Chapter 5 The Deadly Nightmare

Nabil and the Deadly Nightmare Nabil was asleep In his room, beginning to dream. His neighbor, Nour, opened the door to his bedroom and entered. She wore a seductive, sheer red nightgown. She approached him, smiling and swaying enticingly from side to side, trying to seduce him. She lay beside him, kissed him, caressed him, and they engaged in a full sexual encounter, as if she were his wife. After the scene ended and Nabil had satisfied his desire, Nour suddenly transformed into a terrifying demonic figure. Her face turned a sickly green streaked with black, her eyes glowed red, her teeth became large fangs, and her fingers turned into long, sharp claws. She grabbed Nabil by the neck and squeezed with lethal force. She left behind finger marks on his neck resembling human fingerprints. Nabil awoke, terrified. He couldn’t breathe and struggled to catch his breath, calling out for the maid while lying on the bed, almost paralyzed. Nabil (weak, faint voice): “Rofan… Rofan…” Rofan came from outside, knocked on the bedroom door, and entered. Nabil (slow, weak voice): “I want a glass of water…” Rofan left the room and quickly returned with a glass of water. Nabil had become so weak he couldn’t hold the glass. Rofan helped him drink, then placed the glass back on the table. Rofan: “Should I call the doctor?” Nabil raised his hand into the air, then it fell lifelessly. He was dead, with Nour’s demonic finger marks still visible on his neck and his eyes closed. Rofan screamed. She ran to the living room, grabbed the phone from the table, and called the doctor. Rofan: “Hello?” Dr. Ziad: “Hello?” Rofan: “Mr. Nabil Is sick. He couldn’t breathe, asked for a glass of water, I brought it to him, he drank, and then he lost consciousness!” Dr. Ziad: “I’m coming immediately.” It took only a few minutes for Dr. Ziad to arrive at Nasser’s apartment, which was across the hall from Nabil’s apartment, on the same floor. (Dr. Ziad stood In front of Nabil’s apartment and rang the doorbell.) (The door opened. Rofan appeared.) Rofan (anxiously): “Please come In, Doctor, quickly.” Dr. Ziad (worried): “Where is Nabil?” Rofan: “In his room, this way…” (She led him toward the room.) Nabil’s Bedroom (Dr. Ziad stood at the edge of the bed, looking at Nabil.) (He immediately noticed red marks and bruises in the shape of fingers on Nabil’s neck—clear signs of strangulation.) (He cast a suspicious glance at Rofan, then sat beside Nabil, opened his eyelids, and placed his ear on his chest to check his pulse.) (A moment of silence… then he lifted his head.) (No pulse. Nabil was dead—murdered!) (Dr. Ziad stood abruptly, glaring at Rofan.) (He pulled out his phone and called the police.) Dr. Ziad (firmly): “Hello?” Police voice (on phone): “Hello… yes?” Dr. Ziad: “This is Dr. Ziad. I’m at Building 16, City of Egypt. I was examining my friend, Mr. Nabil, and found that he was murdered. I request the immediate presence of a forensic doctor. I suspect foul play.” Doubt, Certainty, and Confusion—A Conscience in Pain Dr. Ziad sat silently at his desk. His eyes stared Into space as relentless questions swirled in his mind—none of which had answers. How could the forensic doctor believe Nabil died naturally? A heart attack? I am certain… Nabil was killed. This is not doubt, but fact. He clenched his fingers tightly, frustration building beneath his calm exterior. Then he whispered to himself: “And if his death truly was natural… whose fingers left those marks on his neck?” What could the forensic doctor gain by hiding the truth? He swore an oath to truth and justice. So why betray it? A bitter sigh escaped his lips as he murmured: “May God have mercy on your soul, Nabil… may He sanctify it and protect it from lies and betrayal.” From Amal’s Apartment – Sophia’s Room The lighting was dim. Sophia sat on the bed, silently holding her phone and reading. (Text on the screen from Daniel, Nabil’s son): “We have laid to rest the body of my father, Mr. Nabil Fayeq, the lawyer. Thank you all for your condolences and support.” Sophia breathed quietly, scrolling without responding, and placed the phone on the table beside the bed. She muttered to herself with a weary sigh: Sophia (softly): “All the news now is just death and murder…” A heavy silence filled the room, as If the walls themselves mourned. She left the bed, walked to the door, opened it, and exited. She headed to the bathroom, entered, closed the door, and began undressing. Amal stood at the bathroom door and called out clearly: Amal: “Sophia, I’m going out. Do you need anything?” (From inside the bathroom, Sophia’s voice came gently, gratefully.) Sophia: “Thank you, Aunt… take care of yourself.” Amal (soft smile): “Goodbye.” Sophia: “Goodbye.”** (A short moment of silence. Amal’s footsteps fade in the background.) Outside the Building Amal exited the building, dressed elegantly. She noticed a luxury car parked outside. Inside sat a well-dressed man radiating wealth and sophistication. She confidently approached the car, opened the door, and sat beside him. Amal (warm smile): “How are you, Hussein? Sorry, I’m a little late.” Hussein, a slender man in his sixties with calm features, turned to her and smiled. Hussein (gently): “Nothing, my dear.” The car slowly drove away, leaving the building behind. Inside the Apartment Sophia continued her shower, eyes closed, her body covered in soap. She opened the water to wash the soap off her face. She opened her eyes to find Nour standing before her. Nour reached out and grabbed Sophia by the neck, trying to strangle her. Sophia struggled to push Nour’s hands away. Nour tightened her grip with cold, emotionless precision. Finally, Sophia freed herself and screamed. Nour suddenly disappeared. Sophia collapsed on the bathroom floor, crying, her body trembling. Inside Malik’s Room Malik heard Sophia’s scream. He jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom door. Malik (anxiously): “What’s happening, Sophia?!” Sophia (inside, voice trembling): “Nothing… nothing, Malik.” Malik: “Tell me, Sophia! What’s going on?!” Sophia (trying to hide her fear): “I slipped on the soap…” She looked up, covering her face with her hands. After a moment, she composed herself, dressed, and silently left the bathroom