Chapter _4 Hysteria Eats Away At Minds
831 Words
Cinema Hall
Amal sat in the middle.
Sophia sat beside Amal on the Inner side.
Malik sat next to Amal on the edge.
Naturally, the hall was dark. The screen showed a romantic scene from a foreign film: a young couple exchanging passionate kisses.
Malik whispered in Amal’s ear:
"I’ll go to the restroom."
Amal nodded subtly. Malik stood and walked down the aisle.
The usher stood a few meters away, approaching Malik:
"Yes, sir?"
Malik: "The restroom… where is it?"
The usher glared menacingly:
"No."
Malik was surprised. Then the usher quickly smiled, recovering:
"Of course, sir. This way, I’m here to help."
He walked ahead; Malik followed, astonished, until they reached the restroom door. The usher smiled:
"Here you go, sir—the restroom."
Malik: "Thank you."
He entered, went to the toilet, removed his pants, and urinated. Afterwards, he flushed, pulled up his pants, and headed for the door…
Only to freeze as he found Nasser standing there, knife in hand, clothes soaked in blood—no chance for a word.
Nasser lunged at Malik, stabbing him repeatedly.
Malik fell back, dead in the restroom, drenched in blood.
His head hit the toilet behind him, blood pouring from the wound.
Inside the Cinema – Movie Continues
Sophia noticed Malik’s seat empty and turned to Amal worriedly:
"Where’s Malik?"
Amal (calmly):
"In the restroom."
Sophia looked back at the screen, a slight change on her face—anxious anticipation. Something deep inside told her: Malik is not okay…
Restroom – Same Moment
Malik lay on the floor. Suddenly, he opened his eyes, awakening from a violent hallucination. He reached for his head and found a small amount of blood—a wound caused by hitting the toilet.
He struggled to stand…
His body exhausted as if he had fought a war.
Finally, he stood, looked in the mirror, adjusted his appearance, trying to appear calm.
He approached the door, steps hesitant, eyes full of fear—still shaken by what just happened, hysteria chasing him.
He grabbed the door handle and stepped out.
Outside the Restroom – Cinema Hallway
The usher stood a few meters away, smiling politely:
"This way, sir."
Malik looked at him with a fierce glare—the most aggressive and hostile expression he had shown since entering the cinema. A look that silently accused:
"You’re behind this… trying to scare me."
Malik walked calmly alongside the usher to his seat. The lights dimmed. He reached the seat next to Amal.
(He sat silently, looking at the screen. The hall dark, no one noticed any change in him. A calm romantic scene played, with soft music.)
Sophia saw Malik return to his seat, smiled, and felt reassured.
Outside the Cinema – After the Movie
Amal and Sophia walked to the car, talking excitedly about the film. Malik followed silently.
They reached the car. Amal opened the driver’s door and entered; Sophia opened the passenger side and sat beside her. Amal started the engine.
Amal glanced in the rearview mirror… Malik had disappeared.
Amal: "Where’s Malik?"
Sophia looked out the window… saw Malik standing at the cinema entrance, staring down, lost in another world.
Sophia called: "Malik?"
No response. She repeated: "Malik! Malik!"
Malik snapped out of his daze, raised his head, looked at Sophia without a word, and walked to the car. He opened the back door and entered quietly.
Amal (through the mirror):
"Malik… are you okay?"
She noticed a wound on his forehead.
"What’s this on your head?"
Malik (calmly):
"I felt dizzy and fell in the restroom… hit my head on the toilet… just a small cut."
Amal: "Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want to see a doctor?"
Malik: "No… I’m fine. Nothing."
Amal looked ahead, changed speed, and drove in silence.
Tension and distraction gripped them.
They stopped in front of the building.
Sophia and Malik exited first. Amal turned off the engine, got out, and closed the door.
The street was dark, lit only by a distant streetlight.
Malik and Sophia waited at the building gate until Amal reached them.
The three walked together, Amal leading, followed by Malik and Sophia.
They reached the elevator.
Amal opened it, turned to them:
"Go in… why are you standing there?"
Amal entered, followed by Sophia, then Malik.
The elevator doors closed.
At the apartment door, Amal took the key from her bag, opened the door, and everyone entered.
---
Amal: "So, Malik, what did you think of the movie? I really enjoyed it!"
Malik (tiredly):
"I’m a little exhausted… I’ll go to bed."
(He quietly headed to his room.)
Sophia (to Amal):
"Don’t worry about Malik, Aunt…"
Amal (gently):
"I understand how he feels…"
But he needs to get out of this state—it’s not good for him."
Amal (sighing):
"I’ll go to bed too… you need some rest, you must be tired."
Amal (warm smile):
"Good night."
Sophia (affectionately):
"Thank you, Aunt, for taking us to the cinema
."
- Writer
