The Lake

Hearing that envelope drop onto the doormat below sent Matthew’s heart racing. Without a second thought he rushes off to the door and picks up the letters. Amongst the junk mail there was the letter that he had been waiting months for.

Sitting back down in the living room, he just stared at the letter, wanting to open it but at the same time there was a strong feeling of fear that prevented him from doing so. Matthew thought about waiting until Michelle came home so she could open it for him, but he knew that he could not wait that long. Summoning what little courage he had, he took a deep breath and opened the letter.

It was from the literacy agency. “Dear Mr Hollen, thank you for the submission. We regret to inform you that we will not be publishing your work.” Reading those words made Matthew’s heart sink to the pit of his stomach. He had been submitting different collections of his works for years at this point. All he needed was that one lucky break, but it never seemed to come. He put it in the draw filled with the other rejection letters and headed back into the living room, this time turning the television on and wrapping himself up in a fluffy blanket.

As he laid there on the sofa he closed his eyes and tried to imagine what his life would be like as a successful writer. Yet in what felt like seconds the negative thoughts of the rejections and all of the self-doubt started to creep in and this gave him a strong sense of panic. Matthew focused his mind on the sounds of the daytime tv and slowly drifted off to sleep.

“Matt wake up, Matt”. Those words penetrated his dream. His eyes opened with a jolt that frightened both him and Michelle, who was sat next to him. “Oh dear, I’m going to guess that you got a rejection letter?” Matthew sits up and tries to focus his still groggy mind. “Yeah, how did you know?” Matt, we have been together for years, I know that when you cocoon yourself in that blanket that something is wrong. So, I guessed that it was that.”

Matthew got up and embraced Michelle, he felt lucky that he had someone who understood him and was willing to put up with him moping around the flat. Michelle plated up a takeaway that she brought home and poured two glasses of wine and they sat in the small dining room area of their kitchen and talked about their days.

After they finished eating Michelle suggested that they watch a movie together, but Matthew declined, he wanted to get on with a new piece of writing. He wasn’t ready to give up. He went into his study and opened his laptop and went to start writing. However, Matthew couldn’t. Nothing was coming to his mind; it was completely blank. He had never experienced this level of writer’s block before. The blank page sat there mocking him, laughing at his anguish.

He closed the top of the laptop and threw himself down next to Michelle, who was curled up on the sofa scrolling on her phone. “That was quick” Michelle joked putting her phone down. Matthew laid his head on her shoulder. “Yeah, I just couldn't get anything out, it was if all of my ideas have all dried up. Michelle moved him onto her lap so she could look at him properly. “You’re probably just tired and need a rest or need some inspiration”. Matthew went to argue with her, but he couldn’t she was right. “Your always cooped up in this flat, how about you go on a night away into the mountains or something countryside related as a change of scenery might help?” Matthew pondered it, a break would be good and maybe he will get inspired, but he was reluctant to leave his flat, as he had pretty much become a recluse. “What about your work, you wouldn’t be able to leave at such short notice” he asked Michelle as he sat up next to her. “I wouldn’t be going; I think it would do you some good if it was just you and your notebook or something. Just think about it”. Matthew paused and eventually agreed to go. “Ah brilliant now go and chose a film and I will get you all booked in” Michelle ordered him.

Taking with him only a small backpack, Matthew gave Michelle a kiss and headed to his mountain get away. It was a good drive, he had managed to miss all of the heavy traffic and just put an audiobook on and enjoyed the drive. The twisting roads were beautiful, and he could see why Michelle had suggested going into the mountains. He pulled into the carpark of the small hotel. It had an old rustic countryside feel to it and it was obvious that it was very old. He checked in and headed to the local pub.

It was the classic old style countryside pub, the smell of beer and the real fireplace filled Matthew’s lungs. He ordered a pint and sat in the corner of the pub with a window with diamond grilles on it. He soaked in the atmosphere enjoying his little break when an older man wearing a gilet and a flat cap walked towards him. He put his pint opposite Matthew’s and sat down.

