The Watch – Part 206:

(Tom’s perspective)

No, I can’t do that. I can’t just simply go and get food and water. It’s against my nature. But what else am I going to do. How long will I last before I absolutely have no choice other than to do that? There has to be another way. There has to be an easy way out of this. If I stop and think about it, I might be able to find it.

That’s the problem. I’ve already stopped and thought about it. That’s what I have been doing for the past I-don’t-know-how-many-minutes. And I did so before; stopping and thinking about what to do next was the first thing I did when I got here and when I realised that I wasn’t home. And during each of those times, I came to the conclusion that there wasn’t anything that I can do except walk until I grow tired and find the stupidly named Pogo Street. Neither of them are going to get me any closer to any money, food or water.

There’s a chance that I’ll get caught. Well, that’s an obvious statement. Of course there's a high risk of getting caught. In fact, there’s a chance that I’ll get in trouble even if I walk into a shop looking slightly suspicious. And because I’ve never done this before, because I had no need to, I won’t know how best to do it so that I don’t look suspicious or do it in a way so that I don’t get caught straight away. It’s too risky.

But just look around me. Look at everyone who’s walking past me, not even noticing that I exist. I can use that to my advantage. Maybe it’s because I shouldn’t be here, that I’m naturally not being noticed.

Ah, but I was noticed by two people. Actually, I was noticed by a few people. There was that person who I accidentally bumped into. There was that woman who I asked for a glass of water. There were all those people in that café who looked at me weirdly because of my stumbling about. There was that person who I asked where the bank was. And there was that woman who I spoke to inside the bank. I only go unnoticed when I don’t interact with anybody. But that doesn’t mean that I will go unnoticed permanently if I don’t interact with anybody. Just because I didn’t purposely talk to someone, doesn’t mean that by taking some food and water won’t make them notice me? All these people are simply going about their everyday business. They have no need to speak to me or look up at me, because I am not their business, and they are not mine, but if I do what I am contemplating, then I will become their business, and that can lead to some bad consequences, and because this is a different universe, I have no idea how tough the law is when it catches people who take food and water without paying.

Besides, like I said, it’s against my nature. I simply cannot do it.

My stomach growled and my throat stung in protest against my decision. The hunger pains intensified as if they were trying to push me to do it. My body needs energy, and so will try everything it can to make sure I give it some.

I have made up my mind. I simply won’t do it. I can’t do it. To try and convince myself not to do it, I would be repeating the same thoughts over and over again until they start becoming meaningless. I don’t want that to happen as that might tip me over the edge. I need to start thinking about the best way to get some money, food and water without having to endure extreme actions.

I’d like to see myself try and think of anything that works. I could ask some people if they wouldn’t mind sparing a couple of quid. The chance of that working is slim to none, and that’s the quickest way to get myself noticed by a large amount of people. I don’t want to be noticed, because I shouldn’t be here to be noticed. I should be at home, laughing and having fun with Amy and Tom. Instead, I’m here, all alone, with nothing. I wish I had the watch.

My stomach growled louder than ever. I clutched it with my hands. I wouldn’t be this hungry or thirsty if it wasn’t for my travelling here from being trapped in that glass box. For the first time I actually wished to be back there… at least Zaylor, as insane as he was, actually had the decency to keep us from suffering.

I can’t believe that I am actually wanting to go back there. I can’t believe that I am actually saying that being in that glass box is better than being here. I simply will not let myself succumb to those thoughts.

My stomach started to rumble so loudly, that I started to feel sick. I could feel myself starting to go. I need to be somewhere other than in the middle of the path with all these people walking around. I turned my head and saw a rather convenient alleyway. I darted in and immediately bent over double.

Where are you Sebastian? Where are you?

If he was going to be here any second now, he would have been here already. I doubt he’ll be here for a long time yet. If I stay like this, I won’t be in no fit state to be found. I’ve already said those thoughts, but they are still true.

I can’t be like this. I need energy.

I have to go against my nature and do what I convinced myself was the wrong thing to do. I have to bite the bullet and just do it. If I get caught, well, then… I don’t know…

I’m hidden in plain sight. I only get noticed when I purposely interact with people. If I don’t interact with anybody, then I won’t get noticed. I shouldn’t be here. But I am here, and so I have to fend for myself. I have to do whatever it takes to make sure that I keep going whilst I wait for Sebastian to come and get me.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)