Up that hill

Up on that hill

September 2000

Like every Sunday afternoon Fabrizio slumped through the bushes. His shoes already ruined by the gravel and mud on the small path. He often fell on his knees or scraping his hands open while climbing this path. Getting cuts and grazes. But he didn't mind, it became routine. And it was worth it. The path of hell takes him to his piece of paradise. A remote spot on top of a hill, looking over Rome's skyline. No one who can see him, hear him or disturb him. The perfect place to get some peace of mind, to have some alone time. Away from the slur the is his daily life, from the judging eyes whom will never leave you alone. A hideaway from all the pain of the outside world. Just lie with your back and the grass, smell the flowers, look at the clouds and think of nothing for once. No stress, no social anxiety, no worries. Forget everything and be one with nature.

He was nearly there. Looking up you can already see the sunlight of the open place which allows to the darkness of the forest to light up. That's how he always knew how to find his way. Just follow the sand path which he created by walking there so much, and follow the light. Pulling himself up by grabbing a branch, and another one almost sticking into his eye, he finally made it.

A smile played upon his lips as that familiar smell of grass and flowers hit his face. He walked up to his spot, ready to relax, but he suddenly stopped his tracks. There, on his spot, sits a figure. Short dark hair, thin but at the same time broad shoulders, in all probability a guy . It seems as if the young man doesn't notice him. What should he do? Go away? Ask the guy to leave? But before he could decide on anything, Fabrizio's foot got caught behind a stump in front of him a fell to the ground.

The stranger looked with terrified eyes over his shoulder and made a loud gasp. Fabrizio hastily stood up and approached him but the stranger backed up, looking even more scared.

''I'm sorry, I- I didn't mean to scare you. I won't hurt you or anything, please don't be scared.'' The stranger calmed down a bit and sat down again. Though he still looked scared at Fabrizio, as if you could be murdered any minute now. Fabrizio slowly got closer to them man. ''Can I sit down?'' He asked carefully and the stranger nodded. Silence fell upon them, Fabrizio didn't know what to do or say. Maybe just start a casual conversation?

''You're not a man of many words, are you.'' The man chuckles and relaxes his shoulders for the first time. ''Depends.''

The man replied shortly after. "Depends on what?" "Depends on the person I'm talking with." Fabrizio nodded, not knowing how to respond on this.

It could have been ten minute or half an hour, the silence felt never ending. Though it wasn't as awkward as you thought it would be.

"Listen, I'm just here to have some peace. I can go if you want me to."

"No it's alright. I'm here for the same reason. I actually come here quite often, this is the perfect spot to let your thoughts rest for a bit. And also, no one who can disturb you. Well...at least I thought so."

"You still don't want me to go?" He said teasingly.

"No, it's fine. It's nice to have someone to talk to for once."

"Fair enough."

"So you have a lot of things to think about then?" The stranger looked up at him hesitantly but then opened his mouth. "You can say that yeah. You too?"

"Sometimes the thoughts feel endless. That's why I come up here, this place offers some kind of calmness to me."

"I'm sitting here for a little while now, and yeah it's nice. But not for too long. I can get a bit carried away when I'm on my own, when I have no one who I can share it with."