Behind the Gunmetal Mask
The damp concrete thundered beneath my feet as I pounded down the path, shockwaves reverberating up my slim legs. Splinters caught in my hand when I fell into the gate, shoving it with all my might yet begging it not to make a sound. The night wind gusted around me, carrying scents of mildew and mould from the woodland and rolling hills over the down, broken tree trunks reared up out of the ground like mutants, giants, threatening to crush me if I took another step.
One foot out, two feet, the gate creaked shut behind me shutting out my old life and forcing me into the new. Already the pack on my shoulders felt heavy as if changed by the weight of my decision. In it I carried anything of value to me – a few photographs of my childhood, a few coins, some cosmetics, that was the sum total of my life. With shaking hands I reached to do up my thick purple and white coat, colours chosen unwisely – surely they would show the dirt?
I took one last look up at the great Hyuuga household, imagining Neji, the family prodigy sleeping soundly within. This place was my house, but never my home and so without a backwards glance I headed off down the empty street. Gradually the delicate private lawns and glass Japanese lamps on the sidewalk gave way to glaring neon signs and wrought iron gateposts. Downtown, the set up was not as sweet. Every step I took was a step away from the discrimination, the sexism I had know all my life. No longer would I be called 'weak', no longer would the elders sneer upon my fruitless attempts to pursue a career. This world was mine, my oyster, I was going to make it in the city. I knew I would.
Wafting air...blowing all around me, threatening to whisk the impractical shoes right off my feet. My toes were black and dirty from travelling and walking the streets all night, I sat huddled on a bench, tiled walls reflected my pale face back at me in a hundred different ways. Trains rushed by inches from my nose but I didn't notice...so far from home. The underground station was no place for a teenage girl to spend a night, I had to keep switching stations – the drunken louts scared me, and the corrupt policemen unnerved me. My once beautiful hair was knotted and streaked with dirt, I felt greasy after the fast food I'd bought from an all-night diner.
Hotels were hard to come by for only the few coins I held in my sweaty hand. Though, my mind tracked back to the sights I'd seen tonight. There were more than a few ways to earn money in this city. I'd seen...the things I'd seen... A single tear trickled from my blank white eyes, was this my great adventure? No, I told myself firmly. No such thoughts should even occur to a respectable girl like me, I would find myself a suitable room, then the next day search for work. So with a heavy heart and even heavier legs I forced myself up the long flight of stairs – electricity was turned off for the night – and entered the scummiest, dirtiest part of the city. The city of masks.
Very short little intro. Will it work?...Maybe, tell me your thoughts and ideas on this litte piece of my imagination. Itching to hear what you think...
Lychenne Laki