Play  /plā/

verb   1. engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose. "the children were playing outside" synonyms: amuse oneself, entertain oneself, enjoy oneself, have fun; 2. take part in (a sport). "I play softball and tennis" synonyms: take part in, participate in, be involved in, compete in, do "I used to play hockey" noun   1. activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children. "a child at play may use a stick as an airplane" synonyms: amusement, entertainment, relaxation, recreation, diversion, distraction, leisure; 2. the conducting of an athletic match or contest. "rain interrupted the second day's play"

 

The City was large.

Larger than anything they had seen.

The City was crowded.

Busy people ran to and fro.

The three had to hold hands in order not to get swept away.

Cricket walked in front.

He tried to navigate the streets.

Yuri held his hand.

She could feel the shadows around her.

The excitement.

The stress.

The anger.

The happiness.

The sadness.

All the feelings came to her through the shadows.

It was exhilarating.

Ottomatic held onto Yuri's hand.

She looked around in awe.

She never knew buildings could be this tall.

They were so shiny.

They aren't anymore.

Cricket lead them through the City.

He didn't know where he was going.

He didn't care where he was going.

They would get there when they'd get there.

The farther they walked, the dirtier the City got.

That's when they passed the park.

"I wanna play!" Ottomatic shouted.

She let go of Yuri's hand and ran to the playground.

Cricket yelled for Ottomatic to come back.

Yuri stared longingly at the playground.

She looked back at Cricket.

Then at Ottomatic.

Then back at Cricket.

Then Yuri ran off towards the playground.

Cricket watched in awe as Yuri and Ottomatic played.

They went on the swings.

They went down the slide.

They climbed on the jungle gym.

They were happy.

They laughed and tumbled around.

Cricket dropped his backpack on the ground and ran over.

It wouldn't hurt to play for a little bit.

Right?

Right?

Right?

Time passed.

The sun set.

All the other children went home.

It was just the three left.

Cricket.

Yuri.

Ottomatic.

It had become dark.

The dark is where things hide.

Crixket insisted they leave.

Was he afraid of the dark?

Ottomatic wouldn't listen.

She ran back and climbed.

Climbed the jungle gym.

An ominous mass of metal twisting in the night.

Yuri watched.

Cricket watched.

And without an word,

without a sign,

Cricket walked forward and climbed after her.

Yuri only watched.

The two sat on the edge.

The edge of the jungle gym.

An ominous mass of metal twisting in the night.

Their feet dangled over the edge.

An ominous mass of metal twisting in the night.

They sat in silence.

Silence on an ominous mass of metal twisting in the night.

Yuri began to grow nervous.

She was alone on the ground.

Alone in the dark.

Yuri didn't want to be alone.

Yuri hated being alone.

Yuri wasn't alone.

She couldn't be alone.

Yuri began to climb.

She climbed the jungle gym.

An ominous mass of metal twisting in th