Test the Waters

Oh, hello. Yes, it is a beautiful lake. Very beautiful. It’s man-made you know. They built a dam and flooded the area. Fifty years now. My house was down there on the river. Well, my wife’s house. Been in her family for over a hundred years.

Of course we fought the project. All of us who owned land and houses down there but when the government wants something you always lose. They did pay us, but not enough.

My wife said she couldn’t bear to see the house destroyed. They didn’t tear them down though, just left them there to be covered by the water. No, she didn’t want to see that.

Oh, she’s gone. Heh…disappeared with one of the engineers on the project actually. So ironic.

She couldn’t bear to watch. I watched. Watched the water spill over the streets, gardens, houses. Watched until all was hidden. I wondered about animals that may have been trapped down there. Rats, maybe. Trapped in a basement; unable to get out, feeling the water rise then gasping one last time before the water filled their lungs. Yes…rats.

I moved away but I come back every year on this day.

It is a very beautiful lake.

LOL I wrote this for the Friday the 13th challenge but didn't get it in in time.