I'm A Lifeguard And Something Is Watching From The Deep End

Dr to nice sleep what's going on Jason asks as he walks out of the men's locker room and onto the pool deck I saw cop cars outside Jason's a good kid still in high school and wanting to be a doctor although he isn't exactly the sharpest scalpel on the tray but he's a solid lifeguard and at over 6 ft and close to 200 lb he's handy to have when one of our larger swimmers gets themselves in trouble Adam hey Jason asks boss you in there huh I mutter then turn and look at him and give

him that smile that's gotten me through some really shitty times it's also gotten me promoted twice so that I'm now directing supervisor of aquatic safety here at the rec center ah hey Jason I'm in charge of the community pool and the lifeguards basically and the youngest to ever hold hold the position good things come to those who know how to work the system I guess and I know how to work the system it just happens to be a system that others may not be aware of what's up with the cops Jason asks watching as a

swarm of boys and girls in blue walk around the Olympic-sized swimming pool the Rex Center boasts about in every advertisement and social media post come use the only olympic sized swimming pool in the Tri County Area the boasts always read heated and covered for yearr round enjoyment Mrs Borland went missing yesterday and the last place her phone pinged was here I say watching the cops line the pool as they stare down into the darker Waters of the deep end hey can we get the lights turned on a cop shouts my way bulbs are out I

shout back my voice echoing in the cavernous space of the pool complex new ones won't be here until next month budget cuts that's an understatement Jason says we need a new John Travolta but we can't train the rookies in CPR John Travolta is our CPR dummy he's named that because you do chest compressions to the rhythm of staying alive which is some oldie song from the Disco era just keep that disco beat going and you too can save a life or something like that the washing machine is broken too I say I had a take

all the towels home last night I was up until 2: in the morning getting them washed and dried you could have brought them here to dry Jason says unless the dryer's broken too you have any idea how heavy 150 wet towels are I ask as one of the cops approaches us Adam right the cop asks I'm Sergeant Edwards can I ask you a couple of questions sure I say Sergeant Edwards glances at Jason alone he adds I'll go fold all the towels Jason says and then disappears into the men's locker room did you know Mrs

Borland Sergeant Edwards asks I guess I reply in shrug she'd come here with her kids probably three or four times a week three or four times the sergeant responds obviously surprised she used to be a swimmer I say and shrug again some people can't let go of stuff like that so they he it on their kids so she was training the kids to swim not really no I'm confused she would mostly yell at the kids and tell them they were doing it wrong I say and my eyes stray to the deep end the sergeant follows

my gaze then looks back at me and his head you see something um what I say then shake my head no no just that the water warps The View so those cops using skimmers are going to miss anything on the bottom you need divers they're on their way Sergeant Edwards says so Mrs Borland she'd like to yell at her kids it was all an act I say she'd yell at her kids and say they were doing the backstroke wrong or that they weren't timing their breathing right an act yeah then she'd finally shout that she'd

show them how it's done that's when the show started show yeah she'd strip off her shirt and pants and and have a very tight bikini on underneath even though we ask adults to wear one piece bathing suits then she'd dive in and swim for like 30 minutes not once talking to her kids oh I see Sergeant Edwards says and nods she was showing her Pilates body off to make the other moms jealous Edwards laughs and rolls his eyes I get it seen it a 100 times not like Mrs Borland you haven't I say and try

not to swallow hard even though I have a lump in my throat my eyes go to the deep end once more she had that bikini weaponized it wasn't the other moms she was going after it was the dad's and she had most of them completely hooked the dads Edwards says and nods he takes out his phone and flips through it then he turns it around and shows me a picture you ever see this guy the lump in my throat grows but I swallow past it and say Mr call me Nick Remo Mr call me Nick

