Bella dragged the groceries up the stairs and sighed. Another day of independence.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like living alone, she just didn’t expect it to be this much work.
Work. Another thing that wouldn’t leave her alone. Since she went up the stairs her phone rang 3 times. The endless emails and texts were starting to get to her. She told herself that after this week she was going to use her leaves and go somewhere nice. Maybe Thailand? Or Bali. Rosa went there last month and wouldn’t stop raving about it.
She looked at her apartment door. The cross that hung there fell on the welcome mat and she sighed again. She’d find time to fix it tomorrow or maybe she could ask her brother to do it. It was summer anyway and he owed her a favor.
The groceries were unceremoniously dumped on the kitchen counter and Bella turned on the fan and went straight for her couch. She could hear Pogi’s barks coming from the other room, but she ignored them. She knew she had already fed him today and he was gaining too much weight. More walks were in order for her spoiled friend.
Another thing to add to the list.
Her eyelids started to feel heavy and she let them close. She just needed five—no, ten minutes to let the day wash over her and then she could get back to her routine.
The universe wouldn’t even let her have that.
Three loud raps came from her door and she looked at the ceiling. Who was it this time? Probably one of her neighbors complaining again. Last time it was about Pogi barking and the time before that the ‘association’ needed to decide on rules for visitors.
Bella always hated that word. If it wasn’t for her apartment she’d never associate with these people in the first place. She sighed and left her palace of comfort and looked through the peephole to see who it was this time.
She could see three figures, or at least she thought it was three. The hallway light was out, another thing that the ‘association’ would have to deal with. They all seemed to be wearing hoods.
Bella knew a prank when she saw one and said, “I don’t know who you are, but it’s not funny. Bother someone else.”
The figures just stood there, unwavering.
It was probably the kids from three doors down. They finally looked up from their tablets to cause mischief, but today was the wrong day to mess with Bella. She mentally prepared a sermon and opened the door and then—
Nothing.
There was no one in the hallway. Bella rubbed her eyes and looked around. She was sure she saw three figures in the peephole.
Maybe the stress was really getting to her. If she was seeing things then it was definitely time for a vacation.
Bella set her phone on silent, put the groceries away and sat in front of her laptop.
Bali was definitely at the top of her list, but Korea was starting to speak to her. She brushed off the day’s events. Work could go to hell, it was time for Bella to have what she needed. It was definitely a sign when she found a sale for tickets, even though the catch was she had to leave tomorrow.
It was fine, she’d call in sick. This was something she knew she had to do.
Bella booked the flight and packed her bags. The future was looking bright.
If she listened, she would have heard the knocking coming from her front door, but she’d probably brush it off as hearing things again.
Tomorrow would be better.
She’d make sure of it.
The knocking continued until morning and Bella was too excited to notice it. She woke up fully refreshed, got her passport and made her way to the airport.
Unknown to her, and engineer forgot to do his due diligence and let the plane fly without checking its engine.
She fell asleep as the plane took off. Over the sound of the airplane she could make out small raps by her window seat.
It was the last thing she would ever hear.
*The Kumakatok warn of misfortune and death. They knock on your door signaling that someone will die the next day.
Written by Karl Gaverza
Copyright © Karl Gaverza
Inspired by the Kumakatok legends from Luzon and Visayas.
Kumakatok Illustration by Aiyan Von Einzbern