The Dark Side of the Lake

Jason grabbed Dawn’s hand and they ran down the stairs. 

As they reached the ground floor a gunshot rang out.  They started toward the garage, and realized the door was down; Jason turned and quickly pulled Dawn out the back door toward the boathouse. 

The boathouse light was on and when they reached the door, the boat was gone, drifting out in the lake several hundred yards off shore.  Two more shots rang out.  He was coming after them. 

“Swim for the boat,” cried Jason, “Now!”  They dove in and swam as fast as they could.  The water was bitterly cold, but their fear kept them from feeling it. There were more shots now, hitting the water.  He was firing wildly at them, missing, cursing, finally he was out of ammo, and the cursing got louder. As they swam side by side Jason’s thoughts strayed to that summer he and Dawn first swam out to the float alone.  They were afraid then as they were now.  Jason reached the boat first and grabbed the gunwale at the rear cockpit.  With a swift kick he pulled himself over the side and into the boat then quickly pulled Dawn in.  For the moment they were safe as they lay in the bottom of the boat gasping for air.  A drenching cold began to set in, it was dark and oh, the terror was still there. 

The cursing finally trailed off.  Whoever it was had left, but they would surely come back.