A Stranger
Someone walked out of the darkness. It was past 6:00 PM. The rainy sky made the whole environment much darker than usual. The figure was unfamiliar, so a slight chill of fear ran through me. However, my curiosity took over, and I spoke.
”Hello… Who is there?”
The figure stopped. He covered his face with both hands to block my flashlight beam. He looked like a young man around twenty-five years old. His body shook with fear. He tried to speak, but his words tangled together. He seemed completely out of his mind. He pointed a trembling finger toward the mountain range. He muttered, “That… m… m… mountain…” Then, he collapsed onto the muddy ground.
I jumped forward instinctively. I decided to support him and take him to my grandmother’s hut. But it was not an easy task. The young man was very weak. I slipped in the mud in the dim light. I struggled forward, carrying his heavy weight. Cold raindrops mixed with the sweat dripping from my forehead. Finally, we reached the faint glow of the lamp from grandmother’s hut.
”Grandma… open the door!” I shouted with a trembling voice.
The lock clicked, and grandma stepped outside. She widened her eyes in surprise when she saw the half-conscious young man leaning on my shoulder. She quickly looked away, staring toward the dark mountain range. A fear I had never seen before crossed her face.
”Good heavens… did he come from that deserted mountain?” She stepped into the yard and looked around suspiciously, as if someone was chasing us.
”Bring him inside quickly, son… we must not open these doors again tonight!”
A shock ran through my body. I broke out in goosebumps.
”Why, this boy looks about your age… is he your friend?” Grandma asked.
”No, Grandma… I saw him for the first time today,” I said.
Grandma laid the young man on grandpa’s cot. She sprinkled a few drops of water on his face. He remained half-conscious, but he had no visible external injuries. As the water drops hit his face, he slowly opened his eyes.
”By the grace of God Saman, he seems unharmed. But he is terrified,” Grandma said. “Anyway, you stay here today. It is not wise to step outside again tonight. Seeing that deserted mountain, I can easily guess what happened to this boy. We will ask him exactly what happened in the morning.”
I felt very thirsty. I walked over to the kitchen area. Just then, someone knocked on the back door. Knock, knock.
”Grandma, someone is banging on the kitchen door.”
I put down my glass of water and went to open the door. Just as I was about to unlock the latch, someone lunged at me. It was grandma. Her face exploded with a mix of fear, seriousness, and heavy anger.
”I told you… don’t even think about opening the doors of this house until morning!”
”But Grandma, I heard Grandpa calling…” I told the truth. I definitely heard grandpa’s voice between the knocking sounds.
”Even if it is him… let him stay outside! Boy, come here… look at that boy.”
This time, grandma gave a strict order. I walked into the living room.
The strange young man we left on the cot was no longer there.
”Oh, Grandma…” I screamed.
To be continued –
Written By – Chamod Miyanadeniya
2026/01/01
Disclaimer
This novel is a work of fiction. All characters, events, technologies, and historical references are imaginary or fictionalized for storytelling purposes. Any resemblance to real people, places, or historical events is purely coincidental. The scientific, mysterious, and horror elements in this story are not based on real facts. Reader discretion is advised due to intense and suspenseful content.