The Lake (Short Story)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

May 11 2002

Jeremy and Echo looked out through the window at the Lake. Jeremy sighed and looked at Echo. She didn’t meet his gaze; instead it was riveted on the Lake.

That’s how it had been for the past two months.

“Why do you look at the Lake so much Echo?” Jeremy whispered to her. Finally she faced her little brother and smiled at his adoring eyes.

“It’s nothing. I just have this habit to make sure it behaves” she smiled when he giggled.

“How does a lake behave?” he asked, Echo shrugged.

“I don’t know Jer. But they can be dangerous.” She smiled faintly.

“Are you scared of the Lake Echo?” Jeremy questioned. Echo inhaled a sharp breath and looked at Jeremy. She was shocked by his question.

She stayed silent for a long time and then finally answered him. “Yes” she paused. “I am”

“So am I” he confessed. Echo’s eyes watered when they met her brother’s. She pulled him into her embrace and held on. Jeremy was her baby brother and she loved him to death. Their friendship, their connection, was more than just friends or siblings.

Jeremy was her baby. She adored him. Echo couldn’t imagine a life without her brother. He was the source of life and happiness in their life.

Now she looked at her brother and said in a croaked voice; “Promise me something Jer” Jeremy turned and looked into her eyes.

“Anything, Echo” he smiled charmingly.

“Whatever you do, don’t go near that Lake. I know it sounds ridiculous, and I know you stopped going in there but I just want you to stay far away from it. Promise me. Promise me you’ll do that” Echo urged.

“I promise, Echo” Echo almost exhaled all her inhaled breath in relief. She smiled faintly. “C’mon Echo, let’s go and play basketball.”

“Ok,” she watched as he got up to put on his shoes. She smiled and turned back to watch the Lake again, then she turned away, but before she could move she saw it.

The ripple in the water; they extended throughout the Lake. As if something, really big, had jumped into it; but there was no one.

With one last look, she got up and went after her brother.