It's nice to think that picking uncertain paths may not necessarily alter their destination too drastically, simply the journey undertaken to reach it.
I walk the city, through its crush of people and its smells:body odour, rotting food, vomit and urine. A cocktail of oppression and freedom.
Things should have beenso differentto the way they arenow.
It's not about blood,"says Lucius. "It's about who you shareyour life with.Where you feelyou really belong.
I miss my brother likethe sea would miss saltif that were taken away.
Instead,she's as stillas a leaf-littered pond,dark water evaporating,waiting desperately for rain.
I want out of this place.With no reminders."It stings -sulphur tearsin cinnamon rain.
Growing up changes morethan playground gamesand body shapes.
Then she smiles, like it'sthe first time she's seen sunafter a decade of winters.
I'm justthe reason they married.Mum saysI was a surprise.Dad saysI was an accident.Truth is ...I am their mistake.
There're three reasonspeople get away from here:gone good, gone bad orgone dead.
The true test is wonwhen being togetherwithout saying a wordis everything.
Stella scribbledin thick black textaacross half the pagesof my best storybook,filled with people who venturedwhere their hearts took them.Beautiful worlds beyond mine.
I'm all alone,fuming at myself,waving a great flagof failure.
One more year and I will be closer to wherever I'm going.
