THE WOODS

Outside mustn’t distract him, his curtains were closed. His safe room contained all he needed. There was a screen streaming a constant flow of entertainment, a laptop for his job, a smartphone for ordering shopping and through headphones came the News. Access to the Network cost money which he gladly paid; it saved him from going outside and witnessing first hand the terrible things reported. Broadcasters constantly re-iterated, don’t go into the woods, especially not when spring comes with a heady tide of life. People who ventured into the woods were never to be seen again.   In winter it was easy, howling wind and rain against glass discouraged him. Now the light outside was growing stronger and there was birdsong. He knew from advice given that it was best to drown these sounds by turning up the News channel.

One day, the Network went down and there was silence. He took the headphones off. He’d long dispensed with books and CD’s. He must wait it out. First he did his exercise routine from memory, then he checked the Network was still down, it was. He made lunch. He checked the Network was still down, it was. He had a shower. He checked the Network was still down, it was. He drew back the curtain, natural light filled the room; there was a lawn outside, boys played football. He checked the Network was still down, it was. Starved of entertainment and lonely, he left his room and walked downstairs into the empty lobby, opening the front door. The warm air was filled with boyish shouts.

“What are you doing?” the concierge had returned to his desk.
“The Network’s down,” he mumbled without looking up, “I thought I’d go outside.”
“All right mate, be careful. Don’t go into the woods.”
He stepped out and looked left; at the bottom of the road was a fence. He stood opposite the lawn. The football boys intimidated him.
“Over ‘ere, mate!” one shouted.
Their ball had stopped at his feet; he kicked it to them hesitantly. Then he walked, gradually gaining in purpose. The sunlight made him squint. He used his smart phone to check the Network was still down, it was. He reached the fence and looked across a field at the woods. He saw young grass beneath strewn rubbish. He heard the laugh of a yaffle and saw the flash of bright wings as the woodpecker took off. Finches played in budding trees and daffodils broke through mud. He breathed gentle air. The woods looked so inviting. He didn’t know what form their danger took, he’d never been told.

He closed his eyes, opened them, took a step forward from tarmac to soil, then he checked his smartphone to see if the Network was still down, it was back! He turned quickly, away from the woods and the birds, running passed the football game on the lawn. Such a close thing, he couldn’t believe how stupidly he’d behaved. He rushed back indoors and up to his room, never to be seen again.