The Lake Below the Old Bridge

February 24, 2026

by Enrique

1 min read

Story Premise 1 min read (188 words)

"Last autumn, I found myself with nothing to do. All my cousins were away, and the house was too quiet. To pass the time, I took my skateboard to the old playground at the end of our street. The place was deserted. The swings were still, and the slide was empty. Feeling the weight of […]"

Last autumn, I found myself with nothing to do. All my cousins were away, and the house was too quiet. To pass the time, I took my skateboard to the old playground at the end of our street.

The place was deserted. The swings were still, and the slide was empty. Feeling the weight of the silence, I remembered the small lake hidden behind the rusty fence near the woods. We were told to stay away, but I had seen older kids jump the fence before.

I climbed over and found a flat stone by the water’s edge to sit on. I was just starting to enjoy the peace when I heard a strange gurgling sound, like someone struggling to breathe. Before I could turn, icy fingers wrapped around my wrists and pulled me under.

The water was shockingly cold and pulled me down. I thrashed, my lungs burning, until my vision faded. When I came to, I was suspended in the deep, dark water. Pale faces surrounded me in a ring, their features blurred and their eyes hollow. I tried to shout, but no sound came out.

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