Story time...

A dark mystery....

I am running hard. I can hear my heart pounding in my ears. I look up at the starless sky....could there be someone looking at me down below running like a mad man. Oh God....I did not intend to kill that woman. If only she had not resisted....if only she had parted with her chain .... Oh no...I wanted to set the clock back by an hour. Then I would have been walking in the streets - a forlorn man - hungry, angry and exhausted.

I am still running - my arms flailing - there is no control in my stride...no rhythm. I am running away from the heinous crime I just committed. I know there is nobody pursuing me. I know I may attract attention running like this. But I could not stop.

It was by chance our eyes met. But she looked at me with such revulsion. There was something haughty about her. All I was looking for was food..something to fill my stomach before reaching my home under the bridge; my home, a hut by the stinking river, where I could sleep for a few hours undisturbed by the buzzing mosquitoes if only my stomach was full. I again caught her eyes ...it was hauntingly beautiful and at the same time filled with derision. I followed her ...now there was panic in her eyes. I tried to snatch her chain ...

I still could not stop running as the event unfolded before my eyes with utmost clarity. Was that really me? I only wanted her chain. But when my fingers closed around her long fair neck I saw the cold unalloyed fear in her eyes. It was fascinating. I looked into her eyes as I tightened my squeeze and she suddenly went limp. I did not intend to kill her....believe me...it was her eyes....