The Fiendish Creature

"Please", she begged him. "Please, you can't go in there."

The boy looked at her, hesitation washing over his face. He tilted his head in confusion.

"That place is...", she lowered her voice into a barely audible whisper "... haunted."

The boy broke eye contact to observe the playground, whose gate stood only a few steps away. It was bustling with activity. The air was filled with laughter and squeals of delight as children ran, jumped, and explored the colorful equipment, occasionally falling onto the soft springy ground. A line had started to form to go down the tallest slide.

"I don't understand", he mumbled sadly. "Everyone seems to be having fun."

The woman continued in her hushed tone. "No, you mustn't trust your eyes. These are poltergeists, imps, fiendish creatures! They can lift the veil between our realms and cast illusions to attract new unsuspecting souls."

The boy furrowed his brow and studied the woman's face. Her terrified pleading eyes were so intensely fixated on him that he, too, began to feel afraid.

"You understand me, yes?", she continued, gently relieved. "Not everything is as it seems. Don't let them fool you."

But the boy kept staring, the terrifying realization slowly bubbling and churning inside him. The woman nodded apprehensively.

"Such an abominable sight, isn't it? I'm glad you see things clearly. I'm glad I got to you in time. Every child's soul is precious, but yours especially so."

She took a step towards him. The boy took a step back.

"Don't be difficult. You shouldn't stay here, it isn't safe."

Another step forward. And another step back.

The woman's face contorted in pain and bewilderment as her whispers took on an aggressive edge. "What are you doing? I thought... But, don't you understand? You must go, run, now!"

She reached for his arm. He dodged her easily.

"They're out to get you, Hunter! It's not safe here! IT'S NOT SAFE!", the woman suddenly raised her voice to a shriek, her arms flailing wildly in all directions.

"Is everything alright?" a male voice asked. They both looked up to meet the gaze of a concerned parent. Hunter recognized the little red-headed girl who held on tight to the man's sweater. She had just been building neat castles in the sandbox.

"Everything's fine, Sir", he cut in hastily, before the woman had a chance to speak. "I'm just acting up, I'm sorry."

As the man began to narrow his eyes in suspicion, Hunter locked arms with the woman and dragged her away.

"Shhh... It's okay, everything is gonna be alright. I get it now, I really do. Let's just get you home, Mom."