Short Story: Turpentine Lake

Short Story: Turpentine Lake

It was the prettiest, most beautiful, most pristine and immaculate lake Alan had ever seen. Like a gigantic layer of glass covering the land. It is called the Turpentine Lake. Some people called it the white lake because they knew turpentine as white spirit. It looked like very clean water - so transparent it was barely visible. Only when the sun shone down on it could the light be seen reflecting superficially upon it. Even on the windiest days the Turpentine Lake was table still. On a clear night the lake would be a perfect reflection of the starry sky. It looked as if there were two moons instead of one.

I have to swim this lake, Alan thought to himself on this pleasant sunny day. His eyes did not move from the wide inviting lake. He slowly moved towards it like a man possessed. He took his shirt off. Under his bare feet he could feel the course, hot sand gently whispering as he firmed it with his footsteps. At the lake's edge Alan kneeled down. With ease he dipped his finger in to the lake. It was slightly warm and had a nice relaxing feel to it. Alan looked at his finger, it had a very shiny, very clean sheen to it. Raising his head he scanned the lake, it was smooth as marble, shining with as much beauty and radiance as a freshly cut diamond. The lake had a mysterious form of holy depth to it.

A quick few minutes dip, he decided. He walked gracefully into the lake, the clear liquid lapping around his ankles. About ten metres out it started to get deeper, now up to his chest, every muscle in his body easing. The liquid around him was so gentle, the slight warmth was soothing. What the heck? He thought to himself, I'm going to dive. With agility and poise he plunged his entire body under - the liquid filled his nostrils causing Alan to jolt in shock. Rapidly rushing to the surface, gasping he swallowed some liquid that burnt back of his throat. He started to cough uncontrollably, his arms waving madly, splashing violently, ripples surrounding him. A quiet rasping came from his mouth, "Heeeeeelllllllllll!" Alan sank down, his last moments of life disappearing. The Turpentine Lake had claimed another victim.