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…
they look entirely too rowdy for
I cross
flag up
stroll on, all nonchalance. That’s the
Fucking limp…
one of the group, head tipped back, bottle tipped up, notices me. Elbowing the next, he jerks his chin my way and almost as one, the
baggy jeans slung low at the belt, steps forward
Are they Finchby's?
?
No…
on the lookout for
What do they see?
Old man…
Limping…
Disabled?
Interesting looking bag…
“Evening,” he says.
“Good evening.”
be out for a stroll. Chilly night. Could get a
“Nothing of yours.”
eyes the bag. “Coming back from the gym? Sports kit,
forward, through the group, but they
clicks his tongue, reaches inside his jacket. “Hand it over.” He holds up a knife, the neon orange of the streetlamp glinting on the edge. “I used to have a bag
the group who, right on cue, laugh and
Moron…
“Yeah… lost.”
be a finder’s
his grins drops. He rocks his hand, the blade held up by his own face, displayed. “Like the movie says.
in
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