see him cry. He ran with no sense of direction, he just kept on running.70

He heard a scream, “I am sorry! Don’t go in there!”71

The voice was meaningless, he didn’t stop. He had not asked for this, this attack was unprovoked! What harm had he done to them?72

He kept running until he could run no more. He saw iron fencing, he crossed it. He had to get away from them, get away from everyone. He was somewhere unknown; somewhere no once could find him. He was safe in this green heaven.73

---74

The sandwiches came and they waited. 75

“I can’t bear just to look at them anymore. Where is Boots?” said Shah angrily.76

“May be he’s having digestion problem,” Bin suggested.77

“Ewh! Go ask him, if he’s okay Gm,” Shah ordered.78

“Why me?” Gm protested.79

“You want to eat these sandwiches or not?” Shah asked.80

“Well, I do but….” 81

Shah cut him short.82

“Then move!”83

Gm got up and made his way to the restroom, making sure he attracted no attention. He knocked the door lightly.84

“Are you alright in there Boots?” he asked.85

There was no reply, he tried again. Again there was no answer. He returned to the table and whispered in Shah’s ear. 86

“He’s not replying.”87

This was getting out of hand Shah and Bin got up and now along with Gm made their way toward the restroom door.88

“Come out Boots!” Shah yelled.89

“Are you alight in there?” Bin asked.90

Different variations were tried there was no answer. They tried knocking, screaming, banging but to no avail.91

“You don’t think he’s lying unconscious in there?” Gm asked.92

That was it. Now they began to get really worried. 93

“I am taking it down,” Shah announced.94

Gm looked at point of arguing but changed his mind and nodded his head in approval.95

“Go ahead.”96

A couple of tackles and the door fell apart. The place was empty.97

“Shouldn’t Boots be sitting on that pot?” Bin asked.98

“Well, technically speaking, yes,” answered Gm.99

“You don’t think that, he drowned in the pot?” Shah asked.100

“Um…I don’t think they make pipes big enough for him to fit in but, that window can hold him,” said Gm pointing towards the lone window in the room.101

Shah and Bin also looked at the window, it was preposterous but, that window was big enough for a person to go out and it was open.102

“Washroom windows aren’t supposed to be that big.” Bin commented.103

“Well you can always count on Amir Bhai’s designs,” Shah said with a grin.104

“Guys, shouldn’t we be worrying where Boots have gone off to?” Gm asked looking uneasy.105

“Well technically speaking, we should be,” Bin said in good intimidation of Gm.106

“Errr.....guys looks at that,” said Gm.107

It was a pink letter. Shah picked it up.108

“It’s perfumed,” he said looking disgust.109

He read it. He was dumbstruck.110

“What does it say?” Bin asked.111

“Read it for yourself,” said Shah handing Bin the letter.112

Bin read it quickly and so did Gm over his shoulder. Finally when they were finished they all looked at each other. A few second’s pause and then laughter. They rolled on the floor with it. It was impossible to control it.113

“Guys, I really think this is sick.” Shah said having finally stopped laughing. 114

The message reached out. 115

“Poor guy, he must be heartbroken,” said Bin.116

“Do you think he’ll come back here?”117

“I don’t think so.” It was Shah who had replied.118

“We should check the forest,” He added.119

"He'll probably be there crying over a tree," said Bin.120

"Stupid tree huger," said Shah as they emerged out of the restroom.121

They bid Amir Bahi farewell and made their way towards the coniferous forest. It was incredibly cold even though the snow storms weren’t here yet.122

It was half way through when they met some people they weren’t expecting to meet.123

“Oh, we were going to get you! Your friend, we played a prank on him, we were going to apologize…..”124

“Lady, we don’t have time to listen to this useless blabber. Just tell us is he still in the forest?” Shah asked rudely.125

“Oh, you know! Well he ran off to deep in the forest, we tried to stop him. He even crossed the iron fencing. We really tired to stop him. Believe us, we did.”126

The news was disturbing. The iron fencing was over ten feet tall and was planted to keep the dangerous animals out of the school area. No one ever dared to cross it.127

“You won’t complain about us, will you?” The girl added trying to look innocent.128

“Let’s move.” Said Gm, without paying attention to the gang of girls standing in front him.129

"Someday, I will kick your sorry ass, real hard," Shah muttered under his breath. 130

With that they made their way towards the iron fencing, they were running now.131

“You can always count on Boots to get in trouble,” Bin said loudly. 132

“How was he able to cross that thing? It freaking tall!” Shah asked.133

They found the answer soon enough. It was like something had ripped through the fencing, something big. Claws were evident, but there was something else it looked like at places the bars had been melted.134

“Oh, my God,” said Gm,135

“Boots, if that thing doesn’t kill you, I will,” said Shah as he made his way through the gigantic hole.136

Boots was sitting alone by the tree. He was at peace with everything. He didn’t feel angry anymore. He wasn’t embarrassed anymore. He was at peace with the world, with himself. One moment it was all right, another moment, he knew something was terribly wrong. He could feel it. The temperature was rising, he began to sweat. It was closing in, closing in for the kill.137

It lashed onto him. All he saw was a shadow. He imagined its shadowy claws would rip him apart. He was ready; ready to accept it but, it never came. Instead he heard a loud thump. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The tree had leapt forward a branch, to stop the thing. It fell on the ground.138

“Interesting.” He said in a low hiss. This was too much,the thing could talk!139

---140

“Boots! Boots! Boots!” They were yelling but, no answer came.141

“Guys you’re not going to like this but…..” Bin pointed towards the ground. It was a man’s footstep; they were followed by something huge.142

“We’re so screwed.” 143