“Haven’t seen you around here before”. The man said looking at Matthew. At first Matthew wasn’t sure of what to make of him, in the city people didn’t really just come and sit with strangers. “I’m here on a break, my girlfriend thought that I could do with some fresh air. The man took a sip of his beer, “well you definitely came to the right place, these mountains they will do you some good. I’m Owen, I own one of the farms up here”, he then winks while taking a sip of his beer. “Nice to meet you, I’m Matthew”. “Well then Matt what do you do?” “I’m an aspiring writer” Matthew blurted out with pride. “Oh really, have you written anything that I would know”. Matthew shook his head “no, I haven’t managed to get anything published yet, I am facing a bit of writer’s block, so I am hoping this place will give me some inspiration”. “Well, I think your blessed, as you see here we have a lake, that will help inspire artists, well that’s part of it, there are also some negative old tales but that doesn’t matter. It is worth stopping by it seeing what you can unlock”.

Matthew just nodded and finished off his beer. He checked his phone and it was now two in the afternoon. “It was lovely meeting you Owen, but I have to get going”. Matthew picks up his bag and heads off for the mountain. Owen watched him leave with a smile on his face.

It didn’t take long for Matthew to become out of breath, he had gone from occasionally lifting some weights and the odd walk around the block to walking up a mountain. He was starting to regret it, especially when his calf muscles would tighten and the burning of the lactic acid set in. He was struggling to progress up the mountain when he saw laying on the side a long stick. He managed to avoid all of the manure and brambles and picked up the stick, it was just what he needed. He used the stick as a makeshift hiking pole.

The higher that he got, the more that he was able to take in the beauty of the mountain, the grass was very green and there were patches of wildflowers all over. At first walking up a mountain where there were sheep grazing in the distance made Matthew feel unsettled as he didn’t want to be responsible for disturbing them, but they didn’t seem to mind him as long as he kept his distance. After a couple of stops along the way he managed to reach the top of the mountain.

Matthew took several sips of his water and once he had managed to catch his breath. He took the time to take in the view properly. He could see for miles. He could see the village below and even the sea far in the distance. Matthew took photos of the view and sent them to Michelle, even though she was a city girl she always appreciated a good view and would be jealous of this. Looking into the distance he thought that it would be a good place to come back to with Michelle one day.

Since he was at the top of the mountain, Matthew thought that he would make the most of it before he had to head back down again, as it had only taken him two hours to reach the top, so he would be back at the hotel in time for dinner. With time on his side he wandered around the top of the mountain, taking photos of the view at different angles and even a couple of selfies. As he reached the back of the mountain, he noticed a body of water at the bottom. At first Matthew thought nothing really of it, but then he remembered what Owen had told him, that it was known to inspire artists. With that in mind he decided that he would check it out and walk around the base to get back to the hotel.

The walk down the mountain was a lot easier than the walk up. The view was still beautiful, and Matthew felt really lucky to have done this walk. Matthew slipped and landed with a thud. Matthew gathered his breath and went to put his hand down so he could push himself up, but he pulled his hand away quickly. He had come narrowly close to put his hand on an old sheep skull. The sight disturbed him and sent a cold shiver down his spine. This cold shiver made him get up quickly and walk down the mountain even faster.

He ran down the last part of the mountain. The lake was a lot more beautiful up close, the water looked almost clear throughout with only a large circle in the middle looking a deeper blue. He took his bag off and threw it down next to him and sat there and took a drink of his water and ate his sandwich. It was getting close to half six in the evening, Matthew did the whole walk in a really good time. After he finished his snack, he took out his phone, took some photos for Michelle and gave her a call.

Matthew told Michelle about the climb and the views and how lovely it was there. Michelle was glad that he was having such a good time and was hoping that it would help to reignite that spark that he had for writing. Michelle was never a big reader, and she really didn’t have much of an interest in writing or books, but she believed that she could tell good writing from mediocre writing. Matthew was a good writer, and she knew that he would be successful one day.

“So, are you back at the hotel now?” Michelle asked him, getting comfortable on the sofa. “No, I took a small detour, and I’m sitting by this lake having a break before I head back.” “Oh, so that’s the picture you sent me, it definitely looks pretty there. How did you find it?” “I stopped off at the pub for a drink to help me relax a little, and this farmer came and sat next to me and told me about the lake and that it was known to inspire artists, so when I saw it I thought why not stop by and check it out”.

