Lady of the Lake

By Brian Muff

Who is the lady with laser eyes under the water—a young man's demise?

 

Based on the terrifying real-life legend of Lake Ronkonkoma, Lady of the Lake proves that love can conquer even the scariest of challenges.

After a passionate night at the local lake with her dreamy boyfriend, Braden, Miley Monroe's life is turned upside down when Braden is dragged underwater by an undead woman with chilling red eyes. Not only has Braden been kidnapped by a mysterious specter—he is also being fingered for rape by Miley's doubtful father, a stern police officer determined to track down the missing teen and defend his daughter's honor.

 

Distraught and on the verge of giving up hope for Braden's return, Miley connects with a nerdy classmate named Quentin. He warns her that Braden has fallen victim to the Lady of the Lake, a Native American woman named Tuscawonta who killed herself in the lake after her star-crossed love affair with a handsome English settler named Hugh Birdsall went horribly awry. Looking to recapture the love she could never have, Tuscawonta has kidnapped scores of attractive young men from the lake's shores to serve as her companions in the afterlife.

 

Teaming up with Quentin's father, a genius scientist who works on top-secret government research projects, the trio devise a supernatural plot to bring love back from the dead and break the curse of Lake Ronkonkoma. Braden's life depends on their success.

 

Incredibly imaginative and chockful of thrilling twists and turns, Lady of the Lake will pull you under and make sure you never come up for air.      

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: thewordverve inc
• Release date: Aug 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781948225878

Book preview

This book is dedicated to my mother, Donna. From an early age, she encouraged me to read and learn as much as I could about the world around me. Without her support throughout the years, this book would not be possible. 

This book is also dedicated to the memories of all those who have lost their lives in Lake Ronkonkoma. Rest in peace.

Author’s Note

I grew up on Long Island, New York.

When most people think of paranormal activity that has occurred on this island east of Manhattan and south of Connecticut, the Amityville Horror is what comes to mind. Who can blame them? The Amityville murders and the subsequent hauntings are an international cultural phenomenon. The slaying of six family members by one deranged son and the tales of demonic possession are enough to give anyone nightmares.

But I’m not here to talk about Amityville. I’m here to talk about Ronkonkoma—Lake Ronkonkoma. Long Island’s other ghost story. 

Located near the very center of the island—roughly twenty minutes from where I grew up—is a serene-looking kettle lake carved from a glacier that receded after the last ice age. Situated among residential areas and strip malls that typify Long Island’s suburban sprawl, the lake that seems tranquil to out-of-towners turns eerie in a hurry when one learns its dark history.

Tales of piranha attacks, ghostly apparitions ice skating in old-fashioned clothing, and rumors that the lake is bottomless get one’s pulse quickening.

Jacking up the intensity are the drownings that have claimed an inordinate amount of lives over the years.

Why so many? Some say they’re due to drunkenness. Others say fatigue. A few entertain the idea of whirlpools, maelstroms that suck swimmers in like the water escaping down the bathtub drain. And far more claim that the Lady of the Lake is behind it all.

~ Brian

Chapter 1

Splash!

The cool lake water rippled outward as Miley Monroe and her boyfriend, Braden Nichols, jumped in. 

It was a calm, clear Saturday night in late August. A full moon rose high above the lake, illuminating the water like a spotlight on a swimming pool. The air temperature had dropped into the sixties—a sharp contrast to the sun-splashed eighty-five-degree weather of a few hours prior. The crisp touch of fall’s fingers probed the teenagers’ half-naked bodies as they swam—an unpleasant reminder that the carefree days of summer were waning, and the hectic school year was about to begin. 

In a way, however, Miley was excited about starting school. It would be her senior year, and she was eager to find out where she would be going to college, as well as to attend the prom at the end of the year. She hoped she would be going to the same college as Braden. She was nervous about that because she got much better grades than he did. Nevertheless, Braden was a star baseball player, so he might be able to attend the prestigious school that Miley had her eyes on if he was able to secure an athletic scholarship.

The two had been going out for nearly a year, having met at a mutual friend’s birthday party last October. Miley couldn’t stop staring at Braden that whole night. He was just so handsome, with bronzed skin, a sturdy, chiseled physique, and piercing brown eyes that made him popular with the girls at school. 

Toward the end of the night, Miley’s friend, Sammi, introduced her to Braden. Although nervous at first, Miley—having heard that he was in the school band—began talking to Braden about music. As it turned out, Miley and Braden were big fans of the same country music group, the Four Wheelers. Braden even unzipped his hoodie to reveal a Four Wheelers t-shirt, making Miley smile. She had playfully run her fingers over his rock-hard chest, her slender arm trembling as she did so. 

