Strangeways: here I come

A short story about courage and determination. And music,

too.

By 2ºbachillerato students atIES IBAIALDE (Burlada-Navarra)

Imran’s eldest brother, Sahir, had left five years ago. He had never been told the real story. “A ten-year-old boy cannot understand” her mum used to say. Now Imran knew it all. The constant family arguments, his father’s silent regret, the English town’s name in the video.

He was just trapped. Imran had listened to the record hundreds of times. His brother would play it in his room and it could be heard five miles away. He didn’t mind; actually he liked it, too. Of course, he would never admit it. But this time was different. Watching the videoclip he had spotted a name: “Strangeways”, so familiar that it took two seconds to remember: “This is where Sahir went”

① ②

It wasn't easy, but Imran could finally book a train ticket. He waited one more night and then went to the train station of Southampton. With no more than a little bag, he entered the train and sit on

his place, prepared to spend two hours in a small wagon. He put on his earphones with low volume, in order to keep some battery, and could look and imagine why do the other people were going to Strangeways.

③ David, Aser, Jon ④

Minutes passed and he started to feel excited as well as worried. He didn’t knew where to start. What if his brother wasn’t there anymore? What would his parents think when they notice about everything?Suddenly, the train stopped and announced it was the last stop. He picked his small bag, took a breath and stepped out of the train. Imran didn’t want to waste any time. He found

te exist and when he was outside the train station it started to rain. He run to shelter from the rain and visualised a boy aged his age. He knew it was the perfect person who could help him.

⑤ ⑥

Nawel and Alexandra.

⑦ ⑧

“Excuse me” he asked -hello, sorry- he continued as the boy seemed he hadn’t listened. “Oh, hi” the boy said as he took off his headphones. Suddenly, Imran recognised The Smiths playing, and thought that probably the reason why his brother had chosen that city was because everybody there listened to The Smiths.

Imran realized he had never liked that group, so the first thing he asked the boy was where could he find a CD shop. ‘Lennon Street, number 69’He expected it to be full of The Smiths CDs and posters, but the man in the shop seemed to like another group...…

Aida y Amaia

⑨ ⑩

He was amazed,he had never been in such a cool store. After a while the man asked “ can I help you? are you looking for something in special?” Oh… em -said Imra startled- I was looking for a new cd of course, could you recomend me a good one? I know we are in a city with a huge love for the smiths but I’m not really into that sort of music so I’d recommend you a Guns and roses’ cd- answered the man

That’s exactly what i need- said Imra while he smiled Ok, let me see.. here it is Thank you can i pay you with credit card? - asked Imra Sure- replied the man Imra gave him the credit card and the man surprised said “ so your surname is Abduloj. It’s not very typical. I only know a guy whose surname is Abduloj too”

Maria andClara

⑨ ⑩

Imran did not seem to be paying attention as the man was talking. The boy was amazed by the huge amount of posters and stickers covering the store walls from bottom to top. He stopped his wandering eyes right in front of the most familiar of them all. There it was “Strangeways: here we come”, a picture he had seen stuck on his bedroom wall ever since he was a child. “What did you say? Do you know an “Abduloj”?”

“Oh yes”, the shop assistant mumbled while packing the CD for Imram. “He’ll be right here if you like. Maybe you wanna have a wee chat, lads”. And turning his head over his shoulder, looking at the back room he screamed: “Sahir! Can you come for a sec?”

THE END

Strangeways: here we come was the final studio album by the British band

The Smiths

9 ⑧

Co-authors:

● David Izurdiaga● Aser Alves● Jon Liberal● Nawel Nacera● Alexandra Soto● Amaia Andrés● Aida Yáñez● María Aguirre● Clara Ainciburu● Lara Gómez