Remo what does that mean Edwards asks as he put his phone away let's just say that Mr Remo has introduced himself to every lifeguard on my staff I say if they have big tits and a tight young ass that is Sergeant Edwards blinks at me a few times he was harassing the female guards overly friendly is more like it never any touching always kept a respectable distance but he made sure to introduce himself to any new lifeguard who met his standards and while his hands stayed in place his eyes covered every inch of every girl

here and he wasn't checking them out to see if they qualified for the job if you get what I mean yeah yeah you've made it clear what you mean he says okay okay good to know Sergeant Edwards turns and watches his people continue to investigate the pool area even though they've gone over it a dozen times so far then he points up to the corner of the insanely tall ceiling I'll need to see that footage he says indicating the security camera then he points at the rest that surround the pool all the feeds broken I

say in shrug waiting on new ones they're all broken he frowns I find that hard to believe ask Mr keys he can tell you why something to do with the proprietary system that the mayor's cousin owns ah Edward says and laughs it's not a happy laugh that got this contract too never mind even if they did work we'd probably only see footage of Sesame Street or some weird the signals pick up instead of actually recording what they should record that's pretty much it I say you guys got the same in your Cop Shop yep Edwards

says then his frown deepens and don't call it a cop sh job sorry I sigh and scratch at the stubble on my cheek that it excuse me are those all the questions you got somewhere else to be paperwork and with the flu going around I have half my staff out sick I'll be handling the afternoon shift myself not today you won't Edward says and watches me closely pools closed until we finished logging everything so this really is a crime scene we're not sure yet he says but it might be since according to her phone this

was her last known location oh okay I say and start to turn I didn't answer your question he says and grabs my arm no we're not done here where were you last night between 1: and 2: in the morning at home washing towels I say the towels Jason is folding right now washer is broken budget budget guts Edwards interrupts before I can finish did anyone see you in my laundry room at 1: in the morning um my cat saw me no one else was there nope good to know is it I say and grunt sometimes

my mouth moves faster than my brain is there a problem Adam Edwards asks watching my face like my cat watches birds out the front window nope just sounds like you were fishing for my alibi and since I don't have one other than your cat I pause and then smile right other than my cat do you think you need an alibi nope then we're good here my eyes go to the deep end again and I force myself not to shiver at the shadow that floats a few feet beneath the water Edwards turns and looks then turns

back to me call or text if you think of anything he says after watching me carefully then he hands me his card enjoy that paperwork yeah thanks I say as I back up then walk into the men's locker room it's nearly 8 at night by the time the cops leave the divers came out in the afternoon and found nothing I think they were hoping to find Mrs Borland's phone in the deep end drain or something they didn't hey boss I don't want to ditch you but I really got to get home and do my homework

Jason says as I walk around the pool deck picking up trash crap the cops left behind my dad's been texting me saying that 4 hours of overtime is enough for one night what oh Jason sorry I say as I wad up an empty snack-sized chip bag and stuff it into a Starbucks coffee cup yeah go go thanks boss he says and rushes off his bag already over his shoulder see you tomorrow um no no they won't let me open the pool until Friday I say I'll let everyone know when shifts start up again cool see

you I watch him leave through the men's locker room then I go back to picking up the trash in bits of scrap paper and the crime scene tape even though it technically never became a crime scene a splash makes me whirl around but there's nothing there no ripples in the water nothing except that's not really true the shadow in the deep end floats below the surface soon I whisper the shadow doesn't move it never moves it just floats there watching me how the cops missed it I don't know maybe they aren't used to how water

plays tricks with your eyes light and perspective get all out of whack but I know how to see it cuphead my cat is waiting at the side door when I pull up into my cboard what are you doing outside so late cuppy I thought I brought you in this morning I say to the orange ball of fur he meows and Pats the door with one paw okay okay you're probably starving I go to unlock the door and realize it's not locked slowly I turned the knob and push the door open my eyes narrowed my ears

