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…
to pass them. And they look entirely too
I cross
would flag
on, all nonchalance. That’s
Fucking limp…
head tipped back, bottle tipped up, notices me. Elbowing the next,
jeans slung low at the belt, steps forward
Are they Finchby's?
?
No…
just louts on the lookout
What do they see?
Old man…
Limping…
Disabled?
Interesting looking bag…
“Evening,” he says.
“Good evening.”
night. Could get a nasty cold on
“Nothing of yours.”
bag. “Coming back from the
past.” I make to step forward, through the
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 like that.
around to the group
Moron…
“Yeah… lost.”
a
his hand, the blade held up by his own face, displayed. “Like
not in the mood
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