Dream Home

Jody Jordan arrived at his family’s latest real estate development on an early September morning just early enough to witness a large rowboat being pushed into the lake by a large elderly man just before dawn, the low early morning fog that blanketed the water began to part as if to create a road on which to travel. As the fog began to fill the gentle trail he left behind, the man in the boat vanished into the fog, all that could be heard was the chain of his anchor clambering across the water’s surface until it fell silent. Jody called out “Sir! This is private property now and not open for fishing.” Jody received no reply. Jody waved his hands in frustration and then began his day like any other. Something about that man in the boat lingered within Jody. Like a scratch on the back of your neck that you can’t reach, a chilling, unnerving itch. Jody asked his crew if anyone had seen an old man in a small boat. Jody accepted their shrugs and continued with his work.

In Seattle, it rains all the time, and the price of homes are ludicrous. So, when Michael and Michelle Thompson and their son William decided to buy a home, they were forced to move farther outside the city than desired. Michelle had an old college friend named Jody Jordan. The son of an affluent family who have owned one of the oldest real estate companies in Seattle.

So, when the opportunity arose for Michael and Michelle’s dream home to be built, they pounced. Their home was one of the first to be built in the new development in the Snoqualmie mountain area at Rattlesnake lake. “The Clearwater Development” was to be a first of many new improvements in the Snoqualmie area, fostering the suburban lifestyle. In addition to the development, an outlet mall, and grocery store were being built nearby, much to the chagrin of the local populace whose local businesses would not be able to complete. Being the first home completed, the family had their pick of lots, and theirs was waterfront; complete with a small dock.

The Thompson family packed up their belongings and began their journey to their new home. One of the few bright and shining days left, this October day was a perfect for moving. The Thompson's stopped for gas and a few other necessities at Fredrick’s General Store, the last place to get necessities before arriving at their destination.

“Howdy folks!” The clerk cheerfully exclaimed.

“Howdy!” The Thompson family’s excitement and enthusiasm emanated from their persons.

“Haven’t seen you folks here before…you’re new to the area?”

“Yes, we are moving into our new home on Rattlesnake lake.” Michael replied energetically.

A strong, stout old man, with a worn look on his thick bearded face sat in front of a watching a television in the corner of the store spit on the ground a grunted something inaudible but angry.

“Grandpa!” The clerk yelled.

“I’m so sorry about him, that angry old coot’s just mad about the new development going in. I’m Scarlet.” She extended her hand. She was young and attractive, and Michael hesitated to shake her hand, he appeared lost in the moment.

“I’m Michelle, this is William, and this is my husband, Michael.” Michelle shot Michael a quick contemptuous look and shook Scarlet’s hand.

“Well, well, it’s very nice to meet you, William!” Scarlet replied with a wink and a smile. The shy boy of ten seemed immediately smitten.

“The pleasure is all mine!” William replied winking back at her. Michael and Michelle were taken aback by William’s confidence. “Alright Casanova!” Michelle interjected.

Scarlet laughed. “Well, if you ever need a babysitter, let me know, when I’m not here or at school I’m kind of the go to gal for that sorta thing.” Scarlet handed Michelle a card with her number on it.

“I forbid it!” The old man yelled. “You will not be going anywhere near that goddamn lake.” He continued.

“Grandpa! Will you stop with that! It’s been like a hundred years and nothing bad has happened since!” Scarlet groaned.

“What do you mean, nothing bad has happened there since?” Michael was all too interested.

“He’s just going on about that flood that happened by Rattlesnake like a hundred years ago, the town of Moncton flooded, no one died or anything, it was just some bad luck and planning with the dam.

“Bullshit! People did die! Conspiracy! Those goddamn Jordan’s! No amount of money can pay that price, fix that land!” The old man rose from his chair. A howl of wind ripped the door to the store open, startling the Thompson family. “Mark my words, anyone using that land to make a buck will get what they have coming!” The old man’s voice boomed through the store, his presence was imposing. “That land is cursed! You should go back to where you came and rid yourself of it.” He sat back down in his chair.

“Pipe down grandpa! You’re gunna scare these nice folks. I’m sorry about him, the old grump! You folks have a nice day and let me know if you ever need a sitter.”

The Thompsons grabbed their groceries and exited the store. As they arrived to their new home the movers were already unpacking, Jody was waiting for them at the door.

“It’s so good to see you guys! How do you like your new home?”

“Everything looks great!” Michael shook Jody’s hand firmly, almost to the point of causing harm. It was no secret within the Thompson family that Michael didn’t care much for Jody and his family, “Ostentatious pricks” was a phrase heard more than once by Michelle and William, but remained cordial in their company.

