That Night. (Continued)

Part IV

"Is everything okay,Officer?"

The sharp panic in Grandma's voice pricked through my numb senses, like hot iron on frozen flesh.

"Apparently,no".said Mr. Stuart, of the local police station.

Mr. Stuart had arrived a quarter of an hour ago,but it felt as though weeks had passed since I'd run into Dad in the corridor.Failing to recognize him in the dark, I'd thought the man at the window was after me!

As I was told later,Dad had woken up at my terrified screams and rushed out to see what had happened.
"The way you shrieked- I nearly jumped out of my skin! I thought you were dying" he now says.

After an unsuccessful search for the man in my bedroom,the entire family(for my screams had spared none-not even Tabby,the house cat),rushed out into the garden for one last try.

There we found him.

He was resting against the wall by my window,his eyes shut as though fast asleep.

I don't remember well,but that's probably when Mom called the police.

"Here,we found this in the coat pocket"said Mr. Stuart,placing something small on Dad's open palm.
It was a yellow torch.
Beads of sweat trickled down from my forehead.Something seemed to turn in my stomach.

"We also went through his bag",Mr. Stuart continued "Found a water container and an empty food can.We believe he was travelling far.had been walking a great deal, by the terrible state of his shoes", he added with a dry chuckle.

"Who is he?" Mom asked.

For some reason, my hands felt hot and sweaty.

"Was" The officer corrected Mom. "The man was completely exhausted when he came here.Looks like he wanted to rest in the garden.The experts' been checking him.Says he's been dead for at least four hours.Over fatigue suspected",he said impassively, as though he'd just been commenting on the weather.

"But,I thought you said he was at your window less than an hour ago?"Grandma's said,looking into my face.Her voice sounded strange and distant,though she was sitting right beside me.Her face strained to feign calmness.

I tried to nod,but my head wouldn't move.I thought of the stranger at the window,the steely gaze of a man who was supposed to be dead and cold.

Something sour oozed up my throat.I threw up on the carpet.