There lived a man as poor and sorry as anyone can imagine. He had no family and no one who loved him. He was Morris. He was a street cleaner in New YorK until Mr. Hinger gave him
a job as the undertaker. Mr. Hinger was a lawyer who was well respected in the society for his
enduring graciousness and support he gave to the less fortunate. When he was offered the job,
he snatched it like his life was dependent on it (which infact was) without any hesitation.
Life as the undertaker was never easy. Infact, it was physically more demanding than street
cleaning. Everyday, he was obliged to bury at least a dozen corpses on his own. Nevertheless,
life was much better now than before for Morris. He earned which he would consider a good
money. It was good enough to get him a room on the 6th avenue and ensure his breakfast
and dinner. Life seems to be normal like always... until one particular day.
Morris had buried his 12th corpse that day. He was set for home if not for a request from his
partner, Clive. To Morris who was in his forties, Clive was as old as an oak tree. For that reason
he could not shy away from a request from 65 year old. Clive requested that whether Morris
could have his last corpse of the day as he was broken and could not carry on a bit. Morris
understood that completely. It was almost dark when clive left. By then, other peers of Morris
were already home, sipping away soda as they watched the " Who doesn' love BigPhil" on the
local channel. Morris was, of course, tired and drowsy. He just wanted to do this fast and head
home. He dug his grave and looked around just to be sure if there was anyone else sneaking on
him. Being confirmed not even a blindman was at graveyard with him, he did something he was
never supposed to do. As an undertaker, Morris had developed a habit of stealing precious items
worn by the last corpse he would bury. Morris unravelled the white cloth wrapping around the
corpse and studied it carefully as he searched for necklace or diamonds which he could sell at
a lucrative price. After a long "investigation", his gaze became fixed on the ring finger on the left
hand of the corpse. There, shining and dazzaling was a diamond ring. He could not believe his
luck for the ring honestly, would cost at least a ten thousand. Morris became excited. He started
dissolving in his lulling thought of becoming rich, buying house and cars. Soon, he was full of
life. He tried profusely to pull the ring off the finger. However, he could not. After several futile
attempts, he grew frustrated and took out his pocket-knife upon deciding to sever the finger from the hand, which he did. It was not pretty but Morris did not care. After safely placing
the severed finger in his pocket, he hurried through the rest of the burying process and
headed home.
After five months since the day, Morris was not the same man he was. He was no longer an
undertaker, he became a successful merchant who bought a huge bungalow at countryside in
New York. What else, he drove a BMW to his workplace which was fifty kilometres. He sold the ring which he obtained by thrashing the dead finger with a hammer and received 12,000 dollars and the rest is history. He cannot believe his luck. How wonderful, isn't it? Only just that is.
Like any other day, Morris was returning home after a effective deal which sealed fifty million
to his company. He was a happy man. He was so happy until he did not realise his car would
run empty before he reached home. So, as he was driving though a long and empty highway gaurded by pine forest, his car came to a gradual halt. His realization of the reality was too late to saviour the deteriorating condition of his BMW. It was getting dark. Morris was desperate to
get going. He tried all he could but failed to get the car moving. Then, he worked on his cellphone
but it was running dead. Morris had found himself in the middle of nowhere and he had to do
something fast before darkness of the forest gulped him.
Without much hesitation, Morris abandoned his BMW as he could afford another one quite easily now, took his torch and ventured into the unchartered forest. Somehow, the situation was very familar to Morris. He remembered the days where he would wonder around the street after cleaning looking for a place to sleep or a garbage full of half-eaten rotting hamburgers to eat.
He was so lost then. It felt the same now. Morris now reached at the heart of the forest. His
torch was the only source of light. His car seemed miles behind him now, deserted on the lifeless
highway. He was just hoping for a motel or an inn where he could pass the night. Soon, his torch
started flickering. Desperation took over as Morris sped up his search for a shelter. The forest was as unusually silent. It was so quiet that Morris at times thought he could hear the trees
breathing. Morris was getting uncomfortable and saw things around him getting eerie. Finally,
his torch surrendered, leaving morris in a state of genuine fear and paranoia. He started
imagining what will happen. What now? he thought, where do I go now? As thoughts and
questions jamming up his head, Morris came to a stand still when he heard a growl just behind
him. His heart lept, eyes widened and leg stiffened. He knew how wolfs growled. He watched
them doing it in the National Geographic channel. He knew wolfs growled when they are extremely hungry. He knew when a wolf growls, its prey's death is imminient. This growl sounded was no different. He turned his head steadily to greet his aggressor and he received an hostile reception from that white pupiless eyes which were the only thing visible. Morris ran for his life. He ran as fast as he could, he ran like his life was dependent (which, infact, was).
