Heart of glass : chapter 1
Dusk was falling as I cautiously left warm comforts of the house and went out into the street it was not at all deserted but everyone was heading in the direction I was just leaving so I felt lonely and desolate. As I walked along at a brisk pace the night wrapped itself around me like a dark blanket to the left was the wide open lot which you could cut across to go home. Even in the half light I could see that it was completely covered by noxious weeds, to the right loomed the massive form of a factory or office building, now totally abandoned I thought about how I used to play hide& go seek in the massive uneven concrete space before all the trouble began. Quickly I crossed the open space which would have to be number 4 I felt like a fugitive although I had done nothing wrong at the time but the habit of making me as inconspicuous as possible was a difficult habit to break. Number 10 was the last in the set of squats, I could make out dark shapes at the far end if the lane. As they approached a dim light flickered on as if it felt guilty about lighting up such a dismal place. It accentuated the worn façade building as the now hesitant steps slowed to a stop before it the termite eaten boards had needed painting. The ramshackle lattice work which surrounded the gables had been partly torn off and now lisped sadly to one side partly concealing the signboard which had been torn away from one of its supports & now buckled sharply towards the grounded point. I mounted the concaving concrete steps which led to the narrow landing which stood a few clumsy wooden benches there was absolutely no sound for I was now too far away to hear even the muted bass of music I had left behind.