Dangerous

Written for https://alwayswrite.blog/2023/10/18/wq-42life-aint-no-crystal-stair-its-dangerous/

The world was a dangerous place.  It was the reason Terry didn’t venture out of her house.

She brought an exercise bike off Amazon and could keep fit without stepping foot outside her front door. If she wanted company, she could always talk to Fred. When he brought back her shopping, she could share her cake, latte, and tales of their past without moving from her house.

Her therapist was right about one thing – talking to a friend helped. Fred was the only person she told about being mugged for the mere pennies in her purse and the following months in hospital, recovering from her injuries.

There were no visible memories now, just the ones formulated in her own mind.

It’s what frightened her the most.

Without Fred, she wouldn’t be able to live on her own at all. He fixed locks on her doors and windows, just so she could feel safe in her own home. In addition to this, he showed her how to use Amazon, so she could order an alarm for her windows and doors.

Outside was a different matter.

When someone moved a little too quickly in her peripheral vision, it would shove her right back to that terrible day. She tried, many times, to walk to the end of her road. Every attempt caused a fractured heart to ram against her chest like his fist.

Even the thought of putting her bins out was more than she could dare to do.  

There was a tap on her door. – Fred was early today. She peered through the intruder hole just to make sure. Normally he was armed with shopping. Today was different though – today he had nothing but an empty shopping bag.

She opened the door, already armed with her excuse not to go out.

‘Hi Terry. I thought we could go to the shops together today. Did you know there is a café opened next to Morrisons? They do the most amazing cakes. We could have one each, and one of those toffee latte’s you like.’

‘I’ve not been well,’ she lied.

‘Look, I get it. You’re scared of going out because of what happened. You lived through the blitz, and bombings. You ain’t going to let one thug ruin your life are you?’

‘Knew where you were with the blitz.’

‘Look, you will be doing me a favour. Besides, now they have the new bus route, you won’t even have to walk.’

‘You are only trying to help. I get that, It’s just . . .’

‘The last few years it hasn’t been the same around here. But there’s a young lad from across the street. Steve, I think his name is. Not really sure, but he has organised a neighbourhood watch type of thing.’

‘What has this to do with me?’

‘Everything, him, and a few of his friends are going out with anyone who doesn’t feel safe on their own. It gave me the idea and I thought you could come with me today. There won’t be any trouble when we’re out in small packs. Besides, the last time I did your shopping I got the wrong things.’

‘Are you sure I will be safe?’

‘We will be together, plus nobody will mess with your Titan. One look at him and they will run a mile.’

‘We wouldn’t be able to go in the cafe,’ Terry said.

It was another excuse, she understood that.

‘I can wait on the tables outside the café and order our drinks. They serve amazing hot doughnuts, the one’s with the cream and jam inside.’

‘I won’t be on my own?’

‘Only in the shop, but it won’t be busy. The corner shop never is. Besides, I got this off Amazon the other day.’ He pulled out a small canister from his pocket. ‘If anyone tries it on, we’ll pepper spray them.’

Terry took her coat off the rack and Titan was there in a flash. He was due a walk, and she couldn’t stand looking at her four walls any longer. In the last few weeks they had been closing in on her like she was no longer living.

‘Alright, as long as you are with me.’

‘That’s the ticket, I can smell those doughnuts already.’

It was a start, and she was glad of her neighbours support. She could do anything with friends. He was right. She had seen a lot worse in the war. Her attacker would win if she spent her days cooped up inside.