The Lake

Chapter One: The Note

I stood there shivering in my shorts and jacket, not knowing quite how to feel. I looked at the note and then again at the scene before me. "You'll end up like that" I whispered to myself. I walked to the banks of the lake and that's when I broke down. I crumbled to the ground bring my knees to my chest. I sobbed violently into my crossed arms as everything began to sink in.  

"Where is she?" I heard someone yell, but not out of anger, out of concern. That's how I knew it was Daniel. Before I knew it he had scooped me up in him arms and was smoothing my hair back gently. My crying had calmed now, but I knew I was getting tears on his shirt. I had my arms around his neck while he rocked me gently, whispering kind words in my ear. "We'll get them Brookie, don't worry you'll be okay. I promise." He shushed my crying and sat down. He places me next to him and hugged me. "Brooklyn, look at me," he said. "Nothing is going to happen to you. The police are on their way, you have Leah, and Riley, and John, and just about everyone else at school. You have your parents, but most of all you have me, your best friend since the 3rd grade that would never let anything happen to you, and you better believe that." I'd finally stopped crying enough to speak. 

"Thank you." I said shakily. I kept my focus on Daniel because I knew if I had to look into the lake again it'd just break down. 

There, still floating in the lake was Chloe Mercer, a girl from my home room whom I'd known since freshman year. We were never close, but she was a good lab partner. She had been coxswain for the varsity girls crew team and state champion pole vaulter for track. She was going somewhere in life, but now it looked like the only place she was going was into the ground. My mind flashed back to the note and I sat there crying in Daniel's arms. I'd end up like that? But why, that was the question, but I suppose it always is. To my knowledge I didn't have anyone dislike me to a point where murder was a possible threat. A few minor discrepancies about really small things like where I put my election posters or planning meetings the same day as large events at the school, but all those problems had been resolved as soon as they started. And now as I watched the police, ambulance, and fire truck arrive I was more determined than ever to figure it out. 

I wiped away my tears and stood up. Daniel looked up at me questioningly. I sniffles and nodded my head assuring him that I was fine. I stood up and made my way over to the now parked police cars. The forensic specialists were getting out of their vehicle and two officers stepped out of the car I was heading for. I swallowed the lump in my throat, praying I wouldn't start crying again, and thankfully I didn't.

"Ma'am we got a call about a dead body, could you point us in the direction of the corpse?" This officer was tall, probably just as tall as John. He looked around 45 and it was clear that he'd done this before. He was stern in the way he spoke, but not in a rude way. More so a protective one, I could tell he was a father.

I nodded my head numbly as I pointed toward the lake.