31st December 2016
I, a mere mortal within this world.
Had no friend, nor someone that can be label as a decent relationship. Growing up in a strict household. My teenage impulses were restricted unable to bond with my so called peers. Even after college, the numbers of people that I can call as ‘friend’ can be count easily using my fingers.
An introvert at best, which yearn for a relationship but difficulty in starting up or rather the thought of going through the process of acquainting with someone wasn’t something in my bucket-list. More so who actually wanted to befriend someone like me. A loner that care not about others.
Even with the family, the bonds between us four brothers aren’t close at all as if strangers sharing a single house. An eldest but turns out to be someone disappointing. Sad to say that I didn’t turn out what my parent expected of me but I don’t mind as this is my life. A life where I, who can decide where my fate lies.
A night where I have countless trouble of not being able to sleep and tonight was no different from the other nights. Some would say I have insomnia, partially it can be consider true but some part of me murmur to myself that I’m someone who overthinks in a different way thinking pointless possible outcomes. But most of it arrived to a bad ending an ending neither I do not like.
‘heh~ an introvert, a pessimist and someone who has no goal. Can’t believe I’m still living.’ A self-depreciating comment hurl towards myself.
Even so I stare at the wall clock, with its arm ticking slowly unhindered by time.
Tick tock tick tock
Second by second pass, but within my room it was still. The darkness of the room was unperturbed. With no speck of light piercing through the void of darkness, I lay on the bed motionless. Then the clock struck 12 o’clock, while others in my age celebrate New Year with booze and charming company. They party unleashing their inner desire as they shout out the typical congratulation of New Year’s Eve.
‘?’
But something unexpected happen, the noise of fireworks booming in the air that I expect didn’t resound. I who lived nearby a city would often been greeted by the thunderous sound of fireworks at this hour.
‘Malfunction maybe?’ I ponder on why there’s nothing. A weird incident even for me. Since every year this kind of thing wouldn’t be neglected by the city administration.
‘Who cares since I’m not really interested in it.’ but that remark of mine backfire my reasoning by a shrieking scream that was no doubt coming from a woman.
“KYAH!!!!!!!”
“Help!!!”
A desperate plea for help, I who was in a daze prop my body up as I glance behind me. Unraveling the blinds, what greeted my sight was a female neighbor of mine screaming her lungs out as she froze on the ground swinging her handbag at the perpetrator.
With its back on my sight, I spotted the villain coming closer to the unfortunate neighbor of mine. Due to the cover of darkness, I roughly estimate its height probably half the size of mine but rather than small this person has a wide body while on its hand was flinging something like a large stick or so.
Then the scene unravels with a few men coming out of the terrace house shouting toward the person.
“HEY! Who the hell are you!”
“Don’t dare take another step!”
Bunch of aggressive comment was hurl to that short person. It was reasonable since this is a modern era where violence isn’t the first solution to anything. As one of the men who’s probably her husband or so can’t really contain his anger. Well since I’m an introvert I’m not really familiar with my neighbors so I assume he was the husband of the poor woman.
He approaches the stout person and raises his fist ready to pummel down his knuckle onto the lecherous bastard who dare disturb his wife. But I can’t help but feeling a sense of uneasiness.
“ARGH!”
A short shout of pain rang within my ears as my eyes turns wide trying to see what happen just now. The moment I blink just now. The man was ready to fight the stout person drop to the ground as he grabs his arm in a painful manner.
The other men around were dumbfounded, while neighbors around me start coming out of their houses curious about the noise of the night. While the young went out partying in New Year eve, what left tonight were only the older people those who are middle age.
The men who appear around the same time as the suppose husband, didn’t wait as they rush to the stout person as they attempt to immobilize him. But the things that happen in front of my eye defy common sense.
The stout person retaliates swinging the huge stick on his hand randomly. Hitting one of the men who attempt to attack him. Flinging the middle age person to the ground as he scream out in pain.
“hey! What’s going on here” one of the older people in the neighborhood approach the scene intending to find out what’s going on.
“We don’t know, this guy try to hurt Malik’s wife!” one of the man spoke out in a hurried manner as he unconsciously step back a bit.
The older man wearing merely his sleeping attire spoke out to the stout person. “hey you! What are you doing here in our neighborhood? Don’t cause anymore ruckus or else I will call the police!” the old man try to avert any more harm as he properly threaten the stout person.
The woman who froze on the ground was carried off by his husband as he pitifully leaves the scene with injuries on his body. As he brings his wife back into the house. The stout person starts to moves accordingly toward their direction.
“Hey stop!” the old man tries to intervene but he was slow but then a boy who was holding on to a torchlight directed the light on to the stout person accidentally. The light shone on the person as it reveals its appearance.
I, who was on the second floor of my house, can’t see but those below were frightened by its mere appearance.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The stout person stumble a bit as the light disturb his movement, it used its huge stick covering its face but not before its appearance was caught by the sight of those in front of it.
