Page 37 of The Lake of Lost Girls

The wind picked up and I watched the empty branches sway. I had never been scared of Doll’s Eye Lake. I never listened to the tales, and I definitely never believed them. Being at the lake made me feel at peace once upon a time. Even after I had stopped sitting in a paddleboat with my dad, I still came here. Which is why, in my bleakest hour, I came back.

The dark, still water had watched me grow up. It had stood silent witness to the steady passage of time, forever constant. It watched me shed the old Jess like a snake sheds its skin. And then it watched the new Jess emerge.

What did the dark, still water think of her?

I didn’t want to know.

I hated coming here now, but I was compelled all the same. It drew me to its quiet solitude for reasons that were grim and complicated.

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I could see a yellow 1965 Boss 429 Mustang parked beyond the tree line. I went still, watching the car … waiting. Acid burned in my stomach, my ears filled with a loud sort of whooshing noise.

Why here?

Rage ripped through my insides like a wildfire. Hate and a desperate sort of love warred against each other in my heart.

I spun the silver ring on my finger, hating the cool feel of it against my skin. I suddenly ripped it off, gripping it in my fist, tempted to hurl it into the lake.

But I didn’t. I shoved it in my pocket instead.

I watched the two people in the car. They were oblivious to everything but each other. They had no idea that anyone else existed.

I felt dead inside.

It was the only comfort I could take.

Ten Seconds to Vanish: The Unsolved Disappearanceof Jessica Fadley

Episode 5

Stella:It’s another week, babes, and we are so excited to be here, giving you more piping hot, true crime tea. I’m Stella.

Rachel:And I’m Rachel.

Stella:And this isTen Seconds to Vanish: The Unsolved Disappearance of Jessica Fadley.

*Theme music plays*

Stella:You’ll never guess who we got a message from on Insta.

Rachel:Ooh, do tell! I know some very famous people have been listening from the tweets I’ve read.

Stella:I know! I can’t quite believe it, but it’s not someone famous … it was actually Stephanie Baker, Phoebe Baker’s sister, who messaged us. She wanted to thank us for bringing light to her sister’s case.

Rachel:Aww, that’s so amazing. And that, right there, is why we are doing this, isn’t that right, Stel?

Stella:Absolutely. These women have been relegated to the shadows for far too long. We’re going to pull their stories kicking and screaming out into the sun. And there are people who won’t like that.

Rachel:What do you mean?

Stella:While the reception we’ve received for our podcast has been overwhelmingly positive, we do get a few messages that are little out there.

Rachel:You’re talking about the“or else”DM.

Stella:Yes, I am. It seems that there’s someone out there who isn’t too happy with the focus being given to our girls. Someone who wanted to let me know that if we knew what’s good for us, we’d shut upor else.

Rachel:It’s so scary.

Stella:I mean, we have to expect messages like that. It’s the modern-day prank call. But, unfortunately for them, we don’t scare easily. You hear that anonymous creeper?

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