[ WP ] At the edge of the city , you could look out into the dark .

The computer signalled 5am, the summer signal to turn off the nightlights. Adrian had been drowsily dreaming of a woman leaning in his car window, and asking him a dirty question in a husky voice. He could still feel himself, swollen, blood pumping, when the insistent signal knock him from his nap, like his cat meowed at dinner time. 
 He pushed down the heavy, well used lever. The generators around him slowed their whirling, humming, warbling then purring to rest. They began to sleep, as the city in front of him began to wake. 
 
 The governor had rallied around the promise of light after the first couple of disappearances. Making speeches promising “ a city made safe by light ” and “ nightlights to make bright the dark ”. The people had been scared, they needed something to turn to. 
 
 Adrian had started his job on the Nightshift as a janitor, cleaning out the bins, dusting the desk and washing the toilets. After one of the previous Nightshifters had left his job without giving notice. Mr Lumen had corned him in the toilet one day to ask if would be interested in taking the job. More money, free coffee and a new uniform. 
 In the break room, at the end of the first week of nights, Adrian had asked Henry, another Nightshifter, about the guy who had done the job before him. Henry was a tall guy, black hair and bags under his blue eyes. He looked around quickly, before answering, ‘ He just left is all ’ 
 
 ‘ Got tired of the shit they call coffee around here? ’ Adrian asked. 
 
 ‘ He was a good guy, but he couldn ’ t take the long nights. He had a family back home, young kids. Always asleep during the day, you never get to see them ’ Henry spoke quickly. 
 
 ‘ So he went to work somewhere else? ’ Adrian wondered. 
 
 ‘ Look Draino, you want to get along here in the Nightshift, you don ’ t ask too many questions, otherwise you ’ ll be back swabbing shit, instead of drinking it ’ Henry said, looking Adrian in the eyes. 
 
 It was late on a Wednesday night, about 3am, when Adrian saw a shadow. A shadow on the Nightshift. Right beneath one of the Lumen lights. It moved too quickly for him to say for sure. A spot of sweat broke on the top of his back, and dripped down his spine. His skin felt cold, and the skin on his arms bristled into gooseflesh. 
 
 ‘ Must a been one of those alley cats, looking for a bit of food ’ Henry said aloud. 
 
 TBC