tuned for the slightest sound cuphead slinks past me me in bolts for his food bowl he began scarfing down his dry food as I step inside close the door behind me and set my gym bag on top of the washing machine then I smell the perfume and I hear the soft music coming from somewhere in my house following my nose and my ears I ditch my keys and wallet on the side table in the kitchen then walk slowly through the living room and toward the back of the house while the rest of the house is

completely dark a week light filters out of the crack between my bedroom and the jam I reach out and push it open not surprised to see who I see lying across the bed completely naked took you long enough Mandy Borland says as she stretches her arms out making sure I notice every inch of her the cops were there all day the cops already she asks but doesn't sit up or look surprised my husband actually showed some initiative for a change let's not talk about him I say as I strip out of my uniform and walk

to the bed let's talk later or not talk at all Mandy says holding her arms out to me I fall into those arms and the late night turns to early morning before we are finished with each other as we lay in my bed the sheets tossed to the floor the pillows stacked about her upper body resting on my chest as her head nuzzles into my throat I say Nick Remo those two words that name make her stiffen for half a second I probably wouldn't have noticed from across the room but with her skin on my

skin it's easy to feel the change Nick what about him Mandy asks and the fears I've had in my gut begin to surface like the shadow in the deep end of the pool some Sergeant was asking about him to say keeping my voice calm and nonchalant Mandy pushes up and looks me in the eye she's doing that thing she does when she fakes innocence but is really on the hunt why would they ask about Nick Mandy asks her brow furrowing she's good the fears in my gut climb higher and higher I don't know I say

and shrug the sergeant was just asking about him is all weird she says and settles back down on my chest making sure to press her own chest against me her hand slides down my belly and between my legs let's not talk about him he's a Pur of who ogles girls were you at the pool the other night I asked your phone pinged there that's weird too she says you know I wasn't I was in my motel room out on Route 35 remember that's where I called you from yeah of course I say and let her

do her thing it's always best to let Mandy do her thing later as she sleeps like the dead which is the only way Mandy sleeps I sneak out from under her grab my clothes and quietly get dressed in the hall then I find her phone in her purse luckily it's turned off the last thing I need is a knock on the door from Sergeant suspicious with my keys in my hand I slip out the side door and get in my car I drive away with the lights off until I'm a block down the street then

I speed up and race out of town pulling over to the side of the road just a/4 mile from the Stardust Motel I'd sneak to Peak at Mandy's key code a week ago so getting into her phone isn't a problem it also isn't a problem to find her last text to Nick Remo it's the top thread in her messages I read the thread and that fear that had been slowly Rising is quickly squashed by a wave of Rage so powerful that my knuckles pop and crack as I grip Mandy's phone her texts with Nick started

a good 6 months before me and Mandy just happened to bump into each other at a Tavern a couple of miles out of town it's a place I like to go when I need an anonymous encounter you can't even call it a dive bar that would be too kind hookers junkies and complete losers hang out there perfect when I need a woman who doesn't ask questions and doesn't have questions asked about her taking several deep breaths I read the last text from Nick what are you ditching that pool boy he asks I have a bag

packed and my friend can fly us to Jamaica at a moment's notice be patient my love was Mandy's response two or 3 days stps I need to make sure eyes are on Adam and not on us he can take the heat when we both disappear I type are you awake it takes about 2 minutes before the dots begin to Ripple on the screen yeah babe you okay that little isn't making you do things you don't want to is he Nick responds no one makes me do things I don't want to I respond the haha icon

pops up on the corner of the text which is followed by don't I know it can we meet I text tonight yes what about the pool boy he's asleep I wore him out I don't know whether to be jealous or turned on there's a second or two pause then yeah where you know where the pool can you be there in 20 yeah but it'll be more like 30 come to the back door it'll be open I turn off the phone before he responds then I gun the car making a U-turn across the road so I'm

heading back into town parking my car a few blocks away I cut through backyards until I reach the rec center property I'm a few minutes early which is perfect using Jason's PIN code I let myself into the back storage room and then quietly make my way to the men's locker room I glance out into the pool area but don't see a silhouette by the back door that leads out to the large patio where rusting grills and splintered picnic tables sit budget cuts I hurry to the door open it and jam a rock between it and

