The sun warmed the bare shoulders of Rose Lin as she sat on the bench watching her 6-year-old son, Calvin, play. They had decided last minute to get out of the house and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather.

Calvin was swinging, a carefree grin on his upturned face to the clear blue sky.

Rose sipped her ice-coffee and thought to herself that this was the best day they had experienced in a long time. The recent virus that had spread through their community had turned them into hermits. To be able to get out and enjoy the perfect weather was a treat.

Twenty feet away, leaning against a tree, was Thomas Kelpin. He had his index finger raised to his mouth, gnawing at the non-existent nail. He was trying his very best to focus, but the noise and words swirling around his head wouldn’t let him. The one phrase that stood out in the cacophony of it all was a simple one, but made his stomach clench with anxiety. Save him. Over and over and over.

Thomas looked at the little boy that was now running across the playground, trying to catch up with another kid. He looked safe. He looked healthy. Why was he being told to save him? Why did he keep having this inexplicable urge to grab the child and run far away from anything or anyone that could hurt him?

He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans, then rubbed his eyes. When he came to the park that morning, he didn’t even know what it was for. As soon as he saw the boy, the message in his head began. He knew it had to be done.

Jeremy Adams was walking down the sidewalk, having missed his bus for work. He had broke out into a light sweat in the warm weather. As he hurried across the street, passing in front of the neighborhood playground, he spotted his friend, Thomas. Normally he would have just continued on his way in his hurry to clock in at work. But, something about the man made him do a double take. Thomas was fidgeting back and forth, biting his nails, a scared look in his eyes. Sweat was beaded on his forehead, and had stained his underarms.

“Hey, Tom!” Jeremey called out, changing course to see his friend closer.

Thomas looked up, startled out of a trance. For a few seconds he didn’t respond.

“Hey…hey, Jeremy.” He responded with a shake in his voice. His eyes kept darting to the playground. Jeremy looked in that direction, but saw nothing other than a few children playing.

“You ok, man?” He asked.

Thomas didn’t answer. A memory tugged at Jeremy’s mind. When they were juniors in college and roommates, his friend had confided in him that he had recently been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Thomas was hesitant to let anyone know in fear he would be treated differently. If anything, it had strengthened their friendship. After graduation that had gotten jobs in the same city and stayed in touch a few times a year. Seeing Thomas this way was a shock.

“Hey, Tom. How are you feeling? Have your meds been adjusted?” He asked.

Thomas shot his eyes toward him, not answering.

“Listen, I know you, and you don’t seem well. How can I help?” Jeremy said.

Thomas was quiet for a few moments.

“I…I couldn’t afford my meds this month.” He replied, looking down at his shoes.

“Dude. I get it. How about we get you some help? Get you back on your meds? I’ll help, it’s what friends do.”

Thomas was staring at the boy again. He wanted so desperately to help him. What if this time the voices in his head were real? He looked back at his friend.

What if the voice telling me to save the boy wasn’t real?

“I need help, Jeremy.” He finally said, and started to sob.

Thomas put his arm around his friend’s shoulder

“I know, man. Let’s go catch the bus and get you to the hospital.” He said.

The two men walked off.

Rose sipped her coffee, unaware of the events transpiring a few feet away from her. Calvin was on the swing again, seeing how high he could go. She thought again what a perfect day it was.