Part I

He lowered his guard, but he shouldn't have. It was always better to have the wall up. That's what his father told him. That's what his friends told him. Hell, that's what all those stupid magazines he wasted all his time on and don't worry mum they're all trash and I don't believe a word they say yea right but right now they were right all along, weren't they? His old man, his friends and his stupid magazines.

When did he begin to take the wall apart brick by brick? He can't quite place when but he remembers when the light first broke in. The first couple of beams were so shy, coyly peeking through to see if the coast was clear, but they weren't too careful, awakening in a sleepy glow specks of dust that hadn't known their own shadows in years. Once they were sure though, the rest broke relentlessly into the territory of the unlit. He had to reacquaint himself with long forgotten warmth. When was the last time...?

(tbc)