Hazy View: Souls of the Vanished

by Ink Blood

“I was on deck getting fresh air when I saw something strange. First a light shot across the water. Then I heard the child crying. Softly at first, the sound came from the rock face. The sound got louder. I thought it was on the water. Something attacked me and I fell.”

  “Who attacked you?”

  “Not someone. Judging the way it hissed, moaned and screeched from beneath the boat it wasn’t human. I tried to shine into the water but it grabbed the spotlight. I couldn’t see through the mist.” Linda struggled to recall.

  “Mist, it's too hot for mist.” Andrew replied shocked.

  “I know what I saw. It happened just like that.”

  “Can you tell me about the child you mentioned?”

  “Well, it sounded lost and scared, maybe even hurt. Mostly it sounded close to the rock face. It was quiet and sound travels, I'm sure it's a young child, too young to be out there alone that time of the night.”

  “What makes you think it was alone?”

  “The cry was heartbreaking and desperate, children don’t cry like that for any reason.”

  Andrew turned to the others slowly. “Did any of you hear or see anything?”

  “No sir. We were in the cabin, but we're sure something happened last night.” Steven assured.

  “Thanks. We'll look into it immediately. I have your details so I don't see any reason for you to stay around here.”

  Andrew walked to the crowd of bystanders.

  *~*~*

  *IV*

  The coroner and three officers gathered around the boat. Robert was still in the bottom of the boat as he fell. Water filled two inches of the bottom. Robert's eyes had turned gray and cold, his mouth was wide open.

  Martin stood silently, his back to the lake. He puffed up his collar and tucked his hands into his pants pocket. He remained still only his eyes followed the Coroner.

  “Looking at him you can say something scared him to death.” Martins’ voice was faint, his throat dry and scratchy.

  “What’s that?” The coroner asked without stopping his work.

  Martin cleared his throat and didn’t realize the coroner heard him. “All I've said was that if you look at him it looks like something scared him to death.”

  “You might say so.” The coroner remarked quickly as he paused for just a moment.

  The coroner was a short stocky man dressed in a knee length gray short and a t-shirt. His white coat seemed a size too large and gum boots didn’t fit the outfit but it was practical. His hair blew wildly in the wind. It fell into his eyes and onto his glasses. Now and then he stuck his pen into his mouth to free his hand while he clung to a clipboard in the other.

  “What's the possibility that this could’ve been murder?”

  The coroner turned to Martin. “In this little sleeping hollow of a town, are you smoking something? Nothing ever happens here. You should know better. The worst crime around here's someone running the only stoplight. This isn't a cold blooded murder. No.”

  ‘Maybe he could’ve been... no that's ridiculous.’ Martin paused deep in thought.

  Martin turned paler than Robert and turned to the lake, his legs weakened by thought. ‘Your secret's not coming out. Can't you just be quiet? What do you want? What are you doing? You will be quiet. I'll keep you quiet for as long as it takes.’

  He turned back to the coroner. The officers lifted the body out of the boat and placed it in a black body bag but didn’t close it.

  “So you're ruling it natural causes?” Martin asked hoping that explaining this misfortune could be that easy.

  The coroner paused thoughtfully. “There's nothing natural about the way he died. Based on his facial expression, his heart attack was provoked? I don't think he would’ve died under normal circumstances.”

  “What makes you so sure? Maybe the sudden heart attack frightened him to death.”

  “I’ve gone through the pick-up and his personal belongings. There's no medication for any heart condition. No scars indicating any heart surgery. People who suffer from a heart condition never leave home without their medication.” The coroner assured.

  “Some people will say that heart attacks are silent killers. You might not know it and one day it just knocks you off your feet. But that's just some cases, right?”

  “Right, although in this case I believe that he was healthy and a scare had caused him to suffer a heart attack.” The coroner added pointing to Robert. “People don't look like that when they suffer a heart attack.”

  The officer zipped the body bag and removed it from the scene.

  Martin stood for a moment then turned to 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 r
ipples 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 reeds passing close enough. Blood started to drip into the water as the leaves cut into his flesh.

