A Reflection in the Water

John Colter was described by his friends and neighbours as an intelligent and engaging young man. He was well respected in his small town for the good work he did supplying medicines at his small pharmaceutical store located in a quaint townhouse in the village square. Many people praised him for his polite demeanour and breadth of knowledge in many subjects including, chemistry, maths, art and literature

On the 23rd of April in the year 1954 John was sitting in his favourite armchair conveniently placed by the upstairs window. It was coming into winter and the days were becoming darker and colder. A light dew speckled the windows and a small fire was crackling away in the fireplace. John was staring down at a slip of paper in his hands with tight lips and a furrowed brow. Watching lazily through half closed lids John's cat Biscuit reclined on the armchair facing opposite. John reads the neatly handwritten script on the page carefully left to right and then repeats the process again when he has finished. The letter reads as follows

To mister John Colter

It has been ordained by your second cousin Lucas that you inherit all of his worldly possessions at the time of his death. This will include the sizable Oaken mansion located north of the small town Newspire. At your earliest convenience please come to the mansion to take possession or to sell it at your leisure. Once you arrive at Newspire I have included a map with directions to the mansion.

The note tapers off for a bit and then continues almost hesitantly

Do not speak to the townsfolk of Newspire about the mansion or your inheritance. The mansion and it's older occupiers have an ugly reputation and the townsfolk do not take kindly to speaking of it.

Johns frown deepens after the second reading

I wasn't aware that I had a cousin who lived so far from this village."

John stated to Biscuit suddenly. Biscuit, being a cat and having no interest in the affairs of people flicked the tip of his tail delicately and squinted over his mottled paws. John was regarding the note again paying carful attention to the handwriting. Finding no clues as to who wrote the letter John picks up the envelope from where he had placed it next to the tea set upsetting a small letter opener as he did so. The envelope contained a seal he had never seen before. His address was neatly filled out on the white paper but aside from that there was nothing else to glean who had sent it. John sighed heavily and stared out of the frosted window.

"I guess I shall have to see this for myself. I can hardly believe that someone in my family owned a mansion and had no one to leave it to but me, and what's this about an ugly reputation?"

John's uneasiness grew however being a practical and reliable man john resigned himself to set out for the mansion the next day if only to address the anonymous addressee. Reluctantly john left his comfortable chair and made his way over the the phone located in the corner of the sitting room to make arrangements for his travel to Newspire on the morrow.

The next morning found John sitting in a cab being driven through an idle countryside. From his view out the window john could see people working the land, herding sheep and minding crops. An adventurous dog ran alongside the cab for a time only to stop short at the end of it's property watching on with a delighted and smug look in it's intelligent eyes.

"that was one quick hound, He'll be a good worker one day." The cab driver chimed from the drivers seat.

"It's rare to see dogs like that in the village most of the townsfolk have turned to lap dogs. Smaller and more convenient. I prefer the company of cats to be honest." The cab driver chuckled at that

"So what's an esteemed man like yourself doing heading into Newspire? If you don't mind me saying that place is nothing but a cesspit for superstitious fools and lunatics. I don't think there has been any new blood entered the village for the past 20 years. Not a very good place to set up shop if you ask me" John understanding too well that cab drivers were often gossips would normally have been content to change or drop the conversation though something in the drivers statement interested him.

"Superstitious lunatics?"

"Aye," confirmed the cab driver "There was an incident occurred there several years ago if truth be told."

"What kind of incident." asked John apprehensively. Delighted by the interest the driver was only to happy to continue.

"Long time ago there was a woman lived in the village. A normal peasant girl but good looking allegedly. She got herself pregnant by someone but whoever it was wouldn't come forward to claim her and the child in wedlock. The girl was banished and mistreated. According to the stories she turned to witchcraft and sacrificed her unborn child for the hex she cast on the village."

"Good lord what an awful story!" John cried aghast.

"Aye it is that." The driver agreed. "Well anyway since then the village has been cursed according to the townsfolk though I can't really remember the particulars around that, the folk don't like to talk too much about it." Silence permeated the cab for a time with both men lost in their thoughts.

"what about the girl? what happened to her?" John asked quietly after a time. The cab driver only shrugged.

"God knows," He said "Ghost stories like that aren't true ofttimes anyway."

