The Nightmare of Belton Lake

Chapter 4

"So where is this secret place?" Savannah asked once everyone was strapped in.
Garrett pointed down the trail. "Just follow this trail all the way down. Eventually, you'll reach a place where there is a roadblock. The trail beyond it is where it leads to the spot."
"It's hidden away right?" Carlos asked, now seeming to doubt his friend. "Like, we're gonna get there and no one is gonna see us?"
"Not unless they see us by a boat," Garrett said.
Cassandra gripped her seatbelt. There was no true guarantee that they wouldn't get caught. She felt nervous and uncomfortable with all of this.
"Maybe we shouldn't go." Cassandra pleaded. "This is a really good place for us and I just..."
"Quit being a wimp," Carlos said. "What else do you think is gonna happen besides your alligator theory?"
"Well... I just don't want to get kicked out," Cassandra said.
"We won't get kicked out of Lake Belton if we don't get caught," Savannah said.
Savannah turned on the Jeep and backed out of the parking lot. She continued to drive on the trail further down along the lakeshore.
Even though they had made up their minds and had the determination to not get caught, Cassandra still felt nervous. She could already imagine the lake police giving them tickets and kicking them out of the lake property in the middle of the night.
After a few minutes of driving, they finally reached it. A small roadblock sign was planted in the middle of the trail. A long yet lightweight-looking small picket fence was blocking the whole road, preventing anyone from going in.
In the middle of the fence was a red octagon sign. In big bold black letters, it said:
RESTRICTED AREA. BELTON LAKE EMPLOYEES ONLY.
The sign had slight dirt on it, as did the whole roadblock fence. It was obvious this sign had been here a while now.
"Well, we can't leave the Jeep here." Savannah pointed out. "We'll just get out and move it."
What?! Cassandra thought wildly. She looked over at Savannah with wide eyes. She knew they really couldn't leave the jeep here but she had hoped once they saw a road lock sign, they would turn around.
"Come on, Garrett," Carlos said, opening up the jeep door.
Cassandra watched as the two of them went over to the wooden railing sign and easily moved it. Carlos then waved to Savannah to drive forward into the restricted area.
"I still don't think this is a good idea."
"Ugh, will you quit with your goodie two-shoes act?" Savannah said. "Everything will be fine. Besides, I'm sure we aren't the only ones who have gone past this sign."
Savannah drove in slowly. Cassandra's stomach lurched with worry.
She couldn't help but follow the rules. They were there for a reason and Cassandra didn't want to find out the hard way why this place was restricted.
Just please... Don't let it be a serial killer..... Cassandra silently prayed.
Savannah slowly came to a halt once she was well past the sign.
Cassandra watched in her rearview mirror as Garrett and Carlos placed the sign back where it was, making it seem that nobody had crossed past the sign.
"I still don't think this is a very good idea, Savannah. We're supposed to be on the campground," Cassandra said.
"Quit worrying about it. I'm sure not even Lake Belton employees come over here."
"What makes you think that?"
Savannah pointed ahead to the trail.
"There's no recent tire marks on this dirt trail. On top of this, the size of the trail is small and it's starting to have grass growing in the middle."
Cassandra looked, and sure enough, she realized Savannah was right. No trace of car tires or anywhere on the ground but it was clear that a trail was before them. It was obvious that it hadn't been used in some time.
This didn't make Cassandra feel any better. If no one had been here in some time...
How will they know we are here if something happens to us?
Cassandra leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.
No, she was overthinking it.
This weekend was about fun. Yes, rules were being broken, but... That's okay. Not everyone follows everything to the letter.
As long as she and her friends kept a low profile and didn't do anything stupid, they would be fine and wouldn't get caught.
Cassandra knew she needed to stop stressing so much over it. It would be fine....
Right?
The boys reentered the Jeep and the kids took off again going further into the restricted area.
the lake view disappeared from Savannah's side as they went down a long grassy hill.
It seems that the lake employment itself had neglected the area and had not trimmed back the grass here in this area.
The trail made a wide turn to the left and soon the view of Lake Belton was right before them once more.