Michelle was surprised that Matthew had made a friend as he was always a big loner, but if it helped inspire him that was all that mattered to her. She wished him a good night and told him that she loved him. Matthew told Michelle that he loved her too and that he would be home the next day and hung up.

Matthew started to relax, and he put his backpack behind his head and laid down listening to the breeze roll down the sides of the mountain and across the lake and watched the clouds go by. Matthew drifted off to sleep on the bank at the bottom of the mountain.

The next thing that he knew was that it was dark. He fumbled about to find his phone to check what the time was, but he couldn’t find it. Matthew started to panic he needed his phone and now someone had stolen it from him. He looked around to see if he could see anyone. At first no one was there, but as his eyes started to adjust, he could see a glowing light coming from one of the other banks by the river. He flings his backpack onto his back and walks quickly over towards the light.

As Matthew got closer to the light, he started to notice that it was a small campfire. Sitting next to it was a young man and he was hunched over. “Excuse me, excuse me sir.” Matthew called out to the man. He only looked up and acknowledged Matthew when he was stood right across from him by the campfire. As he lifted his head Matthew could see that the man was writing in a small leather-bound note pad. Something felt off about the man, but Matthew couldn’t place his finger on it.

“Have you seen my phone?” Matthew made sure that he sounded firm but not completely accusatory. “Sorry? Why would I have anything of yours?” Matthew was getting frustrated mostly with himself, I was asleep over there he gestured to the bank where he had fallen asleep. The man didn’t look away from Matthew. “I haven’t moved from here, this is my spot, feel free to check around me but I don’t have anything of yours.” Matthew wanted to believe the man, but he had to check, he went through the mans leather bag and made him empty his pockets. The man was dressed in a brown leather coat and baggy trousers, but Matthew’s phone wasn’t there.

Once Matthew had finished searching he apologises to the man. The man nods and invites Matthew to sit down by the fire to warm up a little before he heads off. Matthew sat down next to the man and tried to warm his hands by the fire, but it didn’t really help. “What are you working on?” he asked the man, who had gone back to writing. “A poem about an everlasting coldness.” The man responded not looking away from the page. “Oh really, I’m a writer too, in fact that’s why I came to the lake, apparently it inspires people, and I wanted a piece of that, even if it is a placebo”.

The man looks up from the page and stairs at the lake. “It does inspire artists and poets like me, yet it all comes at a price.” Matthew looked at the man strangely wondering what he meant, but shrugged it off thinking that the man meant that you have to climb the mountain to get to the lake. Still staring at the lake the man asked Matthew if he wanted to write with him. Matthew was unsure as he felt as if he needed to head off back to the hotel, but at the same time this was why he had come here. “Ok, I’m not sure what I will write but I might as well give it a go”.

The man flipped to the back of his notepad and tore out a page for Matthew to use, it was clear from the remnants of old pages that he has offered many people a page to write on. Matthew took the page and took out a pen and leant with his stomach on the grass bank so he could write. At first nothing came to him but then he started writing about the man and how different he was. Matthew thought that he would be the perfect main character. Matthew’s eyes started to get heavy again and soon it became hard for him to keep his eyes open, he eventually fell asleep again.

Waking back up, Matthew quickly checked that all of his belongings were still there. They were accept for his phone that was still missing. Matthew sat up and saw that the man was gone and so was the campfire. At first he thought that he must have been asleep for a long time as there was not a single sign of a campfire ever being there no ash, nothing. This caused him to start to doubt himself and think that it could have been a dream, when he looked down behind him and saw the piece of paper that the man had given him. It still had the man’s description too. He had been there.

Matthew needed to get back to the hotel, he would just have to accept that the phone was now gone. He folded the piece of paper up and put it into his backpack and started to make his way around the lake.

The walk around the lake was a lot longer than what Matthew realised. He had no clue what the time was and at this point he didn’t care he just wanted to get back, check out and head back home to Michelle. In the day light this basin looked beautiful, but in the dark the mountain, the lake and the woodlands looked menacing. Matthew put this to the back of his mind as he made his way through the woods.

