Flash Fiction

Shortcuts are Dangerous

Credit: Judy Laryea

Auntie Efua alighted at her usual bus stop. She crossed the road to the other side and began to walk briskly. There was not a single soul outside and the entire neighbourhood was quiet, except for some barks from the night dogs in the area. After every two steps, she would turn around to watch if someone was following her closely. There was always no one but her shadow in the dark. She hated it when the entire neighbourhood was quiet, because it made her vulnerable and chances of attack from robbers and rapists were high. She had encountered a similar situation in the past where she was nearly robbed. One evening, almost towards dawn, after she had closed and was heading towards her abode on this same route, she had seen a figure emerge from one of the ghettos in the neighbourhood. At first, she had thought it was a figure of a woman; but drawing closer, she realized it was a man’s. He had dreads on; because he wore earrings too, it was easy to mistaken him for a woman. One weird thing about him that got Auntie Efua terrified was that he kept looking at her without changing his gaze. Also he had clenched his fist as though he was hiding a weapon. She had turned to look back in order to change her direction but she realized two men were following her closely. She became more terrified and began to utter words on her lips; words of prayer. Then suddenly, the mate woke her up from her slumber to signal her that she had reached her destination; she realized she had been dreaming all along. That day, she avoided that shortcut to her home. Have you ever had to use a shortcut to your residence?