He ran until he saw a beam of light. Without hesitation, he followed the light as he ran. The monster was fast approaching. The light lead to a small illuminated cottage which was glowing
in the dark. Morris, knowing safe haven was just few metres away, mustered all his energy and
dashed onto the porch of the cottage and banged at the door with clenched fists. He looked back to see how far behind was the thing that chasing him. To his surprise, it was nowhere to be seen. "Thank god." whispered Morris as wind of relief gushed into him and filled his lungs which was previously deflating from irregular breathing.
A lady welcomed him at the door. Morris first covered his eyes with his right arm when brilliant stream of light came flooding towards his eyes. He thanked the lady and entered the house. As he became adjusted to the light after being in the dark for so long, he finally had the chance to have a good at the host who welcomed him so graciously. Morris was awestruck by what he had seen. He had never such a beautiful woman in his life. She looked in her twenties whose wonderfully shaped body was awfully concealed behind her light white gown. She smiled and introduced herself as Jasie. Morris was eager to get involved in a conversation with her but first, he needed to get washed. Jasie provided him a pair of pyjamas which he wore after a shower and sat intently on the couch in the drawing room as he inspected the room with wonder and appreciation. Jasie was preparing dinner when Morris was at the shower. Soon, they reunited at the dining table which was lit by candle, making the atmosphere ever so romantic. Morris was hungry like hell and he could not ask for more from Jasie after she made roasted chicken which released wonderful sweet burnt aroma, mushroom soup all by herself. There was wine of course. To Morris it seemed he came a long way from the days of thriving on decomposed hamburgers. However, hunger was the least important thing now to him. The only thing that mattered to Morris now was Jasie. He just can't take his eyes off her.
Jasie: I am sorry. You must have had a day. This is all I could.
Morris: No, don't be. You were never expecting me. How can repay your graciousness.
Jasie(
giggles): I think you ought be eating before you die of starvation.
Morris: Yeah.
After the dinner, Morris and Jasie became engrossed in a intimate conversation.
Morris: I must admit your food and you, Jasie, have one thing in common.
Jasie: And what is that?
Morris: You both are indeed wonderful.
Jasie laughs.
Jasie: What are you up to mister?
Morris: I am thinking where i will sleep tonight.
Jasie: You know you are pretty lucky that you made this far. This forest is cursed. There
are evil forces out there.
Morris: Yeah. I mean I was chased by something all the way to your house. I thought I was
finished. Anyway, Jasie, are you married? What makes you stay in such isolated
place.
Jasie: Yes but my husband had a premature death because he was alcoholic. One day his liver gave in and that was the end of him. I am here because this is my family house which my father inhabited from his who did the same. It goes long away back. I have a brother named Mickel who is now serving in Iraq. He says life there is very horrifying. You have live everyday like it's your last, know what I mean. God, how much I miss him. My mom stays with me. She left with with his brother to spend her day to visit my grandaunt in Maine and be back by tommorrow. I was really scared when she left. I hate this place. It is so creepy.
Morris: Common, this house wonderful. If I were you even in a creepy place like this i will never abandone a house as nice as yours.
Jasie: You know I read your amazing story. How did you became so rich from nowhere.
Morris: How do you know that.
Jasie: Have you not read the newspaper. You were a phenomenon throughout the country.
Morris: Oh, I never read newspaper. I never know how. I am a illiterate with a smart ass.
Jasie(
laughs): Alright. You surely is. You know I thou--
Morris(
interrupting Jasie): Sorry. I am high. Can you fill my glass, Jasie. Maybe we have
1 more glass each before we retire to bed.
Jasie: You must be tired. Ok. There.(She said as she filled his glass with wine after filling hers)
Morris: By the way, Jasie, how did you lose the finger.
Jasie(
giggles):Why? Don't you know what happened?
Morris:What happened, dear?
Jasie: You took IT!
The EnD !
