Peachwood Lake

Praise for Susan Berliner's first novel, DUST

"Susan Berliner gives us an amazing mysterious supernatural story in Dust. It intrigues and holds the readers' attention, while pulling them in and not letting them put it down."

–Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)

"Dust is an excellent first attempt for this new author. I very much enjoyed this actioned scifi/mystery/thriller...Look out Stephen King, this lady may be on your tail!"

– Dottie Taylor, Tink's Place

"Dust picks you up and takes you on a whirlwind ride, pun intended, and doesn't let you go until the final climax. The characters and settings are believable and the bantering between Karen and Jerry makes you forget these are fictional characters and makes you root for them in their quest to find the dust's weakness...It's a great piece of escapist fiction and a book to easily get lost in."

– Patricia Lane

"Susan Berliner's first novel is filled with drama, laughter, and engaging characters. I immediately connected with Karen and Jerry, a unique couple faced with a mind-boggling swirl of colorful dust...As a high school English teacher, I plan to use this captivating novel with my students this year. I give DUST an A+!"

– Brittany Mott

I was able to read this book in its entirety within just a few hours, which added to its cinematic qualities; it was like watching a movie in the afternoon...The book is fast-paced, and does not dwell on technical jargon in order to explain the paranormal events or the entity, which I found refreshing...The language in the book is relatively simple and casual, easy to read, and doesn't contain much in the way of profanity, so it can be enjoyed by a wide age-group spectrum. I have quickly become a fan of this author, and look forward to her next work.

– Andy S. Adams

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PEACHWOOD LAKE

by Susan Berliner

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Copyright © 2011 by Susan Berliner

Peachwood Lake is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the author, except where permitted by law.

Published by SRB Books

Cover design and book layout by Dianne Paulet

Author's photo by Rachel Leib Photography

Published November, 2011

DLite Press/ published by arrangement with the author

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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This book is dedicated to my children—David, Meredith, and Paul. Thanks so much for your valuable suggestions and continued support.

And a special thanks to my husband, Larry, for always being there for me.

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Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Epilogue

Afterward

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Each summer, a bizarre ritual takes place in Florida's Suwannee River: Large bony fish—gulf sturgeons—jump high out of the water and sometimes hit hapless boaters, breaking their arms or shattering their legs, and knocking them unconscious. According to scientists, these fish aren't mean and don't intentionally try to hurt people. But no one can figure out why they jump.

After reading about this strange annual occurrence, I wondered: What might happen if a far more ferocious jumping fish than the Florida sturgeon seized control of a tranquil lake and viciously attacked boaters and swimmers—with the sole purpose of killing them?

Peachwood Lake answers that question.

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CHAPTER 1

Ode to a Clear Summer Day

The sun brightens the blue sky.

Its hot rays warm my naked shoulder...

That really sucks, Kady Gonzalez muttered as she angrily crossed out the newly-written lines with heavy pencil slashes, nearly gouging through to the next page of her spiral notebook.

Kady sat on the unused boat dock behind the small cottage she and her father rented on Peachwood Lake. At eleven o'clock on a mid-July Monday morning in 2009, it was beautiful outside—even though Kady hadn't been able to transpose that observation into acceptable poetry. The day wasn't unbearably hot yet and it promised to be far less muggy than usual.

How'm I ever gonna be a writer if I can't even write a short poem? she mumbled, staring at her now indecipherable words.

Her seventh-grade English teacher had said she had talent. You've got a good grasp of language and show real promise as a writer, were Mrs. Wilson's exact words. Kady had immediately written down the teacher's statement to preserve it as an inspiration for times like this when she was feeling discouraged. She had dredged up the sentence so many times that she had memorized it.

Unfortunately, Kady didn't like anything she had written so far. But Mrs. Wilson had told her to keep writing and not give up, so she continued creating, and then destroying, poems and short stories.

I don't have anything better to do anyway, Kady whispered, shifting her attention from her latest ruined page to the tranquil, clear blue-green water of Peachwood Lake.

The sparkling lake was surrounded by about sixty houses, most of them small cottages like hers, converted from summer homes into year-round residences. The lake was also framed by numerous trees and bushes. Strangely, as far as anyone could determine, none of the trees produced peaches. Off to the left, Kady could just barely see the town's small beach and recreation area, a place she never visited. Across from her home, on the far right side of the lake, Fairview Day Camp boasted a much larger beach. Most summer afternoons when she was outside, Kady could hear the sounds of children screaming and laughing as they swam and cavorted in the water.

