July 1966 School Magazine

July, 1966

July, 1966

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

ESCAPE It was an ordinary day. It was an ordinary evening. The meeting had been gay and enjoyable as usual. A few leaves scurried past me as I stepped into the gloom. It is quite a long walk from the hall to the little house I share with my friend, Alice . It's such fun living on our own at last. It was beginning to drizzle. I wished I had worn a thicker dress. A chilly breeze urged me on. Suddenly, there was a roar behind me . I turned to see two huge headlights bearing down on me. There was a screech of tyres . I screamed. The dark shape of the lorry growled round a corner and was devoured in the greyness fast enveloping the still street. It was strange there was no one to be seen. A piece of newspaper flapped past me, somersaulting in the dust. The breeze began to quicken; trees to arch and bow, moan- ing softly. I shivered. In a while, I came to a thickly-shaded lane. Rows of sombre buildings frowned down on me. There were real people inside them. The street was deserted. I started violently. Out of the corner of my eye . I saw him, hunched inside a large coat, his hair untidy, watching me. He stood to one side of the footpath as I passed, his narrow eyes glinting in the yellow light. I walked on. At the end of the lane I glanced hack. I could see him clearly. He was limping, about twenty feet behind me. Unconsciously, I quickened my pace. He was still there. Was it my imagination? He seemed to be gaining on me . I didn't dare turn my head .again. I could hear his uneven tread behind me - one two - one two - one two. I could feel my hair standing on end. My breath was now coming in gasps; my heart was thudding furiously . My brain whirled. Then panic gripped me and I began to run. I clattered down the road and across a street. Nobody turned to look out at me. Surely someone would hear ! Down the flight of stairs I flew, tripping on that uneven flag at the bottom. Terrified, I looked up.

His dark frame appeared at the top. I stood; frozen to the spot. I wanted to scream and couldn't . He started down towards me. I lunged away, my feet barely touching the pavement. Tears blinded me. I was choked by sobs. I threw a glance over my shoulder. Icy fingers clamped round my heart. There he was, just behind me . I felt my stomach go cold. He wasn't even hurrying-just hobbling - one two - one two - one two. Faster, faster I ran. I ~tumbled round a corner. It's only a little way more - two more streets , just two more streets . Another corner! Oh Lord! He's still there - limping, for- ever limping. There it is - home, at last! But what was this? Neighbours stood in their front door- ways, watching. A man supported a young woman , weeping to our front door. Mrs. Parker's voice reached my ears. "Oh, Fred, did you hear? That poor lass that lives with Alice Markham. Killed in a hit-and-run, she was. Some bloomin' lorry." I turned round, still breathless. The man with the cloven foot was nowhere to be seen. -JUDY ELLIOT, VIE, Gibson House.

"OP. ART''

- H. ABRAHAMS, VB, England House.

47

46