Chapter Text
Honestly, you weren’t expecting any of this. No, not the fact that you and your friends were going to sneak out tonight, not that you and your friends were going to wander around with your friends backyards which led to a forest, that one of your “friends” had been planning all along to go to that stupid Fonz pond..
The one with all the rumors emulating from this stupid place, yes.
Every adult, including teachers and random passersby’s, told the younger ones about it, even your own parents when you were younger, and they could’ve care less about you. Everyone knew not to go there, yet every summer- there would be some stupid trespassers that would break in and not heed quite literally everyone’s warnings about that lake.
No-one was supposed to go there anymore. It was forbidden. Yet people went anyway, like the stupid idiots that they were. And they sure regretted it for the rest of their lives, if they even made it back from that pond.
See most of those kids that went there never came back, and their friends who’d dared them to jump into the pond in the first place were found running back by some adults, most even crying. in some cases, those friends never made it back either.
It was all just a weird phenomena.. surely.
Nothing more than just some coincidence. Then why did their friends come back in such a frenzy, or not go back at all? Why did all those children go missing ever since the early 1900’s??
Perhaps the answer is something no-one will never know.
The sound of frogs croaking accompanied by the sounds of other little critters that fly or crawl around, the moonlight bathing the forest with its glimmering light, the dirt path filled with a bunch of small pebbles dirty your new converse, the large backpack almost weighing you down and you tread alongside your friend, Auguste both of you behind your other friend, Florian.
Auguste, who was still one of your best friends despite the separation, wore some dark pants, flaring out at the ankles with a simple black and white silk shirt with intricate details using the white making pots and other designs that were engraved within the shirt. The collar was popped up as it was given the same design, followed with basic black leather shoes.
He had always looked pretty, however- his smooth skin didn’t stop him from being criticized for his race, something he had no control over, they were upset about.
It’s ludicrous.
With the separation between races, the three of you weren’t able to see each other all together much, primarily Auguste, even from the beginning of this small coterie of sorts. His father needed his help with hunting more than ever this time of year, but thankfully you’re all hanging out here now..
Together.
You couldn’t care less about your friend’s races- after all, you’re all human for crying aloud. You don’t know why all of these damn straight, white, cis men are all being so strict for no goddamn reason.
How would they feel if what was happening to others was happening to them? How would they react?
Probably sob for their mom’s like the babies they are.
Florian had something more different, yet slightly similar to Auguste’s outfit. A lilac purple, collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the white buttons of the shirt were popped open just to the lower part of his chest. On his shirt hanging off, there are his sunglasses, gold framing with a magenta color as the shade’s ‘color’.
Some simple plaid pants that were naturally baggy, corduroy trousers, a beige color. Black socks show near the lower part underneath his pants and brown, leather shoes.
For you? Well, let’s say you didn’t fit the style either of these two had.
A white tank-top underneath a myrtle green, slightly fuzzy jacket was worn as to hide the fact the tank-top wasn’t a collared shirt or something else.. proper. Or else, ‘you would be asking for it’. God, what a bunch of fucking degenerate losers.
A more comfortable denim skirt that wasn’t practically like sandpaper when you touched it or wore it, nor too tight with white socks just below your ankles were put on beneath, converse worn above.
The three of you all had a flashlight out as you were surveying your surroundings, fireflies acting like extra lights for all of you as they flew about the area. Auguste offered to link his arm with yours as he could practically sense your anxiety bubbling up from this ordeal you brought yourself into, but you politely declined with a small smile upon your face before the two of you continued on as he gave a small nod of understanding.
That little encounter had you thinking:
Perhaps Auguste wouldn’t be that bad of a partner…
The more you reflect on it, the more the answer already popped up in your head:
No, he could never be a bad partner! He’s so kind to you, gentle. He never has raised his hand or your voice at you, he’s never threatened you, nor ignored you. He actually takes the time to listen to you and your emotions. It truly is a perplexing question to find how a man like him could still be single. Hell— you’ve made plans to ask him out, and plans to leave your.. ugly thing of a boyfriend. You’ve told him so many times you’re done, but he never fucking leaves. He doesn’t care. You need him out of your life, that’s it. Tomorrow is the day you actually planned out for you to throw out all of his clothes- objects, anything of his and simply toss it while changing the locks. You’re not in a full consented relationship, and the apartment is in your name.
