The water was cool on her feet. She let them dangle in it while her courage grew. The “chirps“ and ”har-umphs” of frogs... bullfrogs, tree-frogs, every kind of frog... filled the night air. Millions of them. Mia would never have believed there were so many frogs in the whole world, much less in this one, shitty place, and her here in their midst.

She didn’t have her suit on, but that wouldn’t have stopped Brandi, would it? Mia liked to tease Brandi about her “big, brass ones”. She missed Brandi, and wished she was here now. Brandi would probably even like it here, she was the kind of person who could make anyplace seem cool. Mia crushed out her cigarette and glanced around. It was so dark! It never got this dark back home. She was not as rebellious as her friend, at least not yet, but she was learning fast. That was why her parents had sent her down here to Uncle Bob’s farm in Florida, so that she might cool some of the steam that was buiding up pressure inside her... and to get her away from Brandi, no doubt. Shit, Florida was a real let-down too, nothing here but red-necks and ass-holes. She looked around once more, then she slipped out of her shorts, flipped the halter-top to the dock beside them and performed a quick, but well practiced dive which left barely a splash in her wake. Perhaps she was a rebel after all. Brandi would be proud!

Oh, God! The water felt delicious on her naked skin, tickling her every inch with cool fingers. The deeper she dove the colder the water, tingling those untouchable places that only Brandi liked to talk about. She broke the surface with some angst, the night sky nearly as dark as the lake water. What if someone had heard the splash, and had come to investigate? But there was only the darkness... in every direction the darkness. Shadows covered the shed on the dock and the trees on the shoreline. Far away to the east the white sand of the beach gleamed in the starlight, but there was nothing here, only the darkness, even the water was ominously dark.

She rolled to her back, floating, her barely submerged ears roaring like seashells. Her toes and nipples delighted in the lap of gentle waves. Occasionally a lap broke on her chin, filling her mouth so that she had to spit it back out again.

It was a rustle of water that stilled her heart. A rustle from the direction of the dock. A fish? It would have been a big one, but it could have been a fish, or one of those bullfrogs. She thought then about an alligator. They had alligators down here, didn’t they? She peered into the blackness while she tread the restless water. This was a bad idea. She was going back.

Was that movement? Her eyes strained into the blackness. Was that someone on the dock? Shit, it was! Someone big. “Who is it?” The crack in her voice pissed her off. “Who’s there?”

“Nobody here but us chickens!”

Mia’s blood froze so that her arms and legs struggled to tread the water. “Who is that? Who are you? Is that you, Uncle Bob? Go away and leave me alone!”

“Don’t have to do it... I ain’t “Uncle Bob”, and it’s my dock. You are trespassing, Missy.“

The voice sounded young. He was probably slightly older than her sixteen years. “Please go. I will get dressed and leave.”

”I use this dock for fishing. You are my best catch yet! I’ve got to see if you are a keeper!”

“Well, at least toss me my clothes.”

“I reckon not.”

She was closer to the dock now, swimming warily. She could still make out nothing in the darkness. It was hard to even pinpoint his exact location. Could she pull herself up, grab her clothes and run she wondered, all before he caught her? But she was being silly. He wouldn’t try to catch her, would he?

But what if he did try? What then? It dawned on her that she could die here tonight. She was alone, she was naked, and a stranger stood between herself and safety. If she screamed would anybody hear? Would anybody come?

She looked out across the water. There was a far away light across the lake, probably a boat ramp. She would be just as alone, and just as naked there. She looked toward the beach. Could she outswim him? It would be her best chance. She heard what sounded like an outboard motor starting with a pull rope. It didn’t catch, and was pulled again. A generator fired off, it was not an outboard. The noisy generator roared out over the water. Seconds after the generator started roaring bright lights flooded out from the dock, spotlighting her in their beams. Suddenly exposed she pushed herself away from the lights and toward the shadows.

“Ah! You are a pretty one!” She could see the whites of his grinning teeth through the lights. “I see you now, Missy. Come on up here, be a sport! I’ll give you your clothes.”