A twig snapped behind him, this sent a cold shiver down his spine. He hoped that it was just an animal or a twig falling. Yet as he continued further out of the woodland, there was more rustling coming from behind the shrubbery and trees. Matthew felt like he was being hunted. Despite all of his instincts he stopped, he wanted to see what was following him.

He turned around quickly and behind a tree, Matthew could briefly workout the silhouette of a man with long shaggy hair. Matthew turned back around and walked as fast as he could, as to not let the man know that he saw him, but he couldn’t help it. He started running as fast as he could. Matthew could hear the man running after him. He wasn’t just running after him; he was laughing maniacally as he was doing so. Matthew’s legs were getting tired, and his lungs were burning with every short breath that he was able to take in. None of that mattered at this point. Matthew didn’t know who that man was or what he wanted; all he knew was that if the man caught him it would not be good.

The clearing in the trees was getting closer and the man was still chasing after Matthew. All of the strength in his legs was now running out and it would only be a matter of time before they give out from under him and the man will get him. He started to stumble.

As soon as Matthew got out of the trees he ran for another few minutes and his legs gave out and he went flying forwards. Matthew made contact with the ground, but before he could think about getting up he turned around to see where the man was. He was gone. Matthew got up and looked around him half expecting the man to jump scare him. He was no where to be seen. Not wanting to hang about any longer in case the man came back, he walked as fast as he could. He was about halfway around the lake, so theoretically there wasn’t that much further to go now.

One thing was for sure this place had inspired Matthew, it had inspired him never to go on these solo adventures again. He was sure that when the freshness of this whole ordeal had faded, it would turn into a good story that he could write. Matthew thought of Owen, he was right. This lake does inspire artists.

It felt like Matthew had been walking for ages, the forest was far in the background at this point. He didn’t know what would be first, sun rise or him getting back to the hotel. As he was walking and starting to feel sorry for himself Matthew heard the faint sound of someone screaming. At first Matthew thought that it was the crazy man chasing after him.

The scream came again. It wasn’t the man from the woods it was a woman screaming for help. Matthew tried to look around but couldn’t see anything. The screaming continued and he could hear splashing. He focused on the lake and when his eyes focused, he could see a woman in the lake struggling to keep afloat.

Matthew rushed towards the shore of the lake and he could see that it was a young woman who must have only been in her early twenties. Matthew looked around to see if there was anything that he could throw for her to catch so he could pull her to shore but there wasn’t. Matthew had two options he could either run to the hotel and get help and risk the woman drowning or he could go in after her. This decision process felt like it took a long time to Matthew but in reality, it only took him a few seconds.

He could not leave and let this woman drown. He threw his backpack off and made his way into the water. Matthew was glad that the lake was mostly shallow, yet with every step that he took it felt like the woman was moving further and further away. The water of the lake started to seep through Matthew’s trousers. The icy water took his breath away from him. Breathing through it he made his way into the water to the point that he could no longer walk or even tread water.

Matthew was getting closer to the woman. He called out to her, to reassure her that he was coming. As he was almost there, he noticed that the woman was now starting to lose her strength and would keep going under the water.

This time when she went under, she didn’t pop back up. Matthew took a deep breath and dove into the water to get her. He could hardly see anything. The water was so dark that it felt as if he was trying to look through ink. Matthew resurfaced for a quick breath.

He felt something wrap around his ankle. It was probably a weed of some sort Matthew thought, as he tried to kick it off, but it wouldn’t budge. He took a breath so he could take it off. He could see something was there but as he looked closer he noticed that it wasn’t a weed. It was the woman’s blonde hair wrapped around his leg.

Matthew reached out to grab her, so he could pull her to the surface but as he did. He notices the woman’s face change expression from a panicked look to a wicked smile. Before, Matthew could even fully comprehend what was happening the woman reached for both of his legs and pulled him deeper under the water.

He tried to kick her off him and thrashed around but it was no good. This woman or whatever she was had some sort of supernatural strength, and he knew that it was too late. As he went deeper down and with the burning of the lack of air in his lungs and the water going up his nose, all he could think of was Michelle and he slowly lost consciousness.

