The shrill ring of her alarm clock never came. Instead, the bright rays of the sun forced their way through the thin curtains of Chinaza’s room. She opened her eyes slowly, only to leap up in panic as she noticed the time. It was already past 8 in the morning. Her heart dropped. Today was supposed to be one of the most important days of her life, her long- awaited job interview.

Her friend Thomas had spoken on her behalf to the company, pleading with them to give her a chance. After years of disappointment and rejection, this was the one opportunity she couldn’t afford to miss. “Oh no! Oh no!” Chinaza muttered as she threw on her clothes.

She barely combed her hair and hurried out of the house, clutching the same sunglasses she had admired the night before. The sun was blazing hot as she flagged down a taxi. Sweat gathered on her forehead as she jumped inside. “Five Boulevard Road,” she told the driver breathlessly. The vehicle roared to life and they sped off through the busy morning traffic.

To shield her eyes from the harsh sunlight, she slid the sunglasses onto her face. Instantly, the world around her seemed darker, cooler, and strangely clearer. She had barely adjusted the glasses when her heart froze. Right in the middle of the road ahead, she saw a tall man standing, his body rigid, his eyes fixed straight at her. His face was pale, almost lifeless. Stop. Stop the car.

” Chinaza screamed, her voice trembling. The startled driver slammed the brakes and the taxi screeched to a halt. “What is wrong with you? Do you want to kill that man?” she yelled, pointing frantically ahead. The driver looked at her in utter confusion. “Which man?” he asked. “That man.” “Right in front of us,” she insisted, her hand shaking as she pointed.

But the driver only shook his head. The road was empty. Cars honked angrily from behind, but there was no sign of anyone. “Madam, are you all right?” “There’s no one there,” he said slowly, his voice filled with concern. Chinaza’s hands trembled as she removed the glasses from her face. To her shock, the road was clear.

“The man had vanished.” “But but he was just there,” she muttered under her breath, her voice breaking. The driver frowned, clearly unsettled. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I don’t want trouble. Please get out of my car. What? But we haven’t reached yet, she protested, her voice rising.

Madam, a beg. Come down. I can’t continue this ride with you, he said firmly, unlocking the door. His eyes darted nervously to the rear view mirror as if he feared she was cursed. Defeated and shaken, Chinaza stepped out. The taxi sped off the moment she closed the door, leaving her alone on a quiet stretch of road.

The reality of what had just happened sank in, and fear twisted her stomach. She looked around helplessly. The street was lonely with only the sound of birds echoing in the distance. The sun scorched her skin as she began walking, determined not to miss the interview.

She pressed the sunglasses against her chest, debating whether to put them on again. Finally, unable to bear the blinding sun, she slid them back over her eyes. That was when she noticed them. A group of strange people appeared behind her. At first, she thought they were ordinary pedestrians, but something was wrong. Their faces were pale and sunken.

Their steps unnaturally slow yet perfectly in rhythm with hers. Each time she crossed the road, they crossed, too. Each time she quickened her pace, they did the same. Their eyes were blank like shadows of human beings. Chinaza’s heart thundered in her chest. Panic surged through her veins. She clutched her bag tightly and began to run, her sandals slapping against the hot, tred road.

The strange people also began to run, chasing after her in silence. “Leave me alone!” she screamed, her voice echoing down the empty street. Her lungs burned and her legs achd as she sprinted toward a busy junction ahead. Cars zoomed past and people crowded the sidewalks. For a brief moment, she felt safe. But when she turned, the strange figures were still there, lingering at the edge of the road.

Breathless and terrified, she staggered into the middle of the crowd. “Help me!” she cried, her voice cracking. “Please keep them away from me!” She pointed desperately at the figures in the distance. The bystanders exchanged puzzled glances. They looked where she pointed but saw nothing. A man selling oranges shook his head. A woman carrying a child whispered to her neighbor.

Is she mad? One of them murmured. Chinaza’s heart sank. Nobody else could see them. The realization chilled her blood. With trembling hands, she yanked the sunglasses off her face and instantly the figures vanished into thin air. The junction was normal again, filled only with confused strangers staring at her.