Beckoning [Short Story]

Snow-covered place | Photo by freestocks.org

I was walking out of a house numbered 101, located on the ground floor of a sturdy two-story residence. Dressed in a thick blue coat, brown boots, gloves, and a beanie, I made my way down the street. I saw lines of buildings that looked eerily similar, scattered vehicles parked in their parking spaces and towering trees that were bare, the brown branches peeking from under the heavy layer of snow clinging to it. The sun will soon set, pulling the thick blanket of darkness over the land.

I think the scene startled me for a second. It was for the first time that I was noticing all the snow covering the place. That would explain my attire, I suppose. I glanced down and stomped my boots in glee. The snow gave a satisfying crunch. It made my spirits rise, making me feel elated. The feeling seemed foreign yet welcoming. Now, with an evident skip in my step, I resumed my walk.

It was not long before a sign labeled “Swimming Pool” appeared. Along the same stretch, a few distances away, a small barred gate could be seen. I stood there debating which direction I should take. Boredom carried my feet towards the pool. The gate gave a groan as I pushed it open, the inhuman noise piercing the silence shrouding the place. I paused, looking around to see if someone heard me. Seeing no sign of any activity, I walked in.

Lounge chairs, picnic benches, and stranded swimming essentials lay strewn around. Smack in the middle was a large pool, completely frozen. I could make out the glistening ice even from where I stood. The glazed sheet reflected the nearby street lamp and the mesmerizing hues of orange light bounced off the surface. It looked like a painting one would see in an art museum under the modern art section. Confusing but beckoning. I edged closer and closer till I reached the pool’s perimeter. The next set of events seemed to pass by in a blur. I stood there for some time I suppose. Then I don’t know why I did what I did.

I stuffed my hands into my pockets and crouched a little to put one foot into the pool, my toe grazing the surface. The ice didn’t budge. I rested my entire foot flat on the ice and pushed. Nothing. Satisfied, I quickly put my other foot in and stood carefully to my full height. With bated breath, I waited. I strained to hear sounds of anything unusual. Again, nothing. The night had started to descend and the engulfing darkness brought about an eerie silence. I moved my other foot to the front and slowly started taking small, measured steps. By now, my hand was spread out to the sides so I could keep my balance on the slippery ice. A rush of exhilaration and apprehension clutched at my heart as I slowly made my way to the center of the pool. It was not too late to go back, I told myself. But the adrenaline coursing through my body refused to allow me to back down, and I continued with my stupid adventure. There was a moment where my feet seemed to slip. My heart jumped to my throat as I hastily corrected my stance. Again, I paused, gathering confidence before resuming. I finally managed to make it the center where I stood and took in the scene in front of me. A laugh bubbled past my lips at my bizarre achievement.

The cold wind had started to pick up, and wisps of hair fell into my face. I blew at the strands, not wanting to brush them with my hands as I maintained my precarious balance. Off into the distance, I saw the outlines of still trees and uniform houses lining a stretch, catching a peek of the setting sun seen in between. It looked like a beautiful painting. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. No haunting thoughts or emotions clouded my mind or body. It was serene, a moment of perfection. I shelved it in my mind palace, careful to memorize the details, so I could call on it, and recreate it whenever I desired.

“Hey there!” a gruff voice boomed, shocking me out my reverie.

I whipped around without a thought. My right leg slid smoothly across the ice, and I was deeply annoyed. There goes my balance that I tried so hard to keep. My arms flailed without control and down, I went. My left knee took the impact first followed by my arms. I ground my palms onto the surface to stop myself from slipping further. I heaved out an exasperated sigh. I looked up at the man standing at the other end of the pool. The street lamp shed some light on his face, and I could see his eyes clearly. As I stared at the green eyes looking at me in alarm, I heard the first crack. The severity of the situation took some time to sink in. However, before I could react or contemplate a course of action, the crack seemed to spread at a rapid speed around me.

And then I was under.