by Bryan Kwasnik

First published on the NoSleep subbreddit April 2020.
The premise of the subreddit isto post a scary story as if it were truly happening to you and you were seeking advice or just to let others know before it was too late.

Part 1

There is something living in the elementary school playground behind my house. I don’t know exactly what to call it, but it refers to itself as a God. I’ve had several conversations with this...being so far, and I’m not quite sure what to make of it. At first, I assumed it was something I manifested in my isolation. These few weeks have made me extremely anxious about the state of the world, and whether my friends and family will make it through. So either, this pandemic has helped nurture some latent mental issue I have, or I have befriended an alleged God. 

The back of the school has a lawn that stretches out to a pair of baseball fields, as well as a small playground atop the hill. I sometimes walk my dog along the path that comes down the side of my yard and up towards the parking lot. Many kids walk the path from my neighborhood rather than taking a bus and people use it on the weekends or after school to use the playground or attend baseball games. 

The other day, I was walking my dog, Zoey, down this path. As we pass the playground, she freezes. She stares intently at the plastic yellow slide, one paw raised. She let out a low growl and started lunging towards it. This behavior isn’t odd - she loves to chase after squirrels and even kids herself into thinking she can climb up trees after them. What was strange was that after a few seconds of struggling to run after whatever she saw, she whimpered and sprinted in the opposite direction. The leash caught around my ankles, and before I knew it I fell onto the grass. 

My dog kept trying to run back home as I struggled to my knees, my ankles tied together. I tried to calm Zoey down. During all this I started to see something in the corner of my eye. At first I assumed it was the squirrel or whatever Zoey was gunning for, but the way it moved was strange. When I finally untangled the leash and calmed Zoey I looked over to the playground to see what it might have been. I took a few steps towards the slide, but my dog wouldn’t let me get close enough. Finally, I gave up and took her home.

The weather was beautiful the following day, and I decided to do some yard work. As I raked the dead leaves and broke up the fallen tree branches, I couldn’t help but glance towards the playground over my fence. Something moved in the shadow under the slide. I knew it was likely just a rabbit or squirrel, but for some reason I felt compelled to investigate.

I dropped my rake and went down the path towards the school grounds. As soon as my feet stepped onto the mulched playground, I felt dizzy. I steadied myself and slowly approached the slide. I froze when I saw what was actually lurking in the shadow. I’m not being poetic, my body literally froze in place. It was as if in a dream when you struggle to will yourself to run or fly or do anything to get away from whatever is chasing you, but it never works. Even if you open your mouth, you can’t for the life of you make a sound escape.

The thing moved closer to me - I suspect it was amused by how awestruck I was. It was still in shadow, but close enough that I could see what it was. A tiny humanoid face peered up at me. Its black eyes never blinking, its smooth, glossy body still as death. It resembled a six-legged frog with a long tail as if still a tadpole. The skin itself was nearly translucent, but there were no veins or organs that could be seen through it - instead a blood-red glow pulsed within, almost like a heartbeat. But sometimes it would swirl around like a hurricane.

I can’t say how long we stood like that, but I nearly fainted when it spoke to me.

“Good morning, my child” It said in a deep voice.

I don’t think I said much more than, “Uhhhh…” I was sure it was a dream.

“Have you come to worship?” the thing continued. “My flock has been thin of late. I haven’t seen my usual followers in quite some time.”

I looked around at the empty playground and school. “There’s a pandemic,” I replied, not quite believing I was actually speaking with this thing. “Schools are closed, most people are in quarantine.”

The creature gave a throaty laugh of sorts. “My flock need not worry about illness. Their God protects them.”

“You are a god?” I asked.

The creature hopped closer and straightened up, raising it’s strange head. “I am,” it said.

“What are you a god of?” I asked.

The creature gestured around him. “This playground. I was manifested from the laughter and joy of the children. I feed on it.”

I immediately thought it odd that this thing should represent laughter and joy, but I shouldn’t judge. They say the biblical descriptions of angels would appear monstrous to us, so why wouldn't a god of joy look like this?

“Well,” I said after a moment of silence, the god’s large black eyes staring up at me expectantly. “Hopefully things go back to normal soon. I’ve got to go now, uh...nice meeting you.”

“Won’t you request a blessing, my child?”

A chill ran down my spine. Here was a chance to make a deal with what could be an actual devil. 

I shook my head. “Maybe next time.” Then I turned and walked back to my house. I wanted to run, but felt that would be worse. It felt awful turning my back on the god - I could feel it watching me.

I locked the door as soon as I was inside, then went to check all the windows and closed the blinds. But now that I’ve been thinking about it all, I wonder if I shouldn’t go get a blessing. What if this god was the real thing? Could I pass up a chance to interact with something powerful? Or maybe I should check myself into a psychiatric hospital. I’ve hardly been able to take my mind off the strange encounter. And with the lockdown, it’s not like I can go somewhere to take my mind off of it. I’m stuck here with the god forever nearby. But maybe it already forgot about me, and moved on to someone else. Or maybe it packed up and left for somewhere more popular. All I know is as the days pass the offer gets more and more tempting.

Part 2

I have no idea what I was so worried about! It all seems so pointless now. If only I could have found him sooner!

Saturday, I went about my morning, eyes wandering towards the back window. As I finished my tea, I made my decision. I placed the mug in the sink, put on shoes, and walked over to the playground. I circled the slide and knelt down in its shadow. 

