The splash of rushing water and twitter of bird song filled the air. The warm sun bathed everything in a warm glow. The scent of wildflowers and pine trees filled his nose with soothing fragrance.
The light woodland spread as far as the eye could see. Flowers of all colours, shapes and sizes grew in thickets through the lush green grass.
The forest broke into a small clearing where the gurgling stream pooled in a natural spring. A tall man stood motionless at the riverbank. He wore full dinner dress with a top-hat and held a large black walking stick in his gloved hand. With one quick motion, the man dragged the stick through the muddy bank, marking a ragged line.
The man walked forwards, stepping over the line. As he did the scene began to change. One moment they had been in a woodland glade, the next they were in a dimly-lit alleyway. Rain pelted him from a cold, dark sky. Where the sun had once shone on a bright cloudless day there was now only an inky-black night.
John stared, wide eyed, as one place slid into another.
The alley walls were made of uneven rough brick, the type you only get in old buildings. The buildings were several stories high and nether end of the ally could be seen. Further along the alley, a raggedy man staggered to the wall, grabbing a grimy drainpipe to steady himself. He stared at a gap between two buildings; his whole body shook as the gazed into the darkness.
The dinner jacketed figure strode down the ally, his spats-covered shoes kicked up the muddy groundwater, making a staccato clip-clop as he went. He stopped behind the dishevelled figure and placed a glove-clad hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Are you feeling unwell, my good fellow?” the well-dressed man asked.
The shaking man turned round. “I’m not supposed to be here,” he giggled, raising a finger to his mouth. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Go ahead, old boy,” said the well-dressed man.
“I can see the Nothing,” the raggedy man said. His eye twitched as he bit his lip. “Nice forest.”
“Thank you. I am glad you like it. But unfortunately I cannot allow you to go there I’m afraid. It is mine you see, it belongs to me and my like.” The well-dressed man frowned at the others shabby demeanour.
The raggedy man shook his head, sending droplets of rainwater flying. “You’re not here...” he said, staring through the formally clad figure. “And that’s the other place, the place past the nothing.” His mouth fell open as all the muscles in his face relaxed.
“Yes it is. But you will never go there, old chap.” The suited figure grabbed the dishevelled man’s face with his large gloved hand. The raggedy figure collapsed to the cold wet ground.