Broken glass scattered the floor, its shards reaching even to the center of the dark room with boxes being crammed into every corner. A beam of light shined only where the small window was, so it was easy to get down into the room that used to be sealed off from the rest of the park. Maya hopped in swiftly as soon as the window broke. We weren’t sure whether anybody heard the loud crash of glass, but we were sure that if we don’t get what we needed as soon as possible, we all knew what we would be—dead.

I hesitated at the small opening; it was risky and being a germaphobe didn’t help the fact I knew that this journey would be one of the worst. I took a deep breath of the fresh air, then looked back at the tall grass that swayed in the gentle breeze of summer I should start appreciating nature more, I will never do this again. I plunged in. Splash! it was damp and cold; I had stepped in something. The floor was covered in a thick sludge that reached just below my knee it was almost the consistency and colour of tar. I gagged at the feeling of it soaking through my boots and jeans, but I had to play it cool, even though Maya also did agree that it was disgusting.

“Ava, are you sure we have everything?” Maya asked, her face stern.

“yep, I’m pretty sure we will last, though I think bringing food was not the best option. I’ve lost my apatite already!” I chuckled, hiding the fact I was as sick as a dog.

“Good, I think I know the way,” Maya didn’t even bat an eye at me but instead tried to keep silent and turned on her flashlight and walked through the tar-like substance. I instinctively followed. It was difficult navigating because everything was hidden, and you had to force your body forward to walk a step. You would run out of breath in several minutes.  I felt nervous, Maya showed determination to get through this mess, but I’m hopeless, a bird flying in circles, a cat that is following her: a nuisance. 

How did I get here? Well, there used to be a park across the alternative side of the town I would go with Maya, who I’ve known since preschool and some other friends. Every memory was fresh in my mind, every time it felt like I was back there again, standing on the hot sand in the sweltering weather, the sun shining above me. There beyond me was Vicky, Lia, Aden, and Summer chasing each other around the large sand area, laughing. We were 8 at the time, Bluestone Central Park had just opened, the park was crowded and popular; it was built for the sole purpose of attracting new buyers for homes and tourists. Our town Bluestone was a small town, not like London but more of a town like Luton. I think the park fulfilled its purpose for a while, but then they found some faults in the structure that it closed for a year, then reopened with the promise on it being safe for customers. Not everyone was keen on the idea. Aden suddenly became opposed to the park. Only hanging out with us there occasionally. His reasoning was that something bad was bound to happen, and he never liked the park in his whole life because it reeked like death. The others laughed at this idea; I remember being on Aden’s side standing in front of him with my arms stretched like someone was about to throw a punch at me and I shouted at them.

“I too, agree with Aden. This place is creepy as heck! Have you not seen?”

“Ava, we’ve all seen,” Vicky responded her arms crossed her weight pulled to her left.

“Yea, you’re just siding with him because he’s the only boy in the group,” Lia smirked, looking towards Maya like she was supposed to say something, but Maya stood there quiet. Not opposed to any side of the argument. “YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM!” Lia teased. Everyone close by stopped and looked at us, waiting. My face became red like a tomato, and I shoved Lia to the ground by sheer embarrassment.

“No, I don’t! you all know that. I just agree with Aden. That man- this place is like the twisted Disney land, it shouldn’t exist!” Tears formed in my eyes, and I sprinted towards the bathroom and locked myself in the stall. The memories faded from there. If I only knew then what would happen there the following Summer.

Some context of my friends and the incident from what I remember; After the argument with Lia, she apologized. She was always the joker of the group, but she sometimes felt no remorse. It was surprisingly Vicky who made her apologize. Vicky was serious but knew when to be and when not to be, she was also the mother and cared for us. Aden was the only boy in our group because he was the younger brother of Summer’s Aunt, I had a crush on him. Only because he was sweet but also was brave and his eyes glowed orange and yellow like flames. Summer, on the other hand, was Maya’s closest friend out of the whole group. They were considered bullies and got into a lot of trouble in school. Summer came from a rich family that supported the financially struggling school we went to so summer wouldn’t get into that much trouble. The only time she got suspended for a week was when she tried drowning a student in a pool for reasons beyond my understanding. Maya would be the leader of the group, she never paid recognition to me, I was never close to her but after the ‘incident’ we became close. I noticed she had been struggling, it was only me and her who appeared out; the other 4 were pronounced missing then died after a year. Maya was livid. The police never listened to her because she was being delusional. I forgot that night, all I recall is limping out an exit with ripped, blood-soaked clothes, my brown hair was also dyed red. I had received a scar that stretched down my neck to the center of my back, I was self-conscious of it and rose to hate it, it was a reminder of that day but I knew a part of me wanted that scar there, it was an emblem to my friends.