Michelle was looking forward to Matthew coming home in the afternoon, she was excited to learn about his experiences and if he had any ideas. It was a long and tedious day in work for her. As she watched the clock tick by slowly. Throughout the day she was waiting for Matthew to message her or call her letting her know that he was on his way home. She thought that maybe he was so busy checking out and driving home that he completely forgot all about it. Just in case she messaged him just wishing a safe drive and telling him that she was missing him. There was still no reply, Michelle started to call him. Each time she called him, it went straight to answer phone. This was strange as he always had his phone on him and fully charged, as he was convinced that a literacy agent will have a change of heart and will phone him.

It was for this reason that she quickly became concerned about not receiving any messages or calls from him. She just hoped that once she opened the door to their flat she could see him laying on the sofa asleep.

With her heart pounding Michelle turned the key in the lock and flung the door open. She rushed into the living room expecting to see him there. He wasn’t. This made Michelle panic even more, she pulled out her phone it was six in the evening he should be back already. She called him over and over again, while she searched the whole flat for him. There was no sign of him. His backpack was still gone and so was the car it was obvious that he wasn’t home.

A call came through, Michelle was desperately hoping that it was Matthew. Instead, it was an unknown number. She answered it. It was the hotel, they were calling to ask for the payment for the room saying that Matthew had failed to both pay and checkout. Maybe he was still in the room and forgot about everything. At this point Michelle wasn’t thinking properly. She asked the receptionist to check his room to see if he was there. The receptionist informed her that they checked the room earlier and nothing and no one was there. Michelle paid for the room and asked for the number to the local police station.

Something had clearly gone wrong. The police officer she spoke to was an elderly man. He gave off the comforting feel that a grandfather has, which was unlike any other police officer that Michelle had come across before. He tried to calm her down first. As Michelle was in such a state crying that it was incredibly hard for him to understand her. Eventually Michelle calmed down and was able to regain her breath. The Officer was incredibly understanding and asked her to start again from the beginning. Michelle explained to him all that she could remember about Matthew’s trip. “The last time he phoned me he was at the lake at the bottom of the mountain. He said that Owen a local farmer had recommended it to him.” The Officer grew concerned “what time was this?” “Around six in the evening, he was having a rest and then heading back.” The Officer let out a deep breath and calmly told her that “people are warned off from going to the lake in the evening as it is known for boggy conditions and the plains frequently flood.”

What he didn’t tell her is that over the fifty years he had been at that station there had been four hundred and ninety-seven missing hikers, who was last seen at that lake. All of whom had never been found and no body ever recovered. “Who did you say recommend it to him?” “Owen the farmer he met him at the pub”. “Owen? Are you sure that was the name?” “Yes, he was a friendly guy I suppose and just walked up to Matthew.” “I’m sorry Miss but there is no farmer named Owen that lives up here, there is one Thomas, but he never comes into town. He’s a recluse you see.”

Michelle was confused, upset and heartbroken. She didn’t have the strength to argue with the Officer, she just let it go. The Officer told her that he was going to send out a search party. As at this point, they could potentially save him. Withholding what he knew the likely outcome would be. Even though Michelle knew that she should keep having faith, deep down she knew that finding Matthew would be a long shot.

Earlier that afternoon, Owen walked into the pub and ordered a pint and sat down in a seat next to the fireplace with his leather bound notebook. He added one more tally on his tally chart. Above each tally there was one word. Poet, Wildman and on top of his latest tally he wrote the word writer. He looked at it smiling and highlighted in a circle two more to go. “Then freedom, that witch thought I couldn’t do it. She had no clue who she was messing with.” Owen said chuckling to himself. He sipped his beer, as he watched a couple walk into the pub with hiking gear. He got up and headed over to them “you’re not from around here, are you?”. “No, where just here on a hiking holiday”, the husband explained. “Oh, if you’re looking for a good hike, the other side of this mountain here” Owen said gesturing out of the window. “Is a lake, it has such beauty that it draws in artists from all over the world, to gaze upon its beauty. Only one thing. It is best at night time. It is truly an experience that you will never forget”.