Run the Beast Down by Titas Halder

Author:Titas Halder
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oberon Books Ltd

3. THE SILVER MAN

I hadn’t slept for some time.

I thought I should at least go and see Doctor Foster once, for Alex.

What do you think Charlie?

Beat.

It’s not the first time – is it?

He shakes his head.

And how was it best resolved the last occasion?

I grew out of it.

You would like me to prescribe the same medication?

I think that would be a positive step.

Pause.

Okay, well we’ll see how it goes.

He started scribbling on a prescription pad.

This is a month’s worth, come back then, we’ll see if there’s anything we need to do, referral etcetera after that, okay?

Okay.

Okay, thanks – thanks – bye – bye

What if I can’t sleep at all?

We’ll try this and see how we go that’s really the ten minutes now so – okay? Okay – bye – bye – bye – bye – bye.

As I walked back I saw Mrs Winter sitting by herself on a bench in the courtyard.

It was cold and she wasn’t wearing her usual cardigan and shawl.

Excuse me, aren’t you cold?

I’ve seen colder than this.

No work today?

I lost my job.

Oh – oh dear.

It’s okay, quite a few of us did.

Oh – that big one up in the city did you?

Yes.

Dear me – you were always dressed ever so smartly.

First it was families like mine, then the West Indians came.

We had a lovely man next door, he was from Jamaica – he died.

Then it all got a little bit… around here…

And now it’s you young types and your nice looking girlfriends.

She chuckles.

We were so proud when we were able to finally buy our place, me and Peter.

Peter was my husband you see, and then he was my cat.

Beat.

I’m sorry I put him in the bag.

It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean any disrespect.

We sat there together for a while.

It was cold but I didn’t mind and I suppose she didn’t mind either.

I wonder why they took him.

The boys?

No, them. I suppose they must hate the tame ones. But what did he ever do to offend them?

What do you mean?

You’ve seen the way these foxes here in the city look you in the eye

They look you in the eye – all skin and ribs

Don’t you hear them screaming at night?

It’s a terrible sound.

I’m not the only one who hears it, and neither are you.

I’ve talked to my son about it, the Silver Man.

The Silver Man?

The Silver Man with the glass balls.

He’s my son.

You want to talk to him.

He sees things, he knows what’s going on.

He had a good job like you, but he gave it up for his crystal balls.

Beat.

Listen tonight, you’ll hear.

Then go and talk to him – he’ll speak to you.

.

Leaflet on my mat.

Cull in the park.

Good – I thought.

Maybe the old lady is clairvoyant.

Night.

Wide awake, sat up in bed.

I pulled back the make-shift blind and looked out of the window.

There is a YELP, then a CAR ALARM, which eventually stops.

I lifted the sash.

The thick hiss of night filled my room.

I pushed my head out into the dark.

I wanted to see.

There is a YELP – long and strange.

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