Amethystale Short-Story: Safety Swings

Safety Swings

Rusty screeching of metal rang in the hot rays of the day, some in slow rhythm for children just hanging on the swings, and some fast and loud from the jerking of the more rambunctious kids. The cries of laughter would muffle the rickety noise of the old equipment, along with the on and off conversations of the nearby families, entering the park and seeing other acquaintances.

It was the most popular park of the city, families from the countryside, neighborhoods and city streets would come here to meet and greet, or even hold community meetings and events. Bringing their children to release a few wiggles as well. This park was massive in comparison to other rivals; stretching the length of one in a half football fields, supported by Mt. Ebott's vast forest at it's spine, and large crop fields on the right and left. The front was littered with houses and a few gas stations, so the park was always a short distance away from the public.

Today seemed especially eventful. A large group of older teens and a few young adults were setting up a 'cook out', gathering what money they could with food and drink for the coming and going families. There was always an event held by this 'gang' of individuals, the community started getting used to the smiling faces...even if some of them had prior injuries to their bodies, raggedy cloths and bruised faces. Some families knew whom this 'gang' was, and they truly were a gang to fear in their own right. Rumors never went unheard of in every event hosted by the group, but they seemed to always ignore and turn a blind eye as they'd serve and please the masses. Everyone who knew of this group would know to steer clear with threats or anything of the sort. They may be a gang with unjust actions on their own time, but they seemed to keep trouble off the city streets, even if they vandalized here and there. A vigilante gang, with it's own pros and cons.

Those who knew about the group, also knew some of the more iconic figures, those who seemed to be in charge of the events activities...and possibly in charge of the gang all together. There were four young males that seemed to direct where tables would be set, which food would be together, and where certain people would help serve food and drink. They were never questioned with their orders, and even helped out when they saw an opportunity.

But there was also a female amoungst the four males, the boys would go to her with questions, to rehear orders, or to report the rising currency they received during the hour. The girl seemed a bit deformed, their legs bent in odd ways, but none of the families knew the cause...or how the female was able to walk on them without struggle. She was shorter than the four males, sported a very short dark-brown pixie cut, a very dark leather jacket with studs across the collar and shoulders, and long black jeans that dragged on the ground behind her. An eye patch covered over her right eye, which only added to the intimidating figure she held.

"I heard she's a scientists child, she gets experimented by her family" this would be coming from the few ladies, whom couldn't sow their voices shut for the life of them. Hearing what they could about this 'strange' girl that seemed to have all this 'gang' under the tips of her fingers. "She's a tricky one, I hear if you look her straight in the left eye she'll haunt your room at night."

"That's nonsense. A human can't haunt you! But she's certainly giving a 'bad impression' for our little ones. Why can't she be more flattering?"

"Other than the eye-patch, she should be more colorful. She walks with almost elegance, but her outfit is appalling."

The blabbering never went un-noticed by the said victim, a smirk and a low chested laugh would sound occasionally as she would give a glare at the little lady groups, just to send a good message that she was not 'hard of hearing' on their conversations, and would silence the rumors after continuing on her way.

All was going quite well with the 'cook out' event, a few new faces were showing up to enjoy the day. One of those families happened to be very new to the neighborhood, two parents with a small young girl that never seemed to leave their side. They were known as the 'Darwin's', and were apparently very wealthy and well-off with the house they had, a few blocks away.

As the Darwin's entered the park, they attempted to encourage the small child of their's to run along and play. It took a bit of encouragement, but eventually the clinging hands let go, and the small girl meekly walked to one of the few groups of kids. once she'd reach the little group, she gave a small wave, and a slow motion with her fingers as she signed to the kids.

"Hi what's your name?" one of the kids sputtered, not realizing the small girl had already introduced herself. Confused, she signed again with a bit more passed out hand signals. This got the whole group staring at her, as confused as she looked. "What is she doing with her hands?" another kid shouted. The small girl attempted to sign her worry and apologizes, but the group had already dispersed.

Her attempts to talk to the group of kids didn't go un-noticed, as one of the four males in charge had seen the child try to sign. He was lengthy, about 6 foot in height with long legs and equally long arms. Garbed in a reddish brown leather vest and black long-sleeve shirt, black shorts and silver sneakers that looked worse for wears. He had been talking to the three other males whom were in charge, all four of them talking to the female, presumably the leader by the rumors going around.

"Hey Adder, think someone's feeling a bit left out." pointing a skinny finger in the small child's direction, all five of them set their sights to the very 'saddened' display of the small girl, heading for one of the benches. "Looks like she signs, just like you."

"She must be the kid from that wealthy family that just moved in a week ago. Cmon Boss, why not give her a go?!" Spoke another male. Shorter than the first male, but heavily packed with fat, or so it looked through his baggy yellow sweatshirt and white studded sweatpants.

Turning her head, Adder looked over at the child, as they set themselves on a more secluded bench, away from the crowds. The four males watched as Adder left them, heading towards the bench with a casual stride. She could feel more eyes lay on her figure as she approached the child, and the murmuring kicked up again.

Once up to the bench, Adder's sights never leaving the small girl who seemed more than intimidated by her new presence, crouched down till she was on the ground. No longer towering over the child's height, Adder spoke softly to keep their conversation muted from prying ears. "Hello there friend, what's your name?" The child didn't answer, a slow push of their eyes to the side to look away, gave Adder the impression that this child wasn't the most confident.

"Hey..." Adder waved slowly, catching the child's gaze again. Adder drew her hands as she began to sign, "My name's Susan, but my friends call me Adder. What's your name?" The child before her seemed to glisten with surprise, her eyes beaming with glee as she quickly signed in response.

"I'm Frisk, Frisk Darwin! I'm new in town, but..." she seemed to look down to the ground again, "I want to make friends...none of them know what I'm saying though." Frisk kept her gaze to the ground, and Adder spoke, since the child was no longer looking back at her.

"How bout me? I understand ya completely, and I know how hard it is to meet people who don't understand ya." Adder held out a hand to Frisk, "What do ya say, Kiddo?" Frisk looked back up to Adder, the piercing green eye that looked back was sincere and soft, welcoming in a way. Hesitant at first, but enough gained courage to reach out, Frisk took Adder's hand and shook. A small surprising giggle escaped Frisk's voice as a small vibration was sent through their touch...and Adder revealed a small black buzzer attached to her palm. "Never get's old." They both share a laugh, Frisk unbeknownst to the small, purple lick of flame escaping from the eye-patch Adder had and the fact that the buzzer looked to worn and damaged to work.