‘what the hell is happening down there?’ I was obviously curious but I didn’t dare going down there. But then a woman screams shrieks through the night.
“kya!!!!!!!!!”
The stout person unknowingly jumps out to the old man who was the closest to him at the moment and clobber down his stick into the helpless old man. I watch in horror as even I can’t imagine what was going on right now. The woman and children start scampering back into their house as the men were clueless on what to do amidst their neighbor being bash on the head countless times.
One of the men who was there, reach out to one of a wooden planks lying around nearby a storehouse. He bolsters his courage as he swing the wooden plank but his action was halted by the action of the stout person. He discontinues his maddening attack as he raise his head in the air and a screech was let out in the air as it rang.
“KUKIIII!!!!!!!!!” the men were dumbfounded by the suddenness of the stout person. But one of them realized that the old man was still breathing amidst the blood covering his whole face.
“hey what are we waiting for! Old Sawi is still hurt!” shouted the man as he try to save the near to death Sawi on the ground. But then his movement was stop by the noise that approach from afar. Even I who was currently standing watch the scene from afar after hearing an inexplicable sound.
In front of our line of terrace houses stood a playground with running track made around the perimeter of the park. It was dark since there is no source of light for the playground but the noise was no doubt coming from the park. As it grown louder, I notice the sound appears to be similar to the sound of that stout person from before.
I squint my eyes towards the darkness of the playground trying to focus relying on my sight to catch anything out there. Surprisingly, the moonlight was unravel aiding my vision as the lucent light reveal the most astonishing thing that I have ever see.
“what…what the hell are those?” I can’t believe what I saw with my very own two eyes. Countless short beings were heading toward our houses as they were rushing in broad number. Even the men below saw the scene with their very eyes.
But the shocking thing was…
My vision unknowingly glances toward the sole perpetrator of this whole scene and I can’t believe what I just saw. A hideous face, bald and darkish green in color. It’s ear was pointing upwards and the short stature was it’s symbolic trait.
‘A goblin?’ I can’t believe what I just think off since that’s the only possible answer coursing through my brain. It can be a mutated human but with all those features, I can’t help but to convince myself. It was half-naked with only a cloth covering its private part. The stick it was holding unknowingly was a bone a huge bone which it’s origin I do not dare think off. I slap myself trying to wake up from this dream but the slap was painful as usual as the things that happen in front of my very eyes were real.
‘trouble!’ I soon realized the approaching noise and countless short men were a terrible sign. If one goblin could bludgeon one man to near death what can an army do if they ever reach us. I can’t help but scorn on my negative view but that’s the reality of it in this moment.
I ignore the scene of the lone goblin and the group of men as their action was also halt. I on the other hand ran downstairs, trying to come up with any measures to counter the incoming ‘horde’. Can’t believe I just used the word horde in a real life situation.
Enough of that!
I went downstairs as I saw my parent were up as they were staring in front of the sliding door of our main entrance. One of my brothers who are on vacation from his college was also there as he was staring from the window.
Seeing these people oblivious to the situation, I ran up to them. “mom! Dad! Come inside fast!” I was frantic as I know time is off the essence. My parents who were dumbfounded by my fluster action question my behavior.
“what’s wrong son? Why are you this frantic? Calm down” my dad tries to calm me down but I was short on words in this situation. I didn’t hold back as I pull both my parents into the house.
“son?!” they were surprised. “son are you okay?” my mother ask with concern. She was probably worried since I’m usually not this agitated. I ignore them for now. I order my brother who was also surprised from my action to bring the sofas.
“Black! Help me out go get the sofas and bring it to the door, now!” I gave out the door with a loud voice. My parents are both shocked once again as I never raise my voice like this. “sofas? Eyy~ what for?” he question at a time like this.
“shut up you oaf and just follow what I say!” I even hurl a bit of mocking into my words as I know only those words can bring this brother of mine to action. “jeez okay okay” he slowly walk in a lazy manner as he half-heartedly try to lift the sofa.
I close the grill gate and lock it with the padlock as I franticly close the sliding door. ‘damn it! sliding door are not going stop those things.’ I grumble as my face furrow. The sliding door definitely not going to stop these creatures. I block the sliding door with a long stick hindering it from sliding backwards shutting it from the inside.
My father on the other hand tries to reason with me. “son? What are you doing? I thought of going out there to help…” the moment he said those word I shouted at him unconsciously. “no! you can’t!” my father who has grown soft and gentle over the years didn’t have his usual temper from my younger days but since I blatantly shout at him, the temper emerge.
“son! Stop what you are doing! And explain to me right at this instance!” I can obviously hear the tint of anger in his voice but I have no qualm to that for now.