the frame then I slink back into the Shadows of the bleachers and wait he's late 45 minutes from when I stopped texting Nick Remo approaches the door pauses looks down at the Rock then eases the door open Mandy he whispers I say nothing and only watch him from the Shadows Mandy he whispers louder as he comes inside the door closes behind him because he doesn't slip The Rock back into its place in the men's lock room I text him after turning Mandy's phone back on making sure the volume is muted his phone Chimes and he

pulls it from his pocket even in the darkness I can see the lecherous grin on his face he hurries to the locker room that's when I leave the shadows and slip behind him I don't know if my foot scuffs or he just senses something but we aren't even to the locker room entrance when he whirls around his phone up the flashlight blinding me the pool boy he says with a snarl and he comes for me it's a mistake on his part he's in my house now even Blinded By the Light I know every inch of

this pool deck I duck to the side and he goes to match me but I do a stutter step and instead of retreating I Rush forward Spin and give him a hard shove Nick cries out and his phone slips from his grasp as his arms wheel around and around for balance he loses that game and Falls backward into the pool you little he yells as he comes up spluttering and spitting I'm going to you up when I get out of here no you aren't I say and my eyes go to the deep end his head

spins around and he looks at the deep end then whips his head back and looks at me what the are you staring at nothing to worry about it'll be over soon he laughs as he Treads water do you think she loves you he laughs harder you're a tool kid a gullible 20s something who served his purpose and now needs to get the hint and go away my eyes start to the deep end once more what the are you looking at he snaps doesn't matter what do I care what a little piece of pool boy is

looking at Mandy and I we're getting the out of this loser Town together leaving your sorry ass behind then why is she at my house and naked in my bed I asked my voice Cal calm as can be what part of tul do you not understand pool boy he asks and laughs then he starts to paddle toward the edge of the pool you know what it this wasn't going to happen for a few more days but might as well get it over with tonight I think so too when he gets to the short ladder on

the side of the pool he reaches up and grips the first rung with one hand then brings the other up so I can see what he's holding a very sharp looking knif knife is that supposed to scare me I asked and step toward him it better pool boy he laughs because this is how you die or how you commit suicide that is all torn up over what you did to Mandy what is that mean I ask knowing already you'll write a note talking about your obsession with her you'll also talk about how you suspect she

and I are together and how you have taken care of us we'll let the police work the details out on their own while Mandy and I are in Jamaica everyone will think we're dead and you take the fall it's perfect I take a deep breath and let it out then I kick him in the face hard he cries out and falls back into the pool the water at the deep end churns but I don't look that way I don't have to Nick comes up spluttering for the second time tonight and he waves the hand with

the knife around over his head while he Treads water with his other hand you're so dead someday I say and turn and walk away where the are you going pool boy he shouts I hear him splashing about then he yells what the was that I Smile as I walk into the men's locker room his screams don't start until I'm almost to my office by the time I sit down at my desk the screams have stopped there's a mound of paperwork on my desk actual paperwork because Mr Keys either doesn't know how to use a computer

or has stock in some paper company I'm leaning toward the former considering he's a once I finish the paperwork it's time to go back to the pool when I get there the water is calm there's a slight red tinge in some spots but the filtration system and the insane amount of chlorine we use will take care of that by morning what it can't take care of is the item at the bottom of the pool Nick phone for some reason electronics are always left behind I don't know why and I never ask stripping my clothes off

I dive naked into the pool and swim down to the bottom I wait a moment and look toward the deep end but I can't see anything so I dive down further snag Nick's phone and swim back to the surface once I'm dried off and dressed I study the phone for a second wipe it off with my shirt and then let it fall to the to the deck it doesn't crack but I don't need it to I give the phone a hard kick and it's instantly lost under the bleachers by the time I get home the

