Tom was strung out. He was going to the coast for a two week holiday. He handed me the keys to By Ourselves, the drop in centre for psychiatric patients, and said, "Guard these with your life!" The place had to be protected from the Reality Police.
Ten days passed. I was walking late at night. I wasn't too sure of the time. I hate time. It went too slow when I paid attention. Couldn't sleep. Time to get up.
Sort of wandering aimlessly, hoping I would make it. Make what? Make it through the night without freezing. Make it to the light of a brand new day when the sun would shine? Would I see the sun again?
Would I make it to the other side of the bridge I was walking on?
As kids, my brother and I had walked across an old foot bridge and played a game. As soon as we reached the highest point of the bridge, we had ten seconds, by counting, to reach the pavement. If we didn't make it, the old troll that lived under the bridge would get us. That old troll never got either one of us, but I was scared as hell of him.
Thank God, I make it! On the other side of the traffic bridge I walked through a red light. No cars No other sign of life.
The park entrance was a block away. Car lights from the far side of the bridge. He was coming fast. I felt the relative safety of crossing the median. The car speed past, and through an open window a voice yelled, "We're going to get you!" the car carried on. but the hideous laughter of the occupants echoed in my ears. Thank God, they didn't turn into the park. I walked in to the park and was lost in the winter wonderland **** frost and fog. It was relatively warm - no wind. I wasn't going to freeze that night. The Christmas lights were gorgeous.
There was no other sign of life save for the steamy car windows. Parked. Avoid them! Do not disturb their tranquility. Don't even look at the car again.
I was taken back to a night years ago. My girl, at the time, and I were parked in the same spot. We made steamy love then.
When I had passed the car, a window rolled down. A girl was freaking out.  And a guy yelled, "Take off you pervert!"
I cut over to the museum. The spot lights shone on the carved figures of animals. I was mesmerized. They were so peaceful, so free.
At once, a wolf jumped out from the figures. Mouth agape, growling and drooling as if it was under attack or about to attack.
I scrambled to the corner of the building, ducked around the corner and flattened myself against the far side of the wall.
Chest heaving, I waited for what seemed a life time. Not moving a muscle I tried to gulp my breath. I tried to hide - not to escape. I waited.
I noticed and unlit spotlight. I couldn't see the stone figures at the top of the building. For some reason, I was calm. I said a silent prayer and foolishly tested the power of God by kicking the dark spotlight. Instantly, it lit up.
Bathed in the warm light, I turned to look up at the figures. A firm wooden shaft with a sharp point sliced through my chest and stopped halfway through my body.
I saw the fish in the sea and a man walking on the water. The figure of a cross was thrown by my shadow in the spotlight.
I reached inside the hole in the lining of my coat for the keys to the drop in centre, the keys to the files and the desk that contained our membership list.
The Reality Police were after our membership list. They coud then eliminate the bed genes within all our members which could be passed on to future generations.
With my last ounce of energy, I threw the keys as hard as I could. A tiny fish within the stone fresco swallowed them.