Dark Lake

By Sheldon D. West

During the
lowest point of his life, Sky Logan meets Claire Miller, a teenage
Amish girl who lives at the Dark Lake Wildlife Preserve. Despite their
conflicting beliefs, they fall in love and spend time with each other
almost everyday. One day Claire disappears after an accident, and the
authorities have no record of her and her familys existence. Who is
Claire and why did she disappear?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 2, 2009
• ISBN: 9781441575692

Sheldon D. West

Sheldon West began his career as an analytical chemist and research scientist for Schering Research Center in New Jersey. Later, he worked for Eli Lilly and then Dow Agrosciences. Shel was President of the Central Section of the Association of Analytical Chemists International and he published numerous manuscripts and chapters in scientific journals. Shel and his wife also wrote three murder mysteries. Shel coached youth baseball, basketball, and softball for 21 years. Shel met his wife, Lynn, at Purdue University and they have three children, Cara, Jared, and Jordan.

Book preview

Copyright © 2009 by Sheldon D. West.

Cover artwork by Jared Gray West at Graywest.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

66748

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Epilogue

Black waters are said to gather the dead

When the spirits of Dark Lake are calling

Prologue

Mo Cooper snuggled contentedly into his easy chair. His novel had come out today, and it was his first one. Mo thought back over the long days and nights sweating over the details. The rewrites were endless, but finally, it really happened. He was holding it in his hands. He ran his fingers over the glossy cover sporting the title and his name. The artwork was marvelous.

Mo reflected back over the preceding years and the mysterious events leading up to his novel. He thought about Logan. Then Mo smiled, opened the book, and began reading the familiar words—those words telling the strangely disturbing tale of Dark Lake.

Chapter 1

Sky Logan knew it was compulsion that was driving him. An obsessed man knows he’s obsessed, yet he still can’t stop himself. He had to find it again. He had to find it before it was too late—before it consumed the remainder of his life as it had much of his past.

Shading his blue eyes from the bright summer sunlight, Sky swept his gaze along the fencerow by the dusty rural lane. Sweat dripped over his brow and spilled into his eyes. He swiped at it with the back of his hand. Was this the right place? Perhaps it couldn’t be found again after all this time.

Sky’s hiking boots slithered through the unmowed weeds along the side of the road. A slight breeze ruffled his brownish blond hair, cooling his head.

Then there it was.

Sky pulled the tall weeds apart, revealing an opening in the fence. His heart thumped in exhilaration. A tug on the loose, rusting fence wire was all that was needed. It pulled away from the post and opened enough for him to bend down and slip his six-foot frame through the barrier and into the woods beyond. Once inside, he felt a sudden desire to rush toward it. However, he resisted the urge and took a moment to look, listen and just remember.

Birds were calling to each other in the woods. Rays of sunlight filtered down through the canopy of trees, and it was so much cooler in the shade. The coolness of the woods instantly took him back in time to a summer so long ago that it seemed like a dream. However, a keepsake in the pocket of his jeans was a constant reminder that it was more than a dream. He knew the keepsake wasn’t the kind of proof that would convince any sane, rational person. In fact, he would’ve been unable to believe it himself if he hadn’t been here before so many years earlier.

Sky slipped a hand into his pocket and felt the smoothness of the small circular object he’d kept all this time. He was inexorably attached to it. He couldn’t let it go. It was more than a reminder of that summer—it was both his anchor and the source of his aimless drift. It was his gladness and his sadness. It was his sunshine and his darkness. It was his comfort in times of longing, and it was his longing in times of comfort.

Although the path had grown over, it didn’t matter. Sky knew the way through the underbrush. He just followed the sound of the flowing, cascading water.

Suddenly he stood there on the ridge. Seeing it again cracked open a door in his mind, and distant memories began trickling out. Sky stepped up to the shallow brook flowing over the huge boulder on the edge of the bluff. He removed his boots and socks and rolled up the legs of his jeans. When he slid his bare feet beneath the cool water of Miller’s Run, the trickle of memories became a flood. He stood there watching the creek spilling over the falls and dropping forty feet into the stream, flowing off through the narrow wooded ravine below as it’s surely done for thousands of years.

The memories began swirling through his mind, and the irony struck him—even at the end, he was still thinking about the beginning.

