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
That would flag up
nonchalance. That’s
Fucking limp…
Elbowing the next, he jerks his chin my way and almost as one, the group turn to
baggy jeans slung low at the belt, steps
Are they Finchby's?
?
No…
the lookout for
What do they see?
Old man…
Limping…
Disabled?
Interesting looking bag…
“Evening,” he says.
“Good evening.”
for a stroll. Chilly night. Could get a nasty
“Nothing of yours.”
from the gym? Sports kit,
through the group, but they close ranks ahead
orange of the streetlamp glinting on the edge. “I used to have a bag like that. Let’s see if I think this
around to the group
Moron…
“Yeah… lost.”
be a finder’s
he turns back to me and his grins drops. He rocks his hand, the blade
simply not in the mood for
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