The Man Who Saw Nothing

Don't believe what you see..

"Careful David! Watch your step!" Mrs. Rossi reprimanded her only son, who paid no heed to his mother, as was the case with enthusiastic seven year olds. He continued to run past the crowds that were headed for the village church, where all the inhabitants of Felmersham village congregated for prayer and gossip every Sunday. Trying to keep pace with David, Mrs. Rossi occassionally spared a glance or two at the scenery around her. A woman close to nature, she smiled with appreciation at the colourful arrays that abounded, the generous gifts of Spring. A pleasant breeze tickled the curls of her rich, auburn hair and the sun shone with warmth. She answered the 'hello's and 'beautiful day!'s with a good natured smile and a cheerful nod. Life was beautiful for Abriana Rossi and her little family, and she hoped it would remain so forever.

 

The church bells tolled with vigour, as groups of men, women and children entered the gates to where their saviour welcomed them with open arms. David Rossi, huffing and panting now, ran up the stairs to the church's entrance and stood, waiting for his mother. To his childish eyes, the church and its surroundings were awesome, and sometimes, intimidating. He never felt peace pervade his soul, as grandma insisted it did hers when she came here. For him, it was a ritual that had to be observed, just to please his God fearing family. He looked around, taking in the colourful clothes of his eccentric neighbour, Mr. Ferracci, the shiny blond curls of his sweetheart, Alda, and the huge, hairy mole on old Mrs. Luca's bulbous nose. Grinning with amusement and pleasure, his eyes now rested on a rusted bench, that faced the thick woods that covered most of the area around the church. A man sat there, his back to David, wearing a tattered hat.

Curious, David walked over to the bench. He felt his nose scrunching up on its own accord, as an acrid stench assailed his nostrils. With his palm over his nose, David now looked directly into the man's glassy, green eyes. Dressed in rags that just about covered his wrinkled body, the man seemed to be staring into space, with an eerie listlessness. David felt himself quivering, as the man's unblinking stare enveloped him and everything else. He jumped out of his skin when a hand covered his shoulder.

 

"Here you are! Your mamma's been lookin' all over for you!" Viola Luisi's trilling voice and pretty face released David from his hypnotic state. Afraid now, he ran towards the church, towards his mother, where he would be safe and protected. Viola, surprised at the boy's behaviour, looked back at the man who sat deathly still, and felt an uneasiness erupt in the pit of her stomach. Unable to stand the disgusting smell, she turned back to leave, only to be stopped by Alberto, the village rogue.

 

"Heading somewhere cara mia?" Tall, mustachioed, with an evil glint in his eyes, Alberto Luca was the personification of everything a woman would fear in a man. He pursued Viola with a determination and confidence that not only terrified, but also annoyed her. "Get out of my way, Alberto!" Viola tried to push him aside, but Alberto was strong and he held her to him, digging his fingers painfully into her arms. Before she could scream, he kissed her violently, bruising her lips. With all the strenght she could gather, Viola pushed him away, and slapped him as hard as she could. As Alberto staggered with the impact, Viola ran towards the church, her face streaked with tears and lips bleeding. She never looked back.

 

That night, David sat at the table, toying with his soup and bread. The old man's face kept coming back to him, killing his appetite. Abriana watched her son with concern. He had told her about what he had seen and felt, and she had listened to him and comforted him. But he still seemed to be afraid. "You have to eat something, caro mio. Shall I sing you a song to make you feel better?" David sullenly shook his head, but whispered, "I want my teddy."

"But you always carry him with you, don't you?" Abriana asked.

"I cannot find him. I must have dropped him at the church." David eyes now seemed to be filling with tears.

Unable to see her son in anguish, Abriana hugged him and promised to go and get his teddy that very minute, if it would make him feel better. Donning her shawl, Abriana set out for the church.

 

Beneath starry skies and surrounded by darkness illuminated slightly by milky moonlight, Abriana Rossi trudged on. Though it was foolishness to be out here by herself, with just her shadow for company, her son's fear had triggered something within her, her need to protect and reassure him. Driving her own anxiety away, she hurried on. Beneath the glowing moon, the church seemed like an otherworldy structure, slightly unnerving. Trying to concentrate on the task at hand, she doggedly climbed the stairs, her eyes trained on the ground. She literally screamed with joy, when she saw a furry, little arm sticking out from a corner on the last stair. Grabbing the teddy, she ran down the remaining stairs and started walking briskly towards the church gates.

 

A faint rustling made her stop in her tracks. It seemed to have come from the woods. Looking around, she saw the rusted bench that David had told her about. It was empty. Though afraid, she was curious to find out who or what had been watching her. Cautious and alert, she now inched purposefully towards the bench and the woods beyond it. Passing by the bench, she entered the woods, registering only stillness and the faint gurgling sound of the river closeby. Careful not to make a sound, she walked tentatively, looking back occassionally, to gauge how far away she was from the church. Looking into the distance, she thought she could see a figure, crouching over somethin, or someone. Trying to focus her attention, she missed a step and stumbled. Regaining her balance, she looked up only to see that the crouching figure had disappeared. But whatever it was crouching over was still there.

 

Abriana walked faster, then ran, to where the body lay. Shivering, sweating, she looked into the pale, lifeless face of Viola Luisi. She had been raped and strangled to death. Choking back a cry of despair, Abriana fell back, disturbed by what she had seen. Without a second thought, she ran. She ran past the empty, rusted bench, past the church gates, past the lonely road that still glimmered eerily beneath the huge, full moon. It was only when she entered the safety of her neighborhood, that Abriana Rossi collapsed, crying aloud in agony. She surrendered herself to unconsciousness, even as lights flickered to life in the various houses.

 

The first rays of dawn danced on Abriana's eyelids, forcing her to rouse from her dreamless slumber. The events of the previous night came back to her in a rush, and she sat up, cringing as pain exploded in her head. Gina Ruisi, Viola's mother, sat in a chair close to her bed, crying and murmuring to herself. Abriana whispered, " I am sorry, Gina. I am so sorry." At that moment, David rushed in, right into the arms of his mother. Abriana kissed him and cradled him, thankful to be able to do so. Michael Adamo, a neighbour walked in. Before he could say somehing, Abriana spoke in anger, "I know who murdered Viola! It has to be that old man David saw sitting on that rusted, old bench! It has to be him! The bench was empty when I found Viola's body!" She shuddered at the thought of David having been near that wretched, old man and pulled him closer.

 

Puzzled, Michael said, "Well, I don't know about that old man you are talking about. But that bench sure wasn't empty when we went looking for Viola's body. Though I am not sure if you are well enough to listen to this, but we found Alberto Luca's body on that rusted ol' bench. From the looks of it, he was probably strangled."