A wide field that was covered in tall grass was laid out before them. Wild patches of wildflowers and thistles were scattered around the field.
Throughout this field, there were old picnic areas. There were  small roofs over picnic tables with both sat in despair and abandonment. Several planks of wood were missing from the benches and the rooftops.
The parking itself was as well in disarray. The concrete was cracked in multiple places and small sink holes that were beginning to form. The dotted lines as well as parking lanes were long faded out and it was hard to tell where a parking spot began and ended. Signs that had once been posted into the ground had long lost their meaning and only their iron rod stood tall in the grass.
Regardless of the abandonment, this place had the scene. An untouched by man for many years and undisturbed that revealed the vast beauty of Lake Belton. You could barely see the other side of the lake even standing for the edge of the shore. The shore itself was a mixed up mess of small pebbles and rocks intertwined with sand.
To the far edge of the clearing was a large abandoned and broken down looking building. Cassandra assumed that this was once the restroom area that people used. She couldn't imagine the overgrowth, the smell and the sight that the restrooms were in now.
She placed back her focus on the view of the lake before her and once again, it took her breath away. Garrett had been right this place. It was beautiful and definitely had a hell of view.
"Well, I definitely vote that we camp for the weekend," Savannah said, smiling and parking the jeep. "All in favor?"
"I." The boys said together, looking wide eyed at the lake view.
"It's agreed then." Savannah said, before Cassandra could get a word in.
With this, everyone opened their doors and began to head to the trunk.
Carlos took a long look out to the lakeshore and rubbed his hands together. He then went over to Garrett and slapped his hand on his shoulder.
"Garrett, my man, you came through once again," He said.
"Well, let's just hope nobody finds us here," Garrett said smiling..
Savannah and Cassandra opened the trunk and began to pull out the tent bags and sleeping bags. 
"Why don't we start going ahead and making our tent?" Savannah said to the boys.
Carlos took the two tent bags from her.
"Here. Me and Garrett will make it and you girls go ahead and try to set up a food court by the old picnic area." He said.
"Oh hey, Cass?" Garrett called out.
Cassandra turned and looked at him, surprised he had called her that but didn't feel angry about it. "Could you hand me the blue tarp?"
"Oh okay." She said quickly and turned back to the trunk. She saw a large, tightly rolled up tarp in the trunk and grabbed it. As she handed it to Garrett, their hands touched.
An electric zing went through her and she felt herself blushing slightly. She felt childish but her feelings for Garrett rose in her. Her and Garrett had never even touched before. Not even given each other a high five.
Garrett seemingly realizing that he touched her hand, seemed to slightly blush too.
"Oh, um... Sorry. Thanks." He said. He quickly turned away and followed Carlos.
Cassandra bit her lip as she continued to oply and freely smile wide. She turned back to the trunk where Savannah was looking at her.
"You hate it when people call you Cass."
"I don't mind it when he calls me that."
"Does he know about everyone calling you Cass the Bass in elementary school?"
"We only met him last year." Cassandra reminded him. "Besides, he's my crush. He is allowed to get away with it."
"I can still see you blushing even with your dark skin." Savannah said jokingly.
"Shut up!" Cassandra said, and slamming a pillow into Savannah.
The girls laughed it off and continued to unload the trunk.
About an hour and a half later, two large green tents was made. Sleeping bags were rolled out within and Cassandra had grilled hot dogs on one of the old grills. Savannah had found the cooler in the back of the trunk and had brought it to the picnic table.
Opening it, she held a big grin.
"Whatcha got?" Sandra asked her.
Savannah turns to her and held up two beers. Cassandra opened her mouth in shock.
"Savannah?! We're underage!"
"So what? I do it all the time when my mom isn't looking."
"How did you even get these?" Cassandra said taking a bottle.
"My mom duh." Savannah said.
Cassandra looked at the beer. It was a Bud light in a tall long necked glass bottle. Cassandra had never drank before and she wasn't really sure if she was ready to try yet. While she has been curious about it, she wasn't sure if this was the right place to do so.
