A cold agonizing feeling rippled through her body. She choked on a sob, letting the pathetic sound echo across the empty park.

With a single yellow lamp lighting the park the dark felt like it was eating away at her. She stumbled, lifting herself from pealing green bench and turning towards the play set.

Her limbs were numb and heavy. One step at a time she crossed the sand. Gripping the cold metal chain, she couldn’t stop a pained whimper. When her legs stated to fail her, she sat on the yellow swing she was holding on to.

She coughed, sobs overcoming her body. The cold metal stung and the chain started to pinch as she tightened her grip, leaning into it. It wasn’t enough, she was feeling so much and couldn’t get it all out. Toes curling, muscles tightening, she clamped her jaw shut.

The swing next to her was empty. On nights like this it would be filled by her closest and dearest friend.

Since they were young they would sway side by side under the full moon. Secrets were shared, promises were made, and stores were told, on these old, creaking, yellow swings.

It was on these swings that she learned her friends fears. It was on these swings she told her friend it wasn’t worth it. It was on these swings she begged her friend “don’t do it”....

She lifted her eyes to the sky, decorated in pearly stars and a full moon.

She screamed.