Page 36 of Lake Hollow Curses

Wilder Lee

Say what now?

My chipped coffee mug is almost dropped when mom says, “Didn’t you know that? Maybe you were too young to hear about it. Daniel Gibson was a problem. You should talk to Ceily about it, she might know more. Lala went through the same things you did with the accusations after he drowned. Not that most people talked openly about it, years later, for Carlotta’s sake. Although we moved into town long after he died, it could’ve been more talked about when it happened,” mom states nonchalantly.

“Do you think Charlie and Mitchell knew about it?” What good does guessing do? Gibson acted genuinely shocked, denying that his uncle did the things Gary Marlow claims.

“What little I know of that family, probably not. Revisionist histories and all. There are a lot of people in Lake Hollow that are convinced the Marlows are the bad guys in the whole landdispute, but David and Daniel’s dad screwed them out of a whole lot of their property. It’s a long story. The few times I was forced into social situations with David and Bonnie Gibson they were polite enough, but they have a way of making anyone feel beneath them. Lala was close to that family; I just don’t know how she did it.”

We wrap up our conversation when she starts to pry about my episodes. I don’t like lying to her, but it’s necessary. She'd lose her shit if she knew the frequency and severity of them, since I came back here. “Tell Remi I expect her to call me when she gets to Florida. Love ya, kid.”

Crossing the room to shut the door that leads to the lake, I see Droolius frolicking in the water near my dock. Shaking my head with a big ass smile spreading across my face, I continue to watch for a few seconds before gathering him up. That dog is going to have a blast at the house I rent in Hancock, it’s on a pond off a quiet cul de sac he can bask in the sun or splash around getting wet. When Remi asked me to give him a home while she’s in Florida, I told her that Droolius already picked me over her. I was only half kidding. That furry fucking ball of sunshine is breaking out of her cabin every damn day.

Not that I blame him. Something is off about the energy in that place.

“Come ‘ere, boy.” I reach past the rocks on the shore to snag his collar. “Let’s go dry you off, get you a treat. I shouldn’t give you a reward for your behavior, but what the hell, right?” In his usual goofy agreeable way, he gets out of the lake easily enough, but then shakes out his wet coat, spraying me.

“Christ. I deserve that. Come on.” No one answers at Remi’s cabin. Latching the door closed that is slightly ajar, I see the bathroom light go on and off a couple times out of the corner of my eye. A chill races through me. I’ve experienced enough to believe there’s more to life than what we can see. Father Christried his prayers; Remi has asked repeatedly, she says in several ways, but something persists. “Well, little dude, I get it.” Animals are supposed to be sensitive to the weather, maybe it holds true for ghosts, too.

I let Droolius hang out at my cabin. Content to munch on one of the treats I purchased for him, while I dry him off.

It’s difficult not to allow my brain to spin out of control over our talk last night. Less of a talk… more of an ambush. Neither Truitt nor Gibson had any idea what Carlotta was suspecting. If we’re meant to believe her… one did and was pretending to have no clue. Staying intune to any impressions or sensations I was having, proved nearly impossible.

My own emotions were out of control. Not only did Gary Marlow tell Grady and I something unfathomable, our whole image of who Carlotta was has shifted. No longer appearing to be the town’s aunt, the kind music teacher, steady businesswoman, instead she was a deeply troubled trauma survivor. A possible suspect.

I want to laugh that off. Lala may have hid or buried the trauma she endured at the hands of Daniel Gibson, but it doesn’t mean she hurt anyone.

Charlie denies the way Grady’s dad portrayed Daniel. I understand if he had only heard the stories we had. Believed her to be alone in life because she couldn’t love anyone other than Daniel.

It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. All the secrets that no one can verify. The evidence she put together that went missing after her death.

The same things trouble me. The rowboat seen the night Susanna died, the potassium chloride that appeared out of nowhere in the boxes meant for Grady, Katie leaving behind a diary and pages torn from it in another place all of it proving that Sara’s death wasn’t accidental, the necklace figures in somehow,the visions don’t give any clarity, and Charlie still thinks I’m at fault somehow.

The biggest take away from last night is Remi was hiding things from me just like Grady had. But unlike what Grady did, I wasn’t mad. Not hurt or confused by it. Instead, I applaud her for going to the police with it. For protecting what Katie had left behind.

I didn’t think I could feel pulled to her any more strongly, but watching her navigate the situation last night clinched it. There is no amount of distance, no crazy ass problem that will drive me away from her. Grady… well, we’re working on it. He isn’t shying away from me like I expected, and I’m remembering the boy I loved. I’m not totally sold on trusting him. Not yet. It’s a bonus that Gary Marlow actually does seem to like me, saying as we were leaving,‘It’s about time the two of you worked this out. We’ve known longer than either of you idiots what was really going on between you.’The urge to play dumb in front of his dad passes quickly when it dawns on me that his parents knew, and it sounds like they aren’t upset about it. My talk with Remi’s wacky tacky uncle Skip may have gotten through to him, too, cementing my desire to make this work between us.

I’m halfway across the kitchen to fill a bowl of water for Droolius, when a zing of pain in my head stops me. It feels like every muscle in my body cramps up, as I call out in pain, “Fuuu…”

The rolling of my stomach as I struggle to keep my eyes open is the first hint I’m in Lakeside Park,

‘Mia?!’ the female voice calls out.

‘Mia, can you hear me?!’

Nauseated, my head pain is so severe that I’m squinting my eyes in an attempt to open them.

Trying to turn isn’t working, my limbs aren’t cooperating.

I close my eyes, trying to keep my breathing measured, my entire body is screaming in pain.

Excruciating jolts of agony wrack through me.

I’m begging for relief, just wanting it to end, so that if my heart stops, I’d welcome it, when suddenly I’m under water, batting at hands pushing me under.

My throat feels choked, arms cramping. I can't get a hold of the hands that are pressing down on my head.

A male voice, ‘Remember… let go…’

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