These Three Keys

On July 7 I went to the park I saw, bracing myself for. I remembered the last time I went in the woods and I almost felt like turning back. But I didn't--I parked my car, got out and went directly to the path.

I looked around me and wondered if everyone was going to disappear like last time, or worse, I was the one to disappear.

Even with this in mind I kept on trekking, I walked slowly, looking around me. I didn't feel watched; I felt horrendously alone. I kept walking, kept looking, and it seemed like I was on the fast track to nothing.

Until I heard the singing.

"Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living,
But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day
Is bonny and blithe and good and gay"

It was sung slowly and softly like a hymn. I spun every which way to find the mysterious voices to no avail. I jogged faster and the voices followed me. I ran deeper into the woods and didn't stop until I couldn't hear it anymore.

But I was lost. In my panic I mindlessly went along any small paths that took me away from them, and in the process left me worse off.

The birds were silent and the wind blew no leaves. My cellphone got no service and no one could hear me cry out. Yes, I was alone. But I didn't stop.

I remember thinking about how stupid I was for going here and falling into what seemed to be an obvious trap. I was scared that fate would leave me here to rot.

But as I cursed myself and wondered what I should do, I came upon a large, noble alder tree, and on one of the lower branches hung a purple pouch. Curiously I untied the strings holding it together and found a key.

It was small and coppery with no sort of markings on it. I pocketed it and continued my journey out of here. Not even halfway I saw another alder tree with yet another purple pouch. Again I opened it and found a medium-sized, silvery key. This I pocketed also and kept going.

Finally I found one last alder tree, one last purple pouch, and one last key. This time it was large and gold colored.

It was beyond strange and let me a but unnerve. By the grace of God I managed to navigate my way out of the woods and back into the park. Everyone was still there, albeit a little less people. I drove home with the radio blasting to get the sound of silence out of my head.

I still have the keys and I don't know what they're for. But I'll keep them just in case.