Cassidy wasn't prepared for Jazz's response to his suggestion.

"Oh, I thought you'd want to come talk to her or something."

"No thanks," she said flatly. "I'm not going anywhere near your house. No offence."

"What, never? You're not even going to come to see me? I make a great cuppa."

"So, you've learned one thing in your life. Well done you. No. I'm not. I haven't been to that house since I was about sixteen. I'm certainly not going now you're being haunted by someone who might blame me for their death."

"Why on Earth would you be to blame?"

"We were close. Besties. What if my comments made her a certain way, like rebellious or something? Or upset her enough to make her walk through People's Park in the middle of the night?"

The People's Park was a large area in the centre of town. It had a swan and duck filled lake, fountains, a band stand, a children's play area and a café that was never open. There were always plenty of visitors, particularly outside of winter. Children would be on roller-skates. Dogs would be running around, wildly catching balls. Families would be cycling through to the swings and slide. It was lovely.

Then the sun went down. The drunks passed out, with empty cans of lager or bottles of vodka to keep them company. Drug addicts met with dealers before injecting their new purchases. Doggers spied on each other's sexual exploits. Perverts flashed any unsuspecting or foolish enough to wander by.

After dark, the People's Park wasn't really a place for people.

There were still some who were unaware of the dangers. There were still those who believed themselves to be invincible. Untouchable. Wanting to walk on the hot coals of danger and come out, hopefully, unscathed.

Was Amy one of them?

Even if she was, Jazz wasn't responsible for any of it. She'd only just thought about her old bestie and the break-up of their friendship. The unfortunate death had happened long after they'd parted ways. There was no way any of it was Jazz's fault.

"So you're so important, so influential, you caused the death of someone years after you last spoke to them. Wow, you're good."

"Piss off," Jazz said, kicking him under the table.

He swore and rubbed his leg. That hurt!

"Well, don't blame yourself for something that can no way be down to you."

"I suppose."

"You suppose right. So, you going to come?"

She shook her head.

"No. I'd rather not. Whether or not it's all real, I don't want to come and be reminded of it. It hasn't concerned me for years, and I don't want it to start to."

'Whether it's all real or not.'

For fuck's sake. Until that point, his sister had him convinced she was on his side. She believed him, he thought. Well, that bonfire had just been pissed on.

"Thanks for that," he said.

"Oh, what now?"

"I thought you, well, believed me."

"Put it this way, Fuck Face. I don't disbelieve you. I guess I can't fully commit, yet."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cassidy asked angrily. He didn't want to be angry, but couldn't help.it. Family supported each other.

"Hey, chill. I'm not saying you're making it up, don't worry. I'm simply suggesting you might have... I don't know... misinterpreted this Amy thing."

"Fuck that," Cassidy said. He downed the remainder of his drink and stood abruptly. "I should go."

"Don't go yet!" Jazz insisted, but Cassidy didn't listen.

"I'll see you around Snot Face."

"Cass, come on. Sit down. Don't go."

"I have to."

"Why do you have to? Sit down. I'll get you a drink. Jack and Coke?"

"I don't want another drink, thanks. I want my sister to know I wouldn't be making this shit up. It's fine. I'm fine. See ya."

He left without looking back.

It wasn't Jazz's fault, he knew. It was all so ridiculous., he'd feel the same if he had been in her place. Why couldn't she just accept what he told her? He might not have done if their roles were swapped, but they weren't, and she should. He took out his phone and started a message to her. He was going to apologise for walking out. He'd see her soon and he'll sort out the 'Amy thing.' She shouldn't worry about it or him. And, thanks for the offer of the drink. Maybe another time.

The text message was written and his thumb hovered over 'send.' Instead of pressing it, he hit delete instead, holding it until all the message had been erased.

Fuck it and fuck her.

The walk would do him good. He didn't need to go home yet. He didn't need any groceries. He didn't need anything at all, so what should he do? The park?

Yes, the People's Park. It was daylight, so perfectly safe. He'd go and watch the swans. The café might be open. He could have a latte, or the too milky instant coffee they passed off as latte so they could charge extra.

As it wasn't the school holiday season, there were very few children there. It was a massive area, with most of the activities huddled in one half. The other section was dedicated to a large grassed expanse where dogs could run free and footballs could be kicked – sometimes by those same dogs, if they were over enthusiastic.

Cassidy walked directly to the edge of the lake. Within moments, the edge of the water was full of expectant ducks, waiting for him to throw them some stale bread pieces instead of throwing it in the bin. When they realised he didn't have any, they swam away in disgust. What was the point in him coming, if not to feed them? Was he only there to tease them? Typical humans!

Once they'd drifted away, he crouched down, pressing his fingertips against the dirt to support himself. He scooped up some loose stones and began to throw them, one by one, into the lake. He was, he told himself, tossing away his problems. With each throw, he'd feel lighter and more positive. With each one, his stress would be lessened.

Positive mental attitude should be done with vigour. With belief. Cassidy had neither, so felt no better once his hand was empty. He looked at his palm, and felt as empty as it was, apart from the streaks of muck tainting it and him.

Wow. He'd taken a dive right off the top of Misery Central, hadn't he? Come on, man! Stop wallowing!

He had a problem. Problems usually had solutions. He would speak to Amy and ask if she caused him to fall. He'd ask if she was the same Amy his sister had been friends with. He'd ask how she died and how she was talking to him. She would have to know how she was communicating. If she wasn't really dead, he'd find out the truth. Who she was and why she was doing this.

He'd bundle up that self-pity and swallow it like the bitter pill it was.

He stood and brushed his hands together. Putting them in his pockets, he turned away from the lake. Should he stay a while longer? Get his step count up and enjoy the peace? What would be the point? He still had to return to his house. He still had to face... something.

Fuck it.

With more drive in his pace than there had been on the outward journey, he started for home. Get it over with. Figure it out. He could do that.

Around the edge of the park was a line of trees, placed to mark a boundary between it and the adjacent road. They were spaced fairly widely, given plenty of room to pass between without feeling claustrophobic or obscuring the view of the area within. He had walked through those and was on the narrow grass verge marking the outer border before the road spoiled the illusion of being away from the bustle of town life.

"Cassidy!"

He knew the voice and the direction it was coming from. As a child, he'd delivered newspapers along this and the adjoining streets. Some of the residents had given him monetary tips and taken the time to greet him on his round. Only one seemed to still remember him, now he was an adult.

"Hello Wendy," he called.

The dear elderly woman was hurrying over to him. As usual, he could see she'd left her front door open. She was always doing that, and he'd already told her to be more careful. Not everyone was as nice as they were.

"Cassidy, young man," she said, panting. "You look troubled."

"No," he lied. "I'm good, thanks, Wendy. How about you?"

"I'm as splendid as ever, I have to say."

"I'm pleased to hear it."

Wendy linked arms with Cass and started to guide him over to her house.

"Why don't you come in for a cup of tea?"

Wendy is cameoing here from her time in Hollow. If you've read Hollow, this park is the same one Gwen is attacked in, where Wendy comes to save her. You can read Wendy's own story as a bonus book at the end of Hollow!

https://youtu.be/yOPVsA6Y2-c