Chapter 2

Sky sat down on a large rock at the top of the falls at Miller’s Run while his thoughts took him back in time. He smiled nostalgically when he remembered the first day he’d stumbled upon this place. He looked out over the ravine, and scene after pleasant scene rolled across his mind. The smile gradually faded from his face, however, as he recalled dark, mysterious, and disturbing events; and finally, his thoughts settled upon the perplexing aftermath.

Sky looked up at the ceiling and then down at the floor. He shifted in his chair and looked over at the door. He’d come to dread Tuesday afternoons.

You’re resisting again, Sky. You’re fighting me. You’re fighting yourself.

Sky looked out the window of the second-floor office. He saw the cars streaming along the busy street.

I’m here to help you, Sky, but you’ve got to do your part. I can’t help you through this if you won’t let me. We’re really spinning our wheels here.

I can’t. I just don’t remember.

So you’re still experiencing missing time as you call it—or a mental block as I call it?

Sky was silent for a moment, and then he nodded. Finally he looked up. His psychologist, Dr. Xavier Franklin, sat in his cushy chair. The psychologist’s legs were crossed, and he held a notepad and pen. The therapist stroked his black and gray beard, and he tugged at the curly black hair sticking out above his ears. Dr. Franklin removed his dark-framed glasses and leaned forward.

Franklin urged Sky to look inside himself. He urged him to look deeply and answer him honestly. Do you really want me to help you, Sky? Do you really want to find the answers no matter where the answers might lead—even if they’re not what you think?

Yes.

Truthfully?

Yes.

Franklin sat back up in his chair and studied Sky. After a moment, he acknowledged that perhaps he was just pressuring Sky to move too quickly. We’ll go back to the very beginning, and we’ll take it much more slowly this time. I have a recommendation that I want to float out to you. It’s not a requirement, but I think it might help. Would you be willing to undergo regression hypnosis therapy?

What’s that?

Sky recalled Dr. Franklin’s explanation that hypnosis is a unique psychological condition that superficially resembles sleep. During the hypnotic state, the individual functions at a level of consciousness other than the normal state of awareness. The subject displays intensified attention and receptiveness and an increased responsiveness to suggestions. Franklin indicated that hypnosis taps into the subconscious mind so that memories become more reachable and greater recall occurs. The conscious mind, or beta, does not do a very efficient job of absorbing suggestions; however, under hypnosis, the conscious mind is quieted and slowed down into the alpha range, which is the subconscious state of mind that’s more susceptible to suggestion.

Franklin noted that some people are able to recall details during regression therapy that they can’t recall during their normal conscious state. If you’re willing, I’d like to try this. We can start at the very beginning of this mystery and see how far we can go. If we’re fortunate, maybe we can figure out what’s happened and bring you back to a normal state. What do you say?

Well, I’m kind of leery of it. It sounds a little bit like hocus-pocus. Sky shrugged. But OK. I guess I’m willing to give it a try if you really think it’ll help.

Dr. Franklin dimmed the lights in the office and turned on the tape recorder. The therapist directed Sky to lean back in his reclining chair and take a series of deep breaths under his direction. He instructed Sky that his eyelids were growing heavy and to just let them close. Franklin indicated that he would begin counting, and with each number, Sky would become more rested and more at peace.

As your state of relaxation deepens, Sky, realize that hypnosis is a procedure through which you gain more awareness. You are in control. You determine how far you want to explore the memories in your mind. You’re going to a place of safety and peace. If you want to stop at any time, just raise your hand.

Sky’s conscious mind resisted surrendering control, and it took more than thirty minutes before he could finally give in to the process and reach the hypnotic state.

OK, Sky, we’ll back up and start over at the beginning, right before your freshman year at Renault. Where are you now?

I’m at home.

Indianapolis?

Yes.

See through your eyes, Sky. Look around and tell me what you experience. The psychologist urged Sky to tell him everything that happens but not just the events. He told Sky it was very important to relay his perceptions, feelings, expressions, and emotions. Use all of your senses. I want you to tell me what you see, what you feel, what you hear, what you smell, and what you taste. How you feel about things and your perceptions of how other people feel are often more informative than what’s actually happening. Are you ready to begin?

Yes.

Skylar!

Yeah, Grandma, I’m coming. You don’t have to yell, you know.

That’s what you said ten minutes ago . . . and twenty minutes ago as well.

Sky saved his game and logged off the computer in his bedroom. Then he trudged downstairs to dinner.

"Dinner’s on the table, so now you’ll have to take out the trash after supper, and you’ve still got a washerful of clean dishes to empty too."

Great. Next I suppose you’ll ask me again if I got my application sent off yet.

