The Jabberwock

My throat tickles.

It’s subtle, at first. The tip of a feather trailed along the inside of my esophagus, top to bottom. I push my tongue back into my throat and attempt to scratch.

It doesn’t work.

I hope I’m not getting sick. Have I been around a sick person lately? Someone with a cold? There’s no way to be sure. I’m around people all day. None of them looked sick, but the common cold can be contagious before ever showing any symptoms.

I try to scratch again.

I reach for my glass of water and take a sip. Switch it around a bit before swallowing.

It doesn’t work. I clear my throat, and a gentle but firm nock can be heard on the front door, I stare into the abyss before standing up from the couch and slowly walk to the door, as I can hear the nock fade with every step I take.

“Hello?”
The other side of the door is quiet as I reach out my hand for the handle, unlock it, and open the door just enough for me to peek through.

I arrived at my doorstep only to be greeted by silence and darkness. The porch lights were the only things that gleamed, casting their light into the abyss.

“h-hello?”
I called out again. Was I getting cold? Or was I just exhausted and hearing things? I put my head on my forehead as I sighed, turning and closing the door again, maybe I was getting ill, I should rest, as I walked back to the couch, I heard a firmer knock again. 

Who’s knocking this time, this late at night?

I feel a bit hesitant now as I walk back to the door, I am hesitant as I’m inches away from grabbing the handle, I feel a ticklish feeling, as I open the door slowly and peak my head out… and once again, I’m greeted with silence and darkness. I’m starting to feel anxious now. 

Recently, a news report on the WWN revealed the presence of a serial killer in our town. As a result, many parents have started homeschooling their children and teenagers have become more cautious when venturing out past 11 pm. The only information we have on the perpetrator is that he is likely a man in his twenties and has been linked to 12 cases in the past month. I couldn’t help but wonder if the strange noises I’d been hearing could be related to the killer. However, I try not to dwell on it and shift my attention to other things. but I suddenly thought that these nocks might relate to him…maybe that’s why I feel anxious now. I stop myself from opening the door, but my curiosity is killing me! I slowly opened the door, and….

“W-what the….”

What I saw would leave me in confusion for the rest of the night.