“Quite the grip Mike.” Jody winced from a compacted hand.

As Michelle and Michael exchanged pleasantries with Jody a white Ferrari with gold rims pulled up to the house. Jody walked towards the vehicle to open the driver’s side door. Robert Jordan exited the vehicle. Even though he was in his seventies he was a man who took great care of himself and always felt the need to dress in overly priced suits with gaudy accessories, heavily laden with gold.

“See what I mean?” Michael whisper to Michelle. Michelle smiled and between her teeth “I know he’s an ostentatious ass, but he’s always been very nice.”

“Yeah, ever since his fourth divorce? Do you want to be Mrs. Fifth?” Michelle gently elbowed him in the ribs. Robert Jordan approached outstretched arms bypassing Michael’s attempt to shake his hand and hugging Michelle.

“Oh, Michelle you grow more beautiful every day.” Robert stated confidently. “And you must be William…is that correct?”

“What's ostentatious mean?” William asked. Michael almost broke.

“That’s our William! Always asking questions.” Michael shook a stunned Robert’s hand.

“I hope everything is going well and Jody isn’t screwing the pooch!”

“Everything is great, and Jody has been wonderful!” Michelle chimed in. Jody looked relieved.

“I can’t wait to do some fishing!” Michael exclaimed.

“Well, that’ll be tough, no fish in this lake…nothing lives in this lake.” Jody stated. A moment later a large fish jumped out of the water, Jody looked foolish.

“All the data and surveys said there were no fish.” Jody seemed stunned.

“My son, the genius. Makes me wonder if you ever did your homework at all.” There was a cutting tone to Robert’s voice. His words were mean and had an effect on Jody.

“Everyone makes mistakes, what do you say we go fishing Saturday morning. Sound like fun?” Mike asked William.

“Yeah!” William exclaimed.

“Go grab your stuff and set up your room.” Mike gently commanded.

“Hey Robert, something strange happened on the way in.” Michelle asked, reading Mike’s mind.

“What’s that?”

“Well, we were at the Fredrick’s general store and an old man warned us about living here, something about Moncton and a flood, you know anything about that?”

“Whatever you heard was bullshit! No one died, there was a slight issue when the dam was built and the town flooded, but everyone was relocated, and we Jordan’s paid for their homes and land. If that is all, I have to get going now.” Robert’s facade of pleasant demeanor ended abruptly, and he walked briskly back to his car.

“What was that about?” Michael asked.

“I’m not really sure, I’ve never heard anything about that. But here are your keys and let me know if you need anything else.”

Jody, like his father’s reply seemed practiced, he lingered a moment staring at Michelle, but then hopped into his own vehicle and drove off. The Thompsons finished moving their household.

That night as the Thompson family slept a thick fog crept along the water and just before twilight Michael was awakened to the sound of chains rattling by his dock. As he peered out the window, he saw a large man pushing a large rowboat into the fog.

“What the fuck?” Michael whispered still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

“What is it baby?” Michelle muttered half asleep.

“Nothing, just an old man fishing I think.”

Michael threw on some pants and a jacket very quickly ran outside to see who was on his property. As he made his way to the water’s edge, he saw the man in the boat enveloped in a fog so thick you could cut it. With the rattle of an anchor chain in the distance. The wind picked up and rustled the dead leaves across the ground, they broke and crackled loudly, but Michael heard like a whisper in the howling wind “The price must be paid.” Michael, walked back into the house puzzled to what he had just witnessed and stared out his kitchen window towards the water. Hours went by, the sun rose, the fog dissipated…no man, no boat in sight. Michelle walked into the kitchen half asleep.

“What’s going on honey? You been up this whole time?”

“Yeah…it's nothing, just some old man that launched his boat from our waterfront and hasn’t come back. Nowhere in sight.”

“It’s a big lake. It’s usually foggy up here in the morning. Was it foggy?”

“Yeah…I dunno it was just weird. Like really, really weird.”

“Well, if you’re going to be in the kitchen all morning make yourself useful and make me some breakfast.” She slapped Michael on his butt. He smiled.

“Yes dear.”

The following morning was Saturday and Michael was pleased to see no ominous old man in a boat. He woke William to fish as he had promised the day of the move in. They unpacked their fishing gear and poles and hoped into their boat.

“Dad, what’s the best lure?”

“That depends on the fish and what type of day, but fish are like people and like things that shine like gold and silver. Today it's cloudy so let’s use a golden lure.” Michael attached a golden lure to his pole and cast it into the lake. After a few minutes the line pulled taut.

“Grab the pole son!”