Horizon is getting light I maybe have a couple of hours before I need to get ready for work where have you been Mandy asks startling me as I walk into the kitchen she's wearing one of my t-shirts and that's all it's a short t-shirt so it leaves zero to my imagination alarm went off at the rec center I'm first on the security company's call list Mr Keys doesn't check alarm calls she studies me carefully then smiles and crosses the kitchen my little hard worker she says and her hands are all over me we kiss we

play but I stomp her before it goes too much further I need to shower and get ready for work I say and slide her hands for my body the mind is strong but the flesh is weak all right she says in that whiny voice she thinks is sexy early shift and the cops will probably be back I say as I leave her in the kitchen and make my way to the bathroom where I strip down and turn on the hot water to full blast I'm stepping into the shower when she leans herself against the bathroom

door why would the cops come back already I thought they didn't find anything I don't know I say scrambling for an answer don't cops come back to crime scenes I don't know what cops do me neither I reply and dunk my head under the scalding stream I'll be right out can you make coffee me yeah don't you know how to make coffee don't be an ass she says and leaves in a couple of minutes the scent of dark coffee is sucked into the bathroom by the ceiling vent I get out towel off wrap the towel

around my waist and head to the kitchen Mandy is at the kitchen counter frantically rumaging through her purse did you take my phone do you mean have I seen your phone why would I take it whatever do you know where it is she snaps I have it I say just in case just in case of what she says and I can feel the anger waving off of her from across the kitchen then she pulls herself together and gives me her sexiest smile sorry love I haven't had my coffee yet I'll pour us each a cup

I say and move around her to The Mug rack on the counter Two Sugars in hers black for me I pour the coffee and hold out a mug to her she reaches for it but I snatch it back no coffee for you I say then look down at my towel not free at least she laughs that laugh of hers and her hands go to my towel as it falls to the floor I wonder if she laughed that way for Nick I was right the cops came back Adam right Sergeant Edwards says as he knocks on

my office door got a second sure I say and turn away from The NeverEnding stacks of paperwork what's up were you here last night he asks sounding as casual as if he asked me what color is the grass out on the soccer fields I left after eight or so and you didn't come back later nope I say and shake my head why one of the homeowners thought they saw someone in here early in the morning they were up late walking their dog in the soccer fields the old guy has insomnia he said he saw me

no no he says he saw someone and it looked like a man I thought maybe you got a security call since that was the excuse I used for Mandy I almost double down but before I open my mouth I realize he can easily confirm that with the security company nope I say and shake my head I was home all night washing towels he asks and laughs not last night thank God I say and laugh with him now I was sleeping off a few late night beers then I slide open a desk drawer and pull out

a bottle of ibuprofen shaking three pills into my hand want some I asked holding out the bottle I'm good I dry swallowed the pills and smile at him me and my my guys are going to do another sweep at the pool then head out to the soccer fields he says and steps away from my door I may have some more questions you going to be around all day and most of the night I say in shrug short staffed flu and budget cuts he interrupts and Taps his knuckles on the door jam I'll talk to you

later sounds good I say and wait a few minutes for his footfalls to completely die away before I touch the outline of Mandy's phone in my uniform pocket to my surprise and slight disappointment Edwards never comes back to talk to me I've been waiting for him to come hurrying into my office the second Nick's phone was discovered but the cops searching the place obviously suck at their jobs so I have to give them a hand by the late afternoon I pretend to do maintenance to the filtering system when I come out of the mechanical room

which is right next to the bleachers I pause and scrunch up my face hey what's that I ask and point under the bleachers a couple of cops paus their conversation and turn their heads in my direction they see where I'm pointing and frown I'll get it I say and take a step toward the bleachers no stay there one of the cops orders he slips on a pair of blue plastic gloves then circles around the bleachers crouches down sees the phone and drops to his belly it takes him a few minutes to retrieve phone the adrenaline

