Time ghosts the secret of the duck pond

***Authors note: This story is part two of a three part mini series. This is the first of the three part mini series short story models. Sometimes a story is too big for just one page. However, it is still a short story. A three part mini series seems to be the right fit for this story. Additionally, this may become a standard for several unfinished stories on The Frog Journal. Stay tuned, more on the way.***

It wasn’t clear yet. But soon. They were nearing the bottom of the pond. And within the hour they would have it drained. It was a large operation, but careful planning made it flow like clockwork. Therefore, Barry watches the dive team. They surfaced an hour ago with the expected news. There is nothing at the bottom of the pond.

However, Barry is running with intuition. This little undertaking was years in the planning. Therefore, he expected to find nothing at the bottom of the duck pond. In fact, he would have been surprised if there was anything down there. He would damn sure be suspicious. His gut told him there was something there. However, his instincts told him it was unlike anything he had ever encountered before.

Within thirty minutes the water is down to knee deep. It is now possible for the rest of the team to descend to the bottom of the pond. Now their search can truly start.

Time Ghosts the Secret

The city sold Hyde Park to a private developer several years ago. Nevertheless, since then, the plans for new development have gone through several changes. For example, the skyscraper that will be built there is the end result of years long planning. Barry is friends with the city’s building inspector. Therefore he has the inside scoop on the new development.

When he realized this was the duck pond from his youth, it seemed perfectly logical what he needed to do. Additionally, he had the resources. And after another strange visit with his uncle, he knew he was truly on to something. There were too many unexplained parts of this story. Especially the fantastical things his uncle did remember. In fact, that was how he knew nothing would be visible down there.

Now, as he peers over the edge of the empty pond, he can see the algae covered surface of the bottom. It is concrete. Just like the sides. Moreover, the team is removing the last of the water. There is a man-made island at the center of the pond. It looks odd and out of place in its isolated state. However, other than that, there doesn’t appear to be any other objects. No ghosts from the past to haunt them. In fact, other than old debris along the bottom, the pond is empty. And quiet.

The Secret of the Duck Pond

Barry steps out of the lift basket. The floor of the pond is roughly thirty feet below the pond’s edge at ground level. Several of the team are exploring the base of the man-made island. A few more have crossed to the other side opposite Barry’s side. The project supervisor is making his way toward Barry as he steps from the basket.

“We’ve found something sir.” The words feel like a chill racing up Barry’s spine. He dares not get his hopes up as he follows the supervisor across the floor of the pond. There are old tires and oddly shaped rocks. There is even the frame of an old Schwin bicycle. They all look like ghosts from the distant past. Barry is careful not to trip on any of them as he follows the supervisor to the far wall.

As they near the wall of the pond, Barry can see there is something there. In fact, it appears to be some kind of door. They stop roughly five feet away from the strange recessed door. It is obviously a stone door, and solid, by the looks of it. Furthermore, it is almost a perfect six foot by six foot square. That isn’t what startles Barry though. It’s the words etched into the surface of the stone slab. Just three strange, but meaningful, words. The Shallows End.

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