The Boat in the Lake-
Chapter 1- Fog and Song
I took in a deep breath of fresh air, savoring the smell of dew. The scent was rich, and the sky was crystal clear.
“Beautiful like always…” I said, scratching my rough beard.
I closed the door behind me, locking it with a simple key. Crickets chirped as I stepped on the wet grass, reaching for my shed. All around me, there were sounds of owls hooting and tree’s whistling in the lite wind.
When I was a boy I was always scared of the forest. My father always told me, “Nature is life. Embrace it, don’t fear it.”
I let out a small chuckle, my father was a nature freak and we always stayed with the tress. He had a patch of grass and trees for a cutie mark. I guess that’s why we always lived in the Everfree Forest.
Reaching for the handle towards the shed, I opened it to reveal a large assortment of fishing materials. Hooks, poles, fishing lines, cranks, bait, you name it. I had it all.
I took a bag, hanging against the wall. Taking a can of bait, some silly looking hooks, and a fishing hat I placed them in my bag. I went deeper into my shed and rested my hooves gently on a worn wooden crate. I stared for a minute, relishing the feel of the rough wood. Images filled my mind, memorizes and thoughts. On the crate it said son which regarded me…
I looked to my right and saw another crate. Though the label was faded, it was still readable.
“Mom…”
Like a little filly, I let out a small whimper. I looked to my left and saw another crate with faded writing.
“Dad…” I said with my voice croaking.
I held my grip on both my mothers and fathers crates for a second with only the sound of crickets and owls in my ear. It’s been 5 years since they disappeared, and I watched them go.
“Don’t worry son,” my mother said smiling.
She had the sweetest smile and she was the nicest mare in the world. Never once has she hit me, or beaten me. Always, she would try and make me happy and smile. Somehow, she always managed to make me laugh every time.
“We’ll be back!” My father said with a cheerful grin.
I was really sick that day and my parents were going to fish for a special remedy. Ponies normally didn’t eat meat, but I laid my faith on my parents. There were three boats on the lake where they waved. One boat for each one of us, but we just normally went in one. I had a blanket and I sniffed loudly. My parents just laughed and smiled. I smiled back.
My father placed a set of oars into their boat while my mom clambered inside.
They both waved a hoof good-bye before my dad pushed the boat off to the deep blue lake. I waved back, and watched them go with their backs on me while the sun set. While I continued to wave, a heavy fog started to take over my vision. It was rather strong, it didn’t rain but the lake was covered in mist. The temperature dropped suddenly to a chilling feel. It could’ve just been me, considering the fact that I had a cold. But there was something eerie about this fog, how could’ve it come out of nowhere?
Despite my shivering body I waited for my parents. I waited, and waited, and waited… Not half an hour passed till I was frozen to the bone. The sounds of crickets and owls slowly emerge out of the woods as I made my way back home. Slowly I made my way, feeling the submerging darkness all around me. The trail back home that I knew so well was carpeted with thick dew.
I looked back to see the fog advancing with every step I took. Despite my aching head, I trotted quickly. Afraid I’ll be engulfed by it and I’ll be lost forever I reached my house and opened it with a pounding chest. I slammed it behind me, closing and drawing the curtains of my windows. I left only the light from the fire place engulf my frigid body. Soon, I fell into deep sleep.
I woke up the next day, hoping to feel the warmth of company. Yet I was wrong. The fire place has long since burned out, only leaving the charred remains of burned logs.
My parents still weren’t here… Maybe they got lost in the fog…?
Head still throbbing I went back to sleep involuntarily. Hoping they’ll be back to make me some cabbage soup.
I shook my head and looked at the crates in front of me. I opened my crate and blinked at the contents inside. I gently wrapped a hoof around it… Around the once polished fishing rod…
Made out of oak wood, it shimmered even through the darkness of the shed. It was created and crafted by my father. I glared at the rod, but soon took it and strapped it to my back. I was just about to head out of the shed before I turned around to stare at the crates one last time.
I took out my fishing hat from my bag and placed it on my head. “Don’t worry mom, dad… I’ll be back. I promise.”
I walked out of the shed, locking it with my keys and headed off toward the trails of the Everfree Forest. Still, the sound of crickets and owls continued. Long casting shadows revealed themselves from the forest trees. The branches waved their ghastly claws toward me, but I shrugged them off.
“They’re still not here…” I said continuing to walk the trail.
It’s been a week, and yet my parents still were missing. Something was extremely wrong. They’d normally be back in no more than a day or two. A week has passed, an entire week!
At first I was annoyed, until my heart was gripped by a cold hoof. I was filled with worry, worst of all it wasn’t a dream. Not a hallucination, and not from the fever, it was all real.
I shifted my fishing hat given by my mom. I looked at the wooden crate with bold letters spelling out, ‘SON’.