Dismissing your thoughts, Florian motions for the three to sit down on a few large rocks near a lake, the crystal clear water reflecting the trees, the moon and its light off of it like mirror. Florian sits on the left side of you, Auguste on the right. Florian grabs a small pebble off the ground, throwing it as it skips for a bit before sinking. Auguste joins in on skipping the pebbles, taking some joy in this while Florian has an indifferent expression on his face. He was having fun a while ago.
But this is all boring to him.
That is until he finally gets an idea.
A wickedly evil one.
After he skips another rock, he turns to both Auguste and you.
“Heyy, I know where we can go.” Florian starts, playful tone as he speaks. A smirk gracing his lips as he watches attentively to your facial expressions.
“Where?” Auguste inquires as he moves in his seat on the rock to face Florian.
“Hmm?” You only hum in acknowledgment, continuing to stare at the lake as you fidget with the flashlight in your hands.
”Let’s go to Fonz Pond!..”
That genuinely shocked you.
Why on Earth would he even suggest such a ludicrous thing? Florian knows about that place,, even if he stoops low, he would never stoop this low!!
Hasn’t he shown you wrong.
Doesn’t he always?
“What?!” You and Auguste exclaim in unison unintentionally as your expression turns into a mix of disgust, anger, and disbelief. Auguste has one of absolute incredulity, furrowing his brows together.
“No way, dude! You know how many kids died there??” He bites his bottom lip out of nervousness.
“Nooo wayy!” Shaking your head as you turn away from Florian, smiling in a faux manner. Now standing up, Auguste grabs your hand in one swift motion as to show you that he was going to follow you if you left. That felt comforting. After all, some damn degenerates are probably out there drunk, stumbling around, looking around for women they can throw themselves onto.
“I should’ve known you guys would be a bunch of baby pussies about it…” The blonde says with an annoyed tone while rolling his eyes at the two of you. He might have an oddly eccentric personality, but he sure as hell had pretty eyes. Purple- violet. A rare color.
As Florian says that, Auguste stops. Going stiff. He squeezes his hands as he motions for you to sit down beside him again, so that you do.
”Fuck that, I ain’t afraid!” The dark-brown haired male declares, giving you a look to just go with him. Practically begging.
Who are you to go against what your crush wants? And.. you don’t wanna go by those drunkies. You shudder at the thought.
”You don’t even know where it’s at.” Scoffing, you move a bit closer to Auguste for some form of comfort that you don’t receive.
“Yes I do.” He counters, folding his arms across his chest.
“Then where is it?” Auguste asks with a raised eyebrow and Florian’s smirk returns as he rises up from his seat.
“Off Lickety Trail, in this very forest. Why do you think Auguste usually has to sneak back here? His Father has more rules about going into this forest.” Auguste looks just as shocked as you do, neither of you knew this while Florian just looks amused by your shock.
You and Auguste turn to each other for a moment before returning to look to the smug blonde in front of you.
“Fine, whatever.” You’re going to regret this, aren’t you?
“Lovely! Gus?”
“Yeah.. same here.”
”Alrighty then, it’s decided! C’mon, scaredy cats, we’re going on a fucked up endeavor to Fonz Pond.” He proclaimed, now walking off with a skip in his step as he left you and Auguste to think about the horrible decision you both had just agreed to, as to let it sink in.
Silence takes over as tension is palpable in the atmosphere. Auguste is the first to do something as he rises up from his spot, letting his hand free from yours as he rubs his upper-arm as a form of comfort. He turns his head to you, an almost scared glint in his eye. He stares at you for a moment, before averting his gaze onto the path that Florian took.
“..Gus, we don’t.. have to do thi-“
“Let’s just get this over with.” He cuts you off, now walking off in the direction that Florian went.
..odd. That doesn’t seem at all something like Auguste would do. But, can you blame him? He’s being forced into something he doesn’t even want to do just to look strong. Nevertheless, you arose from your place on the rock, dusting yourself off as you look around to survey your surroundings. You don’t know why.
it feels like something is staring you down like prey, like your a deer to a wolf, it doesn’t feel right. Trepidation fills you to the pit of your stomach, breath lodging in your throat as you took a deep breath. It’s.. gonna be okay. Everything is gonna be okay. You’ll just go there, see the pond, and be right out again.
Why are you scared?
Nevertheless, you brush the feeling off as best as you can and continue on, giving yourself false scenarios about how you’re going to be in and then out.
Eyes watch as the sound of dirt and debris on the trail beneath your feet, turning on your flashlight with a simple flick as you continue along. They watch every little movement as you twiddle with a strand of your hair, dipping your head down a bit as you try to focus on your stride.
