The girl on swing

Part Five

Jason suddenly spoke “Mrs. James, what happened to Brandon? How did he end up in that place?” “To be honest, I don't even know. Brandon hasn't said a word about what happened. Did you guys talk to him? Did he say anything? Alex and Jason just shake their head. Jason continues “what the doctor say? Is he alright?” “Hmm, according to the doctor, Brandon only suffered a minor injury and some scratch to his head. Other than that, he is fine. Maybe he is just still traumatized or still trying to figure out what happen” said Mrs. James. 

“I can only pray for his speedy recovery and he’s back to normal. In the meantime, I will just let the police investigate what happened” she continues. “It's already late, maybe you two should go back first, you can come back tomorrow,” said Mrs. James. “Yes Mrs. James, we should get going now. You don't have to worry, we all praying for his recovery too. Hopefully, there’s nothing serious happening to Brandon” said Alex. They later bid farewell to Mrs. James and leave the hospital. 

Meanwhile, in the wardroom, there’s a breeze of wind entering the room. Brandon who was asleep suddenly awake when he feels the coldness of the wind touching his skin. He opens his eyes. “Hey you, how are you?” The soft voice greets him. It was Tiffany. “Tiffany... hi I'm fine. What are you doing here?” Brandon was surprised that she was here but he was happy. “I came to see you hope you doing fine,” she said. “You should get some rest,” said Tiffany while turning her back and walking toward the window. “You should not let the window open like this,” she said while shutting the window. 

Suddenly the door was pushed open. It was Mrs. James. “Brandon, you awake son?” She asks. She entered the room after she heard someone was talking inside the room. “Mom, I am now,” said Brandon. “By the way Tiffa...” Brandon’s word was cut short once he notice that Tiffany was no longer in the room. “What is it, son?” Asked Mrs. James. She looked at her son and look around the room. Brandon’s reaction puzzled her. As if there is another person in that room. “What are you looking at? She asked. “Oh there’s nothing mom maybe it's just my imagination,” he said. Brandon was disappointed that Tiffany has left before he can introduce her to his mother. But he also puzzled how did she leave in such a hurry. 

“Mom, can you shut the window? “What window? Mrs. James checked all the windows in the room and it was all shut and locked. But she didn't say a word to her son. Maybe it's the side effect of the medicine. 

Jason and Alex on the other hand have reached their campus. “Jason you go ahead, I'm gonna go get something to eat first, do you need anything?” “It's okay, I just go back to our room first,” said Jason while leaving Alex alone. Alex walks slowly toward the convenience store. His heart on the other hand had hoped to see the girl again; Alicia. Since Brandon's disappearance, Alex hasn't had the opportunity to see her at all as he was busy looking for Brandon. It was only 8.15 pm and their campus was quite lively with students going in and out either to get their dinner or just returning from outside. Alex bought a few spicy buns and mineral water and some chocolate bar. He slowly walks past the park hoping to see her there. And he was lucky. 

Alicia was there. Alone. She was sitting on the swing. It was not moving. Alex was delighted. He gathers enough courage to greet her. “Humm hi”. Alicia slowly turns around and smile and said: “hi, it's you, Alex”. “Yes it's me Alex” He smiless but his smile was awkward and goofy. “How are you? I didn't see you for two days? You must be very busy, isn't it? Alicia said. She started moving her swing slowly. The smile never left her face. That is what makes Alex more interested in her. 

“Oh yes.. there’s something that happening on the weekend that's why I was busy.” Said Alex. He was like children who beginning of the to speak, his word was limited and his pronunciation was unclear sometimes. “Hey by the way, how are you doing?” He asked. “Humm I'm fine nothing is interesting to share. I live a boring life you know” she replied. “I bought some chocolate would you like to have some? Asked Alex. He took his chocolate from his bag and hand it to Alicia. She, however, refused politely “I'm not hungry you keep it, after all, it's already past 9 no chocolate at night”. They talk quite a lot that night while playing the swing. Alex was thrilled that he finally had the chance to spend time with Alicia. 

However unknown to him, other students who coincidentally walk past by the park noticed Alex was playing at the park by himself. The park was abandoned for quite a few years and was in a dire state. There is no light and the swing was broken in some parts. The weed is as tall as the fence itself. After all, it was late at night that Alex was seen there alone. Some of them also notice that as if Alex was talking to someone else there. Furthermore, the swing next to him was moving too. It scared the crap out of those who see him. Some of them do not bother to look for too long and just rush back to their room. Alex however is having the best night of his life. 

“It's already quite late now, maybe you should go back to your room or your roommate will start looking for you too,” said Alicia softly. She to stand from the swing as if she was leaving too. “Oh yes yes, I think we should go back. Would you be here tomorrow? Ales asked with such hope. “Hmmm, I don't know. If I'm not here you just have to wait for me” Alicia replied with a smile. “You better get going now, goodnight Alex. Thank you for spending time with me tonight”. “Goodnight Alicia, thanks to you too. I’ll see you again tomorrow”. Alex begins to leave the park. He turn around to bid farewell to Alicia but she was gone. There’s only an empty swing.