Tag, You're It

Ch. 1: The Lonely Little

You sat alone on the swingset contemplating your mother's words as your legs swung listlisly, all you wanted was for someone to care about you the way you were. Why was it so hard for people to understand that you use little space as an escape from the cruelty of the world? There were people much older than you that regressed to little space, but why do you feel so weird?

'Why can't you just be normal? Do you know how embarrassing it is to be seen with you like this?'

A tear slips down your cheek, why couldn't she understand?

While you're lost in thought a figure approaches you, he leans against the swingset.

"What's got you so sad little one?"

You jump at the unexpected interruption, nearly falling from the swing when you feel a hand on the small of your back gently lifting you back to a seated position.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you. I just saw you looking sad and could feel my heart breaking." His soft, dimpled smile and kind eyes made you feel silly for being so jumpy.

"I-It okie. Sowwy, I was so jumpy. No one usually comes here this late." As soon as the words left your mouth, it should have clicked with you that something wasn't right.

"Would you like to talk about it?" You shouldn't, this man was a stranger... A stranger that didn't give you weird looks for carrying a stuffed animal around at 19, or wearing your hair in pigtails and ribbons or the pastel pink baby doll dress you were wearing. He seemed interested, caring and... beautiful.

"I don't want to trouble you. I'll be fine." He looks at you, a doubtful look in his eye but he didn't probe, he just moved behind you wrapping his hands around yours and giving you a light push.

Your heart began to race, no one ever played with you while you were in little space. It felt... fun...

He pushed you a little higher, enticing small giggles from your lips. At the sounds of your laughter he chuckled, "feeling better little one?" You nod as you kick your legs happily.

"My name is Namjoon, may I ask yours?"

"Yn," you said with a giggle as he pushed you a little higher "this fun!"

He smiled at you, a smile that on the surface seemed genuine and caring; but below the surface was something much darker, more sinister.

"Very nice to meet you, Yn. Have you never been pushed on the swingset before?"

You shake your head, smile faltering a bit.

"People think I weird... cause I not supposed to dress like this at my age. No one wants to play with me." He hummed, "I don't see anything wrong with how you're dressed. Don't pay attention to those people, they just don't care to know you."

You bite your lip, why was this stranger being nicer to you than your own friends and family? Why did you feel safer with him than you do in your own home? What was this feeling?

"Would you like to play a game Yn?" He asked sweetly, grabbing the swing and stopping it slowly.

You were about to answer when the phone in your pocket buzzed.

It was a text from your mother, 'Ok, you've been playing long enough. Get back home before anyone sees you.'

Your face drops, it wasn't fair. You finally had someone to play with and you had to leave.

"I sowwy, I have to go home or mama will be angry. I'm only allowed an hour and a half when it gets dark. Mama doesn't want people to see me and embarrass her." He looks at you sadly. "Do you come here alone every night?" You nod.