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
I cross
That would flag
stroll on, all nonchalance. That’s the
Fucking limp…
notices me. Elbowing the
slung low at the belt,
Are they Finchby's?
?
No…
louts on the
What do they see?
Old man…
Limping…
Disabled?
Interesting looking bag…
“Evening,” he says.
“Good evening.”
night. Could get a nasty cold on your chest.” He nods downwards. “What you got
“Nothing of yours.”
from the gym?
step forward, through the group, but they close ranks ahead of
orange of the streetlamp glinting on the edge.
to the group who, right
Moron…
“Yeah… lost.”
a finder’s
back to me and his grins drops. He rocks his hand, the blade held up by his own
not in the mood
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