"Rabbit Lake" by Amanda Johnson

The chill of the icy water seeped into my bones. I slowly waded into Rabbit Lake. I’d lived there my whole life and loved pushing myself against the gentle waves, sliding across the rigid surface, and casting invisible string into light glazed water.

The crystal liquid was getting deeper. I wouldn’t drown. I wasn’t wearing my life-vest. I was unstoppable. I dove beneath the water, clasped a swirling shell and resurfaced. I felt the sun envelope me in a warm, embracing hug. Hours later, I forced myself out of the clear lake to discover I was a walking cherry tomato. I had forgotten to put sunscreen on.

The crisp wind tickled my nose. I glided soundlessly. My father taught me to ice-skate when I was three. I waved to my mom, as I passed her. I loved speed. I wanted to go faster. The bitter breeze froze my cheeks rosy red. I moved so swiftly, I didn’t notice the small pothole until it was too late. My face smashed into solid ice. I hit my tooth. My mom gasped in shock. I slowly lifted my head and my mom helped me the rest of the way up. She proclaimed I was alright. The trickling droplets of blood on the slush proved I wasn’t. My left front tooth turned light purple. “How long is it going to be purple?” I asked. “Until it falls out,” she replied. She was right.

I flung transparent fishing line into the lake depths. I loved playing with leeches. I didn’t know they sucked your blood. I just thought they were sticky. I saw my orange bobber vanish under the mirror-like surface. I quickly reeled in my line. There was nothing on the hook. I grabbed a leech and stuck it on the sharp hook. Suddenly, there was a hook in my thumb. I attempted to pull it out, but it was too painful. “Dad!” I shouted. He rushed across the pontoon and yanked out the hook. I looked down. A little pool of blood lay centered on my thumb.

Although I almost always get injured when I go in/onto the lake, I still love to swim, ice-skate and fish. The lake can be warm or cold. It can be relaxing or exciting. I have fun on the lake with my friends and family and I never want to leave the land of ten thousand lakes.