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Chapter 1 -The Lake

Again, I couldn't sleep. It's the fifth night this week that I've laid awake staring at the wall or succumbing to my terrible habit of biting my nails to stumps. Gnawing at my pinky finger, I taste the familiar metallic flavor of blood. I pull my finger out of my mouth and watch the blood trickle down my palm.
"Shit" I huff, getting a tissue to clean the mess.
Sighing loudly, I shove my bed covers on the floor as the sticky summer heat forces me out of my unbearably hot bed. I slump at my window seat and gaze at the silver lake, cast by the bright, ominous moon. Mum always says we are lucky to live by a lake. In bug season, I beg to differ. Mosquito larvae clouds the water, promising a new generation of tiny bastards to attack your lamps and nip your ankles.
Letting my eyes close my eyes for a moment, I wish my insomnia would let me sleep for a few hours; Or maybe forever.

A distant burbling sound Interrupts my thoughts as I groggily peer at the lake through my window.

Was it bubbling?

I hear it gurgle as bubbles furiously appear in the water just outside my house. The bubbles grow in size and start to produce an inky  substance that quickly spreads over the silvery water, turning it jet black. I squint at the lake, intrigued by the peculiar sight. My jaw went slack as tendrils curl out from the depths like tentacles. A thin, hunched figure rises up, dripping wet and covered in lake weed. I choke, my breath caught in my throat as it slowly turns around, tendrils writhing at its feet.

"What the hell?" I croak. As if it heard me, the creature abruptly snaps its head around, fixing its menacing stare on me with its silver, beady eyes.
Trembling, I stare wide eyed back. Too terrified to move. The creatures thin black lips curl into a wide crazy smile, exposing its jagged, gleaming teeth.
"The fuc-"I blink and it was gone. Blinking wildly, I willed it to appear again, just to prove I wasn't crazy. The lake remained calm and silvery, nothing to show for what had just happened. Or what I thought I saw. I rub my eyes roughly until I see lights squirm behind my eyelids.
"It was just my insomnia,"I reason. "I'm just seeing things." I get up from the window seat, leaping back into bed to pull the covers over my face. Despite the heat, I left them there and stayed wide awake until dawn.
.............................................................................................
"You're up early" Mum chirped as she sipped her coffee, gazing at the morning horizon.
"Couldn't sleep" I mumble, feeling like my head was full of bricks.
Immediately, I regret it as Mum spins around babbling about medication and the new sleep hypnosis craze.
"Tasmin it's supposed to be life changing, I saw it on the news last night!"
"Yeah thanks Mum, I'll consider it."
As I started to make myself some peppermint tea, I couldn't help but stare at the lake.
"Hey Mum."
"Hm yes dear?"
I fidget with the tea bag, trying to explain what I saw without sounding off my meds.
"Did you hear any bubbling from the lake last night, Or see anything?"
She paused for a moment, tucking a strand of her neat red hair behind her ear.
"I didn't hear anything apart from your father snoring last night, why what's the matter?"
"Nothing." I quickly say, as I get up from the table."
"I'm going to go have a shower."

The phone rings suddenly, making me jump with its shrill tune.
"I've got it Tasmin, you have your shower." Mum bustles over to the telephone, happily greeting the caller.
I pass my little brother as he groggily stomps down the stairs dressed in his favorite spaceship pajamas. I ruffle his messy brown hair in need of a cut.
"Morning kiddo, sleep well?"
He mumbles a reply, sleepily rubbing his eyes. I hear mums sing song voice in the kitchen
"Tasmin, Brian I have some very exciting news!"
We both hurry quickly down the stairs, curious of Mums exclamation.
She talks so fast we can't catch on.
"Whoa Mum slow down, it's only 8 am" Brian laughs.
She clasps her hands together and grins gleefully.
"Your cousin is coming to stay!!"
"What?" We both ask in unison.
"Harriet Myers is your second cousin on my side of the family. She's coming for a month while her family is on hiatus and will share your bedroom with you Tasmin."
"We don't even know her!" I blurt out. There's no way I want to share my room, that's my space.
Mum frowns at me sternly.
"Tasmin we must be welcoming of our guest, she's coming in two days, give her a chance. What do you think Brian?"
He just shrugged and started to make some toast while I stood there dumbfounded, wondering how this was good news.