• It was beautiful. The vibrant yellows pricked my awed eyes and the contrasting black was enticingly deep, arranged in thick, war-like stripes, armouring the two magnificent wings like blades. Such defence in such a miniscule creature seemed farcical, its wings as thin as a membrane and with the overall strength of a fly, its swords were the only weapon. That is of course if you disregard the captivating beauty it casts upon the mind in a shimmery, dazzling haze. The way it has been composed, with its camouflage stripes and sunshine yellow body, causes strange effects. Movements become cautious, eyes become wide, hand become tempted, and jaws can become agape. This control is a marvellous defence, predators become disorientated when the minute butterfly slowly, but grandly exposes her grand wings- stretched like a long splendid cloak- disguising her fragility with a fierce, mesmerising look.

    The vile woman scrutinised my every movement with liquid fury surging from her irises – it brought a saying into my mind “if looks could kill...” Then I would be stone cold dead. Yes, Alex’s mother hated me enough for that - hated me enough to see me buried in the ground, or maybe even enough to do it herself. Nevertheless I shirked away from her steely gaze. Then, wondered if the hatred was well-deserved. It pricked at my skin like frostbite-shattering my limbs and freezing my heart, but at the same time, burning- in a confusing swirl of burning and freezing spasms radiating to the very tips of my fingers. Her vivid green eyes were truly piercing to the soul- my chest throbbed with guilt as I reflected internally, the events which led to our metaphorical deaths.

    Alex had called me up roughly half an hour previous to now, I had just gathered up all my courage. Requesting I meet him down at Grazer’s Field, for an important talk. Would this be when he would ask me to be more than his friend? You see we are best friends. The kind who share everything and protect each other’s backs in the jungle they call ‘school,’ the kind who were attuned to each other’s emotions- when Alex had a bad day, I had a bad day. The kind who were made to be together for ever? The butterflies in my stomach heaved and swirled, rising and falling like the small bird soaring swiftly, continually crossing the sunset border between the skyline and the fields ahead. There was a bite in the air and it stung my exposed neck, I shouldn’t need a scarf in June, but then again Scotland has been known for its perplexing weather. I guessed it would be because of the sea air as well, because the field I was headed for was at the top of a cliff, overhanging a beautiful glistening beach. It was where everyone went to hang out when the weather was decent, away from the police’s beady eye – and free to party the moonlit night away. I wish I was heading to a party, it would have a more pleasant

    Deep trembling shivers emanated up and down my spine. As I walk, straight along the silent road, the emptiness is crushing on my frame. My companion, although canine in body and soul, seem to be wary minded. Glances behind us leave us looking vulnerable to invisible onlookers. The damp freshly cut grass-which sticks annoyingly to my shoes- or the uneven cracked road- which causes me to weave in and out of the potholes.
    Panicked breaths, raised hackles,
    But it’s just a black bag scraping wildly along the tar. My shadow, now duplicated since the lamppost ahead insists to beam upon us, makes my outstretched ‘lead hand’ look as if it is holding my hand on the other shadow’s black horizontal body. A moment of comfort. We continue walking past a house now, the drainpipe slowly oozing a shadowy black trickle, down on the flowerbed below. A flash at the window, and there’s a head watching us.
    Stuttered breath. A gasp and a falter in my step.
    Only to double-take and see that the light was from a television dully lighting a living room, and the head to be a trophy of some sort. Well done. I lead, then, to head home, but an inquisitive pup drags us to an unfamiliar lane adjacent to the road home. The stairs are steep and I am yanked by the lead also. All the while, scanning to the left, the right, and behind. Always behind. The same direction pup’s ears are pointing, toward our exposed backs. On the passing of another house, an unfriendly woman closing her curtains eyes pup with contemptible spike from her eyes. I refuse to wave. A couple more forced steps, and a man can be seen standing on his top step - way up - smoking a cigar. With smoke billowing up from his pointed mouth, he exhales in a loud ‘sheeeee’.
    I timidly squeak a hello, in which he replies ‘hey.’-in a rusty, low tone.
    My footsteps cautiously quicken, until I am round the corner and out of sight. I can see home. Never has it looked so white and grand in all my life. The bathroom light, our beacon home to the warm carpeted place of love, and hot coco. I didn’t care if it burned my throat tonight, or made my tongue tasteless for the next few hours. I wanted to sit with my mother and for her to tell me things while the pup lay content and illuminated by beside the roaring open fire.
    Just the gate now. I should remind mum to oil the hinges, make it easier to scrape the lock open and drag the gate from our way, in order to enter the boundary of the garden. I hastily hauled at the gate to return it back to securing the garden, but a sudden shriek from two houses away- sparked my adrenal glands and sent my brain into panic mode. I’ve never to this day ran up the path so fast, four steps! Pup even struggled, with his grand legs. The door handle resistant now, due to my brain being sparking and screaming internally. I swung the door open, locked it and caught a few steady breaths. I then removed pups restrictive collar, and sauntered in to find mother with the kettle on. The loud noise of the water boiling, and my mother washing dishes with her ragged apron on, calmed my nerves due to the familiarity of it. The hug I received was sweet and bracing, like my fears were squeezed out of me at that moment. Replaced by excitement at what tomorrow will bring, and the sunshine once again returning.

    Goodnight Alex, I thought.