My Angel of Music

The Lake

"Did you bring the gin?" Luke's voice sounded across the boat. I smiled behind my gloved hand and glanced at Erik. He sneakily pulled out a large bottle of amber liquid. Luke nodded with a smile and continued to paddle. Meg sat beside him with a hand on his. I sat next to Erik, our hands intwined.  

"Christine, I really love the dress you are wearing." Meg began chatting. I nodded and looked down at my light blue gown. "Thank you. Erik got it for me as a wedding gift." The small talk began to bore me and I glanced at Erik for help. He smiled and turned to Luke. "Luke, it's getting dark. Have you heard the stories of this lake?" Erik asked.  

Meg ceased her chatter and started to listen to Erik with intense eyes. "Yes. Everybody knows the story." He answered. The sun was setting and the moon began to peek through the clouds. Luke took a swig of gin as Meg grasped his hand. "We don't know the story, Erik. Tell us!" Meg sqealed. I looked away uncomfortably. I hated scary stories. They gave me nightmares and made me start seeing things in the dark.  

Erik leaned forward, preparing to tell the story.  

"Once, about a hundred years ago, there was nothing but a lake and a field here. Two lovers came to the lake all the time, just to get away from everyone. One day, they took a boat out to the middle of the lake. It started to rain and the water became choppy. The boat flipped over and the boy did his best to swim the girl to safety. But right when she was pushed onto the boat, the boy was suddenly pulled under by the current. Once the girl realized that he wasn't going to come to the surface, she threw herself into the lake." 

I grabbed onto Erik's sleeve and he laughed at my girlish fear. He put his arm around me and continued with his story.  

"And their bodies were never found. Only the girl's gloves and the boy's shoes floated onto the shore. And sometimes at night, people will see the girl's body on the shore, but when they return with help, it's gone." 

I whimpered and leaned on Erik's shoulder. He laughed and rubbed my arm. Meg was clutching onto Luke's arm, her eyes wide in fear. "Erik, do you remember when I was a little girl and I was always scared at night?" I asked in a fearful voice. Erik nodded.  

"It was because of Joseph Buqet's scary stories. They still terrify me. And now...." I began to see white forms in the now black water. I whimpered and when Erik looked at me I pointed to the dark water.  

"Mon Ange, there is nothing there." He soothed as he held me to his chest. I nodded with my face buried in his cloak. "Luke, I want to go back." Meg whispered. He took her hand in his and kissed it.  "It's just a story, ladies."  Erik laughed.  I didn't relax even though Erik expected me to at his words.  "Or is it?"  Luke whispered with a creepy tone.  Meg whimpered and huddled closer into Luke's embrace.  I sat upright, yanking away from my husband's warrm arms.  "Enough!  I will faint if I hear one more word of death or ghosts!"  I shouted.  Meg nodded in agreement and the look of fear slowly faded from her face.  But I still avoided looking at the black lake.  

Just as my speech ended, a drop of rain landed on my forehead.  Then, as if on que, thunder was heard rolling and the rain started falling.  I looked at Erik, my eyes wild.  "Oh my God, I'm going to faint."  I cried.  Meg yelped and turned pale.  "Ladies, it is only rain."  Luke scolded gently. It looked as if Meg was starting to cry as the rain increased.  "Please, just let us go home!"  She pleaded.  I nodded and glanced at Erik.  He sighed and grabbed the nearest oar.  "Alright, we can just have a drink in the library."  He gave in.  I breathed a sigh of relief as the men began paddling their way back to the welcoming shore.  But with each clap of thunder, Meg and I jumped and cried out.  

Finally, we reached the sandy shore.  As soon as the boat touched land, I leaped off and began to dance.  The rain was pouring down in large buckets now, soaking my beautiful dress.  It was one of the only ones that still fit me!  But, the thought of clothing was not in my mind as I danced around on the shore.  Erik laughed at the sight of my happiness to be out of the water.  Meg skipped over to me and grabbed my hand.  We twirled around like we did when we were children as the men cleaned up the boat.  "Hurry!  We are getting soaked!"  Meg yelled at them.