Page 26 of Whispers of the Lake

Relief sunk in when I reached a clearing in the forest. Off to the right was a view of the lake again. I took the right, hurrying toward the nearest bench and sitting. I glanced over my shoulder, just to be sure no one was following me.

No one was.

I faced forward, closed my eyes, and drew in a breath.Inhale. Exhale.

Just like my therapist had taught me.

When I felt well enough, my eyelids fluttered open. There was a dock nearby. I hadn’t noticed it before in my haste, but someone was sitting on the edge of it. The mist was thicker, so the person looked more like a dark blob in the distance. I frowned as they looked my way. The mist made it difficult to see them clearly. I stood up and stepped closer to make sure my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me.

Slowly, their details became visible. The figure was wearing an all-black T-shirt, jeans, and had short hair.

“Hey,” the person called out, pulling their legs up and rising to a stand.

I stumbled backwards as they walked in my direction.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Once again, my fingers twitched, ready to grab hold of my gun. But grabbing it was unnecessary. It was only a girl. Her skin was deep brown, and she had a buzz cut. She wore glasses and looked so thin it seemed she was malnourished. Her feet were bare and wet as she approached me with a wide smile. She couldn’t have been any older than sixteen or seventeen.

“Hey—oh, sorry!” She glanced at the gun holster attached to my hip, throwing her hands up. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” She shifted on her feet like she was ready to bolt. Clearly, I was the dangerous one to her.

“That’s alright.” I forced a smile at her and cocked my hip left a bit, so the gun wasn’t as threatening.

She forced a smile back at me, glancing at the gun again. “You know, it’s smart to carry these days. You just never know sometimes. I want one when I’m older.”

I pressed my lips together.

She focused on the lake again. “It probably looks weird that I’m just sitting out here while it’s all gloomy looking. Like the start of a horror movie or something, right?” She giggled.

“No, that’s your business.” I laughed. “It’s none of mine.”

“I’ve never seen you around here before. Are you renting the cottage?” she asked. “Twilight Oaks?”

I nodded. “I am.”

“So, you’re Rose, then.”

I hesitated and it took everything in me not to frown. “How do you know that?”

“I saw your name in the confirmation emails. Nothing weird or anything!” She threw her hands in the air, feigning innocence. “I live with Alex. He’s the one who rents the place out. We stay in the blue house along the main path.”

“Oh, okay!” I lowered my guard. So, Alex Reed lived in that house. Interesting. “That makes sense. What are you doing all the way over here?”

“I dunno. Just wanted to take a walk. Needed some air. Things have been weird at home. When it gets like that, I like putting my feet in the water and pretending I’m on vacation or something.” She gave me an uneasy smile. I sensed that wasn’t all she wanted to say.

I waited to see if she’d provide more.

She twisted her fingers in front of her, chewing on her bottom lip instead, like she knew better than to keep talking.

“I understand.” I paused. “I have a question for you. Hopefully you can help me out.”

“Sure!”

“Did you happen to run into the person who rented the cottage before me, by any chance?”

“Oh. Um . . .” She avoided my eyes and stared at the grass. “I don’t think so.”

It was obvious she was lying.

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