Invisible people in All for you

Invisible people

What are they! Who are they! bill said.

My answer to bill I thought was a simple explanation of the story we were reading on the front page of the morning paper.

The invisible people mate is what they call the homeless, but to me invisible people can apply to anyone, you can be invisible to some people you work with or even neighbours.
How’s that Bob said.

Well let me ask you, have you ever worked in a place full of people and after a year found that there are still some people you have never talked too and don’t know their names because you don’t directly have to work with them, after a while you tend not to notice them they become invisible to you.

Or you could be someone who moves around from friend to friend for places to sleep and possible eat they are invisible to nearly everyone particularly the government and Councils.
Bob said he didn’t know any homeless people either so that’s why they become invisible then is it.
Yes I replied.

Then I thought about a fella I knew who was homeless and said, tell you what bill how would you like to meet a fella I know who is homeless.

Do you really know one Bert said?

Yes I do I replied smiling, I’ve not always been the person I am today Bob, Bob Looked at me in puzzlement.

Ok, well at the back of Havant station along the old Hayling Billy line there is an old homeless man who has both his legs missing from the knees down, He lost them during a war 21 years ago, We have to approach him after nightfall, and we have to give him some change (NO pennies) and you can ask him, “What did you see on the other side?”

The other side bob asked ? yes when they were saving him in the field hospital he died 5 times, so he will then tell you all about his travels to other realms and times, where he lost his legs, how he lost his money.

It is up to you whether to believe him or not, but as you listen you’ll find yourself being drawn in with every story. You must stay alert, or the old man will notice your inattentiveness, and with a scowl he will stop imparting his wisdom; he will chase you as fast as he can, tottering on his stubs. The other reason why you must stay alert is to check the time. Before midnight you must interrupt him (do NOT let him finish whatever story he’s telling you at the moment) and say “I’ve heard enough, old man. Good day and good luck”, then walk away.

We must then make at least two right hand turns around the town before going about our business. You and I must do this, because anyone who has stayed to listen past midnight is never seen again, at least not in this particular plane of existence.
Bloody hell Bert that’s a bit scary.
I met Bill in front of Havant station and smiled at his wide eyed expression pretending not to be scared, he was smoking a cigarette and talking away about nothing really, finishing his fag he stepped on it then picked it up and put it in the bin, we walked along the front and into north street then along waterloo road and into fair field road and new lane. As we approached the old level crossing barrier for Hayling line, Bill paused for a moment and sighed.
We don’t have to go if you don’t want to Bill it’s ok. No he replied let’s get on with it.

We found Old Henry sitting under his tarpaulin where I know he used to sit and after payment he began to tell his tales. I watched Bill getting deeper and deeper involved with the stories then hear the church clock begin its first chime.

I grabbed bill and said come on we have to move now. He jumped startled and stared at me I want to stay to listen, I grabbed him and shouted now bill now quickly, and started to run and turned to see him following me and the green mist forming behind him around where old Henry used to live before he died ten years ago. Bill had took a quick glance and saw what was happening and his speed doubled, when we reached the town centre we were breathless and bent forward to catch our breath. Kinell… Bert what shit went on there, Bill what I didn’t tell you was that he is an invisible, invisible, he is a ghost his body lies in the old grave yard over the road, he died on that spot where we were listening to his ghost stories. And he takes spirits of the people who stay beyond midnight.

I never saw Bill again for months after.

Many years ago when Henry was alive we used to sit and talk about our army days and death came into our conversation quite often, I remember him saying one thing that will remain with me forever.

“Imagine if you will being on your death bed – And standing around your bed – the ghosts of the ideas, the dreams, the abilities, the talents given to you by life.

And that you for whatever reason, you never acted on those ideas, you never pursued that dream, you never used those talents, we never saw your leadership, you never used your voice, you never wrote that book.

And there they are standing around your bed looking at you with large angry eyes saying we came to you, and only you could have given us life! Now we must die with you forever.
The question is – if you die today what ideas, what dreams, what abilities, what talents, what gifts, would die with you? “And have I now got time to finish them

Last updated April 15, 2018