It was raining quite heavily when John finally entered Newspire. For it's relatively attractive name the town in question was as shabby as the driver had described. Many of the houses were dilapidated and worn with age, leaning to and fro as though drunk and weary. The village was primarily made up of desolate looking farmland with a small shabby church sitting atop a hill. John could see very few animals or people. Looking out for any sign of life john was surprised when the cab driver stopped the car at the end of a small dirt track.

"This is as far as I can take you." The mansion you mentioned is up that track. It's old and the road hasn't been maintained so you can only reach it by foot." A little disheartened to make the rest of the journey on his own John grabbed his belongings and vacated the cab. The rain that was coming down was cold and oppressive. John wished very suddenly for his warm hearth in his townhouse. In that moment of weakness john almost got back into the cab and asked to be returned home when he realised he was being stupid and childish. Steeling his will John began the walk to the mansion.

John arrived at the mansion at 2 O'clock in the afternoon. He thought to himself what a sorry sight he must be having been drenched by the rain and shivering from the cold. At first glance the mansion had a majestic foundation until the eyes adjusted and the wear and tear due to age became apparent. John stood for a moment taking in it's magnitude and lethargically wondering what anyone was supposed to do with such a large out of style building. whilst he was appraising the mansion with growing dread and trepidation he failed to notice the approach of a young woman.

"Would you be Mr. John Colter sir." She asked startling the man in question.

"Yes, that's my name." John huffed indignantly. His wounded pride vanished when the young woman smiled warmly at him.

"I am so glad that you have come in such a timely manner. I wasn't expecting you so soon." She then turned on her heel to face the mansion.

"I am sorry that it isn't what you imagined. The place is in disrepair I am afraid." while she was facing away John took the time to study her. She was wearing a housekeepers uniform with mouse brown hair tied up in a small bun. She was a plain looking girl though John found himself quite inclined towards her sweet voice and smile.

"I'm sorry miss but I didn't catch your name." The woman whirled about to stare at his with wide eyes

"I'm sorry how rude of me, my name is Julie. I am the caretaker here at the mansion. I worked for the original owner Mr Lucas. I am the only member of staff here at the property." John recoiled at the last.

"You work here by yourself?"

"Yes we couldn't get any new staff from the village." Julie's expression darkened. "The villagers don't like this mansion much." John was unsure of what to say next when Julie's expression brightened and she said.

"Well lets head inside, I am sure you're hungry."

Upon entering the house Julie showed him the room he would be staying in and gave him a clean change of clothes while his own dried by the fire. After he had changed Julie had offered him a quick tour of the mansion. As John had suspected the mansion was large and overly extravagant. Though the interior was more comfortable than the exterior the place seemed run down due to lack of attendants. over a warm bowl of soup in the relaxing sitting room John addressed the lack of staff.

"I am sure you are confused, you see the original occupant of this mansion, Mr Lucas was a shut in. He was quite antisocial and chose to spurn the company of others. Not to speak ill of the dead, but he was quite paranoid and prone to the occasional violent rage. The townsfolk are already suspicious and apprehensive about the mansion and it's occupiers. With Mr Lucas' disposition it was an added complication to an already complicated issue. Hiring house staff was just too difficult and so I did what I could on my own."

"That sounds dreadful. it must have been hard work to manage all of this on your own." The two were silent after a while listening to the crackle of spitting wood in the fireplace.

"This would have been a cheerful place I am sure if not for the book and the legend."

"Book and Legend?" John inquired. Julie took on a melancholy expression

"You see Mr Lucas was obsessed with the legend of the drowned girl." John thought back to his conversation with the cab driver.

"You mean the story of the witch?"

"Oh so you have already heard of it? well it was a dark part of the family history. How much about it do you know?" John recounted what he knew while Julie listened in sombre silence.

"It seems you know the unofficial tale, I suppose I should tell you the whole thing though it is dreadful." At Julie's inquiring look John inclined his head. with a sigh she began.

"It was about 30 years ago, one of the young village women named Ethel fell in love with the young master living here at the mansion. Though she was of common birth she and the young master began a secret affair. They would meet by the lake here at the manor."

