IN THE DARK ALL ALONE.

Behind Sister Bridget's black habited back one legged Anne gave her a one fingered up you sign the nun unaware walked on down the lush green lawn the girl with burn scars on her arm and leg mouthed I'm going to tell but her wide eyed stare betrayed she never would just a maybe -if-I-had-the-nerve gesture hey Skinny kid Anne said in lowered voice hand to the side of her mouth as she'd seen spies do in war films or on TV how about we sneak into town? the Kid impassively shrugged his narrow shoulders buy you some sweet if you'll come? that decided it and he nodded and as the nun walked down the lawn chatting to the other kids who were convalescing from sicknesses or burns or accidents Anne and the Kid sneaked off back towards the big house now a nursing home for children she on her crutches he following behind looking back towards the lawn and once inside they ventured out the side door along the path by the hedge and down the side road that led into town pass traffic she crutched along the Kid bringing up the rear her one leg treading the paving the stump swinging silently beneath her skirt and the Kid catching her up walked beside her and she said got to get out of that darn place with all those other kids and those holy nuns with their tall tales and frustrated dreams the Kid said nothing he was thinking of the night she wanted him to scrub her back in the bath or that other time when he helped her from her wheelchair and accidentally touched her tight tits by mistake and the WHAT THE FUCK of her words and the secret feel had him wandering outside his safety zone like a child at night finding themselves in the dark all alone.

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Written by

terry-collett

English

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