Your demeanor shows that you don’t want to be here.
You’re nervous, fearful even. Those friends of yours are going to do something horrible to you. Aren’t they?
Why would they dare think of doing something to someone like you? Were they not taught manners by their mothers??
Neglected perhaps? But if they weren’t given a modicum of proper decorum, they should truly be ashamed!
Here it is. Fonz Pond.
Theres a fog that arounds the lake, just above the water. It’s not too heavy, but it’s certainly there. The waters fit with murky mud that makes it black even in the moonlight or sunlight (deep and dark, nightmarish.) The weeds are red - like splattered blood, staring owls all around before fluttering away, there’s probably snakes and other poisonous animals around here roaming about too.
A worn down cabin is here as well by a timber bridge in the pond, however it hasn’t been used by anyone important besides drunks, bookies, and other vile people in this cruel world. Hollow logs are where the leeches live in this area, if they aren’t rotting or scared off, the people who use to come back here before the killings say that this was a place of tranquility and just elysian.
Now it’s been reduced to this. Can you feel empathy for some place like this??
”Y’know, they say that the bodies of alllll the girls and boys that went missing here, are all hidden in the water as they bask underneath the moon.” You roll your eyes at Florian’s words, he’s just trying to get a rise out of you by telling you those ghost stories like a parent to their child to get them to stay away from locations they shouldn’t be…
“Others say they’ve seen a headless boy stumbling around here at night-“
”Will you quit it!?”
”Whatt? Too scared to be here, pussy?” The male leading the trio taunts as he looks over his shoulder to you, and he’s enjoying this way more than he should be.
“No.”
”It means you’re annoying.” Auguste scoffs, saying it for you as Florian fakes offense with a hand slamming against his chest dramatically.
“Oh, deary me!! How could you think such vile things!?” They’re not vile, not the most vile you can think of. But you bite your tongue and refuse to speak on his words.
You won’t stroke this idiot’s giant ego. You’re supposed to be polite, and not some barbarian hooligan. But you don’t feel like acting the kindest either. Certainly, this is infuriating.
”Tell me, did your parents raise you that poorly you don’t know how to act courteous and have etiquette in life?” This egotistical bastard is asking to get punched. A part of you wants to actually destroy this imbecile, the other part just wants to avoid this conflict and not speak.
Don’t be irrational…
Taking a quiet deep breath, you listen to the better side of your thoughts and don’t tear into the man in-front of you.
”Cat got your tongue?” A glare shoots his way and he huffs.
“You don’t have a sense of humor if you can’t handle my jokes.”
Aren’t jokes supposed to be funny, dipshit? You continue to bite your tongue, refusing to speak while crossing your arms across your chest as you shake your head in disapproval.
The loud clearing of Auguste’s throat echos out, and the tension palpable in the atmosphere cools down a bit…
“Anyways.. I can’t believe all of these horror stories emulate around just this single spot.” The male beside you muses as he clasps his hands behind his back.
“Well, people are going to suspect when suspicious things happen.” Florian giggles. At least you can all agree on something without pressure or forcing one another.
Your gaze moves to the lake and you tense. God you regret agreeing to this already.
or maybe you’re just going crazy. Yeah, that’s it. Paranoia is normal in some location where multiple people have died or gone missing, not to mention the deadly animals.
The sound of Florian’s annoying voice then rings out, ruining the serene moment.
“..One of you should go-“
”Absolutely NOT!” you basically scream while you almost leap onto him, gripping tightly Florian’s shoulders as your gritting your teeth.
”Damn! Calm down, crazy! You agreed to this.”
God, he sounds so nonchalant.
It’s infuriating.
”Yeah, to that. Not to getting killed or having a death wish!” You explain, glowering at him as your voice rises with indignation. Florian just laughs as he snakes a hand around your waist, a grin plastered on his face as he yanks you causing a gasp to slip past your lips as he waltzes around with you. How is he good at dancing?
It catches you off guard.
It makes you forget any previous feelings or trying to reflect on his actions as to what he might be doing momentarily.
Your brows furrow as you try to keep up with his pace, desperately not wanting to fall or something else humiliating. You can sense Auguste is staring— glaring at you both, just observing the event unfolding before him. And before you can even realize it-
Florian has dipped you down low, and then you realize where. The wooden bridge near the edge, thats where you are. You can see the murky water, god it’s filthy. This feels disgusting.
“I vote on you going in.”
Fuck.
