Chapter 4: The Lake’s Grim Bargain

In the darkness, I stumbled through the mud, past scattered bones, and fell to my knees at the edge of the black lake. The water lapped at the shore, cold and hungry. My breath came in short bursts.

The water gaped like a monster’s open maw. I stared into the abyss, heart pounding. My hands shook uncontrollably.

My heart pounded out of my chest. Each beat echoed in my ears, louder than the wind. I felt dizzy with fear.

I didn’t dare call out, just reached a trembling hand into the icy water. My fingers went numb instantly. The cold bit into my skin.

By the dim moonlight, I saw ripples spread across the lake, soon churning like boiling water. The surface broke, and something pale began to rise. My breath caught.

I was frozen in place as a ghastly white face slowly rose toward me from the depths. Its eyes were wide, mouth twisted in a silent plea. My skin crawled.

Then I realized—it was a corpse. My breath caught, and I nearly toppled backward. My hands scrabbled for purchase.

That was the real Caleb Whitaker! His features were familiar, but warped by death. My stomach lurched.

I choked back a scream. His eyes rolled, and he smiled faintly. The expression was both sad and hopeful. My heart twisted.

He wasn’t as handsome as the other Caleb, but there was still a trace of the scholar in his features. Something gentle lingered in the lines of his face. I wanted to cry.

“Wife…” he bubbled, voice thick and muddled. The sound sent chills down my spine. My hands shook harder.

I shook uncontrollably, unable to pull my hand free. My fingers touched clammy, slimy skin—soft as rotting apples. The sensation made my stomach lurch. I gagged.

He finally surfaced, and behind him, the siren’s face appeared. Her grin was wide, teeth gleaming in the moonlight. I recoiled, heart hammering.

I collapsed backward, scrambling away as the siren’s long arms wrapped around the corpse’s waist. She smiled, flashing sharp teeth. Her eyes glowed, hungry and triumphant. I could barely breathe.

“You finally came.”

The real Caleb stared at me, reaching out. His fingers stretched toward me, pleading. My heart clenched.

I dodged away. My heart pounded, fear rooting me to the spot. I wanted to scream.

“Wife…”

The siren’s pupils narrowed into two slits. “Hurry up.” Her voice was impatient, her grip on Caleb tightening. I felt the urgency in her words.

I shook my head, certain neither of them meant me any good. My instincts screamed at me to run. My feet refused to move.

Caleb spoke softly, as if afraid to scare me. “He pushed me into the lake, skinned me, and took my place. Only you can save me.” His words were a plea, heavy with sorrow. My heart ached for him.

The siren chimed in, “Think carefully—doesn’t Caleb have a scar on his back?” Her gaze was sharp, drilling into me. My mind raced, searching for the truth.

How did she know? The question echoed in my mind, unsettling. I felt watched.

“That’s where he stitched on the human skin,” she said, twining herself around the corpse. “Take my knife.” Her hand appeared, offering a blade. My hand trembled as I reached for it.

A knife engraved with wild sunflower patterns appeared in my hand, icy cold. The metal bit into my palm, grounding me in the moment. I squeezed it tight.

“Stab it into his chest, cut out his heart, and your husband will live again…” Her voice was hypnotic, promising salvation. I felt dizzy with hope and fear.

They looked around nervously. “Tonight the gates of hell are open. We don’t know how long our barrier will last. Go back, quickly.” The urgency in their voices made my skin crawl.

I closed my eyes, voice trembling. “I… I can’t aim… I’ve never even killed a chicken.” My hands shook, the knife heavy and foreign. I felt weak.

The siren’s eyes gleamed with hunger. “Then just take some heart’s blood. Stab and stir.” Her words were sharp, insistent. I swallowed hard.

The man’s face changed. “They’re coming! Go!” His voice rose in panic. My heart leapt into my throat.

He dragged the siren down with him into the depths of the lake. The water swallowed them, leaving only ripples behind. The silence that followed was deafening.

The world went quiet again. If it weren’t for the knife in my hand, I wouldn’t believe any of this had happened. The silence pressed in, thick and suffocating. I hugged myself for comfort.

The moon was hazy, clouds thick overhead, not a glimmer of light. The darkness felt absolute. My skin prickled with fear.

Clutching the knife, I headed back. My footsteps squelched in the mud, each step heavier than the last. My legs ached.