Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns the Twilight series, but I own an (imaginary) small, broken red swing in Forks, Washington.
The park in this story is modeled after the large wooden park in my town. Cheers.

Chapter 2

I raised my eyebrows as we pulled into the parking lot of Forks' only gym. It was a scary-looking, grey concrete building. It painted a shadow over the dark asphalt and white-lined parking spaces of the lot.

I spoke up, albeit quietly. "Um…what are we doing at the gym?" I tried not to let terror lace my voice, but it trembled with fright nonetheless.

"Don't worry, silly Bella!" Alice replied brightly, "We're not going to the gym!" she pointed across the street- at Forks' only park.

I let out a loud sigh of relief- even if the park would be bad, the gym would be a thousand times worse. Emmett chuckled at my reaction.

A tall, wooden play structure modeled like a majestic castle was surrounded by sand and a green field. The field was dotted evenly by wooden picnic tables and built-in barbecues. It all stood out over the canvas of cloudy sky. It looked beautiful, picturesque- and absolutely terrifying.

"The playground?" I asked weakly. I had earned many injuries, thanks to the numerous parks in Phoenix. I didn't see how this park could be any different. I looked at the structure, eying all the potential scenes for my next accident.

Alice analyzed the frightened expression on my face. "I told you not to worry! We wouldn't let a silly old park hurt you- would we, Emmett?"

"Of course not!" Emmett boomed, chuckling.

I smiled uneasily. Even vampires couldn't save me from having some sort of accident here. Playgrounds were a minefield in my mind.

Alice beamed, clutching her picnic basket and a blanket. Emmett's hands were behind his back, assumedly holding the toys I had seen him with earlier.

Abruptly, she seized my hand and began to skip towards the park, across the street. Since I lacked the coordination to really skip, I jogged awkwardly alongside her.

The structure was completely made of dark brown wood, along with shiny metal slides and monkey bars. The bright, light brown-coloured sand looked innocent and welcoming.

Uh-uh. This sand wouldn't fool me. I knew exactly how dangerous sand could be under it's guiltless-looking exterior. I gave the sand a challenging glare.

Alice poked me impatiently, waving a hand before my eyes. "Bella? Bella!"

I blinked. Alice rolled her eyes. "Take your shoes off," she commanded.

I sighed helplessly and bent down to untie my sneakers. Alice tapped her bare foot impatiently.

I took my socks off and stuffed them inside one shoe. I laid my shoes beside Alice and Emmett's.

The picnic blanket was already laid down, and just behind the enormous basket, I could make out the black handle of a badminton racket. I shuddered.

"Let's go," said Emmett impatiently, eying the swings.

I sighed and followed Alice and Emmett as they walked toward the swings. I wondered: when was the last time they had been to a park? I didn't see how two ancient vampires could be so riled up about this.

"Why so sullen, Bella? We're at a park! Happy people go to parks! Come on!" I rolled my eyes. Obviously, Alice had an ideal picture of a park, and the attitude of people who hung out there.

I groaned. "Alice! I'm not six!"

Alice frowned. "Oh, so it's only the six-year-olds who are allowed to have fun, is it? Well, we'll show them!"

Now looking determined, Alice marched toward the swings. I sighed. She was impossible.

As we walked, I overheard a few kids talking by the swings.

A short, mean-looking boy with dark brown hair was talking to another even-shorter group of children.

"No one in the world can jump off the swing higher than me!" he proclaimed, puffing out his chest proudly.

The other children shuffled their feet nervously.

Suddenly, Emmett walked right up to him. "I bet I can," he announced challengingly.

"Oh, God," Alice muttered, "Here he goes...Emmett and his bets."

I bit my lip. The little boy looked anxious as he looked up at Emmett's tall, looming figure. "You're on."

They walked over to the swings. They were bright red, made of flimsy plastic. Emmett squeezed into one awkwardly.

"Oh, this is gonna be funny…" said Alice evilly, smirking.

"Ready…" a small girl squeaked.

Emmett ground some sand under one foot.

"Set…"

The little boy's jaw clenched.

"Go!"

They both began to pump their legs furiously. They quickly gained speed and height.

After they had passed the appropriate jumping height, the boy began to look more determined. Finally, he jumped.

He soared in the air for a few moments before landing neatly onto the sand, unhurt. It was quite impressive, but Emmett was still going.

I could only imagine what it must be like to jump off of a swing so high- the brief moment of thrill, of flying, the pounding of your heart before the moment was lost and you plummeted to the ground. It must be like a roller coaster; anticipating the moment of lightness, the feeling of being suspended in air before the crazy downhill drop.

I hadn't ever jumped from a swing; I knew that I'd probably twist my ankle, or break a bone.

"You can't jump from up there!" The boy taunted loudly from down below, cupping his hands around his mouth to amplify his squeaky voice.

"Oh, yes I can!" Emmett called. The swing was nearly horizontal now, and Emmett was far into the sky. He went in a mesmerizing pattern.

Up…

Down…

Up…

Down…

Suddenly, there was a loud cracking noise. The bright red swing flew off its chains. It stood out, a startling red against the clouds; a dark iridescence reflecting the radiance of the day, before gravity had its way.

The swing promptly fell onto a poor, unsuspecting child.

"Ew! This was on his butt!" she squealed.

Meanwhile, Emmett soared in the air, limbs flailing uselessly. My head angled up in the air as he flew in a neat arc, my mouth open in a silent 'o'.

He seemed so graceful in the air; I almost believed that he was actually flying, that he could defy gravity. It felt completely wrong when he began to fall, like the strange, manic sound of a musical toy just before the batteries die.

Emmett landed, face first onto a wooden tower high in the air on the castle-like structure. I almost imagined cartoon sound effects: splat.

I felt a lighting-quick, electric chill of fear.

Emmett just lay there on his belly for a moment, and then his hand shot out and he grabbed the point of the tower.

I sighed audibly. Of course he was okay; he was indestructible.

He twisted around onto his back, careful not to slide off and onto the ground. After he steadied himself, a huge smile spread across his face.

"Ha! I win!" he yelled.

I attempted to stifle my laughter, but it only resulted in a loud, unladylike snort.

Alice giggled.

Suddenly, the roof of the tower caved in.

My expression of humour turned once again into one of horror.

Emmett crashed down into the structure. After several more loud crashes in a row, all was silent.

I watched anxiously.

Then came Emmett's voice: "I'm okay…"

I sighed in relief. Alice rolled her eyes, then sprinted forward at a human pace, tugging me along through the sand. We had to climb a few wooden stairs and go through passageways to get to the scene of the tower.

The tower was practically demolished now.

We looked down where the tower had once been. There was a deep, black hole. I looked down nervously. By now, my eyebrows had nearly raised to my hairline.

Alice let go of my hand and gracefully leapt down the hole. My eyes widened. I stared down there for a moment.

Emmett poked his head out as I watched in disbelief.

"That was fun!"

It was truly fun writing this chapter. I really needed chocolate to write it, though. Brainfood. ;)

I totally had you a little bit scared there for a minute, when Emmett started to fall. Don't deny it! ;D

Emmett's a bit crazy, huh? Well, wait 'til you see the next chapter! Review!