I’ve been an amateur photographer since I got my hands on my first disposable camera as a kid. I usually do nature shots, and photos of people not focused on the camera, photos that may seem mundane, but aren’t to me, there’s beauty in even the most simple things all around us.

On this Saturday morning I decided to visit a small park by my apartment, quiet and mostly empty.

I stepped inside and felt goosebumps, something about this place felt ethereal, like it was slightly colder than it had been outside of the gate. I ignored it, assuming it was just the lack of heat from cars and the storefronts.

I sat down at a bench quietly admiring the scenery around me, deciding where I should go to begin taking my photos, no longer using a disposable camera my photos were much more professional now. It was quiet, save for the sounds of some birds and couples off in the distance whispering to each other. I turned and noticed a small metal plaque on the bench.

“In loving memory of S…” I couldn’t make out the name, it seems like it had been rubbed off over time, like someone had passed their hands over the name so many times it had worn out. I was drawn to it, to do the same, and passed my fingers gently over the plaque feeling goosebumps run up my arms, and a shudder down my spine.

The air felt heavy for a moment, I didn’t understand the sense of anxiety and panic that hit me out of nowhere.

Then, breaking me out of my thoughts I hear a laugh, and jump nearly out of my skin, “you looked really lost in thought.” The young woman says as she sits beside me looking out at the park, “it’s beautiful here isn’t it?” Her voice is soft, playful, she’s dressed in neutral colors, like she didn’t want to take away attention from the lush green of the park around us.

I nodded, but before I could speak, she pointed at my camera, “come with me,” she spoke again, her words were light and airy, I joined her, getting up off the bench and following behind her into a mess of trees and bushes, following her into the center of it.

When we entered, I got that feeling again, the one I felt when I first walked into the park, as if we were suddenly passing through a veil. The colors seemed brighter here, more defined, I immediately took my camera out and began photographing everything I could. I was so enthralled in the moment, I didn’t realize when she had left.

When I finally came to, I looked around excited to show her my shots, but she was nowhere to be found. I searched and searched, nothing, I exited the circle of trees and felt the air thicken again.

She was gone, without a word, and I never got her name.