"Here you can just have mine." Cassandra said, handing it back to Savannah.
"I'll take it." Carlos said, appearing by his girlfriend's side. He snatched the beer bottle out of Cassandra's hand and popped open the top. Everyone watched him as he took a long sip of it. Garrett came next to him.
"Figures." He said and then he turned to Savannah. "Got an extra one?"
"Sure do. Here you go," Savannah said. She then dug into the cooler and handed Garrett a beer as well.
Cassandra felt awkward as everyone began to drink sips of their beer. Savannah then handed her own beer to Cassandra.
"Here, just try a sip." She said.
Cassandra shook her head but after further begging from Savannah, she finally gave in. She took the bottle in her hand and slowly looked at it. The liquid was dark and murky as the bottle was too.
She wasn't sure how she felt about the aroma coming out of the bottle. Cassandra held her breath and took a small sip of it. She made a face of disgust and forcefully swallowed the small amount of beer that she had in her mouth.
She quickly handed the bottle back to Savannah.
"Yeah no thanks," Cassandra said after swallowing. "I think I'll just stick to water and Gatorade."
Cassandra and the others laughed and continue to drink. After another minute or two, they began to feast on the hot dogs that the girls had made. 
It was during the feast that Garrett had asked if there was any relish. Savannah explained that she might have accidentally left in the car.
"I can go get it." Cassandra said. She took the keys from Savannah and jogged up to the old parking lot to where the Jeep was.
Opening of the trunk and taking a look around Cassandra almost didn't notice the small sound that came from behind her.
Cassandra turned around and looked. A line of long pine trees laid at least 100 yards away from the parking lot. You couldn't see much of anything through them. However emerging from the trees, was an animal.
She saw a long legs slowly stroding towards her coming towards the edge of the tree line.
Cassandra felt fear only for a slight second but then relaxed when she realized it must be a deer.
After several more seconds of staring, she saw that it was not a deer but a horse instead!
A tall horse stood at the edge of the tree line staring over at Cassandra. Cassandra turned her body completely around and stared at the horse in surprise. The horse had a white base coat but it was covered in brown splotches. It's face was brown itself but had a white long blaze going down its face. It held three white stockings on its legs and it's left front one was brown. It's main until was a mixture of white and brown as well.
What the heck is a horse doing all the way out here? Sandra thought to herself. Looking at the horse, she realized it had no halter.
The horse snorted at her and continued to stare at Cassandra.
Cassandra felt herself looking at it for a long while confused when she was drawn by Savannah calling to her.
"Are you bringing the relish or what?!" She asked.
"I'm coming!" Cassandra yelled back. She then turned her attention back to the horse but it was gone.
How strange...
Cassandra quickly closed the trunk and headed back to her friends.
Savannah yanked it from her hands and poured some of the relish onto her hotdog. "Took you long enough. What was it that you were looking at?"
"There was a horse in the treeline."
"A horse?" They repeated all together.
"Yeah." Cassandra said pointing to the treeline. It was over there and watching me at the jeep." She said.
"That's weird." Garrett said. "I don't remember there being any ranches or anyone owning horses around here."
"Maybe it got loose?" Cassandra asked. "I didn't see a halter on it."
"Maybe you just thought you saw a horse," Savannah said, going back to her phone. While texting, she said, "Maybe it was just your imagination."
"How does one even imagine a horse?" Carlos asked her, seeming skeptical.
"Little girls do it all the time." Savannah said, looking at him and shrugging.
"Maybe a moose?"
"I don't think there are moose in Texas."
"Bigfoot then?"
"Guys, I know what I saw and it was a horse." Cassandra said.
"I'll believe you when I see it." Savannah said, sounding bored of the conversation.
Cassandra was slightly hurt by Savannah's remark of being called a little girl but said nothing more. It was obvious no one seemed to believe her.
The three went back to the grill and began eating once again. Before returning to them, Cassandra looked back at the tree line.
Had she seen a horse? Or maybe it was a deer of some sort?
But what kind of deer is white and brown? Cassandra thought, still confused by the experience.
She sighed and turned away, pushing it out of her mind.