Lake House
**Humans aren't the only things that like to chill** Lake House By: Gabriel Pope “You’re really going on a vacation with Li?” Sarah asked for the umpteenth time while she sat at the edge of the bed watching Marissa pack her bag. The excitement she felt was very visible both in her facial expression and actions. “Are you going to keep asking questions or try being useful here?” she shot back, wiping off a bead of sweat. It had been months now since she actually felt her skin moistened by sweat and the tingly taste of salt in her mouth as beads trickled down her lips was most welcome. “No, I’m not helping. You’re gonna get killed out there Marissa” Sarah blurted, placing the book she had been engrossed in until her sister barged in. “Look, there is nothing, nothing wrong with a spring weekend vacation at a Lake House” Marissa replied, zipping her stuffed bag and hurrying over to the bathroom. Minutes later, she emerged with a towel about her wet body. “What’s that look for?” she asked as she noticed the manner in which her sister stared at her. “I’m not comfortable with this, trust me.” Sarah said, getting off the bed and walking over to the window. There was a red Ferrari parked on the side walk and a pale looking boy with fluffy black hair and tiny eyes leaning on the trunk of the car. Sarah rolled her eyes at the sight of him; she had always been suspicious about him but why? She couldn’t tell, maybe it was because of that stink of rotten meat which gave her a severe headache for days the first (and last) time she had taken a ride with Marissa in his car. He had claimed to have spent all day in the lab working on a cadaver. “There’s nothing to worry about Sister” Marissa said, pulling up the zip to her jean trousers and throwing her bag over her shoulder. “See you on Sunday evening.” “Do you wild animals and beasts too come out during spring too? Humans aren’t the only ones who like to chill after a long winter.” Marissa stopped at the door at the news and turned to Sarah. There was a flash of unbelief and fear in her eyes as she looked at her sister who remained still, hoping that Marissa would have a change of mind. The car outside honked multiple times reminding Marissa that her 1 month old boyfriend was getting impatient. She walked over to Sarah and after one quick hug, made her way out of the apartment. Sarah walked over to the window, she watched him plant a kiss on her cheeks and ushered her into the car. “You took so long in there” he said in his thin voice as he revved the engine. “Oh well,” Marissa started, her mood having dropped “It was Sarah.” “She fine?” he asked as the car crawled out of the sidewalk. She simply nodded at him and sighed silently. Let’s just hope she was bluffing, Marissa thought to herself, dismissing the thoughts of all the myths and legends in her head. They stopped by at a restaurant for dinner after which they spent two hours on the road before finally arriving at their destination. The house looked old and all but it wasn’t, it was just the wood used and the design. “Welcome home” Li said as he pushed the door of the crib open. Marissa was welcomed by darkness, utter darkness which felt like the whole world had gone void. Her eyes were dazzled as the lights came on moments later. There were lots of animal heads hanging on the walls around her with most of the furniture made from the skin and bones of animals but the design however, was a beauty to behold. “Come, let me show you around” he said as he led her upstairs, there were lots of paintings which lined the walls and even more animal souvenirs around. He took her to the upper porch, the sight there was magnificent. Asides the creepy looking woods that was behind the building, the sparkling of the sea as the full moon cast its light upon it was a beauty to behold. “It’s amazing” she blurted, turning to him. He smiled, looking into her eyes. The world stood still as they gazed into her each other’s eye. He bent lower, falling into the temptations of her irresistible lips. Their lips brushed against each other's and slowly, he succumbed to the warmth of her mouth. It happened quick, really quick and next thing she knew; they were lying unclad on the bed. The rumbling of things woke her up. She reached for the other side of the bed and noticed it was empty. Jerking from the bed in fear as the noise got more disturbing, Marissa hurried to the balcony in search of Li but the only thing she could find was 'spring’s full moon'. “Li” she called out, hurrying down the stairs. She walked in the direction of the basement where the noise came from. “Li…are you there?” she walked with trembling steps towards the basement’s door, fear stricken. Just as she opened it, Sarah’s words rang in her ear again ‘Humans aren’t the only ones who like to chill’. The growling from the basement only ascertained that statement.