Yes, I am. Did you?

Sky pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and unfolded it. He handed it to his grandmother.

What’s this? Anna Logan read the e-mail aloud:

To: Skylar Logan, Jr.

From: Dr. Ronald Petterson

Dear Skylar,

Congratulations on your acceptance into the Department of Geology in the College of Science at Renault University. You will be receiving an official letter of acceptance and additional information through the mail in the coming days. These are exciting times in your life!

We look forward to seeing you during Day on Campus in July and when classes begin in August. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ronald Pettersen

Dean, College of Science

Renault University

Renault, Indiana [e-mail]

Oh, Skylar, you made it! I’m so proud of you!

Great, he muttered. What’s for supper?

And your mother and father would’ve been so proud too. Here, give me a hug.

Sky returned his grandmother’s hug halfheartedly and avoided her eyes.

What’s the matter, honey? Still not enthusiastic about college?

Well, I want to go—but just not now. I’ve been going to school for twelve years, and I’m sick of it. I want to take a year off to just relax and go see some places and just . . . and just do whatever I want, or I could get a job and earn some money. Then I’ll go next year.

"Nope. Absolutely not. We’ve talked about this already, and you’re going this year. If you take time off, it’s just that much harder. You’ll forget everything you learned in high school, and you’ll get accustomed to an unstructured lifestyle. Absolutely not. You’re going, buster!"

But look—

Yes, I’ve already heard all of your arguments. I know Keelie’s got another year of high school, and all this other stuff you’re spouting is just baloney.

I’m not leaving Keelie.

Anna Logan’s voice softened. I know. I know. It’ll be tough. She told Sky that he could still come home and see Keelie on weekends, holidays, and semester breaks. Renault is an in-state college and so you’ll only be two or three hours north of here. I’m sure she can also come up to visit you on campus some weekends. I’d be glad to bring her up myself if my health were better.

Not good enough.

Anna sighed. You promised your father. It was his last request before . . . Her voice trailed away.

Sky looked down at the floor sullenly, and then he sat down at the table and filled his plate.

He didn’t speak for the rest of the evening.

At the following Tuesday’s session, Sky stared at Dr. Franklin’s nameplate on his desktop. Staring at it allowed him to avoid the psychologist’s probing brown eyes.

OK, Sky. Our first regression hypnosis session last week covered some old ground that we already knew about, but a couple of very good things happened. First of all, the information you provided during the regression hypnosis is factually matching what you’ve been telling me previously, so that’s a good validation of the process we’re embarking on here. It was also very rich in details that you were unable to recall previously, and just as importantly, I’m pleased that you’re opening up a bit on your feelings during the hypnosis. For the first time, you’re letting me catch a glimpse of your emotions. Your feelings are the key to what’s going on. You were unhappy about going to college, and you went against your will. You resisted going to college because of your girlfriend.

Sky looked down at the floor and nodded.

Tell me, Sky, was there something more to it than just not being able to be with her?

No. I don’t think so.

The therapist recalled that Sky had told him previously that both of his parents had passed away.

Sky nodded. He relayed that there had been a car accident six years previously. His mother was killed instantly, and his dad died of his injuries two weeks later.

And your grandmother was in poor health?

Yeah. It was heart problems. Her heart was failing.

And you had no other close family?

Sky replied that he did have some aunts and uncles but no one living nearby.

The psychologist studied Sky for a moment. I have a question for you, Sky. I think the answer might be important to understanding your story. You might not know the answer right away. The answer lies deep inside you whether you know it or not. Many people aren’t consciously aware of the answer to this question. The question is, what is the thing you want most in life—that one thing you want the very most, more than anything else in the world?

Sky shrugged.

Franklin indicated that Sky’s reaction was a common one and a lot of people don’t consciously know what it is that they want more than anything else. It’s especially common for us men to not admit what motivates us, not even to ourselves, because it involves revealing hidden feelings—feelings that could be perceived as weaknesses. Franklin told Sky that what he’d like to do during the regression hypnosis session today was for Sky to look deeply inside himself and come to grips with what it was he wanted the most in life.

OK, Sky, you’ve reached the desired state of hypnosis, and we’re ready to begin. Where are you?

Sky paused for a moment and then he began. He told his therapist that he’s at home, standing in the driveway. The car is packed up, and he’s saying good-bye to Keelie. Her head was on his chest, and she’s crying. Grandma’s crying. I’m not crying, but I feel like I need to. I don’t want to leave.

