Glossy, lifeless flakes drifted down, glistening in the bright light of the harvest moon. The sheer darkness overpowered by the scented white puff of the winter snow. I emerged, dreary from the recent routine sleepless night. My displacement only heightened by rejection and segregation affiliated by my isolation. My only loyalty was attached to the abandoned, out-casted convenience store, disconnected from the community, the place I called home for the past 6 months. I cherished the indifference and solidarity we shared, and I would defend it with my life.
The store provided me with a sense of togetherness and pride which was something I missed greatly. I look down at the pathetic attempt of clothes I have remaining. The loose fitting combination blankets my fragile body. I pick up what’s remaining of my stolen, unfitted clothing and place it in the only source of bag available to me, a Coles shopping trolley. The clock passes 1:30am on the night stand adjacent to the desolated street and I begin the mundane seek for any obtainable food and the occasional chance at a new life.
The walk is long, but it’s the only time where I can gain enough confidence to be seen in public with my unshaven beard intensified by the ever-free snow flakes visibly trapped within it. The trolley lines on the snow abide by my path of misadventure. I can hear the rustling of the curb side garden taunting me as I walk past with little intent. I carry beside me a lone dollar, a reminder of my earlier life and the decision I regret. With little choice but much hesitation I insert the coin into the familiar electronic horoscope machine, coated with cobwebs and with little purpose, a great reminder of the life I lost through gambling.
I await my fait. The well known and well dreaded voice begins instantly “Today, an opportunity may arise to express your true potential, you must take it, and understand that success reflects leadership”. The voice is echoed silently into blackness, the only other sound being the gentle winding of the wind and the occasional flicker of a rat. The predicted yet disappointment of the wasted horoscope finally gets to me. The alienation; I have no identity, no family, only hope and dreams with little motivation. Suddenly movement caught my eye, an abrupt shutter of blur in the distance moving with intent, then SMASH!
The fright of the noise made me jolt; the noise was distinctively a broken window at a nearby store. Deafening sirens blasted down the empty halls of the street. The circumstances of the situation were unsurprising. My current action was to watch in amusement like all the other nights. But tonight was an exception; I run through the words of the horoscope in my head. With minimal hesitation I spring into action, no messing around here. I immediately locate the area of breach and run with stealth and avoid making contact with light. The intruder is easily recognisable; long but restricting pants which clung to his thin frame.
His lanky arms hurriedly scavenging anything and everything in reach, placing it into what seemed to be a large potato sack. I knew it was my time, an opportunity had presented it self to me. Without taking nerves into account I scurry to get as close to the shop as possible using nearby trees as barriers. I press myself against the outside wall of the shop. My mind focused on the criminal no less than 5 metres away. The frightening smashing and thrashing of glass and plates would have easily been enough for me to turn around and forget about the situation. What if I left now?
I would be safe; no one would ever know I was here, hell I could even take some loot of my own. The noises suddenly ceased. I know that there is no turning back now; I was locked into this situation no matter what. The silence has lasted 5 seconds now, and counting. He knows im here… I burst into the shop screaming with all my might, my body pre-determined to attack jumping up and down, waving my arms around like a lunatic. I notice the man immediately and he sees me. To my benefit I catch him by surprise and without fail he sprints straight out of the shop faster than anything I have ever seen.
As he dashes across the street tripping on his own feet he releases the stolen goods and they scatter over the road. Im left standing there, still unaware of what ive just done and heart thumping at 200 beats per minute. Without doubt I jump into the air with delight and unleash all the curse words ive ever known into the air with joy. Im not the biggest guy in the block, but boy do I feel tough. This feeling of success is a new feeling to me and I am ever so grateful to be alive right now. I may not be the most successful man in the world but any individual is capable of making a difference, I belong here.