  Horrified by the sudden attack and all his efforts to break loose failed. Fear paralyzed his mind and thoughts. He released a scream as his head rose above the water.

  A crushing water sound echoed from behind as Tom rushed forward. He grabbed Martins hands and pulled him back to the shore. The force that had Martin's feet released him with such force that Tom burst backward ending on his back in knee-deep water. Something splashed and dove into deeper water then vanished.

  “Sheriff, are you okay, what happened?” Tom called out of breath.

  “Yes I'm fine. I just lost my footing.” Martin assured coughing and spitting.

  “It's good I heard you screaming or I might’ve fished you out of the lake.”

  Martin got up slowly. “Don't worry. The slip caught me by surprise. Thanks for coming back. I'm sure I would've gotten up myself. Some reeds caught my foot that’s all.”

  “It looked like something was dragging you.”

  “Don't be ridiculous. What on earth would’ve dragged me? I slipped that's all.” Martin remarked and felt shook as he stomped to the bank. ‘The darkness won’t catch me that easily. I better leave before…’ He mumbled.

  Martin dried his clothes and took the wet cigarette pack out of his pocket and threw it down near the reeds.

  “I hope you're going to pick that up.”

  “Sue me.”

  Martin found some dry clothes in the trunk, among blankets and other items. Clearly he had slept in the vehicle at times.

  “You can moor the boat at the pier. I doubt that it'll give us any more clues. I don't want it clogging up space.” Martin sounded angry.

  “Are you sure sheriff?” Tom asked surprised.

  “Does it look like I'm playing with you?”

  “Sure whatever you say.”

  Tom collected the wet cigarette pack, got into the pick-up and pulled the boat to the pier. Martin got into his vehicle and paused before starting the engine.

  ‘What’s happening, I need to stop this now and leave. Yesterday’s too late.’

  *~*~*

  *VI*

  Beyond the far side of the lake, to the North was a large untamed forest bursting with large trees and thick vegetation. Moss and creepers grew wildly, large rock formations peaked out of the water, making a stretch inaccessible by vehicle and difficult on foot. Beyond the rock face pine, oak and yellow wood trees grew.

  Andrew reached the edge of the forest, where a large group of volunteers had gathered. They checked climbing gear and ropes, issuing fresh Flashlight batteries, raincoats and flare guns.

  Andrew put on a heavy jacket and checked his own gear. He noticed drag marks not too far from where he was standing. On closer inspection he noticed spots and stripes from an unusual liquid stained on roots and rocks.

  Andrew whispered in thought. ‘Is this blood, maybe human blood? If it's old enough, maybe it’ll explain events around the lake.’

  Andrew pulled a cylinder out of his backpack and filled it with scrapings. He marked the label before replacing it. He photographed the drag marks with his cell phone. A few feet from him an object, halve buried under leaves and dirt drew his attention. He carefully lifted a child's shoe and placed it into a large bag. He completed the label and placed it in his backpack.

  “What's that, evidence?” Someone asked and stepped out of the crowd.

  Andrew slipped his backpack onto his back. “I don’t know. It's too old to be evidence of the child we're looking for. It's possibly a lost shoe from a camper, hunting party, anything really.”

  The unconvinced bystander looked hard at Andrew. “You’re collecting it for some reason, something we should know?”

  “Of course not, I'm only collecting odd stuff for my personal collection. I'm studying forensics. It's just a hobby.”

  “Should you be tampering with it just in case it's evidence?” Another bystander asked.

  “I'm not. I assure you it's collected properly and if it's needed for evidence, then it's well-preserved. I know what I'm doing.” Andrew insured defending himself.

  Tiffany Rose noticed Andrew's tension and walked out of the crowd. She dressed in a warm tracksuit, jacket and comfortable walking shoes. Her curly blond hair neatly tied back into a ponytail. Her blue eyes peeped out from under her jackets headpiece and her complexion was fair. She was tall and slender a body that would put some Goddesses to shame.

  “People let's concentrate on the task.” She turned to Andrew and smiled. “I agree you shouldn't be messing with that.”

  “You're just saying that because you want to collect more than me. What have you collected?” Andrew asked, relieved the mob had dispersed before it started.