in my system keeps me from laughing at the sight of his bulk almost getting stuck under there when he comes back out my face is nothing but innocence and wide eyes who is it I ask seeing the phone in his hand when he stands up no clue well I can put it in the lost and found I say and hold my hand out I'll take that Sergeant Edward says coming up from behind me he Pats me on the shoulder and holds out a gloved hand to the other cop give it here Tully the cop shrugs

and hands it to Edwards Edwards looks at the phone and the screen lights up interesting Edward says who is it I ask I hand out again I have all the members contact information in our directory so I can email them to let them know their phone is here you recognize him Edwards asks and shows me the phone ignoring my outstretched hand I could lie but what would be the point um yes that looks like Mr Remo I say and let my hand fall to my side he must have dropped his phone the last time he

was here did he come by yesterday to look for it I didn't see him yesterday I say in shrug but we were closed yesterday remember he could have come by saw that the doors were locked and decided he'd come back he didn't call and leave a message without his phone he could have used his wife's phone yeah I guess so I don't really know Sergeant I'm sorry I was here all day and he never called huh weird we didn't find this yesterday Edward says and shakes his head and gives me a fake smile sometimes the

Mysteries come in waves Mrs Borland is missing and now Mr Remo Mr call me Nick Remo I say un smile edwards's fake smile Fades sorry that was supposed to be a joke too bad you don't have any video footage W says I'd love to see if those two interacted at all it's a little too much of a coincidence that they disappear the same couple of days you don't think he did anything to her do you I asked my eyes wide with shock and horror Edwards studies me for a long second and I start to think

I overplayed my hand then he shakes his head and says Nah no if anything the two were having an affair and they just ran off together an affair that's sad I say for poor kids hopefully her husband will still bring them to the pool even with their mother's Antics they do love it here it's always hardest on the kids Edwards says will you be around today all day and into the night you're pretty dedicated to this pool aren't you it's become my life I say I wish I could do more for the place it needs

all kinds of Renovations maybe one day if I'm running the rec center I can can make sure the pool gets all the attention it deserves then I shrug and before I can continue Edward says but budget cuts got it he leaves with his men and walks outside headed for the soccer fields I watch him go then I move close to the edge of the pool the shadow swirls in the deep end and I know it's Restless yes yes I know I say soon and iy pain grips me in my midsection and I gasp okay okay

I say tonight the pain goes away and I sigh it's not a bad pain never a bad pain just a reminder of my duty Edwards doesn't come see me before he leaves which is refreshing starting to worry that he's locked on to me I chuckle as I lock up when I get home Mandy is standing in the kitchen waiting for me you're going to be seen I snap as I shut off the light and hurry to close the kitchen drape what you want me to live like some mold person she asks and I can hear

the alcohol in her voice how much have you had to drink I asked and open the trash can's lid two bottles of wine maybe she says and wiggles her hips a little bit I was bored cops came by again today I say and move in close to her she moves in close to me and I see the lust in her eyes or it could be the wine AR hard to tell with Mandy she's wearing tight sweatpants and a tank top I run my hands up under the tank top and she moans then I lean in

and kiss her neck my body pressing into hers necko I whisper Mandy's body goes completely still what about Nick she asks and pulls back from me I don't let her I wrap my arms around her waist and squeeze her tight pressing my body to hers backing her up until her ass hits the fridge that sergeant in charge has a theory I say and Mandy tries to squirm free from me I think you have been a naughty girl my hand goes between her legs and she stiffens then she relaxes and her hand matches mine I have

she moans I have been so naughty of course you have I say and slide her sweats down her legs what are you going to do about it she asks gasping as my hand goes to work punish you I say and then I lift her up and carry her from the kitchen and into my bedroom covered in sweat and possibly a couple of bruises we lay on my bed intertwined as the clock on my phone hits 2 in the morning Nick has to go I say Mandy's hand rubs up and down my inner thigh he's nothing