Sighing deeply, she turned the page of her notebook and tried to come up with an idea for a new poem. Her thoughts were soon interrupted by a loud splashing noise. She scanned the water, but saw no one in the lake. Who made that sound? she wondered.

Kady frowned and again studied the peaceful lake. She could see an undulating eddy towards the middle, but nothing else was visible. She picked up her pencil and wrote Hot Summer.... Then she heard a second splash.

Kady put the pencil on the dock and stood up, focusing on the lake. Really weird, she thought as she continued to stare and listen. It was absolutely quiet except for a few intermittent bird chirps. Suddenly, a long fish, covered with segmented pieces of silver, jumped high out of the water and splashed heavily back down.

Wow! Kady said aloud. That was awesome! A jumping fish that looks like it's wearing a suit of armor! Again she sat, this time crossing her legs as she faced the lake. Then she picked up the pencil, erased the words Hot Summer, and wrote a new title: Ode to a Silver Jumping Fish. Sitting on the dock, she started to compose her new poem.

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Marty Urloch finished making his peanut butter sandwich and began assembling his fishing gear. Great day to be out on the lake, the retired appliance salesman thought as he packed his favorite bait—carp doughballs—a tasty concoction Marty had prepared especially for the unsuspecting fish. He grabbed a couple of cold cans of beer from the fridge, picked up his fishing rod, reel, and tackle box, and headed to the backyard boat dock.

Marty placed his fishing equipment and food on a small bench while he retrieved a pair of oars from under the rear porch. After securing the oars, he lowered his gear into the rowboat. Then, carefully, he stepped inside, untied the rope, and headed towards the middle of Peachwood Lake.

Ahhh, Marty murmured as he rowed leisurely towards his favorite fishing location. Best day of the summer so far. He glanced at the shore and spotted Kady, who lived three houses down the street, sitting on her dock, busily writing. Hi there, young lady! he shouted, waving at the girl. Enjoying the sun?

Kady looked up from her notebook and nodded. Then, with a smile, she returned her neighbor's wave.

Marty arrived at his preferred fishing spot and carefully rested the oars inside the small boat. As he reached for his fishing rod and doughball bait, he heard a ripple in the water. Turning to see where the noise was coming from, he caught a glimpse of a silvery streak followed by a loud splash. What the hell fish was that? he thought. The man sat quietly, but heard no other sound.

Again Marty bent to pick up his fishing gear. This time, he saw a segmented silver fish leap high out of the water and plummet back in. Strange, he muttered. Never seen a jumping fish in the lake. He continued preparing his rod, attaching the special bait.

Marty heard yet another noisy splash. Like a sleek silver missile, the jumping fish rammed into the man's face, landing hard on the left side of his cheek before quickly bouncing back into the lake. Oww, he groaned, putting down his fishing pole and rubbing the injured part of his face. That damn fish!

With another warp-speed splash, the brazen fish jumped into the boat again, aiming for Marty's right eye. The man ducked slightly and the creature bit him hard on the forehead. He wiped his head with his hand, saw the blood, and immediately reached for his oars. I'm gettin' out of here, he murmured.

As Marty started to maneuver the oars, the silver fish leaped up yet again, zooming directly at his neck. Since Marty had both his hands on the oars, he was unable to protect himself as the whizzing fish projectile reached its target. Flashing a mouthful of sharp dagger-like teeth, the charging creature slashed his neck, creating a deep jagged wound.

In great pain, Marty grabbed his bleeding neck and swerved sharply, toppling the boat. Trying to staunch the blood flowing through his throbbing neck with one hand while paddling to stay afloat in the water with the other hand, he shouted Help me! desperately hoping his young neighbor on the dock could hear his cries.

Switching to an underwater attack mode, the tenacious fish continued its war on the man, biting his thighs and legs with its razor-sharp teeth. This can't be happening! Marty thought as he tried to swim away from the savage creature. Then the silver fish again hurled itself out of the water, hitting him squarely in the face, and the man sank below the surface.

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Kady was engrossed in composing her new poem when she heard a commotion in the water. Looking up, she saw Mr. Urloch flailing at something in his rowboat. Squinting from the sun, she held her hand over her eyes to get a clearer picture of what was happening. Her neighbor was fighting with a fish and it looked like that jumping silver fish. It had huge teeth and was biting him! She watched as the man started to row. But then the boat capsized and he tumbled into the water.

