Way Back When

I loved my dad. We would spend hours and hours together fishing, walking, playing football. My brother would sometimes join us but more often than not it was just the two of us.

Don't get me wrong I loved my brother just as much and perhaps even that bit more, he was my twin after all but I always felt I could be totally me when I was alone with my dad.

Sometimes he would wake me up a few minutes after midnight, put his finger to his lips to signal perfect quiet and I was to follow him outside into the woods. He would usually choose moonlit nights for our expeditions so we didnt need to carry extra lights and off we would go as quiet as we could be.

I saw many magical things on those woodland trips. Not all of them were things I could explain to anyone else and to be honest I wouldn't have wanted to. This was my special time with the one person I looked up to and admired.

On this particular night we hadn't been out for months. My dad had not been well and had spent days in bed with chest problems. So it was a complete surprise when I felt the usual gentle shake on my arm and the warm breath blowing on my face.

"Son, son wake up. We need to go tonight. The moon is out." My dads voice seemed urgent which was unusual but I didn't take much notice, I was too excited.

I slipped easily out of bed and rushed to put my warm clothes on. I knew it would be icy in the woods so I put on as many layers as I could find. I looked briefly over at my brother who was gently snoring. Nothing would wake him, I was safe as long as I didn't make too much noise.

I followed him out of the house, through the garden and soon we were at the edge of the woods at the back of the house. The moon lit up the fields really clearly and I could see without too much difficulty the narrow path that we always took into the wood.

"Come on son" My dad whispered. "We haven't much time. It's important we get there soon."

Now my interest increased. We were never in a hurry on these trips. What was so urgent?

The usual night time noises flooded my ears and although my heart was beating fast I didn't feel any panic. I knew I was safe with my dad.

Before long we were at the waters edge of the small lake that sat in the middle of the woods. My dad had always called it "Pops Lake" for some reason and I never had asked why.

I followed close behind him as he confidently cut through the brambles making sure I stepped in his footfall so I didn't stumble and slow him down. I sensed his urgency, his impatience and was reluctant to break the rhythm of his walk.

It seemed like an age but eventually he stopped and stood peering across the lake. Despite the fact it was a clear night it was impossible to see the other bank. Without warning a thick fog had started to close in and the air became instantly chilly.

My dad turned to me then and stared deeply into my eyes.

His voice barely a whisper, " Son?"

"Yes dad", I answered.

"My father used to bring us here when we were your age. Just like this in the dead of night. He would tell us ghost stories. My brother , your uncle used to get really scared but I didn't. I used to love them."

I was confused. I had an uncle? My dad had never told me .

My dad must have anticipated my confusion because he nodded slowly.

"Yes son . I had a brother just like you have one."

"Where is he now?" I asked "Did he die?"

" Yes son" , My father whispered. "That is correct. He died. Here in fact. Just about your age, he was. I never forgot him."

"Ohhhh." I exclaimed. " I'm so sorry..... I never knew." I moved closer to him seeing the pain in his eyes, and hearing how broken he was by the crack in his voice.

I expected him to put his arms around me to acknowledge the pain I felt for him. Show his love by squeezing me but he didn't. Instead as he turned towards me his face showed a pure hatred, and his hands grabbed fiercely at my shoulders. He spun me around to face the lake once again.

"My father drowned my brother. Right here!" He pointed to the water. "Like father like son." He growled as he pushed me under.