baby she says don't you worry about him does he know where you you are no does he know about us oh God no he's just a toy baby play thing am I just a toy a play thing I ask a tool a tool she asks then pushes up onto her elbows you're really jealous aren't you I don't usually go for that kind of thing but this is a little hot Nick has to go she studies my face in the dim light then a smile spreads across her face I suppose he does she says we'll figure

something out I already have I say and get up where are you going she asks rolling onto her back and staring at me I almost don't grab my clothes and put them on she's good she's really good get dressed what now she asks and sits up why because you're going to text Nick and tell him to meet you at the pool I say I am you are why you know why because Nick has to go because Nick has to go she watches me for a moment then holds out her arms I don't hesitate I go

to her and she hugs me fiercely I love you bull boy she Whispers in my ear her tongue following right after her words and you know I love you then before she can distract me I lift her off the bed and set her on her feet oh bummer she says you're serious I'm serious she kisses me then nods and walks out of the bedroom I'll text him now no you'll wait I say or your phone will ping here then I'll get dressed she says coming back into the bedroom she's breathing heavy and I know that

look in her eye unless we get dressed in a few minutes nice try I say and it is she's quite spectacular I'll miss her Mandy shows me the text she sent to Nick as we leave my car behind and walk to the rec center staying to the Deep Shadows of the large Oaks that line the street we have to meet be at the pool in 30 minutes you'll be 15 minutes late she says he always is is he I asked oh don't get too jealous Mandy said it's only so much of a turn on I

smile and Nod then glance at her phone again good thing I deleted last night's text thread we get to the pool and I use Jason's coat again he'll catch some heat I might even have to fire him but the cops will just think that Mandy or Nick stole his key code number so they could meet at the pool when they slipped away from their families what's the plan Mandy asks me and I hear excitement in her voice she's loving this all of the attention is on her two men fighting for her love it's her wet

dream you go stand by the edge of the pool I say and lead her out onto the pool deck right there where she asks looking at the pool right by the deep end ladder I say there I point and she follows my finger then she pauses and I watch as she her head something wrong um no she says then shakes her head and laughs I thought I saw something move in the water but that's crazy the craziest I reply and go to the back door cracking it open I find the Rock from last night and

prop open the door oh good idea she says he sees that comes in sees me walks over to me and then you what what are you going to do tackle him into the pool I say he's a shitty swimmer I've watched him I'll hold him under and in a couple of minutes he'll have accidentally drowned but why would he even be here in the first place she asks and I see her confidence in me start to slip took her long enough because you texted him I say the cops will see that on his phone well

Adam we can't have that she exclaims we'll need to get his phone and erase that text too late I say and walk slowly toward her theop the cops already have it the cops already have what the cops already have his phone I say and move closer they do why would they have I can tell by the way her words Trail off that she's getting it now last night she Whispers as I take another step toward her there wasn't any alarm was there no I say only a few steps from her stop right there she shouts

and holds out her hands don't you come any closer Adam what's wrong I ask but I do what she says and stop where I am did you kill him no I say being honest but I helped helped what the does that mean the water behind her Ripples and then the surface breaks as the shadow begins to rise I can't help it my eyes go past Mandy's face to stare at what lifts up out of the pool there she is she's so beautiful her darkness is like a caress on my soul the energ that comes from

her fills me up it tells me I will be here forever this pool is my pool as much as it is hers what the Mandy mumbles as she follows my gaze and looks back over her shoulder the shadow Rises and Rises until she is in her full Glory 10 ft tall made of smoke and desire she waivers before us her shape and being showing me just how hungry she is Mandy gives a frightened squeak and backs to me her eyes never leaving the shadow what is it a spirit an angel I say and grip Mandy

by the upper arms a gift Adam what is going on Mandy asks and tries to get free of my grasp but I hold tight digging my fingers into her flesh I know about you and Nick yeah because we talked about it Mandy replies I thought you were into it no I mean I know how you were going to kill me and make it look like a suicide I say you were going to frame me for your disappearances the cops would look for your bodies but this county is huge and so is the next County and

