Sam had been waiting for her family vacation to the lake for months. Her and

her best friend Will were going with Sam’s family to the cabin they rented each

year. They arrived at the cabin late in the night and the entire family went straight

to bed. However, Sam and Will had a different idea. Will had the grand idea of

sneaking out to the lake and taking the canoe out on the water, since they had

arrived so late and hadn’t had the chance with Sam’s family.

“Sam shut up we can’t sneak out here if you keep stomping around!”

Will whispered. The two walked past the last cabin to the canoe.

“I’ve never done this before sorry!” as she tiptoed as if she had 100 times

before. They unwounded the rope around and around and around the pole and

slowly slid the boat off the shore. The muddy brown sand mushed into her toes

and felt cool against her skin. One last shove and it dropped into the water. The

waves from the splash lapped against the dark red sides of the canoe. They both

giggled and got into the boat. Shoving off shore it floated down the river. After

they had gotten a little down the river Will whispered a couple of words but Sam

couldn’t hear them.

“Will, our parents are not around just say it!” He leaned in close and

shoved her out of the canoe. As she cried out, he seemed to disappear as she

slowly slipped under the waves.

The next morning her parents woke up to a hastily scribbled note next to

their bed. It read,

“Hey Mom,

Will and I are going out to the lake! Just in case you wake up and we aren’t here.

Love you!

Sam”

Her mother didn’t understand the note. This was a family vacation out to

their lakeside cabin.

“Who is Will?” her mother thought and together Sam’s parents rushed out to

the lake. There they found the red canoe flipped stuck in the sand as the water

lapped over its edges. At the bottom of the lake, they saw their daughter’s body.

Will had never been more than a thought inside Sam’s head.