She saw him, too. He had shaggy red hair, and a matching beard. He wore denim bib-overalls with no shirt beneath, and no shoes. His muscles strained the shoulder straps and the cotton seams on the work pants. “Jesus,” she thought, “he would make two of her.” There was no way she could fight him off if he was to catch her. She continued pushing herself further from the dock, and further away from him, putting as much water between them as possible.

“Well, if you won’t come to me, I reckon I’ll have to come to you!”

Mia heard excitement in his voice, eagerness. She pushed the water away faster, pushing herself away from the dock. He unsnapped the buttons on his coveralls, letting them drop down around his ankles. He pulled his feet out and stood massive on the dock, his body and thighs thick with muscle, his excitement making itself obvious in a stiffening shadow.

He made an awkward dive toward her and then surfaced with a splash. His arms flailed the water. He was not a good swimmer. He hooted and laughed, then he dove under for an impossibly long time. Was he swimming underneath toward her? Frightened, she began to circle around him, trying for the dock. When he came up he was further out, out at the edge of the light. He hooted again, seemingly oblivious of her. Was he crazy? She wasn’t hanging around to find out!

The lights were blinding as she hurried up the ladder, the white lights exposing her to him, and to the world.

Her clothes were still there! She slipped into her shorts and held the top to her breast.

“Awww! You leavin’? It’s just gettin’ fun!“ He looked more normal with his hair and beard plastered to his skull. He looked kind of cute, even, like one of those Scottish men in “Braveheart”. He hooted again, delighted with himself.

“You’re an asshole!” She slid into her top.

“An asshole would have hid them clothes.”

He had a point. She started away, eager for safety, eager to get back to Uncle Bob’s.

“Bye-bye, Pretty! Come back tomorrow night for a swim?”

His overalls were there on the dock. She picked them up, and hurried away.

Maybe she would bring them back tomorrow night. Maybe.

I blew across the tag to make sure it would dry without a smudge. Where I got the ink, I don't recall, but it's no more or less of an important detail than the practical cardstock itself, or the generic, attached, plastic bag. At this point, speaking for myself, it hardly mattered, but the next person to come along might wonder, and at minimum I know you had inquired about my title, so I feel I owe you at least this much regard; it's my understanding everyone is to be provided with one of each of these in a rationed sort of "civilian issue."  Having fought the fight, I have resigned to everything being more or less ordained, if not predetermined. I had a mental list, of course, of the things for which you'd asked, and have promptly forgot. As a forethought I might have transcribed all of this onto the back of the card... for posterity. Haha, why not?! But it was after all, quite small... The bag, on the other hand, turned out to be just big enough. Single serve, I thought to myself, as I dressed up. The zipper's reversible, and the sack properly airtight.

I didn't suffocate, don't feel sorry. My time had come.

I was done: Cadaver No. 1001

#LabelYourself #Challenge

<font face="Helvetica" size="3" color="silver">02.09.2018</font>

I walk through the hallways

Head down, shoulders bent

Afraid to meet the eyes of my peers.

I sit in class, twitching and fidgeting

Afraid to speak or answer a question.

My quietness is often mistaken

For a sense of mysteriousness;

People are drawn to me

For all the wrong reasons.

There are voices in my head

Thrashing, scratching, screaming

At the walls of my skull

Trying to escape.

There is a darkness that resides

Deep within my mind,

A trembling earthquake of emotions

Teeth clashing like skeleton bones.

My silence is not a welcoming party,

But rather a warning sign

To the monsters that live within me.

I retired last week. Because I had dressed in conservative clothes for so long, I decided to wear ripped jeans on my last day of work. I told my boss this was all I could afford after forty years of budget managing. I got a few laughs while my peers looked at me and whispered suspicions I'd really lost my mind.

I felt freed from "jail"! Now what would I do? I was divorced and the kids were far away. To clear my mind and figure that out, I went for a walk at Dogwood Park. I found a handy parking spot near the walking trails. I pushed the lock button and headed for the narrow paths that lead to secluded woods. Dogwood trees were all around with fresh air and solitude.

