Here is one of the winners of the 2013 Scary Story Contest organized by Coquitlam and Port Moody public libraries and sponsored by The Tri-City News.
2ND PLACE, 15-18 years
The Lake
By Abigail Ileto, 17, Coquitlam
In the darkness, her porcelain skin glowed like the moon above. Her whole body shivered as the cold air bit her skin. Intoxicated whoops and whistles came from behind, intermingling with the crackle of fire, as she walked barefoot along the wooden dock. She winced as another splinter pierced her sole. Stopping midway, she looked back towards the shore. Her lump of clothes remained untouched by her rowdy group of friends. The firelight cast unnerving, sinister shadows across their faces. "Keep going!" one said. "Take the rest off!" said another. Unconsciously, her arms crossed over her chest. Turning away from them, she continued forward.
When she reached the edge of the dock, she looked down at her reflection. Blue eyes stared back at her from a white, sepulchral face, framed by long, light blonde hair. Her ghostlike image quivered on the water's black surface when she suddenly caught a glint of silver. She reached for her necklace and started to unhook the clasp, but dropped her hands to her side instead, letting the silver key dangle from her neck.
She let out a foggy breath while stepping back to gain some distance. Without warning, she broke into a sprint, taking a sharp breath before jumping into the water's fathomless depths.
When she broke the surface, the water's silence drowned out the inebriated laughter. Her skin stung from the coldness. For a moment, she was still, her whole body suspended in water. She looked up, ready to shoot to the top, but suddenly, she couldn't breathe. Something was tugging her necklace and constricting her throat. She gasped for air, feeling the water invade her lungs. She grabbed at her neck, desperately struggling to yank the chain off. As she kicked, she felt something sting her legs. Looking down, she saw scarlet swirling up to her face. The taste of salt and blood rushed over her tongue.
"We've been waiting for you," said a voice. Razor-sharp fingernails clawed at her legs, and a spidery finger traced her spine, sending electricity through her bones.
Suddenly the chain was wrenched free from her neck, and she could breathe. She inhaled through her nose. Water entered, but there was no discomfort. Remembering the voice she'd heard, she spun in the water, searching for a face.
Nothing.
But she suddenly realized she could see. The black water was illuminated by a bluish light emanating from her body. She looked down to inspect her legs, but in their place was what appeared to be a glowing, jellylike skirt, that resembled an upside down teacup, from which long, skinny tentacles streamed out like wisps of smoke. She stared in disbelief.
A shriek came from behind, and she twisted to face a swarm of beings that transitioned from human to jellyfish at the hip. A door floated to the side with her key poking out of the lock.
"Open it," one hissed.
Two others grabbed her arms, pulling her towards the door. Hesitantly, she turned the key.