  “These few items still keep me in the lead. You have a few months collecting to catch up. Just because I love you, I'll give you tonight's head start. Are you ready to go?”

  “I bet you can't wait to see what I dig up next.”

  “Thrill me.”

  “How about we have our usual race, let's see who finds the most items, child included. You did bring your evidence bags?”

  “And the looser makes dinner and breakfast. It's about time we haven't done this for a while. Since your boss lost his mind, it's been playing on you, old grumpy.” Tiffany said and pulled a childish face.

  “He's just going through a tough time. It's not easy when your wife walks out on you and takes your son with.” Andrew said defending Martin.

  He still believed that Martin could snap out of his depression he was in and they would go back to being best friends.

  “For some reason he's taking it too hard. He's carrying more guilt than heartbreak. I wonder what happened.”

  “I don't know he won't talk to me.” Andrew's voice faded into sadness.

  “Well it's true what they say. Behind every good man’s a great woman and in his case you can see that she's gone.”

  “You're just mean. I hope you're not planning to leave me like that.”

  “Now where will I find another good man, and you're so cute.” Tiffany said before hugging and kissing him. She paused. “Unlike all of these soppy people in this little town, I’m not and have never been one of his fan club members. Thanks for dinner and breakfast, you're so sweet.”

  “Not yet, we better start the search, the poor child's priority and the sooner we find it the sooner you can make dinner. I'm starving.”

  “As if you’re going to win tonight, dream on.”

  Andrew and Tiffany joined the volunteers. A line of people walked shoulder to shoulder and entered the forest.

  Birds settled in the treetops and echoed through the forest, flashlights started to light up sections of vegetation. Calls and chatter rose and fell in the wind.

  Two hours into the search Andrew stopped and listened hard. He scanned the area and noticed searchers nearby.

  “Did anyone found or seen something?”

  Calls echoed through the forest. Rain started to pour making visibility difficult.

  “Maybe there aren't enough searchers. We're not covering enough ground. I hope we're close to finding something. The rain will make hearing the child difficult, seeing any hidden traces will be impossible. It’ll be inconceivable to end the search because of weather. How does someone abandon a child and not say something?”

  “Keep faith, we'll find something soon. The search’s going fine. Stop calling up ghosts
.” Tiffany assured.

  Hours into the search they’ve cleared the forest and were approaching the top of the rock face.

  Around the top of the rock face wet and slippery rocks jotted out everywhere. Mud puddles covered most of the footing around large rocks and trees which were fewer and further apart. Moss coated most rocks offering little holding. At the edge of the rocks a four-hundred foot drop offered ledges and razor sharp rocks down to the lake below.

  Tiffany tightened her raincoat. “You know I've been wondering. Maybe the witness misjudged the sound of the nightlife for a child crying. It sounds like a child crying throughout the forest.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it too, but just to be sure let's search the rock face. If we don't find anything soon, I'll have to call off the search. The rain, darkness and slippery ground are getting dangerous.”

  “Then we start again at first light. If there's a child here we'll find it.”

  A faint cry whistled through the wind distinct from the sounds already around. It wasn’t the searchers. It drifted in from the water around the rock face. It was a sorrowful weep, a desperate, lonely and painful cry.

  “Did you hear that?” Tiffany whispered freezing in her tracks.

  “It's faint. It's coming from the lake, is that ... a child crying?”

  “That's an odd sound, a distinct sound.”

  “Yes, you can’t mistake that cry. It's a child crying.”

  Andrew's heart started to pound. He felt the urgency coming from the cry as he emptied his longs into his whistle. Tiffany shot off a flare. The searchers gathered quickly. Andrew scanned the water far below with a spotlight. Tiffany scanned the rocks and bushes around and slightly down the rock face.

  Becoming louder, they heard the cry above falling rain and howling wind. It was desperate and filled with horror.

  “Where's the child?” One of the volunteers asked still trying to catch his breath from fighting through the vegetation.

  Another volunteer stepped closer and pointed down the rock face. “The sounds coming from below the rock face.”

  “Don't be stupid, there’s no way a child can get down there. These rocks are treacherous on a dry day, wet it's deadly.”