Mother of four, stepmom of two, homemaker, and lover of the mysterious. Brandy grew up with a single mom in the military and spent most of her youth enveloped in books. Writing has always been a passion, though most criticized the dark nature of her prose and poetry. A spark has recently been reignited and she would like to welcome you down the rabbit hole of her mind.
RIPPLES IN THE WATER
by
Brandy Cornett
Summer was here and with it came a rush of tourists to our small lakeside town. Lake Aurelius was known for the most spectacular sunsets around, and our town of Aurora was situated perfectly for viewing. Colors would dance on the waters creating a kaleidoscope effect of the skies above. While the picturesque landscape drew in the hoards, a creature lurked unseen in the waters below.
Locals knew the legends and saw the consequences that those who didn’t heed the warnings faced. Every year people would go missing. No one had ever seen it; no one saw anything but ripples in the water. Our parents drilled it into our heads. NEVER go into the lake at night. What lurked beneath was a mystery that I just couldn't stop thinking about as I put on my swim trunks and headed to the lake.
Beachgoers filled the shops, streets, and crowded the beaches along the lake. It was my first year as a lifeguard, and I was a bit nervous. I know the dangers the lake waters bring. My parents had assured me that as long as I never entered the lake at night, I would be fine. Still, once you'd heard the rumors that were kept from the tourists, the pristine waters no longer looked innocent.
I kept my watch from the tower, young children buried their feet in the sand, mothers looked up from their books, and fathers showed the older children how to use the bodyboard. There were smiles and laughter, not a care in the world. I wish I could see those waters as they do, to see fun and joy. I can't help but think of the stories of the creature that waits unseen.
I hear screams of pure delight echo off the waters. Faintly, a scream of a different kind breaks through, only getting louder and more frantic as the seconds rush on. My heart races at the sound. My eyes dart to find the cause near the pier. I see her struggling, reaching into the water, pulling at her leg.
“Ben, grab your bag, let's go!” my supervisor yelled at me as she raced out the tower door and down the stairs. I did as she said with dread filling my mind. No, this wasn't supposed to happen now. Everything that had been passed down through the decades said we were safe in the daylight.
As we raced across the sands, a small crowd had formed, blocking my view of the girl. I prayed we reached her in time. I pushed through the bodies, “Lifeguards coming through!” I shouted. My first glance at her up close revealed she was about my age and was slowly being pulled into the water.
She locked eyes with me and terror met my gaze. “Help me!” she screamed. “It won't let go!” I froze. What?! I saw my supervisor Suzie enter the water. Panic overtook me. “Everyone out of the water NOW!” I blew my whistle pleading with the rest of the crowd to back away from the water. It was then that I noticed Suzie walking in a strange pattern like she was purposefully walking around the shadows the pier had cast. My mind finally made the connection. The shadows. That's why the pier had no swimming signs!
I understood now how I could help. I grabbed the yellow rescue board and carefully made my way to Suzie. She had already instructed the girl to move closer to her but the girl could only pull herself so far. I pushed the board toward the shadows.
“Get on the board, and hold on tight!” I yelled to her. “We’ll pull you to safety!” She turned toward us and belly-flopped onto the board. We struggled for every inch that brought her closer.
I saw her leg coming out of the water and with it a clear gelatinous blob. It was wrapped around her calf but as soon as the light touched it, it recoiled, released her leg, and slithered back into the shadows it came from. Her leg beneath shocked me more than the creature that fled. In the sunlight, it lay pale and shriveled like a mummy, the bone beneath the skin clearly defined.
Before I could say anything Suzie pulled a syringe out and stuck it in the back of the girl's thigh. Remarkably before my eyes, the shriveled mess began to plump up again. She looked at me and I knew not to say anything.
“It's going to be okay,” she said to the girl. A sigh of relief escaped the girl's lips.
“What was that thing?” she asked. I started to speak but Suzie cut me off.
“You got caught in the underwater plant patch that grows by the pier. That's why there are signs posted to keep people away and safe!”
“No way that was just plants! I felt it sucking on my leg!” the girl said.
“Yes, these plants do that to be able to form colonies. That's why they are only near the pier. They have held onto the posts and grown a colony there.” Suzie explained.
The girl looked at me, as we made it to the beach. “Uhh, umm, yeah I…I just learned about it in training,” I said stumbling over my words.
She turned herself over on the board and examined the site. Normal. Not even a scratch. She sat there, in disbelief, confusion on her face. “It felt so real like I was being sucked dry.”
“Let’s get you to the lifeguard station for something sweet to drink, it’ll help you with the shock,” explained Suzie. “Ben, grab the end of the board.” I obliged and we made our way back through the crowd.
Suzie never told me what it was I saw that day, but every so often I'll look toward the pier and see ripples in the water. I imagine that thing moving below the surface, and I shiver.