Scintillating orange flowers, intertwined with compact whirls of petals, formed an exuberant, sensational, charming spread. Beautiful hyacinth with an enchanting scent, bordered this fantastic flowery, while canary yellow tulips with magnificent red flames, perfected the splendid stage. As the soft velvety white clouds opened, a glorious bright blue sky was revealed. Yet, in the light of drama about to unfold, the backdrop appeared gravely misplaced.
Strolling through the garden path, whilst inhaling the most exquisite perfume, graciously released by the wonderful blossoms, captured my being and engulfed me in a veil of happiness. That I danced through the air, in perfect rhythm of sun-filled thoughts, was an absolute reflection of the magical scene. Entranced by the untainted beauty, I paid little heed to the direction in which I was headed. A small wooden sign engraved with, ‘do not trespass’ escaped my notice and it was not until I was well beyond, that the foreign grounds alerted me to, as I would soon find out, my fatal error.
I looked around, desperate to find some familiar foliage; but instead, cruel mockery greeted me as the greenery menacingly waved admonishing fingers at my lone figure. The sky reddened in fury as it scornfully spat frosty white liquid in obvious contempt. ‘How dare you cross this barrier,’ the wind hauntingly howled. ‘Beware! You will be punished,’ it menacingly hissed. And, these words echoed on, surrounding me with its silent yet deafening threat.
And, these foreboding warnings transpired.
All too soon.
In the form of two evil thugs.
These two burly, brutal men marched violently towards me. Even with the slight distance, I could discern their wicked hate-filled eyes. Their malicious smirks bespoke their nasty intent and their sinister bearings ‘assured’ me that I was to be their next target of malicious entertainment. My heart quickened as their footsteps drew menacingly nearer. I searched desperately for some means of escape, but, as they drew closer, I knew that the chase was up.
One of the men brandished a knife.
“’e’ll make a good meal,” the taller one quipped, and then guffawed loudly at his foul attempt of humour.
“Ain’t much use spendin’ your last minutes cryin’. Is there?” the other callously jeered.
I already saw the knife dripping with deep crimson blood. The dreadful stench of cooked human meat nauseated me that I didn’t consider the improbability of smelling one’s own slaughtering.
My eyes turned wild as they rolled like two stray marbles. I was mad with fear. Muttering some gibberish to myself, I tried some absurd antics. I swivelled around at marathon speed, jumped a ridiculous step, and then landed squarely on my already upturned nose.
“Come here, you,” one ruffian called to the other. “It’s clear that man is nuts. Ain’t worth wasting any time with this one.” And with that, they walked away.
It was a nutty act I put on, and its shell remained stuck in my throat, stifling any cry I could have mustered.