Camilla visited the lake every day - its wide, sparkling expanse was the best thing about the new town. She skimmed stones across its surface that Monday morning, instead of going to her new school like she was supposed to. She'd left her mother a note, and would get hell for it later. But mom was so worried about everything already.

She couldn't stay away, though. The lake reminded her of home, and drifting in the rivers until she felt like she was floating above the world itself.

"You shouldn't be here."

The boy came softly through the trees. He was taller than she was, but about the same age. His dark eyes were narrowed in anger. Why was he angry? She had as much right as anyone to use the lake.

"It's a public space," she replied after a minute of uncomfortable silence. What was he, the lake police?

"This is my lake," he said softly, coming closer. She looked at him more carefully, beginning to feel slightly afraid. He was big for his age, muscles bulging on his arms. She noticed for the first time that his hair and clothes were wet.

"Do you live in it?" she asked drily. "Did I disturb you or something?"

"In a manner of speaking," he said softly. She ignored him, turning back to the lake to skim a few more stones. It reminded her of her dad. No stupid boy was going to stop her.

Camilla hardly felt the blow that sent her sinking to her knees, and was unconscious when the boy dragged her into the lake. Moments later, something monstrous rippled in its depths, and a gust blew through the trees like a creature sighing in sleep.

Marcus, the barkeeper of the little town, watched the woman pin up a poster on the board and walk slowly out, eyes on her shoes and shoulders slumped in grief. He walked closer, squinting at the picture of the smiling girl. She was a good-looking girl, about sixteen, he guessed.

Have you seen Camilla? the poster blared. Possibly last seen walking to Lurandel Lake...

"Damn fool, if you ask me," Marcus grunted to his customers as he went back to the bar. "That place gives me the creeps. Too many people gone missing out there. Wouldn't be surprised if some crazy guy grabbed her out there. That's the trouble with outsiders. Drawn to trouble, they are."

This was met with sage nods from his customers, but they soon forgot about the girl as they downed their drinks. The woman would leave here soon, they guessed. Things would settle down back to normal soon enough.