First Place: High School

Across the Lake

It’s the summer of ’87, in Worchester Alabama. Worchester is a fairly small town with population of a little over 900. That’s almost three generations in each family, so everyone pretty much knows much other. Especially Jason, my best friend, and myself Adam. We are both 19, but we have grown up together everyday making us more like brothers. We are both the only children our parents decided to have, and we grew up ‘across the lake’ from each other. There is a small patch of woods between our properties that has a lake right in the middle of it. We discovered this lake together when we were young and we had decided to keep it a secret from our other friends because no one actually had a lake or swimming pool to relax in, and we didn’t want anyone invading our space. Ever since that day we have spent every day of each summer at the lake.

As we have gotten older, we started to date and invite our girlfriends along to share the special place with us. I have only brought two girls to the lake but Jason has brought about 4 or 5. After his last girlfriend Jason swore that he would never let another girl break his heart unless she felt some kind of pain as well. So this is were our story starts…

What Jason had said never really bothered me that much. I just figured he was popping off, after all he had just gotten out of a pretty serious relationship. But sometimes his emotions can over whelm him and he will be depressed for months. Like the time his dog died, he thought his world had come to an end, then shortly after that his grandfather passed away. At first he was extremely depressed, then one day his anger got the best of him. First he drug his mattress into the front yard, took all the pictures of his grandfather, his dog’s collar and poured gasoline all over them, then struck the match…

Well let’s just say that was the last time he ever lashed out like that. I’ve pretty much kept him in-line since that little incident. That is until Elizabeth moved to our town. Elizabeth is a tall young girl about 17 years old, with long brown hair, brown eyes, and golden brown skin. I can’t say that I didn’t take an interest in her, but I don’t date much unless I have known the girl for a year or more. That way I have time to scope things out and see how serious she wants to be about a relationship. And that’s exactly what I want, to be serious. Jason on the other hand has no clue what he wants. He bounces around from girl to girl and he eventually screws up with each one causing them to leave him high and dry.

When Elizabeth moved to our town in early September, he took one good look at her and said

“I’m going to ask her on a date.”

I gave him a sharp look as to say ‘be careful Jason’, but I just turned around, shrugged and gave a simple “whatever man.”

He said “you just watch, a few pick up lines, a cute smile, a little sweet talk, and I bet you she’ll say yes!”

“Yeah if she’s really that thick.” I muttered under my breath and out of earshot from Jason.

Well over the next week or so Jason did everything he could to get Elizabeth to notice him. Then one day it finally happened…he went in for the kill. We were at the store just picking a few things up and she happened to be there shopping as well. As soon as Jason saw her he immediately said “uh…I’ll be back in a minute, I need to get somthin.” He quickly ran off to the isle she was in an acted like he was looking for an item that he had forgotten to pick up. He brushed past her several times and when she would look at him he would put on his best smile and gently say, “excuse me.” She would smile back and glance down at her feet, her cheeks turning red as she smile back. And at that moment he decided to take the dive. As he swiftly turned and headed back toward her she gave another quick smile, and then he said, “I couldn’t help noticing how beautiful your smile was.” She blushed once more and gave him a quick and simple “thank you.”

They stood there for a few seconds just looking at each other before either one of them said anything. The unexpectedly she said “I’m so sorry, my name is Elizabeth! It’s nice to meet you…”

“Jason!” he stuttered nervously. “I just love your eyes and your amazing complexion.”

Once more, Elizabeth blushed while smiling and looking down at her feet. Then she replied, “you are so sweet Jason!”

“Well I try my best!” he said with an innocent little school boy look on his face. Then without even thinking, Jason opened his mouth and let the words flow from the tip of his tongue.

“Elizabeth, I know you are new to Worchester and I was thinking maybe we could go to dinner some time and I could show you around a bit…if you have no objections of course!”

“I think that would be great!” she said with excitement in her soft flowing voice. “But, would you mind meeting my parents before our date? Just so they know who you are and they trust me a little more?”

Jason suddenly got nervous and his palms started to sweat. He hadn’t thought about her parents! It ought to be a real joy trying to win over her father considering the facts when it comes to ‘daddy’s little girl’. But after all, he did win her over…so how hard could it be?

The night finally came. Jason went to Elizabeth’s house to pick her up, and when he rang her bell her dad answered the door. Surprisingly to Jason, he had a warm smile on his face and stuck his hand out to welcome him into his home. Jason responded by smiling back, giving a nervous “hello” and then gripped her father’s hand as firmly as possible to give a sign that he was confident. Then suddenly Jason saw a short middle aged woman pop up behind her father to greet him as well. By the looks of the woman Jason could tell that she must be Elizabeth’s mother.

“Well come on in here and let’s get this over with!” her father said with a chuckle.