The line began to move fast. Michael wrapped his arms around William and together they pulled back. But the line kept moving. When it hit the end of the reel, the boat lurched forward for a moment. Panic gripped Michael and William, this seemed unnatural. Michael and William held on to the pole tightly. The wind began to howl, “The price must be paid.” The boat lurched forward again and took off behind the reel with great speed, William ripped from the safety of the boat held onto the reel, while Michael locked his legs to the boat and held onto his son. The boat began to move in a zig zag, at unnatural speed. William screaming in terror over the water.

“LET GO OF THE POLE!” Michael yelled.

William let go of the pole and was pulled to the safety of the boat, as the boat slowed, the fishing pole skipped across the water and was dragged below the surface.

“The price must be paid.”

Michael, shaken, clutched his son tightly, started the engine and beached the boat in front of his house. William crying and shaking with fear ran into the house. The fishing pole was waiting for him on the shore. Michael reluctantly picked up the pole and began reeling it in. At the end of the line was an old porcelain doll in surprisingly good condition for being in a lake. Michelle came outside with William attached to her hips.

“What the hell happened! William is terrified.”

“I’m not sure…what the hell is this?”

Michelle loved old dolls, she had a collection and was a bit of an authority on the subject.

“Let me see that…” She inspected it closely. “This is a bisque doll, made by Albert Marque!” She was astonished. “…This is incredibly rare. Possibly valuable. You caught this out of the lake?”

“Yeah, and it was terrifying. There is something about this place the Jordan’s didn’t tell us.”

“What does ‘the price must be paid’ mean?” William asked.

“You heard that too?”

William nodded.

“I’m not sure, but we are going to figure out what’s happening, okay?”

William nodded.

Michelle with doll in hand walked back into the house with Michael and William still attached.

Over the next few days Michelle and Michael researched all they could about Moncton. It appears William had recovered, running about the house playing.

“What’s he doing?” Michael asked.

“He said he’s playing Cowboys.”

“Michelle…I found it.” As he began to read off his laptop his face turned to horror. “The Jordan’s fucked these people. Listen to this. When they built the dam, they didn’t do enough research and the water from the new lake seeped into the glacial soils and created geysers beneath the town…five families didn’t make it out in time and drowned. They “relocated” the survivors, and no one was the wiser, they didn’t come back for the bodies, no restitutions were made, nothing. They made it like these people never existed. Anyone that came around asking was bought off. They murdered a town and suffered little to no repercussions.”

“That old man was right this place is cursed.” Michelle was visibly upset.

The house had grown quiet.

“Where is William?”

“I don’t know but, I’m going to talk to Jody, I think he’s in his onsite trailer.” Nearly sundown, Michael left the home ready to give Jody hell, but when he opened the trailer a flood of water came poured out. The entire trailer had been flooded floor to ceiling. Robert Jorden was holding the lifeless soaked body of his only son Jody. Robert spewed the water from his lungs, Jody was not. “The price must be paid.” Ripped into the walls of the trailer.

“The price must be paid. What does that mean?” Robert asked. “Did you do this?”

“Are you really asking me if I magically flooded your trailer and ripped a cryptic message into your walls!? No, I came over here to give Jody a piece of my mind, all the weird shit happening around here is because your family killed a town and didn’t pay restitution or recover the bodies or receive punishment…TELL ME I’M WRONG BOB!?” Michael berated Robert as he began CPR on Jody.

“I thought it was just a scary story my father told me, we owned this land for so long and never did anything with it, I thought he was just lazy.”

“You have to give them what they want!”

“What do they want!”

“I don’t know! I didn’t murder a town!”

Michelle ran over to the men, “I can’t find William!” Her eyes moved to the body of Jody and she screamed.

“Call an ambulance!” Mike yelled.

“He’s there!” Robert pointed towards their front yard by the edge of the water. A little girl with the bisque doll in one hand and William’s hand in the other was leading him into the water. In the twilight of dusk, a fog had rolled over the lake, it parted to reveal the old man in the large row boat.

“The price must be paid.” Echoed through the parent’s heads. Michael began to run towards William, screaming for him to come back. Michelle screaming dropped her phone, William was waist deep in the water, getting closer and closer to the boat. As Michael neared closer, Robert’s Ferrari sped by them, flying off the dock, into the fog and plunging itself into the lake. The little girl released William.

“The price has been paid.” Echoed across the lake. The little girl and the boat vanished into the fog as Michael pulled William from the water. Holding William tightly he walked back over to Jody's body. After a few moments, Jody vomitet the water from his lungs.

“Jody!” Michelle exclaimed.

“The price has been paid! The price has been paid!” Jody repeated over and over.