A Madman I Encountered
Abigail Rose - Grade 9 June 16, 2003
I was in a hurry to get home and start dinner as on that day my husband and I were celebrating twelve years of marriage. The bus had dropped me off on Barnett Street and I decided that if I were to get home in time it would be best if I walked on Crazy Alley for it was a much shorter distance than the alternative. I only took this route occasionally – in cases of emergency, because usually you would find people of unsound mind on this street (that was how it got its name).
On entering the street I saw no sign of life so I assumed it would be safe to walk there. The street was dirty and it was getting dark. There was no industry on this street because of the mad people who inhabited it. They were often aggressive and people feared for their lives. I walked briskly hoping that I wouldn’t meet any of them, but although it was my anniversary, it wasn’t my lucky day…
I didn’t see when the man entered the street. It was his husky voice, telling me to stop walking, which frightened me. I didn’t stop, instead I walked even faster. The walk turned into a run. He chased after me, shouting at me to stop and hand over my purse. I was no match for this maniac. He eventually caught up then he grabbed me. I could smell his breath as he breathed upon my neck – it smelt like a sewer. His clothes smelt even worse. I screamed, horrified that this person with such a foul odour was holding on to me. He spun me around and I faced him. It was the ugliest thing I had ever seen. His hair was red and matted and his face was filled with craters like a volcano. I struggled to get away from this monster’s grip but he was too strong. He was carrying me away – deeper and deeper into an alley. I continued to kick and scream, frantically hoping, praying that someone would hear and come to my rescue.
I then heard the voice of Peter, my husband. He was saying something but I couldn’t hear because the words were muffled. Eventually they became clearer. He was calling out my name. I then felt his hand on me gently shaking me. He was saying, “Abigail, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.”
I woke up…relieved that it was only a dream. I sighed and revelled in my husband’s hugs and kisses.
“It’s ok,” he said. “I’m right here…” and that comforted me. I was safe in his arms.