Odd Wanderings

Below the Murk

Below The Murk

I live alone with my father in a wooden house by the lake.

We get along.

Somewhat.

One day, I went out for a walk. When I got to the lake, I took off my shoes and socks so I could dip my warm feet into the cool water. The lakeshore algae felt like icy slime beneath my feet. As I came to the water's edge, I saw something small and white swim across the surface. At first I thought it was a frog but it's shape looked wrong. I walked further out and stood quietly; my hands poised to catch the creature.

White flashes in the murky depths.

I make a quick grab for it; the water splashing my knees and shirt. I bring the creature up to my face.

It is quite odd looking.

Its upper body has a torso, head, arms, and hands similar to a person. The lower body is long and snake like. It was cold and clammy like a piece of ice. His most peculiar feature was a pin sized black slit that i guessed was a mouth.

I let it go.

The next day, my dad tried to help me sew a blanket, but he ended up pricking my finger.

It only hurt a little though.

I went out to the lake to see the creature again.

It did not take long to find him again. Because now he's as big as a squirrel.

I took the time to see what other life is in the lake.

Minnows dart through the water.

Frogs croak and hop by the sandy shore.

Crickets chime from the cattails.

All this life soothes me.

The next day, I helped dad reshingle the roof.

He did not see that he had shoved me off.

I cried when my broken rib pierced my heart. He scolded me for my tears.

Said only babies cried, so I stopped.

That night, I went out to the lake.

The already murky lake was pitch black in the moonless sky.

The creature was still swimming around, though he was now the size of a dog .

When his head came out, I thought I saw a flash of white in its mouth.

The next day, my father and I had a disagreement.

Later on, I walked out to the lake with a knife in my chest.

I cried as I removed the knife and washed my wound in the lake.

The already murky water turned rusty as my blood oozes from my cut.

I saw the creature dash back and forth in the rusty water.

It seemed to get bigger as it did so. Then the water began to lose its rusty color.

Was it drinking my blood?

I ran back inside.

Three months later, I'm reading in my room upstairs.

I have not seen my father for a while.

I think he is upset with me.

I hear a tap at my window

It wants me to visit.

But I have nothing left to give.

Wait.....

How big is it now?