It's us {Dani and Jamie}

i dare ya'

13
- Dani -

"This is bloody ridiculous." Jamie grumbled.

The four adults walked the grounds in a bunch, towards the lake, the heat of the sun not helping anyone's mood.
   
"I have to agree." Said Hannah.
   
"It's just a precaution," Owen insisted, leading the group, "Either we've got ghosts living on our land or Flora's gone crazy. I just want to make sure."
   
"Even if there is a ghost," Jamie said, "It's not like she's gonna be lounging by the lake having a nice picnic. What do you think we're going to find?"
   
"How should I know? You think I've seen one before?"
   
Dani sighed as they approached the lake, "Just keep your eyes out for anything weird. You know, ghost-y."
   
The four of them split up, all taking a different side of the circular pond. Dani wandered aimlessly through the tall grass on the left, feeling utterly ridiculous, "Find anything?" She called.
   
"Nothing." They all replied.
   
She frowned, a thought popping into her head, "Hey you guys? Did the kids' Uncle ever say anything about this stuff? The ghosts and everything?"
   
"Not that I can recall," Hannah said as they regathered by the edge of the lake, "Henry kind of disappeared after the kids' father drowned."
   
Owen nodded, "Yeah the guy was real shaken up about it. Not much time for ghost stories."
   
"Well then," Dani sighed, running a tired hand through her hair, "I'm out of ideas."
   
They all looked out at the quiet, unmoving lake. The sleepy orange sun began to set behind the trees.
   
"Well this is anticlimactic." Owen frowned.
   
Jamie sighed, placing her hands on her hips and turning towards the water, "Oi! Imaginary friend!" She cried out, "It's me your sister! Come get me!"
   
The lake remained still.
   
Hannah rolled her eyes. Owen laughed.
   
"Hey look at me!" Jamie taunted the air, approaching Dani and dramatically dipping her towards the ground, "I'm gonna kiss your husband!"
   
The four of them laughed as Jamie pressed her lips against her girlfriend, twirling her around for effect as they came up.

Dani blushed and wiped the smear of her pink lipstick away from Jamie's cheek.
   
Then...
   
A ripple.
   
It was as if a stone had plunged right in the center of the lake, but there hadn't been a sound.
   
They all looked at eachother.
   
"Just a fish," Hannah suggested - though her voice trembled slightly.

"Do it again." Owen said, staring at the water.

Jamie looked at him with wide eyes, but turned cautiously back to Dani. With a final nervous glance, their lips met. Dani could feel the fear trembling within the gardener and couldn't help but deepen the kiss in protective instinct.

The lake did not approve.

"Shit!" Owen hissed, taking a step back as another round of ripples spread across the surface - this time bubbling all the way to shore in a tiny, ominous wave.

Jamie's hand gripped Dani's.

"Okay, okay..." Dani said calmly, squeezing tight, "It's probably nothing, right?"

Hannah looked at her with nervous eyes, "How can we be sure?"

The four of them looked back at the water.

Suddenly, Owen began taking off his shoes.

"What are you doing?" Said Hannah.

He removed his watch, placing it on the pile, "I'm making sure."

"You can't be seri-"

"Hannah," He said sternly, "We have to know."
He raised his sweater over his head, leaving him in a white undershirt and his trousers. The cook waded in. With a final glance over his shoulder, he disappeared under the surface.

A moment passed.

Two.

Dani couldn't watch anymore and turned away, burying her head in the crook between Jamie's neck and shoulder. A delicate hand stroked her hair. The other rubbed circles on her back.

But then... the sound of bubbles popping in the water behind her.

Someone splashing to the surface.

The struggle of trying to sprint through deep water.

Dani turned to find Owen stumbling out of the lake, wet and wild looking, "RUN! GO! FUCKING RUN!"

The women complied.

You don't argue with eyes that terrified.