Alex, a spikey blonde-haired, brown-eyed youth of nineteen years, together with his friend, Gary Ackley, a twenty two year old who had gained some notoriety in his hometown of Coldsleet, simply for sporting a long, blue mohican haircut, argued as they finally came off Knighton mountain, and onto the streets of Hoffen.

“That’s it, man, I’m fucking done with this shit. I’m not spending another day on that sodding trail.” Cursed Alex, his whole face flushed, and soaked in sweat. “Two days… two days of hell. Well, no more, I’ve had enough. I never want to see another fucking mountain in my life.”

“Oh come on, man, don’t be a wuss. We’ve gotta finish it now. We’ve only got one more day of hiking left to do.” Replied Gary.

“Yeah? Well you can go ahead and finish the walk on your own, but me, I’m catching the next bus back to Coldsleet. Oh, and don’t call me a wuss again either, you silly, blue-haired twat.” Growled Alex, his patience at breaking point.

“Just chill a bit, Alex, take it easy. Look, how about we just crash in Hoffen for the night, like we’d planned… you know, have a few beers, get some decent grub, enjoy a good kip, then maybe you’ll feel better about everything in the morning?” Suggested Gary, who had been looking forward to climbing Hoffen mountain the next day.

“I told you, I’m not walking another inch of the Black Pathway. I’m fucking done with it, do you hear me? Done with it.” Snapped Alex. Sweat ran into his eyes, stinging them. Alex rubbed at them, which only made things worse. “FUCKING SWEAT!” He screamed. “I can’t stop fucking sweating.” Alex went on.

“Calm down, Alex, just cool it.” Said Gary. In a fit of temper, Alex Crennell took off the backpack that he had been carrying over his shoulder, and swung it at his friend’s head. Fortunately for Gary, the backpack missed its target.

“STOP telling me to calm down. How the fuck can I? Look at the fucking state of me! I’ve got sweat pissing out of every pore on my body, my frigging feet are covered in blisters, everything… EVERYTHING aches. Screw the Black Pathway Trail, and bollocks to stopping overnight in this shit-hole of a town. Like I said, I’m catching the next bus out of here.” Alex stormed.

Gary Ackley held his hands out, trying to placate Alex Crennell.

“Okay, Alex, okay. I get the message. Let’s just find the bus stop, and you can go home.” Said Gary, giving up on persuading his friend to try and finish the Black Pathway Trail. Alex took a long breath.

“Thank you, Gareth, for finally making a suggestion that makes some sort of fucking sense.” He said.

“Don’t call me ‘Gareth’, Alex. My name’s Gary, and you know it.” Replied the blue-haired punk, with moderate hostility.

“Bollocks, mate. If I want to call you Gareth, then I will.” Said Alex, in defiance of his friend. “Right, now where’s the fucking bus-stop around here?” He asked. Alex glanced further down the street that they found themselves walking along; all he could see were residential properties and parked cars.

“The terminus is on the edge of town, opposite a pub called ‘The Knighton Arms’.” Answered Gary.

“Right, and where’s that?” Alex wanted to know.

“I can’t remember. It’s been ages since I last came to this place.” Replied Gary.

“Oh, for fucks sake… look, just try and remember, okay?” Suggested Alex Crennell.

“I can’t.” Gary responded. “We’ll just have to ask somebody for directions.”

“Who? Who are we going to ask? There’s nobody a-fucking-bout.” Alex moaned.

“Shut up, Alex, yeah? Just stop the fucking whining, man. Look, I promise, we’ll find someone, okay?” Gary said, trying to placate his friend. “Come on, we’ll just carry on heading in this direction. If the worst comes to the worst, I’ll go and knock on somebody’s door and ask for directions to the bus-stop.” He continued. Alex shrugged, then threw the backpack over his shoulder. “You’ll be back home before sunset.” Assured Gary. Alex didn’t reply.

Eventually, the hapless duo located the bus-stop.

“Thank fuck for that. The last thing that I wanted was to be stuck in the middle of nowhere for the night.” Said Alex, with relief. Gary laughed at this.

“Hoffen isn’t in the middle of nowhere. You make it sound like the back of beyond. It’s not a bad place at all, especially on a night out. There’s some decent pubs and stuff in this neck of the woods. If I remember right, the girls aren’t bad here either. You’re always putting down things that you know fuck all about.” Criticised Gary.

“Nice pubs? What, like that one, just over the road there?” Alex asked, in a sarcastic voice. He gestured towards ‘The Knighton Arms’ public house, which was boarded up, and covered in graffiti.

“That’s just one pub, Alex, and you know it.” Argued Gary.

“Yeah, and doesn’t it look just lovely? What say we go in there, get a nice pint? Oh, I forgot, we can’t, because it’s fucking dilapidated, and closed. Jesus Christ.” Alex whined on. Something caught his attention, further on up the road; a bus was approaching. As it drew closer, he saw the name ‘Coldsleet’ displayed on the front of the bus. “Finally… I’m looking forward to getting out of this dive.” Said Alex who, mentally, was already back home in Coldsleet, loitering around the bar at ‘The Stagecoach’ pub.

Gary Ackley looked awkwardly at his friend.

“So, I’ll see you in a few days then?” He asked, wincing a little in anticipation of Alex’s response.

“What are you talking about?” Alex snapped.

“I told you, Alex. I ain’t coming back to Coldsleet. Not tonight. I’m gonna spend the evening here, and then finish the Black Pathway Trail tomorrow.” Gary informed him.

“I thought that friends were supposed to stick together.” Remarked Alex.

“Stop being such a stupid, childish cunt, Alex.” Replied Gary, and before Alex had the chance to say anything back in response to his friend’s slur, the bus pulled up to the stop. “I’ll see you in a few days… now go home, and get some rest.” Said Gary. Alex grunted, and then boarded the bus. Treacherous little arse-hole, Alex thought, as he boarded the vehicle. Wimpy, whining, poncey blonde-haired snot-rag, reflected Gary, as he watched the bus pull away with Alex on it, it’ll be nice to finish off the walk without that prat whinging and moaning all of the way to the finish… thank fuck he’s going home. Gary walked away from the bus-stop, and headed, with confidence, towards the guest house where he planned to spend the night. Gary Ackley knew his way around the town of Hoffen just fine; he’d only pretended that he didn't just to piss off his annoying friend.

***

Howard Trenton looked out of the corner of his eye at Lauren Derby and Sally Wood, who were sat next to him in the lecture hall. They’re definitely laughing at me about something or other, thought Howard. He turned to Lauren, a pretty girl with long, tied-back blonde hair, and soft, mischievous green eyes.

"What's so funny?" Asked Howard, in his strange, droning voice. Lauren giggled, and turned to her friend, Sally. Howard didn't like this. He nudged Lauren's arm with his bony elbow. She turned back to him, with more than a hint of anger in her eyes.

"Do you mind not doing that, Howard?" She responded. Howard offered no apology.

"I said, what's so funny? Tell me." Repeated Howard, his face cold and emotionless. “The pair of you are taking the piss out of me, aren’t you?” He suggested. Despite being angry at Howard for his nudging her, Lauren couldn't help but burst out laughing. Several other students in the lecture hall craned their necks in order to see what all of the sudden fuss was about.

Before Lauren Derby could answer Howard's question, her friend Sally, who was also giggling, chipped-in.

"It's your face, Howard. There's blue ink all over it." She advised him.