_ “There’s a lot of stories about that old lake, but there’s only one that I know is true.” _

The girl giggled as she ran down the lane after her brother. Caught up in their game, the two didn’t realize where they were until a bird hooted. Pausing to catch her breath, the girl looked around. “BRYAN!” Her scream filled the air, and her older brother came running. Scanning to see if she was hurt, he gasped, “What?” “We’re too close to the old lake!” The girl whimpered, “Mum said not to come here, Bryan, we have to leave.” The boy kneeled to bring himself to her eye level. “Okay, okay. Calm down, Maddie. We can go back if you really want to.” The younger girl nodded, eyes wide with fear, and the two started back down the path to the nearby town. They warily trudged past the old oak tree that people said had been struck by lightning, as well as the weirdly shaped rock that looked suspiciously like something from a nightmare. When Maddie paused, Bryan didn’t notice that she had stopped walking until he had passed her. Failing to hear her footsteps, the boy turned back to ask why she had stopped. What he saw made him take a second look. The girl’s eyes were blank, staring in the direction of the lake. She didn’t move when Bryan put a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t move as he crouched down to look fully into her face. She didn’t move as he whispered her name. A cloud passed over the moon, obscuring what had become the only light source for the siblings. Maddie suddenly began walking again, but this time in the direction of the lightning- struck tree. Bryan pulled on her shoulder, worried, but she continued walking. “Maddie, come on, it’s not funny anymore.” Her brother begged, tugging on the younger girl’s sleeve. An owl’s hoot was the only reply offered. Bryan tried to catch up to his sister, but Maddie seemed to be moving faster with with every step. He looked down, feeling an intense drowsiness flooding over him. He barely saw Maddie disappearing behind the dead tree before he blacked out.

_ “… and nobody ever saw her again. Bryan grew so sad over his lost little sister that one day, he disappeared too. One person said they saw him walking down to the lake, but nobody could ever find any trace of him.” _

_ “Oh, come on, Grandpa. Nobody believes your ghost stories anymore.” _

_ The man frowned as the young boy ran off. His mind fell into memory, recalling the way that Bryan’s face had looked that day:_

 Terrified.