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…
them. And they look entirely too rowdy for
I cross
flag
on, all nonchalance. That’s the
Fucking limp…
back, bottle tipped up, notices me. Elbowing the next, he jerks his chin my way and almost as one,
the tallest, leather-jacketed and wearing baggy jeans slung low at the belt, steps
Are they Finchby's?
?
No…
on the lookout
What do they see?
Old man…
Limping…
Disabled?
Interesting looking bag…
“Evening,” he says.
“Good evening.”
out for a stroll. Chilly night. Could get a nasty cold on your chest.” He nods downwards. “What you
“Nothing of yours.”
eyes the bag. “Coming back from
forward, through the group, but they close
streetlamp glinting on the edge. “I used to have a bag like that. Let’s see if I think this is it. Could
around to the group who,
Moron…
“Yeah… lost.”
a finder’s
his hand, the blade held up by his own face, displayed. “Like the movie says. This is a
I'm simply not in the mood
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