Running her fingers across the smooth surface of the slide, Erica stared in suspicion at the structures. There was something odd about it. In the ten years they had been here, the changes never repeated. There had always been a different one each week to keep them amused, forever ensnared in this web of lies.
Yet, here it was. The exact same slide where she had promised Eliza ten years ago. It was perfectly matched, right down to the tiny crack that had appeared when Seth had thrown a tantrum on their first day. Every detail was precise, almost impossibly so.
Without warning, her mind drifted back.
................
Erica grabbed the younger girl's hand, pulling her up to the top of the spiralling slide. Although she was only 5 at that time, she was smart enough to know that the girl was about to cry. The tears were already welling up, threatening to spill down her cheeks.
Determined, she hugged her new sister, refusing to let the sadness and pain overwhelm her.
"Eliza. Let's go down the slide together." Erica said softly, comforting the 3 year old.
Fighting back tears, Eliza nodded, gripping her hand tightly.
Before the two could go down, a wood chip came flying, hitting the side of the slide. That was enough to scare Eliza, who immediately began crying. Angry, Erica scanned the playground for the culprit. Her eyes rested on Seth, his eyes narrowed, holding a branch from a nearby oak.
Jumping down, she ran up and punched him for frightening Eliza. Her fist left a red mark on his face.
Content, she climbed back up to her, smiling brightly as if nothing had happened.
"Let's go down now." She suggested, willing to do anything to stop her from sobbing.
But Eliza wasn't looking at her, she was looking at the spot where two bars intersected. Following her gaze, Erica's eyes landed on a spider. It was tiny, just a speck compared to the large leaf it was under, but it was steadily creeping closer to Eliza. The girl beside her stifled a scream, hiding behind Erica.
Erica was paralyzed in shock. This was the first time she had seen another creature in the playground. This wasn't supposed to happen. It was supposed to be just the ten of them, no animals or insects. But it was there. Still crawling closer to Eliza.
Before she could dig further into her thoughts, a piercing scream dragged her back to the present.
Eliza's scream.
YOU ARE READING
Playground of Bones
HorrorIt was completely silent. Except for the creak of the swings. There was no wind. No footsteps. No breathing. Then there was a scream. A piercing scream, filled with pain It was muted right away. Welcome to the Playground of Bones