The pair locked eyes at that moment; Miley felt a spike of attraction rush over her body. Blushing, she retracted her hand, a little embarrassed at what she had done. Braden appeared a bit awkward as well, not quite knowing how to react. After a brief pause, he offered Miley his phone number, saying that they should hang out some time. She excitedly agreed, giving Braden her number. Bidding him farewell, Miley went home and waited in anticipation.

Finally, nearly a week later, Braden called and asked her if she wanted to go on a date with him to a Four Wheelers concert in the city. They had their first kiss that night, and it was pure bliss. All of Miley’s problems—schoolwork difficulties, friend drama, helicopter parents— seemed to float away. 

She felt that peace right now, drifting on her back at the surface with her right hand clutched in Braden’s left. Miley slowly exhaled, releasing a day’s full of tension accumulated from a long shift at her summer job at an ice cream parlor and an argument with her mother over her choice of outfit. 

Her mother did not approve of Miley wearing a shirt that left her stomach exposed. She said that it made her look too promiscuous and that it was an inappropriate outfit for a seventeen-year-old girl to be wearing. Miley wouldn’t take no for an answer, however, and after a prolonged argument, Miley left the house—bare midriff and all. 

Miley sometimes wondered if her mother even remembered what it was like to be her age. Miley had been working out all winter—running on a treadmill, eating the right foods—and she wanted to show her body off this summer. 

For the first time in her life, Miley felt sexy. She had struggled with body-image issues for a few years, but those had been dissipating over the past year and a half. Her braces were gone, as was her acne. She wore contact lenses now instead of glasses. Now she felt like one of the prettiest girls in school. With her prominent cheekbones, golden brown hair, and bright hazel eyes set on a petite, athletic frame, everyone seemed to be taking notice of Miley these days. The fact that she had a hot boyfriend seemed to confirm her nascent beauty for the other popular girls at school, who now invited Miley to sit with them at lunch. 

She felt popular. She felt loved. What more could a girl want? So what if her mother didn’t like her outfit? Teenage girls are supposed to fight with their mothers. 

Anyway, Miley didn’t want to think about that anymore. All she wanted to think about was Braden. The two of them…all alone out on the lake. It was so serene. They floated next to one another, Miley’s thin fingers interlaced with Braden’s strong, calloused ones.

Without saying a word, Miley tugged on Braden’s arm, and the teens righted themselves. Treading water, they embraced and began making out, their attractive forms pressing against one another in the moonlight. Miley felt the endorphins swirling through her body; she loved these moments, the times when she and Braden seemed to become one.

They had not had sex yet; Miley was hesitant to do so. She was uneasy about the prospect, knowing that she had too much going for her to be the girl that gets herself pregnant while still in high school. 

On the other hand, she truly did love Braden, and she knew that he would be a great first lover. In addition to the strong emotional bond they shared, she had brushed against the considerable bulge in the front of his pants a time or two, and she couldn’t wait to get better acquainted with it.

Besides, was she seriously going to go away to college without losing her virginity? She didn’t think so. 

Miley pulled her tender lips away from Braden’s mouth. 

What’s wrong? he asked, a little surprised and clearly eager to resume playing tonsil tennis. 

Nothing, baby, she cooed seductively, dragging her fingers across the pecs that drove her wild. It’s just that I want to have sex…right here…right now. 

Braden didn’t respond, just sort of bobbed up and down with a confused expression on his face. Miley had made her feelings about sex very clear, so she supposed it was curious that she would suddenly flip-flop.

Finally, he said, Are you sure? Positive, Miley whispered. 

A warm smile crept over Braden’s face, and the pair got back to business, going at it with an insatiable fervor. Twenty minutes rolled by in real time, but time seemed to stand still on the lovers’ dial. Blood was running hot. Bathing suits were ripped off in an amorous frenzy. 

Slowly but surely, the pair made their way over to shallower water. Without further ado, Braden entered Miley; the sensation was indescribably amazing, their young bodies coursing with orgasmic delight. 

Distracted by hormones, the teens failed to notice the bright red eyes meandering across the surface of the water. Drifting out from the center of the lake, the piercing, stop-light eyes headed straight for the lovers. Driven by centuries of frustration and a love unfulfilled, the soul gathered speed, advancing toward the lovers with cruel intentions. 

Their tryst over, Miley and Braden stood in four feet of water, their arms wrapped around one another. 

How was it, baby? she asked quietly, stroking his hair. 

Just how I imagined it would be—perfect. I love you, Miley.

I love you, too, Braden. Miley’s heart fluttered. Meanwhile, the shadowy figure darted underneath the water to remain undetected, its headlight eyes guiding it along through the murky depths. 

Still clinging to one another, Miley and Braden noticed the water getting chillier as the specter crept up on them. 

Do you feel that? Miley asked. 

Feel what?

