Tragedy

Tragedy

The girls mother had told them not to leave the house, to certainly go no farther than the front yard, but it had been such a hot day and their mother wouldn’t be home for at least another hour.

“Come on Becky,” Lindsey called, “we gotta hurry before mom comes home.”

“I’m coming, but this hill is too steep! You didn’t tell me it was so far!” Becky puffed.

“We’re almost there, don’t be such a baby!” Lindsey laughed, stopping just short of the cool dark pond.

Lindsey had bragged to Becky that she and her friend Audrey swam here at the high school kids swimming pond just last week.

“Look,” Lindsey called as Becky tumbled down the steep hill, “see, I told you it was here. Doesn’t it look nice and cool?”

Becky approached the water’s edge with care; at ten years old she was no swimmer, preferring to wade close to the shore. Twelve year old Lindsey could swim, but was not far beyond the dog paddle stage.

Giggling, the girls stripped off their clothes. Lindsey was the first to step her toes into the cool mud at the edge of the pond.

“Hehehe it tickles,” she giggled, “look, it squishes up between my toes!”

Taking another step, Lindsey was surprised she couldn’t feel the bottom as her foot slipped on the mud and she fell forward with a splash. Before she could turn and warn Becky she heard another splash.

With a gasp Becky flailed her arms to keep herself afloat, gulping a long draught of water. Lindsey tried her best to go to her sister’s aid, but every time she came close Becky pulled her under too.

Two hours later, the setting sun shined brightly on the two small bodies floating in the dark pond.