It was roughly twilight when I came across her. Standing there. Still as a statue.

We aren’t supposed to go into the woods. The Society forbids it, they say it’s dangerous, that it will lead predators back home. Yet, in all my years sneaking out at the break of dawn, this is the first sight of any other living creature out here. I freeze upon sight of her, mirroring her statue-like presence.

I...

You know when you see something happen and all of a sudden everything goes into slow motion? But, there’s absolutely nothing you can do to stop the impending doom you can see before you?

It was the sudden screech that made me lift my head. In front of me my mother was mid-speech, coffee cup in hand, the dainty coffee shop with its frilly white curtains, rustic wooden tables and little daffodils ...

I simply look up into his eyes and I can see the desperation there. I now have the upper hand.

‘That doesn’t matter’ I say, ‘what does matter is what you’ll pay to take it away.’

His responding scowl mirrors my own. Except my blonde hair and blue eyes don’t make it quite as intimidating. This isn’t a place for someone like me. Someone like me shouldn’t be handing their soul over to a hooded man...

The punches come swift; the punches come tough,

It begs the question, why weren’t you enough.

We aren’t the nation we used to be,

We’re small, we’re weak, we’re surrounded by sea.

We close our borders as if we know best,

Your culture, your influence, give it a rest.

The punches do hurt now, we’re all black and blue.

We’re yet to realise, we’re nothing without you.

We’re bruised and alon...

I could see the van heading towards me. It’s music tinkling amidst the eerily silent street. I knew what this meant, we all did. Especially The Unwanted.

The two men climbed out, boxes piled in their arms. Their navy jumpsuits still on brand with the company colours we all used to know and love. I ushered them inside, not that it would do much good. All Hell breaks loose when the Oreos arrive.

...