“When we were children, this place frightened me.” Walter said, looking at the old pond. Thick orange slime covered much of the water’s surface, ropy tendrils clawing at the edges. Remnants of lilypads were coccooned inside.

Ginny shivered. “It still scares me.”

“I used to think something evil lurked down there, waiting for someone dumb enough to stick a toe in.” Walter shook his head. “There aren’t any nightmare creatures, just monsters in the shapes of men. We’re the worst thing the world has to offer.”

Something red drifted up to the surface, near the bank, bobbing uncertaintly, winking as it dipped in and out of the shade.

It caught Ginny’s eye. She let loose a high pitched whimper as recognized an old Yo-Yo from her childhood.

“What’s that?” Walter asked kneeling down.

“Don’t touch it!” Ginny shrieked.

Walter ignored her. When his fingers brushed the surface of the water, his whole hand went numb, electric shocks shooting up his arm. Unable to control himself he pitched forward into the water.