 The ensuing week the town was mass-producing articles about the incident faster than lightning. Some people created suspicions, and I was interviewed too many times I had lost track. But that was it, it died down, but Maya never seemed to cope. She never requested or informed me anything, so I didn’t pressure her. Maya was the reason I came here with her, she told me she craved to go back to look for something but never told me what. I advised her it was an awful idea and her depression would come back and sweep her into the void, but she persisted, throwing a fit, and even to the point she flung her backpack at me and shouted verbal taunts towards me in the middle of lunch then stormed away.

When I agreed to the arrangement, she gave me a familiar map of the now-abandoned park and a list of what to wear and carry with the note “You know you cannot run from this, I examined the park last Sunday and it’s in worse shape than I thought. The company has kept the control rooms and the ‘A’ block, but some rides are broken beyond rehabilitation or are missing so I don’t think we can power up the park.” I thanked her, the list was detailed, but I didn’t fuss about it because I already had some the equipment at the boot of my car from last summer when I went camping with my family, I took out some things like the tent but kept some things in there because I didn’t really have space in my studio apartment.

I pulled into the parking lot next to an old convenience store that I knew and scurried through the boot and placed some things in my backpack: a heavy-duty flashlight, rope, batteries, first aid kit and any other thing I might need. In the convenience store and brought some protein bars and some drinks in case we were to be trapped inside for a while. There was still some time to kill. It was only 09:30, and we are supposed to meet up at 10:30 because Maya had to finish her night shift at the cinema not too far from where I stood right now. I got back into my small Volkswagen and turned on the radio, but the voices were faded and static-filled up the car, so I turned it off and reclined my seat until I faced the roof of my car. I gazed at the roof for a while. Thinking back at everything that happened, what I remember on that day and the days after and before it trying to figure out where everything was until I snapped back into life. I darted up and looked up at the mirror, my brown hair was frizzy and untamed and my eyes bloodshot like I had just been crying and there were visible bags as well I guess I didn’t pay attention to my looks I put my hair in a messy bun and corrected my glasses and double checked everything making sure I was wearing extra layers under my coat and camouflage outfit to stay warm, though it was clear I was sweating bullets underneath and on the brink of heatstroke.

Maya’s silver tesla pulled up two spaces away. She got out of the car and scanned around, fixing her eyes towards my car. I too stepped out to greet her, giving her a hug. It was awkward but comforting to know I wouldn’t be going alone.

There was a great barbed wire fence enclosing the perimeter, so we started roaming around finding an opening, and not a moment later there was a hole cut into the fence. We clambered through the division into the overgrown forest. Light barely shined through as the trees created a leaf roof. It looked like an enchanted forest you hear in fairy tales. Mushrooms sprouted by the mossy roots of woods and wildlife inhabited and governed the section. I took prudent steps through the woodland. What was different, is that it was merely 5 years since the event. I was 12 when it happened and now, I’m 17, just entering college. How did the trees grow so tall already? It didn’t feel right the closer we got. The trees got more warped and even though light streamed out the trees again; it felt darker and grimmer. We emerged out of the trees, and a long brick wall laid upon us. Maya traced it back to where we came from. She peered past the wall to check if anybody was there. The entrance was painted in a range of colours but mostly blue representing the name of the town. There was a line of small rooms where you would pass to pay for your ticket, and some still had metal scanners in them. The paint was chipped, and it reeked like garbage. While scanning around, a shadow of a tall man appeared from one of the small rooms and we quickly hid behind the wall again.

“what do we do?” I whispered, “we can’t let them see us.”

“let’s go around, I’m positive we can get through the rear entrance,” Maya suggested I nodded and followed her. My eyes fixated on her. Her hair was long and tied up in a high ponytail and was also pitch black like deep space. She was dressed in black, wearing a black jacket and a black scarf with combat boots and skinny jeans. We reached the other side. By the end, there was a metal door painted forest green. There was no knob or handle on the door, it was just a metal rectangle. Maya slammed her body into the door several times, and I helped. Running full speed at it, Bash! The door opened inwards, and I fell to the floor. My arm throbbed with immense pain, but I brushed it off and illuminated the room which looked to be a closet flashlight. It looked empty except for a cabinet and some cleaning supplies.

“Not the place where we need to be, let's go outside” Maya mumbled, slightly annoyed on how much noise they made trying to get in. But then heavy footsteps approached closer to the room.

“Hide,” I whispered shoving Maya to a corner behind a washing machine and a coat rack and I closed the door and rushed towards Maya as soon as the door creaked open slowly.