I walked over to the crate and looked at the contents within. A polished fishing rod laid face down on a patch of fresh dried grass. I took it and placed it on my back, and made my way out to the sunny forest. I took a deep breath and walked the trail back to the lake. I was still a teen colt so I wasn’t that tall. A large wooden log got in my way so I had to attach myself to it and leap over it.
I approached the log in its rotten and decayed state. I didn’t even bother to glace at the thing but I simply jumped over it. My heart was pounding; I was so close to the lake…
Just before I came to the clearing, I saw an owl perched on a branch. I stared at it, mesmerized by its large eyes. They looked past me and I saw it advance closer to the edge. I felt something fuzzy against my fur and I looked down. Against my leg, a mouse was desperately trying to get a top of my body. The owl didn’t even flinch, and I just stood still.
The owl shuffled back into the darkness and I felt the mouse loosen its grip on my leg. I stared at the mouse, and it stared at me with its big, large, frightened black eyes. The mouse was just about to leave but there was a loud rustle in the trees. Faster than the eye can see a large blur of black swooped down from my vision and there was a loud squeak.
It all happened so fast and I didn’t feel any pressure on my leg anymore.
I released a sigh and I continued on my journey, I knew from the heart that it was nothing but nature.
Though the sky was dark, the moon radiated its ominous light over the dew stricken grass. The path ended abruptly, and I was greeted with a fresh breeze. I inhaled and exhaled, feeling the cold air through my nostrils. In front of me just a few yards away, there was a large body of water that stretched out for miles upon end. The moon was just above the lake, as if it a scene from a fairy tale. I proceeded to walk towards the body of water; a minute has passed, and I arrived at the end of the platform with just a few steps. On each side of the platform was a boat. I clambered on, feeling the cold wood against my bottom. I placed my bag inside and stationed my fishing hook next to me. I untangled the rope that held the boat in place, and picked up the set of oars from my hooves. I pushed the oars back, and I slowly set off into the lake.
Stroking the oars back and forth, I kept it at a steady pace. I looked up at the sky to be dazed by the millions of stars, doting my vision like diamonds. Minutes passed, I still looked up but no smile crept up to my face. I took my fishing rod, and looked at the dark water that wreathed around me. I placed a worm on my hook and casted it far off into the lake.
It was still… And quiet…
I laid my head back, resting it at the end of the boat which wobbled back and forth.
I closed my eyes, trying to remember what happened next. Right here, on this very spot…
I rowed my boat, frantically just searching and searching. Tears swelled against my eyes, blinding my line of sight.
“Mom!” I yelled sobbing, “Dad!”
I rowed my boat around the lake, not stopping for a single break. I searched and searched from morning till dusk. The lake was salty with my tears.
After hours of searching I doubled over in frustration. My sobs vibrated through the surface of the waters. I looked up from my stuffed nose and looked at the distance. Like a miracle, I saw two figures slumped over on a boat. The suns glare strained my vision but I knew who they were.
I let in a sharp breath and picked up my oars frantically, fumbling against my hooves. Having a glimmer of hope I paddled and paddled forward with snot dribbling against my cheeks.
“Mom, dad!” I yelled out, a small smile on my face.
Though there was not response, I continued to paddle my way through. I laughed and giggled… But… But who were on the boat? I can’t remember, no, the vision is fading. I need to remember! I need to meet mom and dad!
I woke up, screaming at the cruel memory.
I felt my head pounding heavily, I wanted to vomit. I rubbed my rough mane, trying to ease the pain. I opened my eyes and squinted. Everything was so hazy, as if fog just-
I felt my heart skip a beat, and my stomach turned dead cold. I kept calm, but sweat started to drip down from my forehead. I reeled my fishing line back and placed it in my boat. Not wasting any more time, I reached for my oars and dipped them in the water. There was a reason I came out here tonight… And on this particular day, I liked to call it the day of the dead…
Before I could take a single stroke, I paused, hearing a soft chant. Like an old, out of tune piano or jack in the box.
It was silent and first, but it became louder by the second.
“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream…”
My ears perked up, the voice was high pitched and eerie. Like a little girl in an attic.
“Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream…”
I heard the voice coming closer. I looked behind me to see a dark figure coming slowly. Not even rowing its oars, it glided in the water. It was cradling itself, its skinny arms wrapped around its bone sticking body.
“Hearts beat very fast, ever since you’re born…”
Our boats touched, and I swayed back and forth, rocking with the momentum.
“Please, oh please just take my place…”
It stepped out of the boat, almost floating in the air.
”And forever be…"
I felt a sharp pain in my stomach as if something rough and jagged has punctured inside me. My eyes widened, I looked up to see a blood churning smile, “Alone…”
Its voice went two, no, three octaves lower and I released a scream of pain. I wanted to give a warning, to give out a shout. But my mind went dark as I heard the creature continue to sing those enigmatic lyrics… The Boat in the Lake… My boat will still be here…
