10 May 2012
The darkness descended and settled upon the city, spreading like a disease. Lights flickered then went out as families bade each other goodnight. The animals of the night slunk from the shadows as the city slowly fell asleep and became silent. Then, a light. A soft glow, casting long silhouettes against the city walls. Evie's bare feet thudded against the cobbled streets. She clutched the crumbling loaf to her chest, her aching stomach yearning for a bite. But she had to save it for mother.
Get out of here
She could hear the policeman right behind her, his footsteps echoing in the blackness.
Get out of here
Closer and closer.
Before it's too late...
A rough hand grabbed her shoulder and yanked her backwards. She just had time to stuff the bread into her dress pocket before she was shoved against the wall, her head slamming into the bricks. She gasped in pain as he stepped closer, so close Evie could feel his warm breath against her face. The man raised his lantern and regarded the girl. Wild locks of ebony hair wreathed her pale face. Her cheeks were hollow, her features streaked with dirt. A ragged dress hung loosely on her skeletal body. Her midnight eyes were huge and fearful. "You're very young, thief," he sneered "Too young, perhaps, to be hanging from a noose," Evie turned white. She realised that this could be her only chance of escape. She attempted to duck under the man's arms. "Oh no you don't," he hissed, grabbing her. Evie kicked and struggled but the policeman held fast. Desperately, she twisted her head round and bit his hand with a sickening crunch. With a yell, the policeman released her. Then she was off, away into the night. Evie approached the dilapidated, old building with a sigh of relief. She was back home, back with mother. She ran, past the crumbling walls, up the many flights of stairs to their home. Ignoring the faded red cross on the door, she pushed it open. In the dim light she could just make out the ancient, rickety table, the plaster peeling off the walls and mother's thin, worn blanket. "Mother, I'm home," Evie called. She placed the loaf on the table with all the others, still lying there, untouched. Evie lay down on the cold stone floor and traced the pale red ring that was forming on her arm. "Bring out your dead!" That same call had rung out as her mother's body had been carelessly tossed into the cart and taken to the plague pit, so long ago. But Evie didn't remember any of that. She didn't realised that when she called, no one else heard her mother reply. That no one else was in the room. "Don't worry mother," she whispered "I'll take care of you. No matter what happens I'll always be with you," And as she closed her eyes, there was mother, taking her hand. Whispering to her, "I love you,"
One Black Night • Opuss № I