The Storm Water Pipe

The storm water pipe gaped into open air from an embankment where it surfaced from underground. The opening was a little smaller than my childhood height and they said it stretched a mile or more but nobody knew for sure. A danger sign warned against entry saying the pipe was subject to sudden flooding - a protective grate had a hole big enough to crawl through. I would pause at its mouth and stare into a claustrophobic dark. Hunched, heart racing, I monkey walked my way in, listening out for water, breathing in the dank air. Deeper and deeper I would go until courage left me when the light from the entrance faded and all went black. Hell was there. It still is.