Free Hazy View: Souls of the Vanished by Ink Blood

limits for a while. I believe you heard about
the drama we’ve had at the lake over the last couple of days. I’d
like to find out more and stop the attacks.” Andrew jumped right
into the conversation.
    “ You want to take away the
only attraction this town has to bring tourists here. That’s like
taking away the air and letting the town suffocate, why?” Gibbs
asked surprised.
    “ I feel the lake’s not
safe, and I’d like to close it for further investigation, just to
be safe. It won’t be for long anyway.”
    “ What investigation? The
rumors of ghosts or the heart attack of Robert Wilson, rest his
soul. He was a good friend of mine.”
    Gibbs stood up and walked briskly to
the oak table near the window. He poured two glasses of scotch and
returned to his desk, holding one to Andrew. He scratched in the
drawer and turned his attention back to him. He handed him a new
sheriff’s badge.
    “ Martin told me a couple
of days ago that he’s planning to give up the job and leave town.
He suggested that you take over his job. He also said you’re the
best person we’ve got. You’re eager I’ll give you that. He said
that you’ve got a good nose for it, and that you always look at
every possible angle in every case. We can use someone like that.
Meanwhile I had this made and left it up to Martin to give you the
good news.”
    Andrew removed his old badge. “Thank
you.”
    “ Tell me. Closing the lake
temporarily, this one of the angles you’re looking at?”
    “ I’d rather look at it as
a precaution, taking in to consideration the events has now become
hostile. Maybe it's nothing, just some kids playing their stupid
games, but it's better to be sure, and at the same time I’ll keep
as many people safe as I can.”
    Gibbs raised his eyebrows and glanced
over the rim of his glasses.
    “ Is that what you believe,
kids playing pranks?”
    “ I believe someone
committed murder somewhere around the lake…” Andrew
declared.
    “ What murders?” Gibbs
interrupted shocked.
    Andrew placed the case files on the
desk, but Gibbs didn’t take them.
    “ It's starting to look
like someone murdered two people and dumped their bodies into the
lake. I think the attacks are a result of a supernatural entity.
Witnesses reported strange events and sightings of a woman and a
child that’s haunting the lake.” Andrew continued studying the
mayor’s reaction.
    “ I’m not convinced about
these ghosts. I heard the stories and I believe they’re made up. Do
you have any proof of these murders? Do you have an idea where the
crime scene is, missing person, a suspect or witness, anything?”
Gibbs asked with his palms opened on the desk.
    “ No sir.” Andrew admitted
softly.
    “ Well how do you know
there’s a crime?”
    “ I’ve been reading witness
reports and all of them points to the same sighting. Something in
the lake’s clawing its way out using visitors to do it.” Andrew
pointed out and sipped his drink nervously.
    “ What attacks, a drunken
hallucinating young woman or someone scaring Robert into a heart
attack, its gossip. Did any of them witness a murder?”
    “ No sir.”
    “ These stories are nothing
more than misdirection and the incidents pure accidental. You’re
just stepping into the sheriff’s shoes. I understand that it's
overwhelming to say the least. Why don’t you take a short vacation
to adjust? Nothing major, let’s say from Monday to Sunday. Rap your
mind around your new duties when you get back. That leaves you with
three days to get everything you need in order before you go on
leave. You’re not new to this town. You’ve spent most of your life
here. How many times have rumors kicked started business,
especially around this time of the year?” Gibbs pointed
out.
    “ I don’t need time off
sir. I’m aware of all the rumors overtime, but nothing solid were
ever proven, not like this. There’s something in the lake hurting
people. Someone who knows nothing about the town is