Bayou Of Brokenness

LOUISIANA AUGUST 1902 The grueling summer sun shone down casting an array of tall willowy shadows on the dense Louisiana Bayous. The greenery held a calming presence that would make anyone want to connect with nature. These Bayous were known for their scenic beauty, beautiful lakes, waterways, and delicious cuisines, but most of all, their rich cultural heritage and practices. People from all aspects of life ranging from princesses, kings, high priests, and priestesses came to experience this intriguing place. They all took a small piece of Louisiana with them when they left. The Bayou held some of the most beautiful lakes that Louisiana had to offer. The most beloved was Lac de Sérénité' (Serenity Lake). It was a perfect day to enjoy the sun and the scenery of the lake. And as the day progresses the lake filled up with families and friends from around the area. Everyone socialized and enjoyed the sweet splendor that nature had to offer. They were oblivious to what would take place in the next couple of hours. Something so heart-wrenching, that it changed everything about Serenity Lake. After that fateful summer evening, Serenity Lake became one of the most dreaded places on the Bayou. ************** It was late in the evening when the police were summoned to one of the most popular lakes on the Bayou. They pulled up to the scene and were directed to where the bodies were. Everyone was in complete shock and horror when they saw the sight before them. The bodies lay sprawled on the bank of Serenity lake. Evidence of drowning. Their skins showed proof that they had been in the water for hours. They had a pale, grayish shriveled appearance that would remind one of an old lady's rear end, soggy and crepy. Their wet clothes clung to their stiff, lifeless bodies like paper sticking to glue. Their eyes were wide open and they had an opaque appearance which must have been the effect of being in the water too long. But the eeriest thing about the dead bodies was the looks in their facial expressions. The police team was puzzled at the fact that even in death, each of the victims had a phlegmatic and unperturbed smile on their faces. Sixty years had passed since that incident and the people living on the Bayou had now dubbed Serenity Lake haunted, this was because a series of deaths had been occurring every fifteen years. A total of 8 persons had vanished without a trace over the past 60 years. These incidents mostly occurred during the hot summer season, when families and other tourists would visit the Bayous. The Bayous were slowly turning into a haunted attraction. Fewer people started to visit for its beautiful clear waters and lush greenery. Now they visited to hear about the spooky stories and supernatural happenings. On one of the many beautiful summer afternoons like any other, there had been a small drizzle of rain in the morning and the sweet petrichor of the earth sent a barrage of childhood nostalgia coursing through a young couple's veins as they journeyed with their 4-year old son to the lake for a relaxing picnic. Upon arriving at the lake, the father laid out the large picnic blanket by the bank and sat his basket in the center. His wife began taking out the contents one by one. "Have something to drink," she said to her small son who was already eager to go into the crystal water. "No, Ma I want to swim," the child said excitedly. "You will boy, but listen to your Ma and have something to drink first," the father replied before taking a swig from his water bottle. "Okay," the little boy let out in a solemn tone. With his head hung, he took the small water bottle from his mother and began downing its contents. He swallowed as much as he could and then handed the bottle to his mother. "Can we go swim now please?" "Sure son," his father chuckled as he ruffled his hair. The father and son went into the cool, calming waters, while the mother lay on the blanket with her favorite reading material in her hands. She found a relaxing position and then became engrossed in the piece of literature that she had. "This is so fun," the little boy squealed as he and his father splashed around in the water. "Yes, it is my boy." They stayed in the water for another half an hour until the father decided he was going downstream to do a little fishing. "Honey I'm going fishing now so keep an eye on him and keep him by your side," he said as he wrapped a towel around his son and placed him on the blanket next to his wife. "Okay honey," the wife said as she looked up from her reading material. The husband took up his small cooler and fishing rod and went on his fishing quest. The afternoon progressed slowly. The mother and son lay on their picnic blanket and took in the idyllic ambiance they were in. The sweet aromas of nature filled their nostrils and enveloped their whole being. The cool summer air wrapped both of them in a blanket of calmness and comfort. The sun kissed their ivory skins, giving them a hue that was now close to warm beige. As if placed in a soporific mood, the child was falling asleep nestled in the arms of his mother. She looked at her son and smiled and shortly after sleep overtook her as well. The sound of a small child giggling was all it took to wake the young boy. He opened his eyes and rubbed them wearily, looking around trying to identify the source of the glorious giggles. He then noticed a boy around twice his age standing across the lake from him. He had hair as black as coal and snowy white skin. They were both clad in similar attire, and the boy across the lake was playing with a bouncy blue ball. The little boy became fascinated and stood up to see more. The boy over the other side of the lake waved and motioned to the little boy to come across. He held out the ball towards him and smiled. Doing what any small boy would do, he began walking towards the lake. With his eyes on the ball, he strolled until his small feet were submerged in water. He continued moving towards the direction of the ball until he had to paddle to stay afloat. The sky suddenly blackened and the atmosphere of the lake became gloomy and dreadful. The waters of the lake became murky and foul-smelling, even so, the little boy was eager to get to the ball. He paddled until he was out of breath, and he began dipping under the surface of the water. At that moment an eerie presence came over the small boy. This ghostly entity had hair the same color as the boy across the lake. It had feminine features but still held an alien distort. The ghostly figure outstretched its hands towards the little boy who innocently took it in hopes of rescue. Instead, there was a loud crash of thunder, and a whirlpool formed in the center of the mucky waters. With a depraved smirk gracing its face, the female entity guided the little boy into the whirlpool where they both vanished beneath its depths. The little boy across the lake continued to giggle and bounce his ball until a gust of wind erupted and whisk his ghostly apparition into thin air. A repugnant smell engulfed the sleeping mother. She jumped out of her slumber and covered her nose. She then reached to her side, searching for her son. She turned around and shock took over when she noticed her son wasn't there. She flew up and began searching frantically for her son, but he was never to be found. Her son was taken by an entity that would, later on, be dubbed The lady of the lagoon.