Down in Salem

Chapter 3

Today when her boss sent her on her way early, she decided to wanted to go to the local park. When she got ther she couldn't help but be happy to see a few young children running around and playing . They didn't know what was happening, they were clueless to the danger and terror that was breathing down their necks. To them everything was fine, their parents probably didn't know what to tell them about what was going on so they just ignored the questions when the kids asked. It was refreshing to see the innocence and pure happiness of the town.

The park had sat abandon for a while due to all the chaos. Even now, the kids were being watched with hawk-like eyes of their parents. Sure, the park was in a busy area, but it was also one of the most friendly parts too. Everyone's kids were everyone's kids. Parents would watch over children they had never seen before and help them get back to there parents when play time was over. It seems to be true that it takes a village to raise a kid. There were plenty of time parents would bring waters and snacks for the whole park and expect nothing but a smile and a 'thank you'. It was beautiful really.

Clara had been so deep in her memories that she almost jumped out of her skin when she noticed the man sitting on the opposite side of the bench from her.

"Which one is yours?" A deep voice asked. Clara turned to look at the slender yet weirdly muscular man sitting there.

"Umm, none of them. I don't have kids." She replied returning to watch the kids playing.

"No kids," he repeated with pursed lips. "Then it's very strange to be watching a bunch of them here, isn't it?"

"Well I could say the same for you." She scoffed. Who does this guy think he is? This is a public park and clearly he can't be from this town if he really thinks people don't watch over each other's kids here.

"I'm not watching them," he said. "I saw you watching them and felt it was my duty to see if you were a creepo or not." She raised an eyebrow at this statement.

"I'm not a creepo. In fact, I didn't expect there to even be anyone here."

"Why wouldn't there be? It's a park," he said confused."Not to mention it's such a beautiful day and kids need to burn energy."

"Well obviously, but with everything going on right now, I would have thought parents were locking up their kids." Clara didn't understand why she felt the need to explain herself to this stranger, but yet she did.

"No," he shook his head. "They can't scare the kids. They have to make everything seem as normal as possible."

"Okay Mr. Expert, so then which kid is yours?" She asked.

"What? Uhh..no...none. I don't have kids." He shifted on the bench as if he was uncomfortable by the same question he had asked Clara only moments ago.

"Well you just seemed to know so much about them, I just thought you would." She replied growing suspicious.

"It's basically common sense. Plus I already told you, I was making sure you weren't a creepo that prays on children."

"What? So you're saying only creepos sit on public park benches? So then that must make you a creepo then, right?" She was growing increasingly frustrated with this man.

"That's not what I said. Anyone can sit on a park bench, so then obviously I'm not a creepo."

"And how am I supposed to know that? I mean after all, you were the one watching me. Not the other way around."

"I was not watching you."

"You already admitted to it. And even if you weren't then what made you think 'it was your duty' to make sure I wasn't a creepo?" He seemed pretty taken back when she threw his words back as him. He shifted on the bench again, becoming more and more uncomfortable.

"I-I don't know...just like a umm look in your eyes..or something." He stammered.

"Just a look in my eyes? What the hell does that even mean?" Clara's voice became louder as she filled with an odd amount of anger at this strange man.

"Yeah, I guess. Something about you just seemed wicked off." She rolled her eyes so deeply she worried they may get stuck.

"Everyone in this town is off. Thw whole town is off," she said. "Have you not been keeping up with the news?" He wiped his hands down his pants and fiddled with a fuzz.

"Yeah, of course I have." He said quietly. Unbelievable.

"Well then you should know exactly why I was surprised to see anyone, especially children here."

"Uhhh...yeah sure. I guess so." He said, then got up and walked away without another word.

"Bye." She said rolling her eyes. She couldn't help but think about the man her whole walk home.