Chapter 3: The New Accusation

I watched out of the corner of my eye as the girl, drenched and shivering, somehow climbed ashore by herself. No one else was nearby. She stumbled toward us, eyes wide and frantic, then ran straight into Miss Edna’s arms, sobbing.

She jabbed a finger at me, her voice sharp: “He’s a total creep! He tried to grab me!” The words cut through the park, and I felt heat flood my cheeks. My fists clenched. Why was this different from last time? Where was her dog? She didn’t mention it at all—just stared at me like I was the villain in her story.

The ladies turned off the music, exchanging worried glances. Edna held the girl, asking gently, “Honey, what happened? Are you hurt?” The girl shook, her eyes darting to me, calculation flickering behind the fear. “He—when I was jogging at night, he grabbed me from behind and assaulted me. I tried to run, but fell into the river. If I didn’t know how to dog-paddle, I’d be dead.”

She begged the ladies to call the police, claiming her phone was ruined. Edna glanced at me, uncertainty clouding her face. “Are you sure, sugar? Mike’s been dancing with us all morning.”

I couldn’t take it. “Do we even know each other? Why are you slandering me?” My voice shook with frustration. The girl whimpered, burying herself in Edna’s arms. Mrs. Rodriguez tried to calm me, then told the girl, “Honey, maybe you’ve made a mistake? Mike’s been here with us the whole time.”

The girl’s eyes burned. “Impossible! It was definitely him! I remember his face!” I pressed, “You said I grabbed you from behind, so how did you see my face clearly?” She glared, “When I fell into the river, I saw you! Don’t try to deny it!”

I fought to keep my voice steady. “Miss, I’ve never done anything to offend you. Why are you doing this?” She shrieked, “You did it! You bastard!” The women recoiled, unsure what to believe. My hands clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. I could barely see straight. I’d already suffered this injustice once—was it happening again?

There were no cameras. If I let her slander me, I’d be ruined. Why was she targeting me? Was I cursed, or just the easiest mark?

“Ladies, please be my witnesses. I don’t know her, and I never left the group.” I called the cops. My hands shook dialing. “Yeah, this is Mike Walker—security at Central Park. I need officers at the west lawn. There’s been an incident.”

The police arrived. I explained, trying to keep my cool. The girl was even more agitated, sobbing, “Officers, please help me! I’m all alone in this city. I just went for a walk by the river and met this creep. I’m still in college. If I can’t get justice, I don’t want to live.”

No cameras meant no proof. The cops tried to calm her, offered tissues, suggested she go home. The ladies urged her to change clothes, but she demanded the police file an assault report with my name. I realized instantly—she wanted to slander me online, just like last time.

I firmly opposed filing a case without evidence. “You can’t put my name down for something I didn’t do. There’s no evidence.” The ladies backed me up, providing alibis and even a selfie for proof. The police rejected her request. When they asked for her ID, she hesitated, then finally handed over a student card: Danielle Lin. The name meant nothing to me.

I stepped forward, desperate. “Officer, please—you have to protect me. Don’t let her ruin my name online.” The cop warned her, “The internet is not outside the law. You can’t post recklessly, understand?” She nodded, but I didn’t believe her act. Last time, her rumors spread before the truth came out. The law only works when people care. The tragedy couldn’t be avoided. For my own safety, I decided to take the initiative this time.