Image: JS Brand
Part of my exercise routine each day was to run up Brand’s Steps on the far edge of the park. They were sandstone blocks laid by convicts over a hundred years ago and back then the top of the stairs was where the gallows stood.
The convicts referred to the area at the top as Calvary.
Over the years, the stones have weathered and often as I’d run up them, puffing like a steam engine, I’d imagine the poor soul in shackles trudging up the steps his end awaiting him at the top.
There were plenty of stories of ghost sightings, the jangling of chains and all that but the one that I knew first hand was the feeling of voices under my step, that sensation of hearing “Ugh” for step I took. I am sure each stone has its own story connected to the wretches who laboured over the construction never knowing that what they saw as the path to eternity would one day become the path to enjoyment and good health.
Written for: https://flashfictionforaspiringwriters.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/fffaw-challenge-week-of-july-18-2017/
Morpethroad 
Oh man, I screwed up big time. I decided to participate in this week’s challenge, my first time doing so. I wrote my post and published it. Then I went back and read the rules saying that the post should not exceed 150 words. Mine was over 300. Damn. Well, next time I intend to stay WITHIN the lines.
You’re lucky I think Joy is tolerant and forgiving. I’ll go have a look.
Even though I broke all the rules, I’d appreciate your feedback.
left you some on your post.
Great story, Michael! Seems ironic that the steps used to take “wretches” to the gallows is now steps to health and vitality!
Yes one wonders in another hundred years what might have changed..
Very true!
Hope grows in the form of grass.
It does Reena, thanks for stopping by.
Wow, that’s impressive–the whole thing–I’m too tired to retype every gem, so I hope you won’t feel slighted 🙂
I am thankful you took the time to read Jael…
You’re sincerely welcome 🙂
…You put in all that manual labour, and then you get spliced with a stone!
Yes , thanks Martin.
Excellent take. A bit like the tourists who know enjoy the Pyramids or Roman ruins – imagine the lives of the slaves forced to build them for our enjoyment centuries later.
Yes true Iain, thanks for stopping by.
Everything has history, loved how you illustrated this.
Thanks Michael.
Imagine each step is part of the spine of a prisoner.
That’s a good way of looking at it…thanks James
A century has passed by and the steps have changed their utility. a good story taking the readers down to history.
http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/07/the-worn-out-steps.html
Yes indeed, thanks for stopping by..
Very interesting. Yes, if the steps could tell stories! the early years, death, the years someone sat and cried on them, the exercise, etc.
Every step has a story I agree, a bit like every wrinkle I have has one too…lol
…and one day the stairway to heaven perhaps. A delightful take.
Thanks so much Keith.
An interesting story of renewal, that the stones that once beheld such tragedy are reborn for new, healthy, happy purpose. Great take on the prompt!
Thanks so much Joy.
Well done! I enjoyed this.
Thank you Stephanie.
Well something positive came out of something created for punishment.
Yes you can look at it that way….thanks for stopping by