I ignore him as I walk to my brother. He stood in front of the sofa silent as he himself was surprised by me shouting at our father. “What are you standing around for come on help me with this.” with the urge of my words, Black had no choice but to help me.
“Red stop right now! Stop and explain to me right now!” my father probably reaching his boiling point right now and my mother try to put some sense into me. “Red, please listen to your father, husband please calm down, please” her words try to gently calm my father. But all of this was useless at the moment.
As I lift the sofa and barricade the sliding door with it, Black also put some words to me. “bro, dad is getting angry.” I pay no heed to him as I continue to pick up the pace. The sofa begins to stack in front of the sliding door. It was half way through but at this moment my father flips out.
His hand holds my shoulder as he shouted. “Stop Red! Even if you are old enough, you are going to get a beating.” Some part of the eastern countries, parents use force as a tool to discipline their children a polar opposite from the western countries. A bit outdated but I grew up with it. Some parts of it are good in a sense but some isn’t.
I shrug his hand off, while continue to barricade the sliding door. “this is the last straw Red, stop or…” I had enough of his sudden temper, I’m trying to save his life right now but he was making it difficult for me. I intervene his words.
“Or what? You are going to hit me? Can you halt that for a while. I’m trying to save our lives here” I didn’t pull any punches as I flat out reveal my intention. “you!...” my father was starting to explode as he was ready to hit me, my mother was doing her utmost holding him off.
Black on the other hand, question me. “save? From what?” before I could reply to his words. An agonizing scream was heard from the outside, as the scream of countless men bellow out.
“ARGHHH!!”
“STOPP!! NOO!!”
“Fuck! They are already here” I quicken my pace as I rush out to barricade with the best that I could. “They? Whose they?” he tries to question me but his eyes unknowingly peek from the half barricaded sliding door and what he saw made him flustered.
Black started to help me out earnestly trying to get his hands on anything to barricade the sliding doors and the windows. My father and my mother were once again speechless by the sudden change of my younger brother.
Even my father’s temper cools down a bit. But his tone of voice still carries that anger. “Uth? What are you doing?” my mother asks Black. Uth is his real name while Black is his nickname. Let’s just say his skin complexion during his younger days was quite dark.
“no time to explain mom! Help me and brother barricade the door” as Black tries to explain, yelp for help starts coming out from around the house as screams of pain rang in the air. “What’s going on out there” mother was still oblivious to the situation.
With the surrounding becoming more grave, father’s anxiousness starts to overcome his temper. “Red, what do you know? What’s going on out there”.
“you wouldn’t believe me even if I tell you” I didn’t have time as for now that is sufficient reason enough for me to tell him. “Black, try to finish it up. I’m going upstairs, I need to barricade the sliding door to the balcony.” I left my clueless parent and my brother who finishes it up those miniscule small holes that needs to be cover up.
Upstairs, I push the bed vertically blocking the sliding door. I push a few closets reinforcing the barricade. Then the metal gate in front of my house starts to bang. As the sounds of those goblins reaches my ears. “Damn it! Aren’t my neighbors enough yet” I was cold as I even thought of using the neighbors as decoy awhile for these ugly creatures but they must have try to lock themselves in also.
“bro, they try to break in through the gates.” Black came up from my back and report to me of what he saw. “We have tried our best, for now find something to use as a weapon and switch off the lights below” I suggest him to find a weapon to defend ourselves.
“Okay” my parents were the next one to spoke out. As my brother leave, my mother was the one who spoke out. She was anxious by the loud banging of our gate. “Son, what’s going on out there? you know something? right?” my father was by the side waiting for my answer.
“I don’t know, this is only an assumption. Those things out there can kill us without a cinch. So for now we need to stay here and stay put.” Father was silent as he has no words to say. He wasn’t the kind of father who can easily say an apology. I walk out and switch off the lights as I left the whole second floor in darkness.
“Son, why do we need to switch off the lights?”
“Precaution, don’t want them to know we are here, mom dad stay in your bedroom.” I left them not before my mother question me again. “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing mom, just stay put” I left the second floor as I went downstairs. Leaving them to themselves. Not wanting to make them more worried.
As I went downstairs, I glance back for a while as I caught notice my father solemn expression on his face as he took a glance a to the stairs as he quietly went in his room.
Downstairs, the living room was dark as the night. Black was taking a peek from the gap of the barricade. “how is it going?” I whisper quietly not wanting to attract attention.
“They still banging the gate but most of them have left. Only one or two of them are left.”
“Good, Black go try and call up the police. We need help.” I order him to call the police as of now, without any combat personnel, these goblins would be a menace.
As I rummage through the storage with the aid of my hand phone light, I grab a hold a hammer for self-protection in case anything bad happens.
I went to the living room and sat leaning my back to the barricade as I open my phone. With the internet connection still there, I open a popular search engine and what greets me at the main page was baffling.
I stumble on my words as I let out a small voice.
“end of the world?”
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