Even in darkness, the God’s glorious black eyes stood out - somehow deeper than the blackness around it. The red glow within its body intensified, soon erasing the shadow altogether. Erasing the rest of the world even. I was there, suspended within its inner light, free from all the worries and desires and needs to this world. 

I blinked, the playground and the rest of the world rushed back around me. I could feel the pressure of it all return. The God hopped closer to me, a toothless smile on its face, the red light still pulsing underneath the translucent skin, but less intense than before. I couldn’t help but smile back. 

“You’ve returned, my child.” the God said. “I am overjoyed!”

I blushed and a wave of guilt came over me. “I’m so sorry,” I said. “I shouldn’t have ran away.” Tears welled in my eyes. How could I have been so stupid? 

The God laughed. The sound deep and rugged, booming out of the tiny mouth as if an immense instrument dwelved within. I could feel my body resonate from the sound. It was like I was part of it too. “There is no reason to apologize.You needed time to accept my offer. What matters is that you are here now. It is good that we are together, don’t you agree?”

“Yes,” I said, tears rolling down my cheeks. How understanding he is! 

“Do you wish to receive my blessing, child?”

“Yes.”

It’s nearly impossible to describe the rush I felt just then. The blood red light within the God grew and enveloped me once more. The world again erased and replaced only by pure joy. I felt weightless - suspended within the God itself. I looked down at myself and wasn’t surprised to find my skin was translucent as well. I could see my veins and organs pulsing inside me. They began to glow with the same red light as the God. I began to laugh. There was no joke or awkward moment or anything, only joy and exuberance. My stomach convulsed with each laughing fit, tears streamed down my face. The God laughed with me, or it seemed that he laughed within. The rhythm of our laughter merged together into one heartbeat, thumping loudly, encompassing all of existence for all I could tell. Time was inconsequential. We may have been like that for a second or forever, it doesn’t matter. Everything was perfect. 

I was still in the midst of a laughing fit when everything went back to normal. The God had stopped laughing, but gazed upon me with loving eyes and a wide smile. I wanted to say thank you, but the words would fall short. I couldn’t have spoken if I wanted to, my lungs burnt and my mouth was dry from laughing so hard.

“You must go for now,” the God said.

My heart sank. Had I done something wrong? The concern must have shown on my face, because the God smiled and laughed.

“Nothing is wrong, my child,” God said. “We must part now, but I hope you will return tomorrow.”

I promised I would and reluctantly went back home. I thought it would be near impossible to concentrate after what I had experienced, but somehow I felt more alive and alert than ever before. I quickly accomplished all my work, and went about giving the house a good clean. Even then I still had energy. I changed and went for a long walk. I’m surprised I made it back home in the end because I wandered completely aimless, enjoying the world around me. Even my allergies which normally kept me inside this time of year were absent. I felt so carefree and joyful. When I came back home, I made dinner and read a book. I finished sometime around 2am. I’m no night owl, and it was very strange for me to be up that late and not exhausted, but I wasn’t. And even more surprising, when I turned off the lights, sleep came easy. I woke from a dreamless sleep, actually refreshed for once.

I went back to see God that day, and all the days since. Each time we revelled in each other’s company and laughed constantly. I truly thought that life couldn’t be better - couldn’t be more full. I had no doubts, or fears, or anything. It was perfect - God was perfect. But then, God revealed to me my true purpose.

“There is something I must ask of you,” God said. (my heart fluttered with excitement) “It is something of great importance.”

“Yes, anything,” I said.

Without saying more, God circled a spot under the slide and began digging with its six legs. After a few inches, the earth was composed of thick, red clay. I was amazed at how graceful its movements were. Before long, God opened up a sizeable hole. For a moment I believed I was staring into a dark void, but then tiny red lights blossomed within. I could see the dark spot was actually thousands of tiny, black orbs. Each one contained a tiny spark that twinkled now and then. It was like a sky full of stars all at arms reached.

“These are precious,” God said, “and I would only show them to my most trusted followers. I have deemed you worthy to behold them. And worthy of protecting them.”

My mouth was agape, mesmerized by the display, but I did a double take at God’s words. I was worthy? Me of all people? But I grew nervous at the same time. How could I possibly handle such a great responsibility.

“You must take these and plant them across the land. Each one is my avatar, and will help me spread my love to all who need it. Perhaps it’s easier to think of them all as my children, but in fact they are me and I am them. I will be able to see everything they see, and touch everything they touch. My words will flow through them. Will you do this for me?”

I froze. The weight of the world suddenly came back and I could feel my chest tighten. I began to hyperventilate. God approached me and touched my hand. I looked into his magical eyes and blissful smile and slowly, my breathing steadied. 

“I wouldn’t ask if I did not think you capable,” God said.

I nodded. 

I’ve spent the day packing some clothes and food for the trip. I took my car for an oil change and a check up to be sure it won’t fail on me. I will be dropping my dog off at my parents for a couple weeks. I told them I had to travel for work. They were skeptical, especially with everything going on, but I convinced them. I wanted so badly to tell them the truth, but I know them and know they aren’t ready yet. Soon, but not yet.

I found an old wooden box that my grandma had and placed all the eggs within it. Each was buzzing with electricity as I gently scooped them out of the hole and into the box. God kissed my forehead before I left to fulfill his request. I have no doubts now, he has chosen me and I won’t fail him.

I will be leaving in a few minutes, but hope to check back soon. I don’t know how many playgrounds I will visit, but I hope I reach enough that you’ll all be close and can receive the same blessings I have. When you do encounter God, please do not be afraid. Everything will be exactly as it was meant to.