Secrets in the Shallows-Chapter Three

Chapter Three

After dinner, Lawrence built a fire for us outside. I didn’t mention the legend to Phineas again. Even though the legend in question had been eating me alive all night. Taking bits of pieces of me ever since I was born. Deep down, I knew what he would say or I thought I did. I just didn’t want to accept what I saw. Because, logically, it doesn’t make any sense. Seeing my dead cousin in the place where she was last seen alive sounded like a script from a movie. Her story has entrapped me for so long that I am trying to convince myself that it was a trick of the mind. A trick that somehow reached out and left a dirty hand on my shirt. That part I can’t rationalize. 

After Lawrence and Heidi go to bed, we are left resting by the flames. For a while, we were in comfortable silence. Except for me, all I can think about was Alaina. The stress is building up inside of me and I am starting to become obsessed. My chest is tense with uncertainty. 

“Phineas?” My voice erupts the sleepiness of the group, “What was that camp legend you were talking about?”  The volume in my voice echoes across the lake. My common sense is telling me that Phineas knows nothing but the reddit posts that kids used to scroll through when they were bored. However, the other side of me was hopeful that he had been reading something that I didn’t. Even though I scrolled through every page on the internet, digging until I eventually hit a dead end. 

“It was just this ghost story we used to tell around the campfire. It was a way counselors would keep us in our beds after bed check.” he stares at the fire, unamused. 

“What is the story? I really want to know,” I ask, making sure I don’t sound too eager. 

Phineas straightens up a little, clearing his throat, “Personally, I didn’t think ghosts were real until the things I have seen at this camp were left unexplained. But,” he continues, “do you ever wonder what that bump in the night is? It’s her. She is always around, watching. She doesn’t mean no harm, but all she wants is your help,” there is an unusual chill in the air now that I didn’t feel before. 

“Her name is Alaina,” The name falls off his tongue, and I feel the goosebumps on my skin start to rise. “Alaina was just like us. She was a counselor here in 1999. That was the last year she was a counselor, and the last year that she was ever seen alive. Her disappearance remains unsolved. To this day, no one really knows what happened to Alaina. However, there are moments during the night where you can still hear her calling your name, waiting to be saved.” 

No one says a word after that. The air remains chilly as if some supernatural force has made the air feel like autumn again. 

“What did you mean that you didn’t think ghosts were real until you came here? Have  you ever seen her?” Amelia asks, half-heartedly believing his story. There is a slight smile on her face.  The thrill of possibly seeing a ghost is exciting to her.  I seal my lips, trying to keep my identity undercover.

“It was probably just my imagination playing tricks on me, but there were times when we would go swimming and I thought I saw something or someone. She was standing at the dock.  I don’t know, but I always thought it was her. It wasn’t anyone from camp that year anyways.” 

“It probably was just the story,” Sam tells him, trying to make the story less scary. I don’t know if he is trying to make Phineas feel better or himself. 

What do you think? Grace? Is that your name? Do you think it was just the story?” Phineas asks me. The rest of the counselors focus their attention on me. 

“I don’t know. I guess there are things I’ve seen here already that I just can’t explain, and I feel like Phineas might not be so crazy after all,” there is more silence after that and this time it feels like a judgment from the others. 

“What have you seen?” Zack asks, wondering why he hasn’t been included in this. 

“I….I’m probably going crazy,” I clear my throat, avoiding Zack’s stare, “A girl approached me earlier. It was her. I’m sure. I’ve heard this story a million times, and I have seen every picture. I feel like I know her. And it was as if she disappeared into thin air.” 

“You saw her, didn’t you?” Phineas looks at me, for the first time he looks relieved that he isn’t going insane. 

“I don’t know.” I cross my arms across my chest, “Someone did talk to me though. They also left dirt on my shirt.” 

“There has to be a rational explanation for this,” Zack says, still staring at me. However, I haven’t looked over at him yet. He keeps his glance on me for so long as if he’s trying to read my thoughts. 

He pauses for a moment and then says, “Wait, is that why we’re here?” Zack’s question sends a twinge of fear down my spine. I am trying to think of a clear way to tell everyone now. I wasn’t planning on Zack finding out this way. 

“What are you talking about?” Phineas darts over at me now, “Did you know her? Like on a personal level?” 

