James
It’s weird how adaptable the human brain is. How capable of accepting new levels of what is ‘ordinary’. Despite knowing that I am now completely alone, I settle into a kind of routine.
Read… Run… Carry…
East Portside Road… El Valderado Bar…
I have my second wind, breathing easily. Even my leg isn’t giving me the trouble I thought it might. My muscles thoroughly warmed through now, I jog along, heading for my next destination.
Read… Run… Carry…
Parkmoor Bridge over West Marine Rise…
Pacing myself, pacing my breathing to match my easy trot, I survey dark windows…
Where are they?
… Parked cars… Alleyways… Cafes and kiosks…
Then passing through shadier areas; roof lights, warehouse windows, disused garages…
I skid to a halt.
Ahead of me, blocking my route…
Under the glare of a streetlamp, a group of youngsters, swilling back beer, yelling, pushing and shoving…
Look again…
No, not kids.
Young men.
Crap…
And they look entirely too
I cross the
flag
stroll on, all nonchalance. That’s the theory
Fucking limp…
up, notices me. Elbowing the next, he
leather-jacketed and wearing baggy jeans slung low at
Are they Finchby's?
?
No…
just louts on the lookout for an
What do they see?
Old man…
Limping…
Disabled?
Interesting looking bag…
“Evening,” he says.
“Good evening.”
Chilly night. Could get a nasty cold on your chest.” He nods downwards. “What you
“Nothing of yours.”
from the gym?
to step forward, through the
a knife, the neon orange of the streetlamp glinting on the edge. “I used to have a bag like that. Let’s see if I think this
to the group who, right on
Moron…
“Yeah… lost.”
be a finder’s
grins drops. He rocks his hand, the blade held up by his own face, displayed. “Like the movie
in the
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