In Socotra, legends begin when the sun sets behind the Haggeher Mountains, which stretch like ghosts on the horizon. They looked majestic by day, but in that darkness, they transformed into giant black silhouettes, resembling ancient monsters watching me in silence.
I was sitting alone by my tent, listening to the murmur of the water, when suddenly—the sound stopped completely. A dead silence fell, a heavy silence that made you hear your own racing heartbeat. And then, I heard a strange sound behind the thick palm trees!
It wasn't a familiar sound; it was like quick, light footsteps on dry leaves, followed by the sound of rapid breathing. The blood froze in my veins, and a cold shiver washed over me. I tightly gripped my flashlight, helplessly, and called out in a choked voice, "Who's there?!". There was no reply, only the repetition of those footsteps getting closer and closer to me.
Suddenly, a nearby bush moved forcefully, and I spotted two glowing eyes in the dark, like burning coals staring at me from between the fronds! I completely held my breath, thinking I was facing a predator or one of the legendary island spirits the elders talk about. I pressed the flashlight button hard and aimed the beam of light directly at the glowing eyes, bracing myself for the worst.
However, the moment the light hit the creature, all my fears
vanished, and I burst out laughing from sheer relief!
It wasn’t a monster, nor a predator; it was a small "Socotra Civet Cat" (locally known as the native civet), one of the gentle and rare wild animals unique to the island. The little creature was standing on its short legs, blinking its wide, shiny eyes due to the sudden light, and its striped face showed intense curiosity—as if it, too, was terrified of me!
It slowly approached me, exploring the scent of food near the tent, making soft, friendly noises. I sat on the ground, breathing a sigh of relief, realizing that Socotra, even in its most terrifying and mysterious moments, hides nothing but beauty and friendliness, and that its gentle animals are the true guardians of this isolated paradise.
