THE HARBOUR [EDITING]

Serpent's Sink - Edited

AUGUST 22nd

Serpent's Sink is an eerie swimming hole nestled deep within the mountains of Hollow Hush forest. The tall sheer rock surfaces that surround it are as if sentinels guarding the waters below.

Thick green trees with twisted roots and dense canopies cast dark shadows on the water's surface. Their rustling leaves whisper stories of ages-tales of times before anyone and before anything. The waters themselves are a dark, reflective mirror, their inscrutable depths, hide secrets from the outside world.

Legend has it that centuries ago, a massive serpent made its home within these waters. This Serpent was said to be impartial benevolent or malevolent but was revered among locals for its wisdom and the balance it maintained within the ecosystem.

Over the decades, many have claimed to have seen a glimpse of its iridescent tail and hypnotising eyes peeking from the water. But Jamie knows that's all bullshit. Nothing more than a wives' tale.

She believes the swimming hole gets its name from how unusually deep it is and from how unexpectedly dangerous the currents get like a deceptive snake before it strikes.

The currents are known to "pull" people underwater, reminiscent of how a snake might attack its prey. These currents are what she's most afraid of as she stands at the diving point next to the thinning waterfall looking down at the swimming hole's dark deep waters- her heart pounding in her chest.

"Just do it, Jamie!!" Wendy calls out.

"She's not going to do it," Adam, her boyfriend says beside her, "Stop being a pussy, J!" he yells.

"Hey!" Wendy rebukes playfully.

Jamie clenches her fists and grinds her teeth-a technique that usually calms her. Why couldn't they have gone to a fucking hot spring? A community pool- the boardwalk by the harbour. Anywhere but here! She looks down at her best friend Wendy and Wendy's boyfriend, Adam. She hates him. He'd taken Wendy away from her and turned her into an insufferable friend.

Three months ago, before she'd met him Wendy was pleasant, kind, and easy to talk to. But then they'd gone to a college party (one they weren't supposed to be at considering they're only sixteen and in high school) and Adam approached Jamie, and they'd hit it off, but she'd called their fling off after a week when she'd realised they had absolutely nothing in common and that he was way too old for her.

But unfortunately, her rejection had driven him to her best friend Wendy, and she'd given in, and everything has been shitty since. She barely sees Wendy, and whenever she does, she's with Adam. He always drags them to sketchy places-places minors shouldn't go to. Today, he'd convinced them to come here.

She tried her best to protest but Wendy hit her with her new favourite line "Adam said it'll be fun," lately it seemed she only ever did what Adam wanted.

Unsurprisingly, none of their excursions have been fun (at least not to her) and this one is by far the worst.

"Anytime now!" Adam yells mockingly.

"Shut up," she mutters. Jamie breathes in- taking a few steps back and running at full speed towards the ledge- then she's airborne, falling to what she believes is her death. She braces her knees to her chest, shuts her eyes tightly, and waits for the impact of the water.

She lands with a massive splash. Sending ripples through the water- sinking briefly before she resurfaces. Her breathing is rapid as she tries to catch her breath.

"Damn, did you run a marathon, J?" Adam snickers childishly. She wishes he'd stop calling her J they aren't friends and nicknames are strictly for friends.