Page 67 of Amnesia

“Back after this town was established, it was mostly known as a fishing town because the lake is so large. A lot of people came here to fish, but eventually, the stock began to dwindle. One night after a long day of fishing, one of the older residents came in from the water, ranting and raving about finally knowing why there was suddenly no fish.”

“It was the Loch Ness,” I said, my eyes going wide.

He flashed his teeth. “So he says. He got everyone all whipped up in a frenzy over a possible monster living in the lake and stealing their livelihood. So he got together a small hunting party to go find the creature.”

“And they never found it?” I said, let down. For some reason, I loved the idea of a giant creature living in the depths of the lake. And why couldn’t there be? If I could have my entire mind wiped and no one claim to know me, then why couldn’t there be a Loch Ness?

“Actually, no. Well, kind of.”

Reaching for another chip, my interest grew. I gestured for him to keep talking, and his eyes gleamed.

“Only one man came back. He was dirty and dehydrated and clearly out of his mind. He ranted about the monster and how they found it, but instead of them killing it, it killed everyone but him.”

“Oh, that’s terrible!” I said. “They never saw those other men again?”

“Nope. All four men disappeared.”

“What happened to the man who did come back?”

“He spent a few years in the hospital. He never could get anyone to believe his ranting and raving. Eventually, he was put on trial for the murder of the men who disappeared.”

I covered my mouth with my hand. “And then what?”

He frowned. “You know it’s not the happiest of stories,” he said. “Maybe we should change the subject.”

“Don’t you dare, Eddie!” I burst out. “Tell me!”

“He killed himself in jail. Used a bedsheet to hang himself. They found a note in the cell with his body.”

Intriguing. “What did it say?”

“It said: Beware the Loch Ness.” Right after he spoke, he jumped at me, and I screamed, falling back into the grass.

Eddie leaped on top of me, tickling my sides.

I laughed and squirmed beneath him. “Eddie!” I gasped. “Was that a lie! You were trying to scare me!” I collapsed, giggling, as he wouldn’t let up. “Stop.” I gasped, wiggling away. “Stop!”

He pulled back, gazing down at me with a smile on his face.

I smacked him in the stomach. “Was that a true story?”

“It’s a legend. Did it really happen? Probably not, but everyone tells the tale.”

“Is that the only sighting of the monster here?”

“No, but it’s the only exciting one. There have been other ‘sightings,’” he said, putting air quotes around the word. “A couple pictures that have turned out to be hoaxes. Mostly, we just say Lake Loch because it sounds cooler than Lochlain. Plus, it’s good for summer tourism.”

He shifted, and I realized he was still straddling my legs. The sun-warmed grass was at my back, and I could hear the water in the distance. The smile faded from my face, and I gazed up at him, the sun glinting off his dark hair and the wind plastering his shirt against his chest.

“Don’t look at me like that, Am.” He warned.

“Like what?” I murmured.

“Like you like what you see.”

“I do.”

He groaned.

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