Eerie Encounter

It was the year 1999. I was five years old. One day, my mom asked me if I wanted to go to the park, and I told her, ‘Sure’.

It was 8 p.m. at night, and it wasn’t safe to go, but my five-year-old brain wouldn’t ever understand. We were walking, and we reached the park. Surprisingly, there was somebody there wearing all black, sitting on a bench. My mom couldn’t identify who he was, so I played a little, and we came home just before 10 p.m. That night, I could have sworn somebody was watching me out of my window with a grin on his face. I felt very safe at home, and this had never happened to me. 

The next day, my mom asked me again if I wanted to go to the park, and I told her ‘Sure’ even though it was 8:30 at night. But this night was different. When I ran into the park, I had this different feeling—the feeling of chills. That same black-hooded man was there, but sitting on a closer bench to where I was. 

My mother told me she needed to go take a call. Little did I know it wasn’t from anyone special; it was an unknown caller. I eavesdropped on their conversation. It just sounded like a man breathing heavily. My mother hung up and told me she didn’t feel safe and that we had to leave. It was already 10 p.m., so I told her, ‘Okay’.

The next morning, my dad was watching the news. He called me and my mom to come and see the incident. As we watched, we cringe in horror. It was about a stalker or murderer on the loose who wore black and would sit at the park every night. They talked about how he would watch this girl every night, and whoever that girl was wasn’t safe. 

I had chills up my spine because the reason they couldn’t arrest him was because apparently he wasn’t there at the park at night, and from the cameras at the park, they heard me and my mom talking about him sitting on the bench.

So, my mother and I decided to take my dad to the park that night to see if he could see him. He couldn’t see him. That night, he died mysteriously. 

Now I was fed up. I know I might be a five-year-old, but I was sick and tired of this, so I decided that night I would confront that man. If anything ever happened, at least I knew I was tried. 

My mom told me, “Okay, let’s go home.” I followed her, but when she wasn’t looking, I went back. I went to the guy, saying, “I just wanted to tell you if you’re going to kill me, kill me right now, but I’m just saying you’re not a good person.” He didn’t respond, but he heard me. I thought I had made it out alive. I screamed "Yeah,” but when I tried to leave, I couldn’t. It was like there was a little invisible wall there, so I had to stay.

My mom came to the park every night to remember me. I just wish she knew I was right there and that I was safe for now. I could even hear little kids playing with bundles, which was a joy. I never got hungry or had to use the bathroom. 

But the only thing that bothered me was the way the man would look at me every day. No other kid could see him, but I could. I knew every day that when he stared at me, he had this feeling of guilt and probably regretted it.

I’ve been here for the past 20 years, so I’ve learned a lot by myself throughout the years. The only thing I regret is ever coming here, and I won’t ever blame it on anyone else but me.

Grade: IV, The Middle Village School, Queens, New York