Playing around

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: I'll Just Leave You Hanging

As I close up shop for the night,
the eerie quietness of the town envelops me.
The moon glows a pale blue, casting an unsettling light on the deserted streets.

The only sounds are the wind blowing through the trees, making the branches twist and turn, and the distant whistle of the train passing through.

I walk down to the small park, cutting through the woods and down the road where my cozy cottage resides.
The cottage, which belonged
to my mother, is a peaceful refuge surrounded by wildflowers
in the spring.
Deer's and their babies occasionally visit, and I've even spotted a few brown bears, but they've never bothered me.

As I walk through the woods,
the tall trees block the moonlight, casting shadows on the path.
I know this path like the back of my hand, but tonight,
I sense something off. I hear another set of footsteps,
and my heart races.

I stop and stand still, listening intently, but the silence
is deafening. I look around,
but nothing seems out of place. Still, I take out my switchblade and put it in my breast pocket, just in case.

As I approach the clearing, I notice something in the big mama tree that I always pass on my way out. My heart pounds, and a creepy feeling runs down my spine.

I walk closer, and the light from the moon illuminates the tree, revealing a body hanging from a thick chain around its neck.
The body is lifeless, with its mouth slightly open and eyes halfway lidded, staring right at me. Blood pours out of the wounds, making me feel sick.

I quickly reach for my inhaler, but it's not there. I start to freak out, closing my eyes and trying to steady my breathing.

That's when I feel a pinch on my neck, and my body falls into a hard chest. Strong arms wrap around me, holding me tight. One hand cradles my head, while the other holds a syringe, injecting something into my veins. I hear a soothing voice humming a lullaby, and everything goes black.