I feel everyone watching me now, intrigued by Zack’s statement. My brain is running at full speed on a railroad track. I start fiddling with my fingers, twisting my ring on my middle finger. 

“I wasn’t exactly forced to come here for the Jasper Reporter,” I say, “In fact, I was the one that pitched the story to the editor-in-chief. I wanted to come here because Alaina was my cousin, and she disappeared before I was born. This mystery has left my family torn apart, split right in the middle. I thought coming here would help me have clarity and answers. I wanted to tell Alaina’s story the right way, like she deserves.” 

“Wow,” Phineas shakes his head in disbelief, “A connection to the legend itself. I never thought I would be so honored to be in your presence.” He says, slightly laughing and I can’t tell if he’s joking or not.

“How are you related to her?” Sam asks me, leaning into the idea of it. I am starting to believe that he thinks I’m telling the truth too. 

“My uncle is her father. She is my first cousin,” I say, keeping my facts straight. 

“Oh my goodness,” Sam is left with shock mixed with a hint of excitement, “Do you really think that you coming here is going to fix things with your family?”

I shrug, “I don’t know. They don’t even know that I’m here.”

“You sneaked into a summer camp?” He sounds impressed, and I like the idea that I have impressed him now. I quickly shake off the feeling, certain that it is only one sided. 

 “I guess so,” I smile nervously now.

“That takes guts,” he says, “But wouldn’t it have been easier to talk to your parents about this?”

“I already tried,” I answer, looking over at him now, “Lots of times, but it’s no use. I think they’re keeping something from me.”

“Do you think she was murdered?” Sam asks, his interest is frightening me a little.

“Yeah I do,” I nod confidently, “Don’t you?” 

He nods in agreement, “If what you said was true, and I’m not sure that is but, if it was, then I say she never left this camp.” 

I feel a knot forming in my stomach, “You think someone at camp was responsible for this?” 

“Absolutely,” his words echo into the night, making me feel even more uneasy. The campfire grows quiet as if everyone is imagining the same scene as me. 

“Okay, enough ghost talk,” Phineas says, his voice calming the tension slightly, “Let’s go for a night swim, shall we? See if we can awaken any spirits?” He smirks, attempting to lighten the mood again. 

“Gladly,” I stand up, going towards the dock. I go to the edge, taking my feet, pulling off my sneakers and my socks, and placing them behind me. 

Without looking at the dark waters below me, I plunge into the lake, diving off the dock. A splash echoes in the air. The cold water spikes my skin. I try to open my eyes underwater, but all I can see is darkness. It is silent as I come up for air until I hear five more splashes behind me. All of our shoes are scattered onto the dock. I am aware I am swimming in my jean shorts and blue blouse, but I don’t care. The water distracts me from whatever responsibility I have put on myself for the summer.  I hear another swimmer getting closer to me, and I notice it is Sam coming near me. 

“Hey,” I smile, our faces meeting in the dark. The moonlight casting a shadow on his face. 

“I want to help you,” he admits, “I’m a little interested in this story.” I don’t know what to say to someone I barely know. I just met Sam hours ago and he wants to help me. It’s an extra set of help that I can’t resist. 

“You don’t have to. It’s okay,” I say, “Ghosts aren’t real. It’s stupid.” 

“It’s not stupid,” He stops me, “It’s just…weird.” 

I start to laugh, “I know, coming into a camp and claiming you see ghosts doesn’t scream normal.” 

He smiles back at me, and I notice a dimple on his cheek. Sam is good-looking. I can’t deny it. His grin makes my stomach turn so much that it alarms me. 

I turn away, looking at the dock again. The stars are twinkling below us. The fire flashed a golden light into the sky. It is the perfect night. 

However, I see a pair of eyes looking at me. At the dock, there is someone standing there. A young blonde is watching me. I freeze, suddenly not able to keep my head up. I swing my arms in the water as I watch her. 

“Woah,” Sam grabs my arm pulling me up from the water so I don’t drown. 

“Oh, thank you” I spit out the water in my mouth.

“Are you okay?” He asks. 

I remain steady, looking back at the dock. It is empty. Not a soul in sight.

“Yeah, I think so.” 

“What did you see over there?” 

“I was just looking at the stars.” I lied.