Stepping back in time

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     The paths are still familiar even though I was only 11 when I left this place. The wind blows. The brown leaves on the ground lift and I pull my coat tighter around me. I pass the tree which I used to climb when I was younger. Even though the branches are bare I can picture it in all its green splendor vividly in my head. The wind whips my hair into my face. I push it away and see a face hurrying in the opposite direction but its not one I recognize. As I turn the corner I see a group of teenagers hanging around by the now chipped bottle green bridge but none of them are the familiar faces I’m used to. They are strangers to me.

     I decide to go under the bridge to get shelter from the wind and the people. For a reason that I don’t know, I feel scared of the gang of faces with no names. The lights are dim and flickering while some bulbs are smashed. The whole effect is quite eerie. There’s so much graffiti everywhere but I can’t resist reading about how Tom loves Louise and who was here in whatever year. As I emerge out of the steps at the other end I have to tread carefully to avoid treading on the copious amounts of chewing gum. I look behind me and I see the teenagers staring at me. I quicken my pace. My quickened pace turns into a jog and I breathe a sigh of relief once I have turned the corner.

     I remember the bright blue river, only in the dark all I can see is litter bobbing along the surface. The roundabout is still here in the playground, only it’s covered in graffiti, turning gently in the wind as if being pushed by an invisible person. The swings next to it creak gently. I want to sit down but they look so worn that I worry that it could collapse at any moment.

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     I come to the end of the park. I am now by all the houses all neatly attached together in a neat row with an equal patch in front of each. The colour of the brick is still the same old buff shade. I look left and instead of seeing lots of trees in the distance I see a huge mansion with towering iron black gates that stick out like a sore thumb. I start to walk towards it and I stare blankly at all the house windows. I see a family enjoying dinner together and I watch ...

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