The Lake Part Two: The Lake, #2

By M.D. LaBelle

In the second book of The Lake, Laura and Anne must come back because the creatures hold on Anne is more than she can take.  When a tentacle emerges from the mist covering the Lake and chokes the last dying breath from the Johnson's beagle Petey, things start to go strangely wrong in the quaint little town of Haven. At first, no one notices when Jonathan Robinson disappears. However, when Anne Smith's mother Laura realizes that something is horribly wrong with her, she begins to raise questions that need answering. Find out in The Lake, if what lies deep within it is more sinister than you could ever have imagined

• Language: English
• Publisher: Casper Publishing
• Release date: Feb 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223425434

M.D. LaBelle

M.D. LaBelle is an international award winning, and bestselling author who has her works on all the major online book retailers and even walmart.com.  Also, they are on over 200 paid web novel platforms and several other smaller bookstores.  Her genres include horror, fantasy, thriller, romance, erotica and children's books.  Follow her on her social media accounts o Instagram, TikTok, FaceBook and Youtube.  Also make sure you visit her bookstore at https://www.mdlabelle.com/bookstore

Book preview

Chapter 1:  Three Weeks Later

I t’s been three weeks and 11 towns since we left Haven and everything that happened there.  But nothing seems to matter, because the farther we go the worse Anne’s condition gets. I say softly across the table to Isabel my 31-year-old boss at the Truck Stop Café as she stares at me intently with her dark brown eyes.

Every time I take her to a new doctor in hopes of finding out what is wrong, they all shake their heads and then admit her into the hospital for evaluation.  I honestly think that they believe I am doing this to her.  Yet, every single time they do tests, they can’t find anything wrong and are forced to let her go.  However, this time is different because she has slipped into a coma with no hopes of waking up. I murmur under my breath as I put my face in my hands in frustration before looking back up to her.

Well, I certainly hope that they find out fast what is wrong this time, for your sake if not hers.  I know you are not capable of doing anything to Anne because I have seen you with her and you love that child more than anything in this world.  I can see how much it hurts you in your eyes. Isabel says thoughtfully as she runs her fingers through her long, straight black hair. 

When the little bell above the front door to the café dings, we both look instantly as I see Ralph Jorgenson walk in casually with his wife Maureen.  They are both in their mid-50’s and are regulars there.  And when Isabel stands up to greet them, I watch as her hips sway softly.

Good afternoon, Ralph, and Maureen.  Will it be the spaghetti today or our special, the beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy? She asks sweetly in a southern accent and then plasters a fake smile on her lips before waiting patiently for them to answer.

Ralph looks up at her and smiles mischievously before he asks while winking at Isabel, What would you enjoy?

Now knowing that the two of them have a past, I see that Mrs. Jorgenson begins to get uncomfortable as Ralph flirts with Isabel.  She fidgets with the silverware and then clears her throat before saying quickly, I will have the beef sandwich, and Ralph will have the spaghetti.  He has always liked his long stringy noodles.

When she says that last bit begrudgingly, I know full well that she is referring to Isabel’s body type and not the offending food item.  So, I can’t help but to smirk and shake my head as I continue to watch this little scene play out in front of me.  But when the phone rings, I pull it out of my bib pocket in a hurry and then glance down at the screen to see the hospitals phone number.  I run my finger over the answer button and then place the phone to my ear while feeling scared of what they might say.

God help me if they tell me that my girl has passed away.

Mrs. Smith? I hear one of the doctor’s ask softly while I watch Isabel walk to the kitchen quickly with menus in hand.

I hesitate nervously before I reply quietly, Yes?  I am Mrs. Smith.  How can I help you?

I called because your daughter woke up briefly and then she relapsed, but there is also something else.  Because you do not have medical insurance, the hospital is giving you until tonight to either find her somewhere else to send her, or you must take her home.  The good news is that she is still breathing on her own, but we don’t know for how long. He states flatly as I hear someone whispering in the background. 

I close my eyes and listen carefully while trying to think of an alternative.  What can I do?  I have no way of paying for this and every time I move her farther away, she just gets worse and worse.  So, do I go back and take my chances that she will wake up?

With no other alternative, I reply slowly, Alright.  I will be right over.  Can you get her paperwork ready?  I will end up taking her back to Haven, where it all started.

Thank you, ma’am.  I will tell the billing department.  They will have the financial aid office come in and talk to you when you get here. he says absentmindedly as I hear the person in the background continue to whisper so softly that I can’t hear the words.

When the call ends, I glance up at the Jorgenson’s and then stand up from my chair before I slide it in and get ready to tell Isabel the bad news.  I guess it is time to go back to Haven after all.

Where are you going? Isabel asks with concern in her voice, as I walk to the backroom and then find my little black purse.

As I stare at her for a moment, I answer quietly while looking down at the chipped forest green tiles on the floor, "I am so sorry for doing this to you, but the hospital just called, and I must take Anne back to Haven.  The billing department is forcing my