"The lake?" John interrupted

"Yes, it's at the back of the manor. you should be able to see it from your bedroom window, though I personally try to avoid looking at it. Now where was I, ah yes, they began a love affair that ended with Miss Ethel becoming pregnant. Obviously having a child out of wedlock would be condemned by the villagers if the father did not claim her and the child. The story goes that when she met with her lover by the lake he spurned her affection as it would affect his status and ruin his family. Ethel did not take kindly to this though there was nothing she could do. When the time came for her to give birth having been declined by the midwife and the church due to the child's bastard heritage she was forced to come to the lake. I believe she may have been hoping to bring the child to the manor after in the hopes of moving the young masters heart to take them both in. However it was not to be, after giving birth the young master who had witnessed the whole thing came out to the lake to run her off the property. He likely didn't want the townsfolk putting the pieces together and discovering his part in the affair. Ethel, distraught attempted to appeal to the young master." Julie stopped recounting for a moment , gazing into the fire

"Then what happened?" John prompted.

"Terrified for his reputation, he drowned her and the child along with her. He grabbed her by the white neck and held her under the water till all the bubbles stopped." Johns pallor changed to an off white.

"So then what about the allegation of witchcraft?"

"Allegedly as he was drowning her Ethel managed to curse the young master and his family line, as well as a the village and all who settle here. I assume that is where the witchcraft allegation came from." John thought for a moment.

"Then why are the townsfolk so afraid of a curse? has anything happened that may have prompted them to think the whole thing was real? the superstation of this mansion seems unjustified. The way you tell it it's just a tragic story of a man murdering his lover and then using witchcraft as a means to avoid prosecution." Julies eyes seemed to darken.

"Stillbirths." She said "All children born here are stillbirths. After they are born they take one breath of air and then begin coughing water until they die." John leapt up from his chair.

"That cannot be possible."

"It's true." Julie stated "I have seen it. In all honesty I believe the stories. I think you should take your bag after tonight and leave this place to never return. It is cursed." John snorted, to him the lovely Julie he was getting to know was gone replaced by a low class, superstitious townswoman.

"I believe I have heard all I wish to hear. I will retire, tomorrow we will discuss the sale of this mansion and I shall return home, Goodnight." As john turned to leave Julie spoke once more.

"I see I have lost you but take this advice, do not go near the lake tonight. for the love of all things holy do not go near that cursed water. John then left her to her own thoughts in the dark.

Midnight found John laying in bed unable to sleep. He was still agitated by Julies earlier superstitions. Curses and witchcraft were a thing of the past. They did not belong in the rational world of Johns townhouse and pharmaceutical work.

"I can't do it." He declared "I cannot sleep on this. I must go to the lake and prove this a fallacy."

Moving quickly but quietly John vacated his room and make his way out of the back door. The night was cold and a light wind was blowing. The air felt crisp with the promise of a long and cold winter. John trudged resolutely down the track that would lead to the lake.

"A body of water, it's just a body of water." In the dark the lake was difficult to see, the moon was full in the sky obscured by clouds, there were no stars. John wished he had bought a lantern in his haste. After a few minutes of walking John gave a yelp when his foot touched something cold.

"It's the lakes edge, it's just the water." feeling silly for his small scare he laughed to himself

"So what now?" He called with mirth, "Where are you witch and cursed babe, you are not of this world. What can you do to me?"

"Cold," came the sudden cry. "We are so cold, won't you claim us, won't you come and warm us." The voice was chillier than the sudden arctic breeze that picked up around johns ears. suddenly the clouds moved past the moon and the water at johns feet was illuminated. A white woman, with dark hair was floating, she was bloated grotesquely by the absorption of lake water with dark bruises decorating her neck. The creatures of the lake had been feeding on bits of her flesh leaving a gaping hole in her nose and leaving her devoid of lips. Her all white eyes stared at him, suddenly black pupils began to colour the irises.

"Claim us, Join us, Curse you all for abandoning us." The woman called her white hand raising itself to the white moon as if to touch it. With the speed of a pouncing cat she sat up and grabbed Johns leg.

"Come to me," She called through his screams. Water spilled out of her mouth. "Come to the bottom with me till there are no bubbles left." and she began to pull with inhuman strength. John rational mind shut off, the strength went from his body at her cold touch. His warm hearth at his townhouse had never felt so far away as he felt himself pulled silently into the water. He tried to recall any form of reason as the last of his oxygen was expelled from his mouth and replaced with the freezing lake water as he was pulled agonisingly to the bottom.