The morning dew on the fresh cut grass expelled a smell so vivid, it seems almost impossible to forget that day. Dark grey clouds loomed overhead, and a thick fog flooded my lungs with humidity. I sat on one side of the seesaw, alone at the playground. Always alone. Up and Down, Up and down. Each repetition caused the rusty joint to squeak.

As I bounced up and down on the seesaw, the dreary green chain linked fence which surround the playground rattled. I swing my head towards it and a light whisper caught my ear. “Hello there!” Said a soft, soothing voice. I looked around, making out a tall figure across the fence, imperceptible though the fog. “Can you please help me find my dog?” I thought the voice was a boy.

“Your dog?” I said curiously. “Where did he go?”

‘I’m not sure… can you come help me look?” The mysterious man replied.

“Ok…” I said, walking towards him. As I approached the fence, the less I could see of him. He was dressed in all black, and a low rim hat covered most of his face.

“Come closer… let me tell you how to find him!” He yelled, a tone of excitement present in his voice. I lean my head against against the fence, when the man reached his hand through the holes and grasped my hair. He pulled back on it with immense force, and a sharp pain ran through my scalp. I braced my hands on the fence to push away but he grabbed my wrist using his other hand. Warm, sticky blood began to run down my right arm.

I was lost. I had no idea what to do, so I screamed. I screamed until my voice was scratchy and dry. Until I couldn’t anymore.

“GET OFF,” boomed a voice from behind. My neighbor Mr. Hickley had stepped out on his front porch and spotted what was happening. He ran as fast as he could and helped dislodge the mans gripping hands from my arms. The mysterious man ran away into the fog.

“Are you ok? how did this- who was he?” Mr. Hickley frantically asked. He glanced down at the river of blood coming from my forearm. “Let’s get you home and cleaned up… then we will call the police.” He said.