Silent Lake (Chapter 2)

As Kelana and I drove back to the camp site we were staying at for the next few days she was unusually quiet and I wanted to somehow break the ice.1

"So, honey, how did you like it there?"2

"It would have been more fun if you were happy mommy."3

My heart was breaking in her hands and she had no idea what her mommy was feeling at that exact moment.  She doesn't understand that her daddy didn't just pass away, something horrible happened and we don't even know what.  4

"Sweetheart there are so many things that you can't possibly understand right now about Daddy.  Things that make mommy very upset and you have to understand that I'm going to be a little upset for a while, and I'll try my hardest not to be ok?"5

"Ok mommy, just don't cry anymore because I cry when you do."6

I looked at her with the saddest eyes and pull the car into our camp site.7

"Alright hop out munchkin."8

Kelana did as I asked, grabbed her teddy bear, and hopped out of the car.  I opened my car door and began to step out of the car and froze for a split second.  My eyes darted to the rear-view mirror and my eyes felt as if they were bleeding with what I thought I had seen.  I spent the next five minutes convincing myself it was not what I thought it was.  My husband was not in that backseat.  It was my imagination wishing he was here.  I jumped out of the car, slammed the door, and joined Kelana in the tent we had set up earlier in the day.  9

"Ok little one, what do you want to eat? Chicken or Cheeseburgers?"10

"Umm, I want cheeseburgers!"11

I laughed at her reply.12

"Yeah that’s what I thought.  Ok, well let’s go then, off to the cafeteria."13

It wasn't too far of a walk but the scenery made up for it.  Beautiful trees, exotic flowers, gravel covered pathways, a typical camp ground if you ask me.  But there was something different about this place, something, eerie.  But the way I am of course I'll put it aside, if I pay attention I'll end up scaring Kelana and myself.  14

We finally made it to the cafeteria five minutes later and Kelana picked out exactly what she wanted to eat and grabbed us a table while I ran up to grab the food.  I just ordered myself a salad; I wasn't too hungry, just worked up.  This is supposed to be a vacation and I'm making it more then it is, typical me.15

I sat down across from my little burst of sunshine and smiled as she devoured her dinner.  16

"So do you like it here baby doll?"17

"Yeah but it'd be better if daddy were here.  How did he die again mommy?"18

I nearly choked on my food as the words spat out of her mouth as if it were a water fountain.19

"Umm, well, dear.  See, what happened was..."20

My words trailed off into absolutely nothing.  What was I going to tell her?  I easily covered it up last time by crying but, what was I going to do this time around?  I can't lie to her, she's my pride and joy.  But if I tell her the truth, it may break her heart as it did mine.  If I told her we had no idea how her father died her heart would break into a million pieces as did mine.  I swore I would always protect her from pain no matter what, and this included.21

"Honey, I'd rather us not talk about this right now.  Is that ok with you?"22

"I guess so mommy."23

"Ok sweetheart, eat your dinner so we can head back."24

Walking back to the camp site took a little longer, and was a little less enjoyable.  It was kind of creepy actually.  It was as if a million different things were watching you, your every move, and every step.  I couldn't pick up the pace, Kelana's legs are only so big, but I was so scared I couldn't help myself.  25

I had tried to convince myself that what I saw in the mirror was nothing but me being scared, and wishing my husband back to life.  But it still felt so real.  None of this made any sense.  If I was trying to get away, and trying not to miss my husband as much, why is it that everything I do I see or hear or miss him?  It's all so real and it's slowly driving me insane...26

Literally...27