He came to reminisce.
Nov 2011
As he approached, he was looking at the block of flats that his mum used to live in. He was sad as he recalled their memories.
He saw the street next to the flat that his Gran used to take him catching fishes when he was very young.
He looked up at the cold night sky, no stars shone because of all the light pollution from the offices nearby.
He saw the factory that he dad used to work at forty years ago before the factories closed down and they had to move away.
He had come to reminisce but he looked behind him and he saw two young men that he thought he recognised. Dismissing the thought he hurried on through the winding streets to number 8 parkway drive. Before he could knock on the door one of the men that he’d seen came up behind him and grabbed him by the arm, shaking himself free he ran up the street but then the other man appeared from behind a corner. He was holding something in his left hand. Running straight down the middle of the road he jumped over a small fence and ran through the undergrowth. Thorns and thistles teared at his legs but he kept running. He ran so far that he found himself on top of a hill looking over the old town. He took out his phone and rang speed dial 8, a young girl picked up and frantically whispered, “have you got it?” down the phone. He replied “yes, but someones onto me, meet me at the Eye at the top of the hill”. Walking slowly though the cold wet grass he reached the Eye and sat down on the bench, thinking about how he used to come and fly his Kite up here on cold Autumn days, a cold hand caught his shoulder and he turned around quickly, it was the girl.
She turned around and studied the horizon then turning back to him she said accusingly, “who was it?” the man replied bluntly “I don’t know! I’ve seen them before though, but I just can’t place who they are”, she said “that’s ok, have you still got it though?” he reached into his right inside pocket and pulled out a knife, she said “good, give it to me then”. He passed her the knife quickly, she whispered “you won’t tell anyone will you?” the man replied “whats to tell?” “Good” she said, she got up in a hurry and left.
I sat on the bench for a long while after that, the cold wind biting at my face.
I hated this place, this town and all that had come with it. I felt trapped here.
Taking my breath I stood up and walked away. I walked back down into the streets that had been mine so long ago.
I walked by the house that my best friend Tom used to live at. Walking back to the car, by the park and the flats and the factories, I got in and started the engine. I sat there for a minute or two, listening to radio 4, the evening chat, I pulled up the handbrake and put my foot on the accelerator, faster and faster and faster I drove. I saw the canal and still faster and faster I drove. I drove until I hit the fence breaking through into the cold icy water. It was winter now and the water took the breath from my lungs. Opening the car door I shot to the surface and climbed up on the bank on the other side. Turning around to see the town that I once loved I knew there was nothing for me there, so I slowly started walking away. I knew I shouldn’t have done it. But I did and now all that was left inside me was a cold emptiness as cold as the arctic snow.
I would never tell anyone about this as I remember on a cold bench in my new town. Not even my wife or two children.
Some things are better left unsaid.
