Moonlight Nightmares at the Lake’s Edge
Written By: Lance J. Gosnell
Under the ominous, moonlit sky, five college-aged women embarked on a late-night adventure in a vintage convertible. Laughter echoed through the crisp air as they sped down the desolate road. The full moon cast an eerie glow on the landscape, and the anticipation of the unknown filled the air.
As they approached a forgotten path, curiosity got the best of them. Ignoring caution, they veered off the road and onto a narrow trail that led to a murky, desolate lake bed. The once-thriving lake had dried up, leaving behind an expanse of cracked, uneven earth. The convertible’s tires sunk into the soft mud, causing it to come to an abrupt halt.
Unease settled in as the reality of their situation sunk in. Their laughter turned to nervous murmurs as they assessed the predicament. A cold wind whispered through the barren trees, rustling leaves that seemed to whisper secrets of the past. The moonlight painted long shadows that danced across the desolate landscape, creating an eerie tableau.
Attempts to free the car were in vain, as the mud seemed to clutch onto it like a vengeful spirit refusing to let go. Panic gripped the group as they realized their phones had no signal, leaving them isolated and stranded in the middle of nowhere.
As the hours passed, exhaustion and fear took their toll. The women huddled together for warmth, their breath visible in the chilly air. One by one, they began to doze off, lulled into a fitful sleep by the haunting surroundings.
It was then that the dreams began. Each woman was trapped in a nightmarish realm of their own making. One saw herself sinking into quicksand-like mud, unable to escape. Another was pursued through the darkness by shadowy figures that seemed to emerge from the very trees themselves. Their screams were silent, trapped within the twisted landscapes of their minds.
Morning light eventually broke through the darkness, and the women awoke from their restless slumber. Shaken and disoriented, they stumbled out of the car and onto the now-hardened mud. Their eyes met, each reflecting the terror they had experienced in their dreams.
As they surveyed their surroundings, they discovered an old, weathered sign partially buried in the ground. It bore the faded words: “Beware the Lake’s Curse.” It became clear that their ill-fated decision to venture into the lake bed had awakened a malevolent force, one that fed on their fears and insecurities, weaving them into a tapestry of nightmares.
With a renewed sense of determination, they worked together to free the car from the mud’s grasp. As the convertible’s tires finally regained solid ground, they sped away from the lake bed, leaving the curse behind. But the memory of that night would forever haunt their dreams, a chilling reminder that some places hold secrets best left undisturbed.
Lance J. Gosnell 