Legends From the Lake of Death

The lake was quiet at this time of night. Except for the light chatter that consumed the group. Originally it had been Alex’s idea to go and relax on the lake and he managed to get everyone on board. Hayley was the skeptic paranoid one of the group so she initially protested when Alex suggested they go to the Lake of death. This wasn’t the real name but it had earned that nickname due to all the drownings and disappearances. Many legends had been constructed but the most common was of Annett Smith.

She was described as kind and caring. She loved the water but was always advised to stay away. She couldn’t swim and you could get caught in the vegetation. Something always drew her back though. Whether it was the fog that settled on the lake at dusk and stayed until dawn that created a beautiful sight. Or maybe it was the sense of peace. No one even knows if Annett was real. Either way anyone who “saw” her always described a fair skinned young woman with raven black hair and hauntingly green eyes. Most of the disappearances were young women and sometimes girls with the same features.

Hayley of course believed every word. Max always took the opportunity to mess with everyone. Call him the jokester if you will. He liked pranking Hayley the most, and took advantage of her weak points. He had short brown hair and brown eyes to match. Liam was the complete opposite. He wore a serious demeanor and always had a clenched jaw. He’d crack a smile once in a while. But it was still a rare sight. Liam had sandy blonde hair and green eyes. And then there was Mallory, Hayley’s best friend. She was a great person and always managed to lift everyone's mood. Her hair was naturally brown but it had been dyed too light platinum blonde The group had met in their freshman year and stuck together since.

Hayley brushed some of her dark hair out of her face and took another sip of the now lukewarm beer. Max had finished his third beer and went on to grab more.

“Refills anyone?” Alex and Hayley raised their hands. A small thunk hit the side of the boat. She glanced around the foggy lake. It was probably just a fish. Hayley tried her best to not overreact, but failed when another similar one hit the boat. Except this time it was much harder.

“Did you guys hear that?” Hayley scanned over the lake once again.

“Hayley knock it off, you're just paranoid.” Alex shook his head.

“It was probably Max.” Mallory scoffed.

As if hearing his name Max appeared at the door holding three fresh beers. “What am I getting blamed for now?”

“Nothing. Just forget I said anything.” Hayley took a swig of her fresh beer. A pound of lead settled in her stomach. Soon after another thunk hit the boat. This time everyone noticed.

“Watch out it's probably Annett.” Max joked

Suddenly two green dots appeared from deep inside the water. A hauntingly beautiful figure with Raven black appeared. She rose from the water and hovered. Her eyes locked on Max and her hand twisted. Max coughed a few times before he began to vomit black water. It began to flow out of every orifice of his body. Max sank to his knees and grabbed his throat.

“Max! Please, don't hurt him.” Mallory sobbed. Lake vegetation flew out of the water and enveloped Mallory. PIeces rammed themselves down her throat as she too began to choke. Liam stood in shock and suddenly began to decay all with the flick of this womans wrist.

Her tantalizing green eyes locked on Hayley’s similar ones.

“You.” she croaked out and raised her boney finger to point at Hayley.

“Seriously mom?” Hayley crossed her arms over her chest “I liked these ones. Now we have to get rid of the bodies.” She dove into the foggy water and moments later hovered above the surface. Annett and Hayley were strikingly similar. Both had dark wet hair that clung to their porcelain skin. Scary green eyes, and a terrifying smile painted on their faces.

“Sorry.” was all Annett said.

Alex watched in a mix of horror in shock and locked eyes with Hayley. She snapped her fingers and a sickening crack filled the silence. Like mother, like daughter after all.