The Walk

1. The Corner Shop

It was nearing evening when I left home. I'd told my parents I was just going into the forest with some friends, and that wasn't a lie; but instead of friends, I was going with only my memories for company. As I passed the decaying corner shop, I couldn't help myself from slipping into the first memory.

I was about 5 and Mum had just given me permission to go up to the local shop with my neighbours. We ran up, hand in hand without a care in the world. Back then, the shop was still full of life and the dreary and faded posters that are there now were bursting with colour and vibrancy. As we joyfully jumped inside the door we were astounded by the multitude of sugary treats that lined the white shelves. Aimee dived straight into the chocolates but I just stood there, frozen in complete shock at the bewildering place that was mine to conquer. I regained control of my body and went to join Aimee. Unsurprisingly, she'd already picked everything she wanted and was frantically trying to work out if she could afford it all. After picking out what I wanted we skipped over to the till. The owners were very friendly towards us which confuses me greatly now as we were nothing but giddy children stockpiling sugar. As we bounded out the store we waved to the shopkeeper. This was the first of many exciting trips with Aimee.

But now the shop was closed. It had changed owners 4 times and was abused by the most recent ones. The once clean windows were now boarded up, sucking the joy out of the bright and cheerful area. The windows were shattered and lined with menacing cracks where the local yobs tried to strip it of whatever dignity it had left. I was disgraced of the way it was neglected and was truly upset to see it in such a condition. Yet there was nothing I could do. The drab paint and yellowing sign were there to stay.