What Are You Afraid Of?

On The Way

"This is the part where the engine quits and the man with the chainsaw comes out of the woods."

Tonight was the night I finally snuck out with my friends. I've never been so nervous. The feeling of getting caught is terrifying, yet exhilarating, and I love the rush. We had been walking around the neighborhood at first for a while, met with a friend of my friends (if that makes any sense), Kaitlin and Brandon put some tampons on cars and in front yards while Kylie and I stood by laughing, stopped by the 7-11 to buy a drink or two, while Brandon ended up stealing eight 7 Hour Energy's. Eventually, we ended up at our elementary school's playground. We were all technically trespassing, and could've gotten arrested, but hey, there's the thrill of sneaking around. Although I was definitely excited to be doing this, I was deathly nervous of getting caught or attacked by a random vicious animal. I kinda stayed quiet while Brandon, Kaitlin and Kylie were playing on the smallest playground. Brandon came up to me and hugged me. "I missed you. Are you okay?" He asked. I hugged back, and said "I missed you too. I'm okay, just a little nervous." He nodded in understanding. "It's your first time sneaking out, you're supposed to be nervous, as long as you're having fun. Come on the playground with us." He said, tugging at my wrist to go towards the play set. I was hesitant at first, just because I didn't want to make too much noise, well any more noise than Kylie was already making. I got on a piece of the playground, although I have no idea what to call it, it made a lot of noise. "Lighten up! Pleeeease?" Kaitlin begged, laughing. I smiled, then shrugged my shoulders. "I will. Give me time." I replied.
We made our way over to the swings. I pushed Kaitlin while everyone else were swinging away. I kept glancing toward the woods, drenched in goosebumps. I know it was one of the most cliché things to say, but I felt like someone was watching us. "So, what are you guys most afraid of? And don't say heights or any dumb shit like that, say something like a horror movie." Kylie asked, slowing her swing down to a stop. Brandon soon stopped his too, and so did Kaitlin, so everyone was just kinda still, and thinking. "Well. I'm scared of clowns, killer ones to be specific. Or not being able to see my attackers face because it's hidden by a mask. A happy one. Like a smiling happy mask but they bout to butcher you." Kylie explained, using hand motions to detail her answer. I nodded. Brandon looked up. "I'm scared of suspense. Knowin' some shit is up but it hasn't jumped at you yet? That scares me." He told us, sitting as still as ever. We all nodded. Kaitlin was next to speak up, and she did. "I'm scared of someone or something snatching me from behind. Not knowing what has me is absolutely terrifying." As I was about to share what scared me, there was a rustle from the woods behind the swing set. We all looked to see if it was just a squirrel, or any type of small animal, but we didn't see anything. Immediately my heart begins to race. Everyone seems to be calm, continuing to share what they're scared of, while my heart is beating out of my chest. I was thankfully sitting down, for it I weren't, I probably would've passed out by this point. I kept my bag close. "Megan, you okay?" Kylie asked, looking concerned. I nodded, remaining silent. Just then, the rustling continued from the woods, and seemed to be getting louder. My heart was in my throat, and I thought I was going to puke. I stood up, grabbed my bag and began to back up. Just as soon as the creature emerged from the woods, I tripped backwards on the wood lining of the playground, and fell. Everyone ran in different directions. Kylie ran towards the gym, Kaitlin ran towards the cafeteria, and Brandon ran towards a random classroom. Luckily, everyone is a hooligan, and picked the lock to continue on to safety.