Creative writing: opening of a novel.





Shelves were piled high with useless products. They seemed to go on for miles. Television screens were placed here and there with pictures of items that may interest the average person. The floor was sticky from years of misuse. A dim yellow glow was the best source of light available. Several of the bulbs had burst; clearly no one cared about this place. A person could almost be suffocated by the stench of rotting waste that was ever present in this dingy building.

A noise broke the silence. Two men emerged from a corner, one pushing an old broken trolley. A few items had been placed inside the trolley, mostly tinned foods. The first man, pushing the trolley, was pale, his pink lips stood out from the rest of his face. His eyes had no colour and had seen no sleep. His hair hung loosely on his shoulders. He wore a grey shirt that was two sizes too big; he wore black skinny jeans that made his legs seem like sticks. His shoes were canvas and could have once been white. The shoes had no laces and he had to struggle to keep them on.
The second man was the complete opposite. His face was heavily made up. His hair was gelled into a quiff. He wore something that resembled a dinner jacket, covered with sequins. It had been split into two halves and dyed two different colours. He wore tight white trousers and a pair of pink leather shoes.

The first of the men, by the name of Stockwell, spoke, “we need more juice.” His voice was like gravel. The other man picked up a tin and examined it.
“We could really use some of these tinned… sardines.” He said
“Shut up Kyle.” Barked Stockwell. Kyle replaced the tin.
The two men continued walking down the isle.
“So… where are we going?” asked Kyle.
Stockwell stopped; he turned around to face the other man.
“YOU! This is all your fucking fault!”
“Hey, no need to swear,” Kyle butted in.
“I, I didn’t even want to take it. But you... you had to go too far. And now look at us! We have to wear these stupid clothes. And what part of DON’T STICK OUT don’t you understand?” Stockwell stood still for a moment, shaking slightly. Kyle didn’t dare to speak.

The dim yellow light that they had been taking for granted suddenly went out…