The Walk

2. The Hills

I was nearing the hills when the streetlights pinged on. One by one every neighbourhood was illuminated by dull and orange light. I always imagined how breathtaking that would look from space. I trudged through the metal gates and onto the next path. The hills were on my right, overgrown and abandoned. I can feel another memory coming on.

I was 6. It was Boxing Day and my whole family had bought plastic sleds. The cheap kind that are made of thin plastic and only come in 3 basic colours. Smiling and bursting with excitement I sprinted, as fast as my tiny legs would take me, toward the hills. They were covered in a thin blanket of soft, white and fluffy snow, just waiting to be played in. I climbed up to the top and sat on my sled, ready for the biggest thrill of my life. My Dad sprinted up behind me. "Don't go without me" he called as he did his best to not comically fall backwards. When we were both sat down we held hands and pushed. The adrenaline rush was almost too much and I let out a satisfied woop. By now Mum had caught up and waited for us at the top of the hill, Millie waiting patiently in her lap wearing her pink bobble and mittens. After almost an hour of laughing and falling over it was time to go home. I did my best to brush the snow off me and took my dads hand again.

It doesn't snow anymore. Winters are full of miserable rain that dampens everyone's mood. Haha, even now I still make terrible puns. I hated winter. It's too cold and I have to wear more than one layer. The hills had never been in worse condition. There was animal droppings in every square metre and cigarette butts and empty cider cans surrounded you on every side. I don't even know how it happened. One day someone will make a change, right?