“Last one in is a sweaty ballsack!” Jamie said as he ran barefoot down the splintery runway, yellow and purple swimming trunks billowing around his skinny legs. He was already a good ways ahead of the slower Preston, who, being a little overweight, was already out of breath by the time he reached the shoreline. He puffed his way down the ancient pier and pouted as Jamie cannonballed into the lake. Preston plopped himself down at the end and slowly dipped his feet in, the water chilling his toes. He looked up just in time to get a blanket of the same chilly water to his face.

“Pbbbph, holy shit! Jamie, you’re such an asshole.” Preston shivered angrily. He was irritated but used to this.

“Get in then, you PUSSS-AAAYY!” Jamie laughed as he paddled about. “Out of all the phobias, you’re scared of water? Like, literal fucking water? That’s a Big fuckin’ OOF, my dude.” He started to frog-kick away from the pier, moving fast. “I swear you’re clownin’ me. I’ll be right back. If I look like I’m drowning, haul ass.”

Preston watched as Jamie launched into an easy freestyle, making his way to the center of the lake. It wasn’t too far out, maybe a hundred meters, and Jamie did it all the time. but Preston couldn’t. Preston hated his weakness, but he couldn’t swim, and could barely wade. He always got a feeling of dread when he got in, like something was just out of sight, waiting to snatch him up. He tried to focus solely on dipping his feet. Small steps. Just breathe, focus on your feet. Don’t think about the water. Breathe normal. It’s just a phobia. No pressure. Just focus on-

Jamie!

Fuck!

Preston looked up quickly, scanning the lake and seeing the large splashes, motions of a struggle, Jamie trying to swim away from something large, unseen. Preston saw Jamie’s head suddenly dunk beneath the surface, his flailing arms following quickly. The splashing immediately ceased. No struggle, no bubbles.

Shit!

Preston kicked up his feet and sprinted as fast as he could back into the beachhouse, looking desperately for his phone. He found it and was about to dial 911 when he looked back out to the lake to try and find Jamie.

And he found Jamie.

He had resurfaced.

He wasn’t struggling, but something was… off. His upper body was above the water, but he didn’t look like he was treading water. It was as if something was propping him up. Jamie’s figure slowly turned a 180, facing Preston. Preston couldn’t make out his face, but he could recognize the motions of the figure.

Motioning him to come into the water. Motioning with a slow, erratic arm wave, like an animatronic at a theme park.

Preston stared at the figure for a half hour before “Jamie” slowly began to sink again, not gracefully, but like an elevator.

Like he was returning home to something in the depths.