The water got so cold just now. If you say so. Braden shrugged. He’d felt the temperature plunge—the cold water pricking his feet like tiny needles—but he was too proud to admit it. 

Come on. Let’s get out of the water, Miley said, tugging his arm. Okay, okay. No need to rush. Braden chuckled as he followed Miley’s path. 

Thirty yards from the beach, the pair began to kick their way toward shore; they didn’t get very far before Braden felt a tug at his ankle. 

Braden had been in strong ocean currents that had tossed him to and fro, but this felt different.  It didn’t feel like a current at his ankle. 

It felt like a hand—a bony hand with clawlike fingernails that dug into his flesh. 

Braden immediately let out a yell, a loud, abrasive disturbance that ruined the tranquility of the night air. 

Alarmed, Miley spun around, scanning for Braden’s body in the darkness. Braden, what’s wrong? 

Something’s grabbing me! he belted out, the panic making his voice crack. Come help me!

Figuring that he must be making a joke at the expense of her pins-and-needles disposition, Miley didn’t take Braden seriously. That is…until she saw the eyes. 

Transfixed upon the red, luminescent orbs, Miley watched as they steadily ascended to the surface. Tragically hypnotized by their gaze, she could do nothing but watch as a feminine figure rose up out of the water. The woman flashed a devilish grin as she grabbed Braden by the throat and pulled him down into the depths of Lake Ronkonkoma. 

Petrified, the last words that Miley heard were Braden’s agonizing, otherworldly cries of Miley! Miley! as he disappeared into the murk. 

Without delay, an immense flash of crimson light emanated from the lake’s center, and a supernatural explosion lifted Miley’s bare body out of the water. Her elegant frame soaring backward through the night air, Miley was too stunned to produce the scream she normally would in such a terrifying, gut-wrenching situation. 

After what seemed like an airborne eternity, Miley landed on her backside with a thud, the impact sending her head back into a large rock on the beach. The crimson light singed her field of vision, and her heart yelled for Braden as she lost consciousness.

Chapter 2

Miley opened her eyes. A harsh light filled her field of vision. This was a white light, however—not the crimson she’d last remembered.

Squinting, she turned her head to the left and saw her parents. They were staring intently out a wide window, deep despair tattooed on their faces. Her father, Morgan, tall and imposing with a thick, black, horseshoe mustache more befitting of a biker than a man of the law, had his left arm around her mother, Michelle. Her eyes were red and runny makeup was marring the smooth beauty of her alabaster skin. 

Miley stared at her parents for a whole minute, wondering what had made them so sad. Did her father lose his job as chief of police? Had a relative passed away?

Sensing the gaze of eyes peering out from the comatose shell Miley had been in for the past two weeks, Morgan whipped his head around and broke into a smile brighter than any crimson light could ever be.

Michelle spun around toward Miley’s hospital bed and put her hands over her face, crying again. Only these were tears of joy, not of misery. 

Hi, honey! Morgan cried out, his voice cracking with excitement. He leaned over the bedside railing. I’m so glad you’re awake!

Michelle—sobbing uncontrollably at this point—sputtered out, I’m…so…happy. 

Save for Michelle’s sniffling, there was silence as Miley’s parents embraced one another. After a few minutes, Michelle stopped weeping. She wiped her tears away with a tissue and blew her runny nose. 

Where am I? Miley asked, looking haggard with no makeup, tangled hair, and an assortment of small cuts and bruises on her face. 

You’re in the hospital, sweetheart, Morgan said. You’ve been in a coma for the past two weeks. You hit your head on a rock after…after… 

It was her father’s turn to shed some tears. 

Now, Morgan, her mother reminded him, raking her platinum-blond hair behind her ear with her fingertips. We said we were going to be strong through this. 

…after you stumbled backward trying to get away from Braden. 

The name. Everything came flooding back into Miley’s mind in one awful moment of realization. The lake. Those horrible eyes. The look on Braden’s face as he was dragged underwater. The explosion. The hard thump on the beach and the thud of her head on the rock. 

Braden! Miley yelled out. We have to save him! 

Her mom stared at her, aghast, while her father looked away, a pained expression on his usually stoic face. A long moment of silence filled the air until Michelle interjected.

We don’t have to save him, honey.

Why not? Miley felt a wave of confusion course through her body. 

Because he raped you! Michelle spat out, anguish creasing her ruddy countenance.

The words hit Miley like a ton of bricks. She may have been in a coma for a fortnight, but her memory of that fateful evening was crystal clear. 

No, no, he didn’t!

Yes, honey. Yes, he did. You aren’t aware because you were unconscious when it happened.

Unconscious?

Yes, it’s true. Braden had ripped your clothes off, but you were able to resist him. It was a struggle, but you managed to break free and run away,