Rock. Paper. Scissors.

“The little girl’s body was pulled from the lake and rushed to the hospital. She was still alive, but her body ended up being permanently paralyzed. The doctors were unsure how it happened, but chalked it up as a freak accident,” TJ read the article out loud, “The townspeople paid their respects to the family, giving food and gifts. But then one night, when the family put their daughter to bed, they did not realize it would be the last time they would ever see her alive. Cassi Anne’s body was found the next day, in bed, drowned. It was a death that caused a pause in the community, as the source of the water appeared to come from her mouth, but it was decided that she was simply drowned and then placed back in her bed afterwards. There were no words of mourning as the last of the remaining family joined their daughter following rumors of their hand in her death spread throughout the town, taking their lives at the lake where her accident originally occurred. In honor of Cassi Anne, the town has renamed the lake after her, a decision that was split amongst the locals and ultimately decided when put to a vote. But since then, there have been multiple casualties at Lake Cassi Anne that were similar to the little girls, and the mayor has put an official ban on the lake and closed off all access to it,” TJ finished reading the last part of the article, folding the paper in half and laying it down on the table in front of her. Ben, who was not known for paying attention, sat attentively staring at the article, his glasses hanging onto the tip of his nose. “There is no way any of that is real,” he commented after a moment, the faint hint of fear in his voice.

Mary Jane, who had been sucking down the last of her milkshake, not paying the article any mind, let out a small laugh, “Of course its not real scaredy-cat, its just some stupid twisted story they did on the family. There was no actual gushing waterfall from her mouth, no talk of evil spirits or shit like that.” Ben seemed to relax a bit, leaning back in his seat playing with the straw in his own drink. He was always known to scare easily, but despite this TJ admired his courage when they went out on their adventures in search of paranormal stuff. “So, since the lake is closed off,” Ben said hesitantly, “that means we can’t go there, right?”

TJ gave him a big smile, a smile of mischief that he knew all too well. It let him know that nothing would stop their adventure. There could be cops guarding every part of that lake, and she would find a way around them. “Alright, but I can’t be out late again,” Ben said, giving in. “Don’t worry,” TJ responded, “I will have you home before your curfew.” A loud slurp came from right next to Ben, and he jumped out of his seat. Mary Jane had her straw in her mouth as she let loose a loud uncontrollable laugh, TJ joined in almost falling over.

After they were done, the three of them headed out on bikes to the lake. It was a long ride from the diner, but they made it just in time for the sun to set. Hopping off their bikes, they started walking towards the sandy area when a light flashed on next to them. Blinded by the light, they could only make out the sound of a door open and a silhouette emerging from the shadows.

“What are you kids doing out here?” Sheriff Monroe stood in front of the trio. His hands on his belt, towering over them with a look of annoyance.

“Hey Grandpa, we were just passing through,” TJ laughed nervously, “Hoping to check out the lake for a bit.”

“Yeah, we weren’t gonna go in it,” Ben said rubbing the back of his head, “just-“

“You know the lake is off limits,” Sheriff Monroe said, “So you three best turn around and head back home. If I catch you trying to get back to the lake again, I will arrest you for trespassing, understand? Theo, you will be in a lot more trouble if I catch you sneaking around. Go. Home.” Ben bit his tongue to stop the small shed of tears that were beginning to line his eyes. He nods his head, turning around with his bike and quickly walking away.

“Yes sir, it won’t happen again,” TJ said following after him. Mary Jane looked over to the cop, spit on the ground in front of him, and followed her friends.

Ben kept riding, he wanted to get away from the Sheriff and felt embarrassed, worried that his mother would find out through her work that he tried to go to the lake. He was so lost in thought, he almost didn’t hear his friends call to him. They apparently had stopped a few feet behind him. Circling back around, they had dropped their bikes behind some bushes near the woods. “Oh, come on guys,” Ben whined, “There's the sheriff, you’re grandfather, not too far, we can’t risk it. I can’t risk it!”

“Come on scaredy-cat,” Mary Jane said sarcastically, “Maybe you’ll find your balls out here, and then you’ll never be afraid again.” She was the first to go into the woods, holding a flashlight in her right hand. TJ had taken out her video camera, holding it awkwardly in her hand while extending the other flashlight to Ben, “We agreed to go together,” she assured him, “you won’t be alone so just stick close and if it feels like it's going bad we’ll leave.” Ben shifted his weight back and forth before giving in and taking the flashlight. TJ clapped him on the back as he walked by, excitedly following behind him.

They must have spent twenty minutes in the woods before the moon's light reflecting in the water stopped them, they arrived. TJ took a seat on a large rock, pulling the bag she had been carrying off and propping it up next to her. “So, how do we want to do this?” She said turning to the other two.

“Mary Jane should go in,” Ben immediately responded, his face turning slightly red as Mary Jane turned on him, her mouth ajar in surprise, “Why me?” Ben just shrugged, he was shaking, either from the cold or fear.

“Well, you are the one on the swim team,” TJ responded holding the camera. She stared at the small screen on the side, a red light appeared signaling it was recording. Mary Jane shook her head, “Just because I’m on the swim team doesn’t mean it should be me,” she turned to Ben who stared at the water, “It should be you, since you are so quick to decide who should go in.”

