The screaming rattle of rock hard skateboard wheels on gravel echoes ceaselessly through the air, bouncing back and forth across empty roads. The lone midnight skaters’ slow and steady uphill journey awakens the trees, alarmed by sudden noise and prompted by the soft words whispered by the breeze. They shake their stiff leaf-clad arms and prepare to watch closely this night traveller.

Mindful. In case he should fall. They guard the young man from the limestone rocks and cliffs and drops unknown to those who pass; the dangers of the unseen and unlit terrain which resides just beyond the left curb of the road. Across from these peaceful guards, curtained windows of terrace houses crack ever so slightly and watch sleepily for other passers-by. One might have even seen a small twitch of anxious excitement. They may have been mistaken.

Then the rattle ceases. Quiet makes its heavy descent. The soft, slow rhythm of uphill footsteps ease tired eyes back to sleep and abdicates the responsibility of safety to the windows of terrace houses. The young man watches the tip of his skateboard swinging back and forth under his arm.