Tell me, Sky, what’s causing you to want to stay home instead of attending college?

I want to be with Keelie.

OK, but take it back one step further. Why do you want to be with Keelie?

Because she’s my girlfriend.

What is it that you like about her?

Well, she’s nice. She’s attractive, and we have good times together, and she likes me too.

OK, Sky. You’re at Renault now. Tell me what’s happening.

Sky told Franklin that the long-distance relationship wasn’t working.

When does she break it off?

Sky replied that Keelie started seeing other guys about a month after he left. They’d gotten together a few times on weekends, but she wanted to date other guys. I guess I can’t blame her. It’s her senior year of high school and all.

But you still held out hope?

Sky nodded and told Franklin that he’d tried to get back with her during fall break and Christmas break.

OK, Sky, now go back in time to spring break. Tell me what you see and what you feel.

I’m on the phone with Keelie. I’m trying to get together with her during spring break, but . . . but she’s found someone else and doesn’t want to see me anymore.

And then your grandmother passed away early in May?

Yeah. May tenth.

You’ve already lost your parents. Look deep inside, Sky. What are your feelings when you come to grips that you’ve also lost Keelie and your grandmother?

Sky resisted answering.

It’s all right, Sky. Tell me what you feel.

Sky sighed. Sadness. Loneliness. Fear. Mostly loneliness—intense loneliness.

At this moment of crisis, what is it that you want most?

Sky paused.

What is it, Sky?

I . . . I want to have a family and I want to have someone—a girlfriend—that I can love and who’ll love me back.

So what you want most in life is a sense of belonging—you want to love someone and be loved in return?

After a moment of silence, he finally answered.

Yes.

Sky took a moment to listen to the hum of the crickets and grasshoppers and the birds calling to each other among the trees by the falls. Then he let his mind wander back over the long series of Tuesday-afternoon sessions with the psychologist.

Dr. Franklin was silent for a moment as he surveyed Sky. You’re still not buying into this though.

Sky shrugged.

You need to tell me what you’re thinking, Sky.

Well, I know you don’t believe me. You think I’m either making it up or I’m delusional.

Franklin replied that what he thinks is unimportant. His job is to help Sky understand what he thinks. The brain is a complex thing, Sky. It hides things from us that we don’t want to admit or things we don’t want to face. It rationalizes. It fantasizes. It causes us to blame others for our own shortcomings. It makes up things to protect us. It can even cause us to faint to escape an unpleasant event. Sometimes it does several of these things at once. So what I think is unimportant.

The psychologist did concede, however, that he was convinced that Sky truly believes the events really did happen. What we need to discover is whether in fact these things did occur or if there’s something else going on that’s tricked your mind and given you false memories.

Sky pulled the keepsake out of his pocket and held it up for Dr. Franklin to see.

Yes, Sky, you’ve shown me this before. I know it’s meaningful for you, but if you’ve actually fantasized or hallucinated this story, the keepsake could be a part of it. Just keep working with me.

Franklin thought they were beginning to make some progress through the hypnotic regression therapy approach. He acknowledged he was anxious to move on to some of Sky’s fantastic claims but that they needed to lay the groundwork first. Hopefully, we can proceed slowly enough that we can get past the barriers your mind has thrown up. We need to get at your missing time—your mental block. It’s the key to the entire mystery. Why don’t we go ahead and continue.

OK, Sky, you’ve reached your hypnotic state now; and we want to continue slowly, taking you back through what’s happened. Today, let’s focus on events that occurred when you returned to the university after your grandmother’s funeral, right after the end of the spring semester and just before the beginning of the summer session. Relay to me what you’re remembering. Be sure to include as many details as you can recall.

Hey, Logan, some of us guys from the Paintball Club are getting together a game for today. We need another player for our team. How about it?

Sky was standing in his dorm room and was dejectedly gazing out of the window. He turned around and looked over at the open door.

Who’s it against, Mo?

The guys from second floor.

Third floor versus second floor? Who’ve you got so far?

Me, Mashburn, Ford, and Hammerly.

Cool. We’ll kick their butts.

So you’re in?

Yeah, I’m in. Sky knew he needed something to get his mind off his troubles, and Mo was making this effort to

Reviews for Dark Lake

[freebookreviews · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another romance another plot but really just the same. I do give the author credit for their style and prose but really the romance genre is a little saturated with the same plot line. I did enjoy the writer's writing style just a little tired of the same plot line covered with different characters.