Well, this was strange. And embarrassing. And awkward. And...

Oh, I could go on for days. I mean, this wasn't an everyday activity for me. But how could I have anticipated that these would occur?

"So, I don't mean to sound whiny, but is this meadow far away?" James asked.

"Actually it should be very near- look!"

We both looked straight ahead and to my absolute delight, the meadow was there! There in the middle was the willow tree!

My face broke into a wide grin. James started laughing.

"What did I tell you? Isn't it wonderful?" I asked. Huh, my shyness and nervousness had seemed to evaporate all of a sudden.

"It really is," he replied, "come on! I'll race you to the tree!" He began running.

I began running after him and within seconds overtook him. Nobody could beat me at running.

I came to a halt in front of the tree. James reached me a couple of seconds after.

"Wow, you are really fast!" He said.

"Thanks! So are you."

A cool breeze enveloped us. For that moment I felt in complete peace. Then my panting got the best out of me and I sat down, leaning against the tree. James mimicked my action and sat next to me.

"Thank you," he said all of a sudden.

I turned towards him. "For what?"

"For bringing me here. Is been really fun."

I giggled. Wait, giggled?

"I know, I sound like a ten year old," he said with a smile," but seriously, thanks."

"And thank you for not thinking of me as mad."

"Why would I think of you as mad? Apart from the bit were you invited me to the meadow, cause that was not mad."

I sighed. "Look, I'm very sorry about yesterday. I know that you ran away from my house cause my family was acting weird."

James' mouth was hanging slightly open. "You think I ran away from your 'mad' family?"

I nodded.

"Oh Alison, that was not it. I had to go because I got a text from my mother saying to come home immediately as my little brother's nanny had not turned up, but mum had this important meeting to attend so you know, I had to look after Danny."

My eyes widened. "You are not babbling? You didn't run away from my mad family?"

"Of course not Alison. And your family isn't mad."

"Yes they are." I laughed a bit forceful.

"No the are not. Mine is. My mum is obsessed with work, my dad works abroad, my big sis can't be bothered to help out and my bro is only one."

"Oh," I replied.

"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. But seriously, you've got a lovely family."

Yes, I did, I realised now. Thanks to James, I now-

"Hey, look!" James said pointing upwards.

I looked up and saw some birds. Then, on closer look, I realised  they were mockingbirds.

"Amazing," I whispered. I started humming my little tune, I couldn't help myself. Are you, are you, coming to the tree?

"That's a nice tune," James said.

I blushed. "Oh is just a little tune that I came up with for this tree-"

They strung up a man-

"What's wrong?" James asked in concern. But I couldn't concentrate on him, or on the present, for that moment.

They say who murdered three-

"Alison?" James was in front of me, his face very worried, but-

Strange things did happen here-

"Alison! Please!"

No stranger would it be-

"ALISON!" James shouted.

If we'd met at midnight in the-

"Damn! There's no reception here! Please, Ali!"

Hanging Tree

I gasped. "James," I whispered, tears in my eyes.

"Oh thank goodness! Ali?"

"James, this is-"

"Come on, we have to get you to a doctor, we have to-"

"James!" I said in a more powerful voice.

"What?!" He said, his eyes full of worry, for me?

"This tree, this tree is a-"

"What?"

"Is a hanging tree."