Friday 4th December

Diary Entry – 20660606

“I was in a bad way when I emerged from the storm drain, soaked to the skin, bruised and bleeding again, cold as hell and hungry too.  My poorly trimmed hair and beard were a dead giveaway that I must be some sort of reb.  I probably smelled pretty rank too, and my clothes were almost in rags.  I was being hunted by the Polis, it was almost certain that I would be re-captured and clagged even.  They would never give me another chance now, I was sure of that.   So what kept me going?  What inner stubbornness was driving me, or was it just fear, the fear of a cornered and outnumbered animal that despite being surrounded fights to the last breath.

I looked around me for surv-cams but could see none.  The nearest house was about fifty metres away and had a long sweeping driveway with topiary bushes at the end of the gravel drive.  A welcoming porch-light lit up a small yellow/green patch of grass.  I walked briskly, head down and in some pain up to the front door, and hesitantly rang the bell.   This was it, either I would be immediately reported and arrested, detained, questioned and clagged, or….actually I had no thoughts as to any alternative.  Maybe some kind old lady would take pity on me, maybe I would meet a fellow reb, maybe the house was empty and I could find a way in.

The door swung open on its automatic hinges and I was almost blinded by the light pouring out into the darkness of the drive.  A short balding man in his eighties or so was standing with a glass of amber liquid in his hand and staring in amazement at me.

“Can I help you?” he said in a quiet voice, “Are you lost, or something?  Come to think of it how on earth did you get here, I thought these enclaves were a hundred percent secure.  Well?”

“I am looking for some shelter, a place to recuperate.  I am cold and hungry.” I said, “But I promise you I mean you no harm, I have run away from my home and family, I just had enough.  I am not sure what I am going to do, I just need a place to rest up for a few days.”

“Well, this is most unorthodox.” And he blinked at me, and took a sip from his glass. “I suppose you’d better come in, you’ll catch your death out there.  It’s four in the morning, you know.”

“I wasn’t aware of the time; I hope I didn’t wake you?”  I stupidly said.  He was fully dressed; of course I hadn’t woken him.   How bizarre this was, I was having a polite and civilised conversation with a complete stranger, me in rags, wet and bleeding and he in a woolly jumper and old-fashioned tartan bedroom slippers.  He made a gesture with his hand for me to come in, and I almost fell stumbling into his welcoming and warm house.

“I hope nobody saw you out there, I really don’t want any trouble.”  He looked both ways down the street before pressing the button to close the heavy wooden door.

“I’m pretty sure they didn’t.  Are there any surv-cams outside your house?”

“No, but there is one at the end of the road, oh a couple of hundred metres away or so.”

“Good.  Then I haven’t been seen.  I came up through the storm drain.” I explained.

“What on earth were you doing down there?  Come in here and get warm, you’re soaking wet man.”

And he took me into his home, just like that.  I am not sure if he fully understood the danger he was putting himself into, but I was so grateful.  Just to be somewhere warm again – a sofa, carpets, a chance to wash, food, a cup of tea.  He made me a cup of tea.  Can you believe that, the most civilised and normal thing in the world.  I took the delicate (china?) cup from him with trembling hands and brought it to my shivering lips.  The smell, the warmth of the sweet liquid.  Oh sweet tea.  I hadn’t had this simplest of everyday drinks in months.  I was suddenly overwhelmed and started to cry.

“Now young man, perhaps you would like to tell me exactly what you were doing on my doorstep at this ungodly hour?  But maybe we should get you bathed and into some warm clothes first.  I am afraid I am quite a bit shorter than you so they may not fit, but they will be far better than the rags you are in now.  Put that tea down and follow me.”