The Unknown - Chapter 1

It had been a few weeks since Mason and Cora moved into their new house. After a couple of stressful days and struggle, they were finally settling in the new house. Things were looking better and comfortable for them. It was a lavish apartment, which had a spacious living room, 2 bedrooms, and a lovely balcony. The couple had really made the house look exquisite and elegant.

However, Oliver seemed a little unhappy in there. He wouldn’t play the way he used to. His in-house activities had gone down drastically. He started spending a major part of his day sitting near the window, gazing aimlessly at the expanse ahead of him. That way Oliver was a smart, playful and notorious boxer Mason had got for himself.

The newlyweds, though, were too busy juggling work and their new home. Hence, their unintended neglect was understood. However, there was a pact that Mason and Oliver had made that Mason will take Oliver out for a drive followed by walk on the weekends. 

Oliver used to wait eagerly for Saturday mornings. His excitement was the maximum on the weekends. He used to jump on the bed even before the clock struck 7:00 AM; trying to awaken Mason, who would be fast asleep. Mason, too, loved these kinds of mornings with Oliver. Spending quality time, playing games, and a long drive with all the windows down made Oliver the happiest. Even more than chicken! 

But as the hands in the clock moved in their customary circular motion, the numbers repeated, days of the week repeated, and so did Oliver’s unrest. He only wished for one thing throughout the day - that Mason and Cora would come home soon. Days passed by and the three of them got accustomed to this drill. Mornings and evenings were the only time during the day that witnessed liveliness, laughter and affection. 

It was Saturday the 19^th, around 8:15 PM in the evening that Mason had come down for a walk with Oliver. This time Cora, too, accompanied them. Cora was completely engrossed in playing with Oliver and Mason was surfing on his cellphone. But after seeing the two play, Mason felt content. His eyes were fixed on them for a while; his heart was at peace. That moment was picture-perfect for him.

Having walked a little further, he turned around to call Cora and he saw something which caught his attention immediately. He saw an unpleasant obscure formation standing near the window of his new apartment. It was something that Mason had never seen before. To understand the matter, Mason walked towards the window and all he could see was a strange smile and illuminated eyes. By then Mason had started sweating and within seconds that formation had disappeared.

Petrified by the incident, he decided not to discuss it with Cora. He went quiet unexpectedly. Thousands of thoughts started popping up in his head. “ what the heck was it ?” , “ Does it mean something “? , “ Am I in danger “?, “ Should I tell Cora about it “?, “ Will she think that i am crazy ?” Or “It was just an illusion. May be I am worked up! “His head was getting heavier than his body. Even, at the dinner table. They dint have much interactions. Cora felt a strong discomfort in Mason’s behavior that night. But, she decided to give him some legroom. After, tremendous efforts Mason finally managed to get some sound sleep.