Oh my God! Kady shouted as she jumped up and ran inside to call the police. Grabbing the kitchen phone, she dialed 911. There's been a bad accident in the middle of Peachwood Lake, she gasped when the operator answered. A man was fighting with a fish and his boat turned over and now he's in the water. Please hurry. I think he could be badly hurt. Quickly, she gave the operator her name and address and rushed back outside.

Kady ran to the edge of her dock and scanned the water for Mr. Urloch. While she clearly saw the rowboat undulating softly in the middle of the lake, there was no sign of her neighbor. With tears flowing down her cheeks, she sat down and waited for help to arrive.

_____

Within minutes, Kady heard the whirr of sirens heading down her street. Wiping her eyes, she ran to the front of her house just as a police car pulled up, followed by an ambulance and a small white van with the words Water Rescue Unit printed in blue. Two young men dressed in diving gear jumped out of the van and rushed to Kady.

You called in the emergency? one of the divers asked as he strode purposefully towards the lake.

Yes. Kady had to run to keep up with the fast-moving man.

Show us where you saw him last.

Mr. Urloch was in the water right in the middle of the lake, near where his boat is. She pointed to the rowboat, which still rocked gently in the water.

Thanks, the man said as he and his companion hurried into the lake. Then, while she watched from the dock, the two men swam rapidly towards the rowboat and dived under the water.

Kady was still staring intently at the lake when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she faced a handsome curly-haired policeman.

The tall, lanky officer stood next to her. Are you Kady Gonzalez? he asked.

Yes. Do you think Mr. Urloch could be okay?

The young policeman paused. Honestly, it doesn't look very good, he said, shaking his head sadly. The man's been in the water at least ten minutes...My name's Officer Malone and, while we're waiting, I'd like to know exactly what you saw happen here. He took a small pad and a pen from his pants pocket and began writing.

It was really weird, Kady said. At first I heard some kind of strange noise...I think Mr. Urloch was fighting with a fish in the boat.

What do you mean 'fighting with a fish'? Was the fish so big that the man was struggling to get it off his pole?

No. That's not what happened. She spoke quietly and gazed at the ground. I think this fish jumped into his boat. Then it was biting his neck.

What? The policeman gave the girl an incredulous look.

I know it sounds like I'm nuts, Kady said. But I saw a silver fish jumping high up out of the water just before Mr. Urloch went out in his boat. She bent down and picked up her notebook, which, with all the commotion, she had tossed on the dock. Look, I even started to write a poem about it. She quickly flipped the pages to Ode to a Silver Jumping Fish and pointed to her half-finished poem. See?

Officer Malone shook his head in disbelief. I've lived in Peachwood all my life, he said. Been swimming and sailing here every summer and I've never seen or heard anybody mention a jumping fish.

Yeah, Kady agreed. I'd never seen any fish like that in the lake until today either.

Do you know if Mr. Urloch is married? the policeman asked.

I don't think so. He lives by himself. My dad said Mr. Urloch told him he moved here after he retired so he could spend lots of time fishing.

Thank you. Officer Malone scribbled something in his pad. Then he looked up and sighed.

Kady and the policeman stood quietly on the dock watching the two divers search for Marty Urloch. As they waited, the girl heard several voices nearby. On her left, she saw about ten of her neighbors, who must have heard the sirens and seen the emergency vehicles, standing on the grass near the water. Mrs. Winzinski from up the street smiled at her and she nodded to the woman.

_____

A few minutes later, one of the divers gestured to Officer Malone. They've found him, the policeman said. With a quick hand wave, he signaled the two EMTs—a young African-American man and an older blonde woman who had been standing near the ambulance—that he needed them. Meanwhile, Officer Malone walked off the dock and headed for the edge of the grass, motioning the congregating people to move back.

The policeman turned to Kady, who had followed him. I want you to go inside your house now, he said. This isn't something you should see.

Please let me stay, she begged. I won't scream or yell or say anything. I promise.

Your parents at work?

My dad is.

Officer Malone studied the girl. All right, he finally said. But if you make a sound, you'll have to leave.

Kady nodded in agreement.

Then, as they both watched, the divers carried Marty Urloch towards the shore and carefully lowered him onto the grass. Although Kady had never seen a dead body before, it was obvious her neighbor was no longer alive. His eyes were open, but they gazed motionlessly upward, not looking at anything. His mouth seemed to have a questioning look, as if he couldn't believe what had happened to him. There was a large gash on his forehead and an even larger jagged slice across his neck. Bite marks covered his cheeks and his exposed arms.

Kady covered her mouth with her right hand to stifle a scream. What happened out there? she wondered. What kind of fish does this?

As the crowd whispered quietly, she watched