Hazy View: Souls of the Vanished Read Free Page A

the lake deep in thought. ‘Something happened to Robert on the
lake this morning. Is it possible that she tried reaching out to
him? Was that what he saw that terrified him? It doesn’t even make
any sense. No, he felt the heart attack and felt he wasn't ready to
leave. That's what frightened him and that's why his face held a
moment of terror. Nothing else could've happened here.’
    “ I think you need to
investigate events around the lake. I've heard rumors of strange
happenings here at night.” The coroner suggested and stepped closer
to Martin.
    “ Rumors spread by
drunkards and attention seekers. There's nothing wrong here.
Probably kids playing pranks.”
    The coroner collected the last items.
“Besides the witnesses and Robert, I believe no one else were
around the lake.”
    Martin stepped away from the path to
give the coroner and officers space to leave.
    Tom’s pick-up and trailer backed up
into the reeds while the coroner and officers left. Tom Livingston
got out and joined Martin.
    Tom was slender, well-tanned and
always wore a baseball cap. He always dressed in baggy and sandals.
A golf shirt carried the words “Hazy View Lake Caretaker”. He
always walked with his head slightly downwards and often fidgeted
with his hands.
    Tom greeted Martin and continued to
pull the boat straight.
    “ Tom who was on the lake
last night, do you know?”
    “ No, I only know of Robert
and the youngsters who rented my cruiser. I don’t know of anyone
else. Robert regularly went out at four in the morning. It's a
shame what happened and the poor child...” Tom's speech was a
little slow. Clearly he wasn’t the sharpest knife in the
drawer.
    Martin gasped. “... What
child?”
    “ One of the youngsters
said that they heard a child crying around midnight. They said a
child sounded lost and scared that’s why it was crying. What’s
worse, it might’ve been in the water. Can you imagine that
sheriff?” Tom added.
    “ Where did they hear the
child crying, do you know?” Martin was weak and dazed.
    “ Near the rock face I
believe.” Tom said and pointed in that direction.
    Tom activated the winch and guided the
boat straight onto the trailer. Once the winch stopped he turned to
Martin fidgeting with his hands. “I'll have the boat at your office
soon sheriff.”
    Tom got into his pick-up and pulled
the boat to shore leaving more flattened reeds behind. Martin
scanned the far side of the lake and glared at the rock
face.
    ‘ I'll leave you here. I
need to leave you behind for the sake of my sanity. Scream all you
want make waves, try to escape. It's all in vain because no one
believes that you're still here. Without me you'll never escape
this lake.’ Martin whispered again.
    *~*~*
    * V*
     
    At the base of the rock face small
waves broke against the rocks. The water was dark, murky and
disturbed. Ripples formed in the water. Small bubbles burst on the
surface. A strange dark patch formed underwater and took a human
form. It didn't break the water surface. A thin mist started to
form just above the water. The figure moved away from the rock face
across the lake. The mist followed closely. It moved faster towards
the reeds. A hissing moan echoed changing from a low to a
high-pitched cry was soft not to attract attention. Nearing the
reeds the sound faded, the water calmed, and the figure
disappeared.
    Something moved underwater. Reeds
swayed slightly without the help from the wind. Little ripples
formed on the water and a soft moan filled the air. It was trying
to get the attention of one man.
    Martin was facing the lake, still
mumbling. Little bubbles popped at his feet. He fell silent and
stared at the bubbles.
    He crouched for a better look and
moved broken reeds aside. Something suddenly grabbed his feet and
pulled it out from under him. He fell onto his back, his head hit
hard into shallow water. With force it dragged him towards deeper
water.
    He tried to use his arms to lift his
head but failed. He grabbed