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In the Water (8 ) : The Destiny City Reservoir is open year round but without fail always gets the most attention in the summer. It's a nice escape from the big city; it’s a five minute drive outside of the Eastern side of town and features clear water and sandy beaches--although, the sand here is notorious for squeaking when you step on it. It’s a hot spot for all fun summer activities, but recently something strange has been happening under the water. Sometimes, people feel like something is grabbing their ankle, even if they are just wading in the shallow end. In the deeper parts of the water, it gets a little more intense: something has been said to grab onto ankles and pull. People have been warned about dangerous pranks, but so far no one has been caught. In the shallow end, anyone unfortunate enough to be targeted may feel themselves being knocked off their feet and tugged into the water; anyone in deep water may feel a firm grip on their ankle, tugging them lower and lower. Somehow, anyone it targets is freed--either by wriggling and fighting, or because someone intervenes and pulls the would-be victim up. No one has drowned in the lake. Yet. It's impossible to see who, or what, is doing this, but it usually gives up after one failed attempt. Usually.
Aiden had been to many places before Destiny City, and to be honest he still felt like he was settling in here. It was so ingrained into his mind that he was going to have to pack up and move that he spent most of his time planning day to day--which meant, he hadn't had an excuse to come out to the reservoir until now.
It was getting hotter and while the city wasn't unpleasant during the summer, he missed the beaches.
It wasn't worth it to take the trip to the actual beach, but he'd heard good things about the reservoir and packed up for a day trip just to see what everyone was going on about.
At first, everything was fine; the squeaking sand on the beach was a neat touch, and it wasn't so crowded that he felt smothered. He had a nice little part of the faux-beach to himself--and even had the fortune of finding a lost Star Charm still in remarkably good condition. At enough distance from the others to relax, he'd settled in on a towel to sunbathe for a bit.
He wasn't really there for vanity purposes; he didn't need a fancy tan or anything. He was there to swim, and maybe explore a little, and if he was lucky he'd have liked to see if there were any paths he could try biking on.
He had a busy day planned, and it seemed like the only way for him to relax was if he was pushing himself as hard as he could.
And, getting out of the summer heat while still being outside was a perk.
The lake water was cool and clear, and he knew this had been a good idea as soon as he took the first step into the cool water.
Coolness washed over him as he went in ankle deep, knee, hips.
It felt like everything he'd needed, and more, and he just wanted to dip himself back and float a bit when his foot caught on a vine or a log or something.
Not the end of the world, this was nature, after all. He kicked at his foot a bit, but he felt the obstruction wrap tighter around his ankle.
Annoying, but. Fine.
He crouched down a bit, reaching down to try and tug his ankle free when something yanked it out from under him. He let out a startled yelp as he was tugged off balance and, once he was no longer grounded, it felt like something was pulling him deeper into the water--quickly.
He kicked, flailed even; no one seemed to notice.
He muttered a curse under his breath and, a bit desperately, kicked and clawed, and--
He could have sworn his nails caught on something, and he was almost immediately let go. The pressure of whatever had been pulling him was so great that he was now chest deep in the water, and the momentum of all of it had him stumbling to catch his balance.
There was nothing in the water. Nothing rippled beneath the surface and he felt like he'd have been about to see something that big trying to drag him off.
Naturally, Aiden didn't stay in the water. He turned around quickly and put his full effort into swimming back to the shoreline.
No one else seemed even remotely affected or concerned. His heart was pounding though, and he hastily made his way back to the towel and sat down.
This was not exactly the peaceful vacation he'd planned, but...
What was that? Was there something dangerous out there--were these people in trouble?
...Was he seriously going to spend the rest of his day off staring at the water to try and find out?
