The sprawling city breaths cold autumn air. It’s alive; the narrow streets whispering tales which have long been forgotten, left behind in the tattered shreds of history. A thousand words morphed into one, a tantalising chorus produced by everything and heard by all. Beneath the glare of the afternoon sun, street cats shadows stretch menacingly. All-seeing and wise, their beady eyes are an indication of the night prowlers that will soon sift these narrow alleyways. All evening, each evening, scoping the streets. Inevitable. Ahead, the immense concrete prison looms; delicate glass lights dangling from thick, black wires illuminate the entrance like the incessant drills that the beasts who lurk inside have for eyes. It’s a trap, luring in the helpless hordes of tourists. Inescapable. Wafting aromatic spices, countless trinkets and variety of silk scarves are the bait. An essential part of the elaborate plan, drawing the tourists into the lair and providing no chance of escape. Irresistible.

Listen. The screeching of seagulls above the fast-flowing Bosphorus, sailing the evening breeze in search of leftover scraps. Scavengers, who, like the creatures lying in wait, refuse to take ‘no’ for an answer. Both prowler and seagull squawk, the crescendo building suddenly, and the perpetual competitions playing out until the winners attempt to take it all. Wanting only to be the best. The most desired. In the distance, the indistinct shouts of store owners echo through the streets. Hollow. The cries, composing the list of a seemingly endless supply of goods, crawl through the narrow alleyways, whilst the owners of these voices, gravelly from years of shouting these same shouts, leer at the constant flow of tourists. Eyes bulge from their sockets, eyes that grow larger at each corner, eyes that lust with anticipation. Just like the catcalls which appear to grow louder, more frequent at each intersection.

And still, they wait to make a move. They are everywhere. Looking. Listening. Lusting. Vermin, so self-absorbed, so ‘undefeatable.’ ‘Invincible’, even. Although, as both rejection and night loom, a return to the streets beckons; one-by-one predators peel away into the shadows where they once more lie in wait, only to emerge as the sun rises, crawling from depths of the city as it awakens. Lights flickering on and scents of freshly baked breads permeating the air while children frolic in play, so joyfully unaware.

Look. Cobbled streets. Towering buildings. So bright and yet so unwelcoming. The windows like gaping mouths; drooling half dead plants from each sill. Once red, green, blue, now grey. The colours blending, amplified by the slowly setting sun. Minarets of mosques pierce holes in the blanket of pollution as the final rays of sun dance along the skyline. Then it’s dark. Stars peep through torn pockets in the velvet ceiling. The once populous streets fall almost silent as the city slumbers, with only the exception of rushed footsteps prowling stealthily through the alleys, a hawk in search of its prey. Faster and faster, until…silence. As quickly as the shoes followed, the tap-tap-tap of the slightly heeled sole stops in the shadows. So close, yet so far, radiating pure silence throughout the labyrinth of alleyways. A puzzle unsolved. A mystery. Unknown to all but those that live there, and unwanted by all those unaware.

Soon, when it’s late, and you are curled up at home, you will know you’re safe. No dark alleyways calling to you, pulling you closer and closer. The intense colours, lingering scents of exotic delights and the harmony of the city, all irresistible. No glaring eyes locked in on you, making your skin turn into one thousand insects, as you race home through the night whilst the city is at rest. No one to turn to, nothing to protect you. Only then, in the confines of safety, will you relax, letting go to bask in the sound of glorious silence. So you sleep, your eyes fluttering shut, protection from any prying eyes. Eyes that assume you are fair game in a market you do not wish to enter. Now you are home, you know you are safe once more.