Don't Go Near the Lake at Night

Henry’s mother had called to tell him about his fathers sudden disappearance and death. He didn’t want to visit his old hometown because growing up he thought it was creepy and boring. A small lake town in the middle of nowhere, the population was barely 200 the last time he was there. He drove through the wooded area, looking at the many trees and upcoming lake houses. Henry could see his mother standing outside their home. She looked the same since he last saw her a few years ago, the only difference was her hair looked shorter and her eyes were watery, no doubt from crying for his Dad.

He pulled up to the house, got out of the car and walked up to give his mother a hug. “Hey Mom, how you doing?” He asked. “As well as I can be” she said in a depressed voice. “I just can’t believe this happened.”

“I know, everything’s going to be okay now.” Honestly, Henry and his father were never close, so he didn’t know how to comfort his mother only by words. He had his own problems at home he didn’t want to tell her about. How he was fired over his job over a simple misunderstanding, his dream career over. He didn’t know what he was going to do other than look for another job. He was at his wits end. Maybe staying with his mother for a few weeks could help him start over. “Let’s go inside” his mom said as she led him into the house. Henry picked up his suitcase and followed her.

When he went in, nothing changed. Henry hated that everything still looked the same as when he was a kid. He hated that the town still looked like it was from the 1800’s. He hated that his mother was in this state, wasting tears over his father when he didn’t deserve them. He hated how his mother asked him to come over for 2 weeks, but what could he do?

“Sit down and tell me what’s been going on with you since we last spoke, I’ll make some coffee.” After making the coffee, Henry began telling his mother everything, other than the truth . It was lie after lie. Maybe he didn’t want her to worry, maybe he didn’t want his own mother to think he was a loser, even though he probably knew that she would never think that about him.

The day went by and just before he went to sleep, his mother gave him a warning. “Don’t go near the lake at night.” The way his mom said it kind of unnerved him but he didn’t give it much thought. He never played in the lake as a kid, his father forbade it. Not heading the warning, Henry walked up to the lake and stared at the moon and stars reflections in the water. It was truly beautiful. Henry suddenly saw ripples and stepped back. Staring back at him were piercing blue eyes that suddenly turned gentle.

It was a girl, she looked to be in her late teens. Just as Henry was about to see if she was ok, fins came out of the water. She wasn't wearing anything to cover the top part of her body but her hair was long and curly, with blue skin highlighted by the moonshine. Henry watched as the beautiful blonde-haired girl splashed and splashed in the crystal clear water. Henry couldn't believe what he was seeing, an actual mermaid in this lake he grew up around. "This is unreal," he said. She swam closer to him and smiled warmly. Henry knelt down and held out his hand as she reached out hers. Henry instantly felt a connection. "You're beautiful," he said. "Can you speak? What's your name?" he asked. The mermaid pointed up at the sky. "Star?" he asked. She nodded and smiled.

Henry never believed in the supernatural but read enough about them. He couldn't imagine why a mermaid would be in this lake. Henry didn't care. He began talking with the mermaid, telling her everything about himself, even though she couldn't speak. He told Star everything he didn't tell his mother. For some reason, he felt like he could trust her. "What's it like in the water?" he asked. Star grinned and began splashing again. "Take me there with you!" Henry stood up. "Could I become like you? Live like you, Star?" he asked. Star nodded her head and smiled at him. She slowly reached out her hand to touch his forehead and images of her home appeared in his head. Nothing but beauty and otherworldly riches.

Henry wondered if Star was the reason why she told him to stay away from the water, maybe Star showed herself to her mother and Star offered this gift to his mother but she refused. Henry wouldn't make that mistake. After losing his dream career he felt like he had nothing to live for. He loved his mom but being offered something out of a fantasy is something he couldn't pass up. "Star, can you turn me into a mermaid? I want to go to your world!" he exclaimed. Star nodded and took his hand. Henry looked to his home. "Mom, I love you," he said as he jumped into the water with star without a second thought.

The two of them went below the surface as Star passionately kissed Henry. Henry felt his skin begin to tingle. "This is it," he thought. "If I can't accomplish my dreams in this world, I'll do it in Star's. Henry could feel the sensation throughout his body.

Suddenly, Henry felt his body freeze. He couldn't move and began to struggle breathing. He felt a sharp pain in his mouth and tried to scream, but couldn't. He looked at Star and what was a beautiful young girl, turned into a hideous monster. Her teeth became sharp and her eyes a piercing blue with eyes fixed on him. She was chewing on his tongue! She took a chunk of flesh from his face and continued eating, making loud screeching noises, ignoring his cries of pain.

Looking out her window, Henry's mother began to cry, recognizing the same screeching noise she heard the night her husband disappeared.