Deep Creek

Chapter 3 - Deep Creek

Such a beautiful scene; the gentle rippling of water as it made its way past us, only to be interrupted by ducks and other winged creatures, calling out to one another in the fleeting light. The sweet smell of lavender wafting across the creek, as if it knew we were there. It was even perfect to the touch, sitting on a soft pillow of long grass, almost enticing enough to make you want to lay down and sleep the remaining hour of sunlight away. It was perfection; the world at its finest.

“So why did you bring us here?”

Marli looked over with that look of interrogation still present, but now overpowered by compassion and slight confusion.

“This was where my Nan and Par had their ashes spread. Right on that hill over there.” I pointed at a nearby golden-coloured mountain, glowing with the last beams of light from a decaying sun. “He used to catch rabbits up there. He loved this place, said he would build a house there if it didn’t detract from how free of civilisation it was.”

My body shuddered as if a cold gust of wind had gotten underneath my jumper. However, the creek remained calm and peaceful.

“Mum and Nan said that Par and I would have gotten along famously had he been given the chance to get to know me."

“Did your Nan love it up here too?” A slight curiousness to her voice.

“Not so much, she only loved it because he loved it. And she always said, for as long as I can remember that her final resting place would be with her husband."

“So you knew your Nan then?”

“Yeah, she practically raised me through my younger years. Looked after me from the time school finished until Mum got home from work. Every day for so many years.”

“I see why you come here now. You miss them, and it makes you feel close to them again.”

She was right, I felt closer to Nan here than I did at her funeral. I don’t remember Par’s funeral, but I assume it would be the same. Regardless of whether they’re still on the hill or have moved on, I still feel like I’m with them when I’m here.

A sudden ripple across the water’s surface caught Marli’s attention. It broke the dead silence that surrounded us. The silence? Amongst all the talking we didn’t even notice that the once lively creek had gone quiet and stagnant.

“What was that?” Marli asked with an inquisitive tone.

“I have no idea… My best bet would be a secret military submarine spying on our riveting conversation…”

“Ass! Think someone threw a rock in to scare us?”

“Well considering that rocks make a kerplunk sound, no. It’s probably just a fish eating some insects off the water’s surface. I did let a turtle go here a few months back, could be Shelly.”

“I’m gonna go have a look. Pass us your phone.”

I pulled the phone from my pocket along with my keys, which I set on the ground beside me. She sprung to her feet, snatched the phone from my hands and started fiddling for the light button. Blinding me in the process.

“Oh Lordy lord! I have seen the light… Hmm. This must be what it’s like getting born; going from complete darkness to blindingly bright light… And then realising that the world is full of crazy people, like yourself, and wishing there was still darkness to hide me from the harsh truth.”

“There, happy now?” She yelled as she turned the light towards the creek.

“Yes actually, because now I can see the mean look you’re giving me.” I smirked.

She stepped carefully down the slippery rocks to the water’s edge. Each rock had its own unique moss pattern that you’d want to avoid stepping on, for fears of ruining its abstract art.

She made her way to the water’s edge balancing on the half submerged rocks and shone the light down into the murky depths. Nothing but the gentle trickle of the flowing water brushing against the shore.

“Well if there was something, it’s gone now.” She said as she turned back.

We went silent and stared into the nearby trees.

“What was that?” I shuddered as a chill trickled down my spine.

“You saw it too? What the fuck was that?”

We stood speechless for a moment, still wide-eyed glaring at the tree line. There were no breaking twigs or fast paced pattering of feet to break the silence. Just the absence of sound and light. We stayed silent and kept staring.

I couldn’t take it any longer, knowing that whatever was there might still be lurking in the darkness. I turned and ran for the gravel road. Seeing this, Marli was soon behind me running faster than I’d seen her before. All we could hear were our frantic footsteps on the soft gravel breaking through the quiet.

We ran past the rusty chain-link gate and out to the open road where my car sat in the dull glow of a street light. A sight I’d never loved so much. As if my beast could protect me from any beast a forest could hold. I fiddled for my keys.

“SHIT! My keys."

“What’s wrong?! Unlock the damn car!” Marli shouted.

“I left the keys on the ground, they’re back there!”

“Well don’t look at me, I’m not going to get them for ya.”

“Damn it! Well at least come with me.”

“I’m staying out here, there’s no way I’m going back there.”

I tried thinking about what I saw. But I had no idea what it was; there was no easily discernible shape. It was as if it blended in with the absence of light that engulfed it, all but its eyes that seemed to burn the air around them. It was a little taller than me, about average for an adult. I needed an answer but it was almost an impossible feat to describe darkness.

I tried calming myself down, leaning against the beast with my head cradled in my arms. I closed my eyes and there it was again, staring back at me like I was still there. Its eyes seemed to gleam with excitement and fear at the same time, like it was trying to stare me down. A moment that lasted only a second or two seemed to play on loop in my already fragile mind.

“Well come on already, I wanna get the hell out of here.” Marli said with a shaky tone of fear still in her voice.

I gathered up what was left of my courage and pushed away from the beast. I walked around the far side of the car past Marli and took my phone from her, the light was still on.