She was running. Her breath sobbed in her throat. THEY were after her. She could hear them shouting abuse at her. She rounded a corner and skidded to a halt. A dead end. There was no time to leave the passage. In desperation, she tried to scramble up the wall in front of her. Strong hands pulled her down and turned her to face their owners. Four knives flashed out...
Sascha sat bolt upright with terror. After a few seconds her groping fingers found the light switch.
Its all right, it was only a dream, only a dream, she repeated to herself again and again, her heart racing. It nearly stopped when her alarm clock went off. All through school her dream haunted her. Her teacher noticed, and kept her behind after school to find out what was bothering her. When she was finally let out she ran to make up for lost time. However, she slowed down when she spotted the alleyway.
The alleyway led to the hunting ground of a gang of teenage boys, all white, who were well known for their vicious attacks on anyone coloured. Last year they had beaten up her brother. He had escaped with a broken arm. However, it was a good shortcut, if she could avoid them. She hesitated, full of indecision. Suddenly her dream flashed up in her mind. She shook her head and carried on along her normal route.
Unbeknown to her, her decision caused history to split off in two separate directions.
Sascha turned and walked down the alleyway.
Sascha ran towards her friend Mel, hoping to get a lift.
Sascha was well into the alleyways when the gang found her.
Sascha was lucky; Mels father gave her a lift.
Sascha looked round for an escape route. Gang members covered all the exits. The gang leader spoke up.
Well, well, what ave we ere. Whatre yer doin on our patch, Paki? We dont like Pakis, do we, lads? There were murmurs of agreement. Maybe youre white under all that lot, eh? Lets find out, shall we? He drew a knife. She suddenly ran at an exit, pushing past the boy standing there. She ran. Her breath sobbed in her throat. She could her the gang behind her, shouting abuse. She rounded a corner and skidded to a halt. A dead end. In desperation, she tried to scramble up the wall.
Sascha got out of the car, said her goodbyes and ran up the path to the front door. Her key turned in the lock.
Strong hands pulled Sascha off the wall and turned her to face their owners. Four knives flashed out...
As Sascha opened the door, she fancied that, on the cusp of hearing, she heard an agonised scream.