As Anderson walked along the kinetic subway
Between Kings Cross and St Pancras
He was admiring the art of the architect
Subways were normally so featureless
Haunted by those with no respect
This was to be his last journey
He knew that he would not return
He stopped and placed both palms
On the shimmering wall
Why are you doing that?
An albino asked
This is my last Christmas I fear
I am here for my health
Your health?
As you can see I am very pale
I come to this subway once a week to gain some colour
It does not last long but I feel better
Then why do we not swop identities
You are talking fantasy
No in this subway anything is possible
Anderson pulled his hand away from the wall
In was aquamarine
May I touch your face?
Please do
The albino began to glow
I feel as a chameleon might changing colour at will
If I place my other hand on your head then within the hour you will have achieved my self
What will happen to you?
I am not sure I think I will become a colour field part of this kinetic wall
Will I inherit your problems?
I have no problems
I am just spent
Exhausted
This was always going to be my final Christmas
Before this subway was built there was just soil between the stations
But this was where I had been buried
A plague victim
For centuries there was nothing but darkness
And I did not rest
I became tired
And then this subway was built and colour returned to my life
I adored this passage but knew my time was short
If I emerged at either end then I would return to my eternal darkness
I needed to find someone to share my colour
A host?
No not a host for if you agree to swop identities then I will cease to exist
That would not be fair on you
It would be very fair on me as I would become one of the colours that you see passing I would never suffer darkness again
I suffer my paleness but I am left alone
Would you like to share my colour as time is short?
Will I be the same person?
Yes you will be exactly as you are now except you will no longer be pale
The albino placed Anderson’s other hand on his head
Nothing happened for a while
And then there was a tremendous flash of colour
Robert found himself on the subway floor
Are you ok?
A man helped him to his feet
Yes I just felt a little faint
The colours were too vibrant
There is a facility at the station I suggest that you visit that if you are feeling poorly I will accompany you if you require me to
No no that is very kind of you but I am feeling much better now
The man patted Robert on the back and smiled
Have a great Christmas then pal
I will thank you again
Robert stood in the subway for over an hour watching the shimmering colour fields moving without effort
He was looking for Anderson
A policeman approached him
My colleagues and I have been watching you on CCTV sir
I am sorry to warrant your attention as I did not mean to spend such a long time in this beautiful subway
You have only been here for a matter of minute’s sir
They why am I of interest to you constable?
Because you dropped your wallet as you entered the subway and after formalities I will be happy to return your property to you
What is your name sir?
Anderson
Your first name
Robert
The policeman handed Robert his wallet and kissed him on the cheek
Merry Christmas Sir
And to you and your family constable
Robert began to walk towards Kings Cross
He was troubled than he could not see Anderson within the moving colours
As he left the subway he saw a figure in relief who was part of the white tiled walls of the entrance hall
It was Anderson and he watched as the figure moved slowly towards the kinetic subway
Soon the relief was no more and the figure had blended fully into the changing colour fields
I am the aquamarine
I will always be the aquamarine
Thank you
Robert waved and took the escalator towards the surface
A chill wind was blowing
But this was of little consequence
For he was no longer pale
A mannequin holding a fluorescent orange light tube met him on the street
And held his hand
They walked towards the railway station
I think we will just have time for a coffee before our train leaves but we must hurry
I agree and must say I have been looking forward to this journey for such a long time