You want to die, you want the ground to swallow you whole so you don’t have to be here anymore. You wish your parents cared so they’d stop you and not yelling at each other or even you.
”I’m not going in there, Ri.” He dips you down lower in response to your words, causing you to whimper in fear. You don’t wanna go in there. You’re never supposed to go in the water, or even be here!
”Stop- Stop, please..!” You cry, attempting to pull yourself up and away from the water.
“Either you get in there willingly, or I let you fall in there.” Which one’s worse? They’re both practically the same. You don’t want to get your clothes soaked though…
“Orrr maybe, you want them to drag you in there?”
The way he drawls out his word gives you both a sickening feeling in your stomach, and even adds to the trepidation coursing through.
Although you doubt any of the rumors are true, you really don’t wanna be grabbed by some filthy monster in the murky water, just awaiting its new victim.
You stay silent for a moment before you finally manage to utter something.
“I’ll go.. just let go of me so I can undress.” Florian seemed amused with your response as he brings you back up, walking away and over to Auguste. You take a moment to process what’s happened before walking over to a side of the cabin where they can’t see you.
Hugging yourself, you try to suppress the tears that threaten to escape and pool down your cheeks. But you shake your head and frown. You won’t cry over this. Thats what you say, but the tears fall anyways. You swear you wouldn’t cry, but how couldn’t you in this situation?
Wiping your eyes as you intake a shaky breath before letting your hands slide off your jacket, removing the warmth it brought you. You shiver, now feeling the slight coldness of the night that’s mixed with a sick warm breeze. Folding it, you put it off to the side as you remove the rest of your clothes, piece by piece until you’re only in your undergarments and upper-garments.
Unexpectedly, Auguste and Florian who had been talking most of the time stopped suddenly, and branches cracked nearby.
You don’t feel safe.
Someone’s watching you.
Before you can even turn, you feel something or someone wrap their arms around you. You squeal. You feel filthy, get them off!
“Relax, for crying aloud.” The person behind you huffs. It’s Florian. Tears well up in your eyes as you writhe in his grasp, but to your dismay, he doesn’t care and instead reaches for your chest.
“Stop— please.” You implore in a hushed tone, but it all falls on deaf ears. His hands wander further up, one handing staying in front of your chest and the other reaching behind to unclip your upper-garments.
“What are you two doing back there?” You hear Auguste questions loudly, and Florian stops, but not without whispering ‘I’m not done here.’ And then he strides off, saying he was just checking up on you. That bastard.
You rub the tears away from your eyes as you take a deep breath before you walk off, hugging yourself as you attempt to cover yourself the best you can.
”…You look pretty.” A voice coolly says and you look up to see Auguste, he gives a look of sympathy as you blush and smile sadly. Nodding, you turn your head to the timber bridge and slowly walk along it as to make it to the edge.
You feel that trepidation that official over once more. You don’t wanna do this, but you uncomfortably sit down on the bridge as your legs dangle just above the dismal water.
You stare at the water, trying to see your reflection like you would’ve been able to in the lake from earlier, but you can’t. You chew on the inside of your cheek, your hands ball up into fists as your nails dig into the flesh of your palms.
“Whatcha waitin’ for? Get in!” Florian laughs as Auguste smacks the back of his head, causing Florian to snap his head and glare at the dark-haired male behind him as he simply smiles before returning his gaze to you.
“I.. can’t do this.” Shuddering uncontrollably, you scramble to stand up again and try rushing away, only to be grabbed by the wrist. Florian once again drags you as you flail your arms, trying to release yourself from his grasp. None of this is right- to the point it feels insanitary. With a twirl that you try your best to top, you’re waltzing with him once more as he laughs at your face. You’re crying again, you’re so scared you can’t help the little tears that pool down.
“No you don’t, sweetheart! Come on now, get in the water! If something happens, we’ll get you out. Stop crying.” You don’t and instead you grab onto Florian, burying your head in the vile man’s chest in-front of you and start bawling your eyes out, babbling incoherent sentences in-between sobs. He stays quiet for a moment before bursting out into laughter before pretending try and comfort you.
“Awww, you terrified? Petrified?” He mocks in a ‘sweet’ voice, running a hand through your hair.
“Well maybe I couldn’t care less. Get in the goddamn water, fucking-“ Rustling.
Someone- something is in those woods. They’re moving around like some sort of predator watching over it’s prey as the sound gets louder, more audible
What now?
Florian and Auguste share a look, Florian a more disinterested one and Auguste a more concerned one.