“Oh stop it Frank!” said Elizabeth’s mother giving Frank a quick swat on the shoulder. “He’s only kidding with you dear!”

Jason smiled as he stepped into the living room and sat down in a comfortable little chair near the fireplace. Things were silent for about 15 seconds, then out of nowhere, her father asked

“So what are your plans for this evening?”

“Oh well…” Jason muttered. “I was planning on dinner and maybe a movie. But it’s optional I guess—do you need her home at a certain time?”

“Well that sounds nice. Uh, we will be expecting her back by 10:30 or 11:00 tonight. But don’t rush your evening, if things change then just have Elizabeth call and let us know.”

“Wow! That sounds reasonable. You all seem like wonderful people, Elizabeth is really lucky!” Jason said trying to suck up as much as possible. Then suddenly, Jason heard a light creak on the stairs to his right and immediately turned his head. It was Elizabeth. She had on a black top that was low cut, allowing a little cleavage to be seen and a khaki skirt that cut off about an inch above her knees. Jason rose to his feet as to compliment her beauty but could not find the words. So instead he took her hand in his and drew her closer to him. He was so caught up in the moment that he didn’t even hear her speak when she said, “Hello Jason…”

“Oh! I was just…uh…you look so beautiful! And I couldn’t help but noticing your eyes again!” Jason said shakily.

“Well thank you so much Jason! You are such a sweet guy. And you look very nice your self!”

Jason was wearing a black button-up dress shirt un-tucked with a white tee underneath and the sleeves rolled up to the middle of his elbow, with blue jeans and dress shoes. “Oh, thank you! Well, shall we start our evening?” Jason said with a smile.

“I’m ready if you are! So I guess we’ll be seeing you guys later then?” Elizabeth said as she reached for her sweater off the back of her father’s chair.

Her father stood up and stretched then looked at Elizabeth and said, “Sure thing sweet heart! Just be careful and have fun. We’ve already told Jason here what to do incase anything changes.”

“Okay! Well, bye then!” Elizabeth said as she kissed her mother and father good bye and bounced out the door and down the front steps into the yard.

“I trust that you’ll take care of our daughter tonight Jason.” As Frank looked at him with those intimidating eyes, Jason started to get nervous again as he tried to respond to her father’s question.

“Yes sir. I’ll do my best, you don’t have to worry!”

“Okay, well then you two have fun!” a cheery smile came across Frank’s face that Jason hadn’t expected.

Jason bounded down the steps and into the yard to meet Elizabeth and walk her over to the car. Both of them were quiet the whole way to the restaurant. Jason had chose to take her to a little Italian/pizza place on the outside of town where all the malls and shops are. After they ate, Jason asked, “Would you like to take a walk or hit some of the shops around here?”

“Well…a walk sounds nice. That way we can talk and get to know each other a little more.” Elizabeth replied.

“Okay. That sounds good to me! Shall we go then?”

Jason led Elizabeth out of the restaurant arm in arm and they crossed the street to find them selves in a quiet little park. As they walked and laughed, Jason stopped to turn and face Elizabeth. He looked at her for a few seconds then began to draw closer to her as she closed her eyes to have they’re very first kiss. “Can I show you something?” Jason asked.

“Well it depends on what it is.” Elizabeth said suspiciously.

“We would have to go back near my house. Is that ok with you? Or would you like to stay here for a while?”

Elizabeth hesitated then said, “I’m kinda curious to see what you want to show me, so I guess we’ll go.”

Elizabeth took Jason’s hand as they walked across the street to get back in his car. As they got closer to Jason’s house it was about 9:00 p.m. and he could see that lights were still on which meant that his parents were still awake. Instead of turning into his driveway, Jason turned off his headlights and cut through a field. “Jason, where are you going?” Elizabeth said with a worried voice.

“You’ll see…hey, why do you seem so scared? I promise, it’s going to be alright!” Jason said.

He neared a patch of woods and stopped the car. Then he reached beneath his seat and pulled out a flashlight. “Come on.” He said, “We’re almost there.” Jason walked around to his trunk and grabbed an extra flashlight and a mini floodlight that is powered by a battery pack. He handed the extra flashlight to Elizabeth, then motioned his head to the right telling her to follow him while giving her a smile. They walked through the woods for about 3 minutes then stopped. Elizabeth could see the moonlight reflecting off what she thought was water, but still wasn’t sure what she was seeing. Then Jason hooked the floodlight to the battery pack and switched it on, illuminating a beautiful lake.

“Wow! Jason, this is so amazing! It’s too bad we can’t swim though.” Elizabeth said as she stared in awe.

Jason looked at her with a smile and said, “Who says we can’t swim? No one’s around so it’s not like we have to be worried about them seeing us naked or anything.”

Elizabeth looked at Jason and then back at the water. She hesitated then said, “Oh hell! Why not? You’re right no one’s around, so why not have some fun! But do you mind turning your back? Uh…so I can take my clothes off and jump in?