the next one it was a perfect getaway no no I would never do that to you she says and tries to turn in my arms so she can give me her hurt little sex kitten eyes that's not happening I say and walk us both closer to the pool stop Adam she says and her struggles get more frantic I head butut her in the back of her head it hurts like hell but it does the job she Grunts and relaxes a little we move even closer to the pool I love you she moans and it's not

the good kind of moan like earlier in the night I do Adam don't you love me you said you did I do love you then stop please she begs as we get even closer no I don't think so I say when we reach the edge if you love me you won't do this she says and starts to cry all of the strength has left her I'm basically holding her upright please Adam not like this don't give me to that thing but she requires a sacrifice you gave it Nick no no that was a meal I

say I didn't give a about Nick I grip her harder and to make a real sacrifice you have to be willing to give away something you love Adam no she screams as I throw her into the pool she doesn't even have time to come up and sputter and panic and splash about the shadow descends on her and wraps itself around Mandy's body I watch a little sad I did love Mandy at one time that was before I got to know her of course and before I realized she and Nick were a thing not that it

mattered much I'd already planned what I needed to do with Mandy well before I heard of their plot against me being directing supervisor of aquatic safety has never been my long-term plan now now I have to run this place entirely sooner rather than later for her for my shadow my eyes lock onto the sacrifice in the water Mandy is slowly consumed within the shadow leaving nothing behind except for her phone once it's all over I strip down dive in and fetch your phone then I go to the door dripping and naked and open it wide

chucking the phone as hard as I can it sails through the night air and lands out on the soccer field maybe the old guy with insomnia will find it later when he goes out to walk his dog when I returned to put my clothes on the shadow is back in the deep end resting just below the surface of the water I want more than just a promotion I say I want this place to Thrive I'm sick of budget cuts there's no response there never is but I know she has heard me dressed and refreshed from

the night's activities I leave the recx center and make my way back home I a Callin sick tomorrow make Mr Keys actually work for a change hey there Edward says as he knocks on my office door jam and sticks his head in congratulations I look up from my computer and smile Sergeant good to see you I say and start to stand up he waves me back down sit sit I'm not here to bother you oh what brings you around like I said congratulations he replies word just got out that Mr Borland has donated a considerable

amount to the rec center especially to the upkeep of the pool yeah yeah it's a really big trust I say we'll finally get to put in new security cameras and fix the showers that don't work in the locker rooms and get new washing machines he adds that too I say in smile it's tragic why it's happening but I'm glad I no longer have to suffer through more budget cuts I hear the pool will be named The Amanda Borland Memorial Pool he says and laughs a little what's so funny oh it's just weird that we never

found her body or Nick Remos yet 6 months later Mr Borland is giving up on looking for her and now is donating a lot of cash to the rec center that's funny why you don't think it's a little soon I think he wants to give his kids closure and since they love the pool it's a nice way for them to remember their mom each time they come to swim he nods a little could be could be then he snaps his fingers oh and congrats on the new position too a huge influx of cash and Mr

Keys's retire ties you are one lucky pool boy I stiffen and then relax into my seat I can't show that I know what Nick and Mandy called me in that text thread even though I wrote Mandy's side of that thread I prefer acting managing director over pool boy I say with a laugh I bet you do he says and nods some more well again congrats kind of young to be managing director aren't you worried you'll miss out on all the fun stuff you get to do in your your 20s nope I say and shrug we

all have to make sacrifices to get ahead right I suppose so he says after studying me for a bit then he Taps on the door jam and gives me a wave well congrats and good luck thanks I say as he leaves then I get back to my work computer work no more stacks of papers now that I'm in charge good things come to those who know how to work the system I guess or to those who know how to make the right sacrifices thanks for listening if you enjoy these stories be sure to subscribe to

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