What's this? I see a white bug with a black head right in the path. It's not moving. I tap it with my toe, half chastising myself for not focusing on retirement. It's dead but I just have to see it close up. Well by golly it's an old cigarette! I'm alone deep in the woods, no one is around to judge and it's been a while since I smoked one of grand dad's

hand rolled cigs. I thought of grand dad as I lit up the little fag.

Ten Minutes Later:

This is such a beautiful park! I slowed my pace just because I could. A little flock of ducks crossed the path ahead. It was the funniest thing I'd ever seen! I laughed at their webbed feet. I laughed at their duck bills and feathers as they waddled all in a row. I saw them enter the water and go ass up and I laughed some more! The birds sang, the squirrels called out and scrambled in the trees. I imagined I was in China from being around all the dogwood trees. I could have sworn I saw a panda bear staring at me.

I began to panic! I could not find my way out of the park! Which path? Oh shit! Did I come from there? In a few minutes, I found my car and while attempting to unlock it, I hit the alarm button. Now I knew everyone in the parking lot was staring at this old geezer but no one else was there! I got into my car and sat still. It was right then that I realized my retirement plan. Many thoughts of preparation swirled through my head. I felt so motivated right down to my very bones.

I built a pond on my property.

Ten years later:

I enjoyed the most successful duck farm in the UK until my family took over last summer. Retirement was smashing. Oh look! I sat in my recliner and lit up another of grand dad's. One of the grandkids must have left it here.

Everyone hides behind a mask of accomplishments. They use this starry-eyed version of themselves like a bandaid to cover up the gloom—to make sure it never shows through. They tuck their failures deep inside, right next to their insecurities, hoping that it will stop the heartache if pushed deep enough into the center, packed so tightly together that it looses all hope of escaping. This mask is worn so often that sometimes even the wearer forgets the masquerade he takes part in. With a silver tongue and a heart full of helium, nobody ever notices the seams, and the only time their real face is shown to the world is when it is paired with a eulogy.

⚜

The mask looks good, a little crooked to the right... just need to straighten it up.

Hmm, perfect. She looks in the big mirror and admires her reflection. Her long brown curls cascading down her back. Just a little of it pinned up, to give her a more fierce look. She looks at herself from different sides and straitens her dark blue, velvet dress. The thin material fitting her lean figure perfectly.

This should do, she thinks to herself and smiles.

She leaves the impressive hall and steps into the grand ballroom. Lights and guests spread everywhere. She gazes calmly around. Smiles and laughter filling the enormous room.

I wonder if any of those smiles are real, authentic - she thinks, at the same time staring at at the colorful masks. Deciding the masquerade is a success. No one could really guess the identities of those honorable guests... some of them just actors, playing their role for the audience. But she knows who they are and what they are capable of.

And most of all, she knows what will happen tonight.What will happen just before the clock strikes midnight... She smiles pleasantly and picks up a glass of champagne from a tray. Nodding at the handsome waiter. He nods back and sends her a signal.

Her smile turns darker. It's time.

Let the party begin.

She takes a sip of the champagne, enjoying the little bubbles that tickle her throat and starts to walk into the crowd. Well, my fellow actors, this lovely play is about to have a different finish than expected. The lights dim slightly and the music starts to play.

An Orchestra starting a Walts. How classy... She looks to the sides, as a hand touches

her shoulder. Her mouth twitches as she recognizes the man behind the mask.

Well finally, I was just going to start without you...

You didn't think I was going to let you have all the fun, would you now?

They stare at each other in a moment of silence and then start to dance with soft grace, spinning around a stage full of false actors. Ready to take over this play. Prepared for an entirely different ending. The music carries gentle sounds of another song starting... the clock finally striking twelve... it's time.

i still see december

in orange slumber skies

and twinkling lights, and

i still admire her

in winter's crown

through child eyes, but

i don't celebrate christmas

anymore

because

its merriment defies

how things grew cold

and family gathering

reminds me

of how mine fell apart

but i still see december

in willowy dreams

and glacial breaths, and

i still admire

how she forgives me

with a new year.

*

#hashbrownhashtag #christmascantakeahike #halloweenislife #fightme