“Oh! Uh, no problem!” Jason said while turning around and taking off his clothes as well. Then suddenly Jason heard a giant splash behind him and Elizabeth say, “Nice butt you got there!”

“Hey! No fare! You wouldn’t let me watch you!” Jason said trying to keep himself from looking too embarrassed.

“Well maybe if you hurry up and jump in then we can arrange something!” Elizabeth said with a smile.

“Ooh! I like promises!” Jason said while jumping into the cool water. Elizabeth swam over to him putting her arms around his neck and kissed him with her soft lips. Jason put his hands on her back pressing her body into his, and then she quickly pushed her self away from him giving him a taunting smile. Jason swam after her and said, “Now what about that promise?”

“I never promised anything. I just said that if you jumped in, then ‘maybe’ we could arrange something. Huh…just like a man! They never listen.” Elizabeth said while laughing a Jason.

“Aw, sweetie...don’t do that to me! Its not very nice to leave a guy hangin’ like that ya know.” Jason said with a begging tone to his voice.

He finally caught up to her and grabbed her arm pulling his self over to her. He kissed her again, except this time she didn’t pull away. She let him kiss her for several minutes, then he started to move his hand up her leg and she quickly put her hands against his chest pushing him off her.

“What’s wrong?” Jason said.

“I’m not really comfortable with you doing that.” Said Elizabeth with a shaky voice.

Jason moved toward her quickly reaching for her again, pushing her against the rocky ledge behind them. Elizabeth let out a painful cry as her back scraped against the rocks and Jason pushed him self into her. She did everything she could to get away from him, but he had her cornered and it didn’t seem as if there was any way out of his grasp.

“Come on babe…you were having fun with me earlier, so now it’s my turn to have some fun with you.” Jason said, he voice becoming angry.

Elizabeth reached up behind her on to the ledge hoping to find a loose rock, and just as she thought time to save her self over she grabbed a piece of the crumbling ledge and hit Jason in the back of the head. She got free of his grasp and began to swim away as fast as she could. But before she could get far enough away he grabbed her hair and pulled back. Elizabeth hit Jason in the face, scratching his eye. Jason grabbed Elizabeth’s head and slammed it into the rocks causing her to pass out. She started to bleed, and Jason pulled her over to the bank. He left her there while putting on his clothes. He came back after a few minutes and tried to wake her but nothing seemed to work. He checked her pulse and noticed that she wasn’t breathing. He started to get nervous and began to pace. Then he quickly dropped to his knees a tried everything he could to revive her. After a few minutes there still wasn’t a pulse and her blood was in a puddle around her head. Jason pulled back and realized what he had done. He killed Elizabeth! Oh God! What was he going to do now? How would he explain this to any one? They would have the police investigate and they would find out that it wasn’t an accident. He didn’t want to go to jail for murdering a girl, especially on the first date…but it’s not like it matters…she’s dead now, and he’s responsible! If he tried to leave town they would eventually catch up with him. Damn! What was he going to do?

After about 20 minutes of hard thinking, Jason finally made a decision. He walked back to his car and opened the trunk to search for his crowbar. When he finally found it he walked back to the lake and began to pace again. Is this what he really wants? There are no second chances at life, so what is he going to do? If he gets caught then there won’t be any point to life anyway, so why not? Jason took one last look around him, studied the crowbar, then took one hard swing and buried it in the top of his skull. His body flew backwards, sending him into the water. Jason…was dead.

Night passed and morning came. Phone calls were exchanged all through the night between Jason and Elizabeth’s parents as to their where a bouts. No one had a clue that Jason’s car was sitting in the field until later that morning when his father went out to get the mail. He went back to the house and got his truck, and when he reached the car he found the trunk open and the keys in the ignition. He began to look around and didn’t see any signs of Jason or Elizabeth. So then he decided to walk back into the woods to see if he could find anything. When he came to the lake he found Elizabeth’s naked body lying on the ground and flies swarming around the pool of blood that had formed around her head. Jason’s father started to cry and felt as if he was going to be sick. Then he looked out across the lake and saw his son’s body floating on top of the water with the crowbar still in his head. At this point he didn’t know what to think and suddenly his knees gave out from under him, sending him to the ground next to Elizabeth’s body. 15 minutes went by and he finally found the strength to carry himself back to his truck. When he returned to the house he explained what he saw to his wife and then called Elizabeth’s parents to break the disturbing news. Shortly after, the police arrived and got things cleaned up and took their parents in for questioning.

To this day no one is really sure what went wrong that night. Some say that there was a struggle between Jason and Elizabeth, others say they were murdered. There have been many hard times due to the loss of them and there are many more to come. But, one thing is for sure…I won’t be going back to the lake.

By: Shannon Noel McCrary