“But I’m not a good swimmer!” Ben yelled, quickly shutting his mouth and looking around. They were not too far from where Sheriff Monroe was, but far enough that he couldn’t hear him.

“You’re swimming is fine,” Mary Jane retorted, “Stop whining, and just do it.”

“TJ, tell her that’s not fair,” Ben turned to TJ, his arms wrapped in frustration, “you agree with me right?”

TJ lets out a sigh, and holds the camera aloft, “Why don’t you two find a way to decide? And don’t even think about picking me. I have to record.” The two look to each other, agreeing to play a short game. The game of choice: Rock, Paper, Scissors.

“Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” They both yelled together. Mary Jane got rock, Ben got scissors.

“Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” This time Mary Jane got paper, splash, Ben got scissors.

“Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!” Ben yells in triumph as Mary Jane held up paper again. But when he turned to TJ excitedly, he noticed she stared at the water questioningly. “Did you two hear that?” she asked not taking her eyes off the water, it wasn’t the eyes of someone afraid, but more so someone excited. “I didn’t hear anything,” Mary Jane said, Ben agreeing. “Maybe it was just my imagination then,” TJ laughed, “Or maybe, Cassi Anne is here with us”.

“Cut it out,” Mary Jane said crossing her arms, “let’s just get this stupid thing over with so I can prove to you both once again that you’re wrong.”

Mary Jane walked over to the edge of the water. She didn’t want to go in, but she respected the rules of the game and proceeded to take off her shoes and jacket. “How long do I have to be in for?” she asked as she placed her coat on the rock beside TJ.

“I don’t know, wanna go until you feel like you’ve had enough?” TJ suggested, standing up with her camera. She held it so the little screen showed Mary Jane walking into the water. Mary Jane let out a loud gasp as the cold rushed up her legs. “F-fucking cold!” She stuttered. Ben and TJ waited till she was far enough out, her feet no longer touching the ground. Then they waited.

The wait was long and boring, every now and then they would shout out to Mary Jane to make sure she was okay. She would respond complaining about the cold, which was to be expected. “How long has it been?” Mary Jane shouted to them. TJ looked at her watch, and noted it had only been ten minutes. Ben took a stick and began to draw in the sand.

After a few more minutes TJ stood. “How about you start heading back in,” TJ yelled to Mary Jane, but there was no response. “Jane?” she yelled again. Ben was on his feet, panic setting in as they both looked out across the water’s surface, trying to locate their friend.

“TJ, where is she?” Ben asked, his voice squeaking, “I don’t see her TJ.” She wasted no time, taking off her shoes she passed the camera to Ben and rushed into the water. Ben stood watching his friend swim out, he watched as she got to the spot Mary Jane was at, and then watched as she went under. He watched and waited, but nothing happened. “Oh man,” he said quietly, “Oh, fucking hell man.” He paced back and forth, his body screaming at him to run and get help, but knew that every moment mattered. Placing the camera on the ground he went in after her.

Ben swam out to where he assumed they would have been, but he wasn’t entirely sure. He listened for any signs of movement and found nothing. At one point he dived under, trying to see with his eyes but without his glasses, which were thrown on the ground, he found no hope in the darkness. Something brushed against his leg, and without thinking his body began to swim to the shore. He didn’t make it far, a hand wrapped around his ankle and pulled him under. Thrashing in the water, he tried to scratch his way to freedom, but the thing was too strong. It held him down, his eyes only making out the silhouette of a large dark shape, his mind wandered as he went deeper. Why didn’t he run for help, find the sheriff? Why did he get into the water? Why was this happening to him? Soon, his body, which was freezing from the cold, began to slowly warm up as he began to embrace the dark. He floated down deeper and deeper, never rising again.

Splash!

TJ is on her hands and knees as she drags herself onto the shore coughing up water. Her camera which was on the ground now hovers in front of her, a bright light from a flashlight shining down at her. As she looked up, her grandfather smiled down at her, “Well done my dear,” he said happily, “you’ve made me very proud.” She stood next to him, soaking wet and beaming. He holds up a towel that she takes, wrapping it around her shoulders. She grabbed her bag, which now holds her deceased friend's shoes and coats, and throws it over her shoulder as they began to make their way to the edge of the woods. “You’re great granddaddy would be so proud of you,” he started, “continuing our family tradition, and getting two on your first to say the least. It will be hard to erase your steps, but not difficult.” TJ hopped over a log, “Do you think she actually haunts the lake grandpa?” Monroe chuckled, “Of course she does, along with all the other children spirits who are trapped under the lake.”

“But it’s not them we sacrifice to,” TJ remarked.

“It’s not them we sacrifice to,” Monroe agreed.

TJ stops for a moment, looking back out over the lake before leaving. Small round balls float above the water's surface, little heads. They stare at TJ, and if she could make out any feature she knew that what would greet her would be the same eyes that greeted Cassi Anne’s parents, cold, dead, and foggy. Maybe it would drive her to join them as well, but she already made her sacrifice. Two more small heads emerged above the water. TJ waves to them, smiling, knowing she could come to the water's edge and watch them rise whenever she liked. Turning her back, she takes her grandfather's hand, and they leave Cassi Anne Lake together.