“Hey!! Anyone there?!” Florian yells. Fucking stupid. You panic, covering his mouth, causing him to almost choke on his saliva. He gives you a ‘what the fuck?’ Kinda look before the rustling gets closer.
Until—
“Good evening!” A chipper voice exclaims, much different from the other voices of your ‘friends’. You turn to look at the man— he’s at least of creole descent, given his transatlantic accent similar to Auguste’s. He’s wearing something from.. an earlier era, one that seems a bit better than this one you’re in now. Black framed glasses are pushed up on his nose, a white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up and a black bow, the middle part a red jewel. A dark red waistcoat is put over the white dress shirt, accompanied with black pants with black leather, heeled shoes. A pocket-watch chain is connected to one side of the waistcoat, and the pocket where it’s inside.
He’s on the other-side of the pond, and there’s something in his hand that you can’t really make out.
In an instant, you’re thrown to your knees, scraping your hands and knees on the wood beneath you while hissing in pain. You turn to look at Florian and Auguste to see how terrified they are, causing you to become confused.
”No fuckin’ way..” You hear Florian whisper, stumbling backwards.
His hand is extended out, almost like he’s defending Auguste as Gus scrutinizes the chipper man in disbelief.
“I suggest you both leave the poor dear alone, or I’ll take this situation into my own hands.”
After hearing that, Florian books it without another glance behind him, and Auguste looks at your pathetic form; hair falling in front of your face as you tremble, mouth slightly agape as you stare at him. You’re begging for him to help.
But he turns on his heel, his back facing you.
“You’re.. just a friend to me, I’m sorry.” He mutters before running off.
You felt your heart shatter at that, eyes wide as you watch him run off, his words sinking in. Lowering your head further down as all the tears that try to escape are gone, just making you feel numb all over. It’s making you feel his touch from earlier, it makes you feel filthy.
The sound of melodic humming takes over as your breath hitched, moving back so you’re simply just sitting on your knees. Other than that, you can’t move an inch. Arms hugging yourself, biting your bottom lip as you try to move yourself. But you can’t. Not even an inch.
“Can you stand, dear?” The words won’t come out, but you notice the man’s voice has become more gentle. You open your mouth to speak, but only a pathetic ‘squeak’ leaves your mouth. He laughs a bit, seemingly trying to lighten the mood.
“May I have permission to touch you?” Well that’s certainly you weren’t expecting to come out of someone’s mouth. But nevertheless you slowly nod the best you can, and the man tenderly wraps an arm just beneath your chest, causing you to almost wince, and then the other under your thighs. When he picks you up, you flinch before you realize what he’s doing.
Embarrassment washes over you as you lean into the mans touch, he’s warm, really warm, it feels like you’re being encased within a fluffy blanket..
“Are you alright? Does this feel comfortable?” Dear god, you can feel your stomach fill with butterflies.
You give a pathetic thumbs up, and he takes that as an okay, although very perplexedly. You don’t notice the bloody axe that has been discarded earlier which was used to threaten the two scoundrels who ran off like worthless pray. And thats for the better, probably.
He’ll be having more meat for leftovers.
“Where are your clothes?..” This question seems more nervous, like he’s scared to be asking it. And you simply point in the direction where your clothes are, very weakly at that.
He hums in acknowledgment as he walks over to your discarded clothes, placing you down as he motions for you to put them on (if you even can.) Although you struggle, you manage to get them on with him looking the other way.
“Don’t feel pressured to tell me, dear, but why are you only in your garments?” You still, starting to shake uncontrollably as your lip quivers.
It feels like you need to get rid of that filthy feeling from Florian’s actions, but you don’t know how. It’s infuriating. That numb feeling dissipates with your now tense body while recalling the events. It hurts. Physically hurts to think of.
You can only stutter in response, trying desperately to figure out what to say.
“Deep breaths, darling! No need to say anything about it right now.” He coos, and you feel relieved.
“..I’m done.” You mumble and he turns around, a smile still gracing his lips.
He chuckles a bit before walking towards you once more, well not before giving you a questioning look. You nod your head in approval.
“Smile, my dear! You’re never fully dressed without one!” The males voice is more cheerful as he leans closer to your face, lithe fingers pushing the corners of your mouth into a faux smile.
You don’t know what to say, and instead just follow what he says. That’s all you do, after all. He gives a pleased look before picking you up once again.
“..who are you?” You realize you don’t even know this mans name, but I guess it would be nice to know your knight-in-shining-armors name.
“Alastor, darling! A pleasure to meet you, quite a pleasure!!”