The frozen lake cracked beneath his feet, a sound like distant thunder echoing across the stillness of the winter landscape. Caleb paused, the sharp chill nipping at his skin, tension coiling in his chest. He looked around, the world around him painted in shades of blue and white, and his breath clouded in front of him, mingling with the frosty air.

He had always been drawn to the lake, its surface shimmering in the sunlight like a sheet of glass. But today, the sun was muted, hidden behind a cloak of grey clouds, and the ice felt uncertain. He glanced back at the path leading to shore; it seemed like a lifetime ago when he had set off, brimming with excitement for a day of exploration.

With each careful step, the cracks followed him—snaking underfoot, threatening, warning. He knew he shouldn't push his luck, but the allure of what lay beneath the surface was far too tempting. Stories of old whispered through his mind—tales of the lake's depths, of treasures hidden and spirits trapped. His heart raced at the thought, curiosity igniting a fire within him that overpowered caution.

As he ventured further, the cracks grew louder, almost like a melody created by the ice itself. Suddenly, a loud snap rang out, and Caleb froze. Panic surged through him. He shifted his weight backward, the ice trembling beneath him like an anxious animal. Just as he began to retreat, from the corner of his eye, a flicker of movement caught his attention.

Turning slowly, Caleb held his breath. There, shimmering like a mirage, was a figure beneath the surface—a girl, with hair like spun gold and eyes that seemed to reflect the very sky above. Her hands reached out, gentle and beckoning, a silent invitation. His heart pounded as he instinctively took a step closer.

“Help me,” she whispered, though the sound barely reached him over the cracking ice.

In that moment, the world narrowed down to her eyes—a sea of longing and desperation. The lake groaned again, a deeper sound this time, and Caleb felt the ice shift beneath him. He shook his head, confusion swirling with fear. “I can't!” he shouted, the words bursting from him.

But the girl only smiled, her expression peaceful, as if she knew secrets he could never comprehend. Caleb felt a pull, an urge to save her, but instinct screamed at him to flee. In a flash, he turned, sprinting towards the shore, the icy surface cracking and rupturing behind him.

His heart raced as he finally reached solid ground, gasping for breath. He turned back one last time, but the image of the girl was gone, the lake now merely a vast expanse of ice. Yet, he felt her presence, a lingering warmth against the icy backdrop of reality.

Caleb took a deep breath, the weight of the experience settling in. The lake would always hold its mysteries, but some things were left untouched, waiting beneath the surface.

Courtney Reed

@Courtneyreed

Louisiana

Courtney Reed has not written a story.