A Walk in the Park

Dave grunted as he heaved the boxed microwave onto the counter.

“Be careful, Mr Green.” said George.

Dave groaned inwardly. George was his boss at the electronics store. Ever since Dave had received a disciplinary a few weeks ago, George had taken a special interest in his performance at work. At least that was how Dave saw it.

Muttering under his breath, Dave wiped sweat off his forehead with the back of his shirt sleeve whilst suppressing a yawn. He met his manager's stare.

“I'm off for my lunch break now.” said Dave.

George smiled at him. It was the kind of smile that made even the most mild-mannered person want to punch the face that owned it.

“You can have a short break right after you go and fetch the stereo that this gentleman wants.” said George, indicating the man whose microwave Dave has just hauled onto the checkout.

Dave bit back what he was going to say. He had asked the man if he wanted the stereo when he had gone to fetch the microwave from the storeroom. He said no.

“What are you waiting for, Mr Green?” said George.

Dave stared at him. His left eye was twitching. He was not sure if it was not enough sleep or the barely-contained anger that was causing it. He knew George was just looking for an excuse to pull the trigger on him; the expression on his face said it all. Taking a deep breath, Dave turned and walked in the direction of the storeroom.

“Time is ticking, Mr Green.”

Dave stopped. He did not need to turn around to know that George was tapping his watch in that oh-so fucking annoying way. A muffled growl escaped his lips before he carried on walking.

The door to the storeroom was in stark contrast to the rest of the store. Its grey tones were a blight upon the primary colours of the shop floor. Pushing through the swing-door felt like stepping into another world. Instead of brightly coloured signs and products, there were endless grey metal shelves of dull brown boxes. Dave knew how to navigate these aisles of drabness. He was their frequent companion.

It did not take him long to find what he was looking for. The stereo was easily found, almost as if it wanted Dave to hurry it away from this somber prison. Eager for his break, Dave scooped up the item and moved quickly back to the storeroom door. Turning around, he pushed through the door with his back then turned around again. He dropped the stereo to the floor. Dave did not register the crunch it made as it impacted upon the path; he was too busy staring at the park that he vowed never to set foot in again.

Spinning around, he saw that the storeroom door had vanished. Mystified, Dave took a moment to take in his surroundings. He recognised the nearby fountain. It was the one at the centre of St Stephen's Park. Which meant that the exit nearest his house was behind him.

Turning around, he saw a grey squirrel sat on the path. Dave's eyes widened.

“Boss wants you alive.” said the squirrel.

“Shit!” screamed Dave.

Blocked off from his primary escape route, he made the quick decision to head for the other exit. Running as fast as he could, which he would have admitted was not very fast, he charged off in the opposite direction of the squirrel. He heard it shout something.

Dave could see the other exit, but there was a lake in between him and it, so he had to run around. Risking a glance over his shoulder, he could see the squirrel in pursuit along with several others. The glance nearly cost him his footing as he tripped on a dead branch, but he recovered before he fell.

Arms pumping at his sides, Dave ran on. His heart lifted as he saw there was no lake between him and the exit, just a straight dash for freedom. He could see cars going past on the road, oblivious to his panic. What he did not see until too late was the group of squirrels gathered in front of him.

“I told you we'd get you one day.” said a voice.

Dave skidded to a halt. Stood on the path in front of him was the same squirrel that had cursed at him last time he was here.

“It's you.” said Dave.

By now the squirrels that had been in pursuit had caught up and had started slowly circling Dave, attempting to trap him.

“No!” shouted Dave.

He dashed off the path, running parallel to the exit, heading in the direction of the wood. The trees were densely packed and Dave caught himself several times on low branches, ripping his shirt in places and cutting himself too. He did not care. Panic had taken full control of him as he ran blindly through the trees.

Some instinct saved him and he stopped, arms windmilling in the air in a vain attempt to keep his balance. In front of Dave was a hole dug in the ground filled with wooden stakes.

“Silly human. So easily herded.” said the squirrel ringleader.

Arms still flailing, Dave felt several small impacts on his back as small furry rodents launched themselves at him. Unable to prevent himself falling, he closed his eyes and braced for impact.

Dave opened his eyes. Instead of seeing himself impaled, he saw carpet beneath him. The garish purple colour that greeted him was the same carpet they used at his work. Looking around he saw that he was just outside the storeroom. Before he had chance to stand, a voice he knew and dreaded barked at him.

“What the hell do you think you're doing, Mr Green?” said George.

He saw George waddling towards him. Dave got to his feet and let out a jaw-cracking yawn.

“What has taken you so long?” George asked.

Dave stood there silently. He saw the stereo lying nearby with a large dent in the bottom of the box. He did not know how to get out of this one.

“I asked you to fetch that stereo over ten minutes ago, and I come here to find not only have you broken it, you were asleep! This is gross misconduct. You're fired, Mr Green.”

Dave noticed a hint of triumph in George's expression. At least it had not been paranoia that made Dave think George wanted him gone.

Or was it?