The Lake

[cyberghostface]

So each June I sometimes try to post a Bradbury comic or two in his memory. EC did numerous Bradbury adaptations and 'The Lake' is probably the strongest.

This comes from The Vault of Horror #31.

The story opens with a young boy visiting the lake on one of the last days of summer and calling out for his young friend, Tally.





The boy (now a man) grows up and is married to a woman named Margaret. They return to his childhood home for their honeymoon and visit all the places that he grew up in. One day they pass by the lake when he sees the lifeguard carrying a small shape from the water. The man tells Margaret to stay and runs over.

The lifeguard says the body (which is wrapped in tarp) must have been dead for ten years. He says in all the people who drowned since then, only one body hadn't been recovered. The man demands that the lifeguard open the tarp.

Comments

[bradygirl_12]

I grew up and got this cool dancing girl lamp to use while I study!

Not sure how long that marriage is gonna last. Poor Margaret!

[scelestus]

This was really moving. Thanks for posting.

[leoboiko]

her small twelve-year-old shoulders…

Me, as a parent to a small girl: nope. Not reading this one. Yeah nossir, thank you very much but no.

[endis_ni]

It's Margaret I feel sorry for. Suddenly your husband comes back from the beach thinking of you as a stranger, and in love with an undead twelve year old to boot.

I'd open a separate bank account if I were you, duck.