The Predator
A short story about a hungry creature
The bird is staring at me again. For the last 6 months, the government has enforced a lockdown in our part of the city to save us from a pandemic. Many people in my housing society did not like the rules and they shifted back to their hometowns or to areas where the rules were not so tough.
For lack of options, I stayed put and look where it has landed me — living alone in a flat that was meant for atleast 8 people and living alone in a building that was meant for 150 people. Food and other supplies are delivered at the gate and even though there is no security guard, I am not scared that someone will pick them before I do because this area hardly has any people left now.To be honest, i have not seen any other person in the last 2 months.
Naturally, I turn to whatever little conversation I can have with friends and family online, and the winged creatures in my balcony. Well, just one now cause he doesn’t let anyone else perch around me now. He was small when he had started to visit me but he has grown in the last few months.
I thanked God the day i realized he listens to me, and even nods in return. Of course, like every relationship on this planet, there was a give and take here also. After every conversation, I’d reward him with his share of food and drinks.
This went on for quite some time but things changed 2 days back when I was late to offer him his daily meal as I was watching a favorite television show. I heard three loud taps on the glass door and when I went towards the noise, I saw him tapping again with his beak. I stared at him in amazement and at the same time thought if I should record this for my friends when he did something unthinkable — he tried to pull open the door with his beak, When it didn’t move, he stared at me unblinkingly and rapped at the door again.
Needless to say yesterday’s encounter had unnerved me a little but by morning I was back to my usual self and even cooked up a storm in the kitchen to placate him. I made his favorite dishes — pork sausage, meatballs and boiled eggs. I was plating up for him when I heard a loud crash. I ran towards the noise and saw my lunch buddy instead. How, he broke the door is still beyond me but now he is roaming in my house at free will, while i have locked myself in the kitchen since yesterday. After he tried to snap at my wrist when I slid his lunch outside the door.
He gobbled that down in seconds and since yesterday he is sitting on my chair, making angry squeaks. For entertainment, he comes to the kitchen door and knocks — always three times.
I am so sorry for writing such a long post but do you think you can come and rescue me, because it looks like he is going to knock down this door too.
