200. A Woman

Knock! Knock!

Nix knocked on the small hut-like house build with a lousy roof.

"Mom..."

He heard a voice of a kid but, barely audible.

None came for while even after hearing his knock. 

Something felt off to him, as the smell of oil reeked from the house and when he looked down on the floor a viscous liquid was flowing out of the door through the gap under it.

He touched the liquid and took it towards his nose since it smelt similar to kerosene.

"Fuck!"

He cursed and kicked open the door. He was perplexed as he laid his eyes on the ones inside the run-down house.

They were some random strangers rather than Malini, looking at him with tear-welled eyes. Two kids, on woman full drowsed by some flammable oil holding a match stick and a matchbox. Most people could be moved and feel pity towards such sight.

She ignited the match stick and looked at Nix's eyes with her tear-clogged eyes.

"Miss... Can you please stop!"