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It was a cold autumn morning when I arrived in the park with my dear friend. We would do these walks whenever she was around. You see, she was a traveller and told me many fantastic stories (even if those stories were a bit nonsensical). This time however, I have a nonsensical story of my own.
“If I told you what happened, last night you would've never believed me.” I confidently stated as we sat together on one of the park benches. “Come on! Of course, I would! If it's really as absurd as you say it is then I would definitely believe you!” She smiled so bright it was almost like looking at a supernova. Sometimes I wonder if that curly reddish brown hair of hers is like a cosmic cloud attached to her head (I wouldn't be surprised if she did do it at one point). “Well, it is certainly not your time travelers in a box stories that's for sure. It's a more present setting tale. ” She seemed to get more curious every time I challenged her skepticism. I saw her inch closer like I was about to give her a treat. Her big brown eyes pleaded with me to tell her what happened last night. In the end, I relented. “Alright then,” I sighed, “This is the story of the strangest man I've ever met...”
“...See it was late at night and I was walking home after a long shift at work. Worst shift in my life I'll be honest but not the point. While I was passing by the dark lampost lit streets, I heard this mumbling. Of course mumbling to oneself is normal however I wasn't the one doing it and it was a very empty street at the time. I followed the mumbling to a dark alleyway where I found this shadowy silhouetted figure.”
“Sounds spooky.” She's a lot closer than before. Almost to the point of being uncomfortable. “Yeah and you're smiling.” She shrugs, “I like spooky. It's fun sometimes.” I roll my eyes at her. “Anyways…”
“Now we know that shadowy figures don't occur unless there's something to cast a shadow on. And this shadow just stared into the darkness in front of it. Mumbling while it held something in its hand. At least I think it had something in its hand. I couldn't tell at that time. It kept mumbling something to the lines of ‘Show yourself you bastard’ or something similar to that. I don't think it noticed me. It never turned itself towards me but seemed like it was waiting for something. That's when… oh you'll never believe what I did next…”
“You approached the shadow?” “I approached the shadow.” I held my head in my hands as she patted my back with her space blue cuffed hand. “It's alright. I would’ve done the same thing.” Of course she would. She's a danger magnet. She used her free hand to gesture to me to continue so I did.
“I approached the shadowy figure and asked what was wrong. That's when the shadow quickly spun around like something was on its back and saw me. Its yellow eyes just stared at me in horror and the next thing I heard was a loud ‘SHIT!!’”
My friend snickered at what this shadowy figure had said. “Really?” I nodded. “Yeah really!” She snickered harder. “What kind was it?” I looked at her cluelessly. “What kind was what?” Her smile just grew wider. “The ‘SHIT!’ How did this shadow say ‘SHIT’!?” I shook my head as I waited for her to calm down. Vast knowledge but sometimes has the humor of a child I'm afraid. “Well… it sounded like the type of ‘shit’ that didn't expect me to be there which honestly I think was part of it. The other part however probably meant I would be in great danger…”
“...And I was. Next thing I know, I was being mauled by something that I can't see!! I think it was some sort of monster that had tackled me. I don't know if it was the darkness or if it was really invisible.”
My friend looked very fond of the fact that I got mauled by an invisible monster. Why am I not surprised by this? “Look it may not be your ‘aliens’ but it was like being attacked by the boogie man.” She smiles back at me like the Cheshire cat. “Oh he wouldn't do that. I would know.” I decided to just continue with the story without questioning her.
“Okay…where was I? Oh yes I was being mauled by an invisible monster when the shadow hit its head, at least I think it did. Either way it grabbed the attention of the invisible creature by waving its arms up and down and I could see some of the front of it. It looked like flashing yellow lights without any lights. It also made so much noise that it had to gesture for me to go out. So, I did as quickly as I could. When I got out, I kept hearing crashing, growling, and laughing. Until I heard a loud ‘THWACK!’ echo through the night. The figure went out of the dark alleyway and into the light of the lamp post. I could see it more clearly now. It looked like a young man that had barely eaten in the last few days with its pale skin and coarse grey hair. It wore a black cape held by an old gold chain with a big collar showing a bright yellow lining the inside. It held on its left hand a vintage looking cane with a dull gold handle on top and admired it like it was a sacred weapon. It was breathing heavily as a wide smile appeared on its porcelain face. It seemed very proud of itself for what it did.”
I looked at my friend expecting amusement or curiosity but what I found on her face was…horror. Whether it's horror like she had seen this before or horror that it wouldn't happen again, that didn't matter. She was horrified as eyes darted like the information was quickly escaping her. “D-did…Did you ever get closer to the figure?” She asked as she tried to compose herself. I looked at her with concern as I answered her question. “I did.”
“The closer I got to it the more I realised how small it was. It only reached my elbows in height. I don't think it noticed me because when I finished approaching the figure it nearly whacked me with its cane! It then shouted ‘What are you still doing here?!’ And I just answered ‘I wanted to see that if you were alright.’ and it replied with a ‘Oh I'm just great! Never better! Getting mauled is better than being buried alive I'll tell you that.’ and ended that sentence with a smile. I'll be honest it reminds me of you in a way. I then asked for its name and it just…froze. Like it was thinking too hard about its name. It then turned to me and just said with a smile and a wink ‘Just call me the Mysterious Mr. M’.”
“Was it really what it said?” My friend cautiously asked as I thought about it again. “Now that I think about it. I think it was ‘H’ not an ‘M’ but that was the whole story. Told you you wouldn't have believed it.” My friend stayed silent for a while until she said, “No I believe you. It's all just…very interesting to me.” She stands up as she brushes the fallen leaves off her space blue pants, her similarly colored cropped blazer, and her big curly reddish brown hair. “Thank you for the story but I am afraid I must be going.” She ties her hair into a low ponytail. “Ah… you're leaving so soon?” I asked knowing it will be a long time until I see her again. “I'm afraid so. So sorry about this…” I shake my head, “But Doctor-” “I promise to make it up to you when I get back. No interruptions. I promise.” She looks at me with this burning determination in her eyes. I know she has places to be and I shouldn't hold her back. “Alright, I'll take your word for it. See you around, Doctor.” She waved at me as she ran towards where she needed to be. Did she know that man? Did they have history? I wouldn't be surprised if they did. After all, she had many companions based on her stories. It's not my problem anymore. I continue to sit on the park bench with the falling autumn leaves as a whistling siren fills the air and leaves around me twirl.