You Are The Heart

You danced in the moonlight, feeling the music run through you. The lake party outside was filled with lights strewn in the trees nearby. It was a chilly night, but one wouldn't know it with all the movements and chatter. You smiled seeing your best friends enjoy themselves. There was Scott Parker and Violet Daige talking and eating under the big tree. Joy Taylor had a drink in her hand and mingled with Brett Kingsley. You could tell she was more interested in her drink. And the way she kept tossing her head at you to come over, but you couldn't be bothered. Brett was a good guy just timid and shy. Long tables covered in white cloth, set with a feast, and light runners. Torches burned at the party entrance. Shadows and lights flickered and retreated as late arrivals showed themselves in.

Suddenly, Tim Parker struggled in the water. He yelled for help. Two men jumped in for the rescue. Newt Rigby and Jack Lloyd were the ones who immediately dived in the cold lake. Everything stopped as everyone looked. Your heart beated rapidly.

"Oh my. Please Lord, let him be okay." Stacy, his girlfriend stared frantically.

Stacy and Tim had been together for a few years. Tonight was the night Tim was to propose, but something or someone pulled him down in the lake. He gasped for air. You saw several lights flash. Gunner ran by you quickly. He headed straight into the lake. You always admired Gunner's courage and bravery. You decided too as well; the freezing water made you wish otherwise. It stuck to your clothes and dragged you as you swam.

Tim tried to push against his foe. To shove his enemy off of him. Newt yelled and tossed. Jack grunted as he forced himself between the aggressor like a wedge. Gunner and you swam harder to reach them. It appeared to you to be further away from the lake than before. You heard screams. Tim drowned. The thing yanked his legs deeper. Gunner went below the surface. You reached Newt.

"I can't see him. I can't," Newt cried.

"We gotta go under," You shouted. "Jack, let's all go."

You breathed heavily, panting. The lights played in the reflection. You saw dots of people running about at the shore. The three of you went below in the water. You couldn't see anything yet you held on to hope. A blue light flashed. It lit its surroundings. It happened again. You went down deeper. Again. The blue light flashed. You saw Tim for the briefest of seconds.

It happened so fast. You charged. The blue light flamed. It captured Tim in its grasp. You pulled and pulled. Gunner helped. The both of you struggled but then you prayed. You allowed it to snag you. And as it wrapped itself tighter around you, it released Tim.

Newt and Jack took Tim to the surface. The hideous creature locked on you. There was nothing more that could be done. Gunner tried. Bless his heart. But this time, you pushed him away. Blue lights flashed brighter as you were carried away deeper and deeper. You said your last prayer. You seemed to be in a haze.

You could no longer see as your eyes gave up. You felt the waters rush along your face. You were gone. Your defeated heart beat tried to keep you alive. The creature bore itself deeper and deeper through a cave. Deeper and deeper it went.

Soon, the waters changed to air. You lied on a ground. Lifeless. The sun rays shined upon you. You heaved as the waters poured out from you and air climbed in. You looked to see the sky and closed your eyes again. You cried feeling your face. The sun shined on.

"You're safe. Thank God!"

"Dad, is that you?" You grasped his hand.

"Yes, it's me. I've been hoping you would return."

You hugged him so tight. He consoled you, touching your head with his head.

"Thank God! Thank God!!" He kept saying over and over.

"I don't know how I got here, Dad."

"Thank God. Let's get you inside. Let's get you home."

You hugged him again. Close and tight. As you struggled to walk, to get your steps balanced, something fell on the ground. You picked it up.

It was an ethereal blue stone. It glowed as you held it. You pocketed it. You prayed silently. And forgot all about the rock as your mom called your name. She ran towards Dad and you.

Later, your friends would visit. And Tim would propose to Stacy. And you. You would remember the stone.