I've been walking around these woods for what feels like forever. My feet are starting to get tired and I'm starting to get hungry. Great idea from Jimmy to have us play hide and seek in this giant park right after meeting our study group. This park may be right next to his parents’ house, but it feels like an entirely different world out here.

The sunset appears extra bright today, but it's still better weather than yesterday. Everything looks more orange than green; the grass, the leaves, everything that's supposed to look like Spring is looking more like Fall. The moment I enter this park, away from the surrounding dull and colorless town, I feel like I've traveled to another place by plane with the sensation of walking, which in a way can feel weird, but not as weird as Jimmy's dad and his dad's friends.

It's getting pretty close to nighttime, and just as I begin to worry about where my friend is, I see a colorful object sticking out from behind a tree inside a clustered forest area that's off the gravel trail. I walk a little closer and I see a backpack. Finally, I found Jimmy! I try to hold in my excitement as I tip-toe closer to the tree, as slowly and quietly as I can. The backpack keeps moving so slightly, so there's no way he put it down and run to a new hiding spot.

I tip-toe and I tip-toe deeper into the woods as I get even closer to the tree. Without thinking about anything else, I jump to the other side, ready to scream, “Found you!” That's not Jimmy hiding behind the tree. I see a strange man crouched down and wearing my friend’s backpack over his dark-colored hoodie. Why does he have it?! He looks at me with a smile that came from my nightmares. He stands up without blinking.

“Hello, young man. What brings you out here in the woods?” he asks in a calm tone.

“Did he take Jimmy?” I think to myself as my heart begins to race. “Who are you?” I finally ask.

“Oh, I'm a friend of Jimmy's dad’s.” I start to slowly step backwards as my knees shake.

“(voice cracks) I got to go.”

“Oh, why are you in such a hurry? Don't you need help finding Jimmy?”

“No, I'm pretty sure I know where he is.”

I watch him take a step towards me and just like that, I take off sprinting.

I rush back to the gravel trail, feeling like I have so much energy. I scream for help at the top of my lungs as I navigate around the trees to lose my tail. I look back as I'm running and I don't see the man. I may not see him, but I can't help but feel his presence.