The Swimming Hole

Written for:

ID: 1101926   (Rated: ASR) A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words Contest  Write a story in 1000 words or less to a given picture prompt. [Hiatus!] by iKïyå§ama

I chose picture prompt number two.

The prompt picture was a painting by Norman Rockwell called ‘No Swimming’.

You should be able to see it here: http://www.artchive.com/artchive/R/rockwell/rockwell_swimming.jpg.html

I have named the story after another Rockwell piece because I couldn’t think of a title for it.

The Swimming Hole

”No Swimming”, the white-painted sign declared, in its rather ramshackle lettering. Jimmy had always thought The Swimming Hole was a strange place to put such a sign. The boys often hung their towels over the sign to dry in the sun, positioning them so only the word “Swimming” could be seen.

Rufus liked the sign too or, more specifically, the signpost. He would sniff at it each time they visited, before lifting his back leg to mark his territory.

The swimming hole was a spot in the creek where the streambed had spread out and deepened to form a perfect pool for bathing. Even in the hottest summer the murky waters remained remarkably cool thanks to the constant influx of water from the creek.

Of course, Old-Man Haynes didn’t think their choice of spot for a dip was so perfect. The Swimming Hole was on his land and it was he who had erected the sign. Many were the times the boys had been chased, dripping and laughing, from the scene by Haynes and his fearsome dog, Jackson.

Today Jimmy and Rufus were meeting Jake, Earl and Chubby Charlie at the creek for a cool dip. School had finished for the summer. They were enjoying the first flush of freedom and hot weather.

As they approached the swimming hole the sound of laughter and splashing filled the air. Jake and Earl were already in the water. Charlie was sitting in his usual spot on the bank. Charlie didn’t like swimming, he always sat, fully clothed, on the water’s edge for fear that the boys would start their chant of ‘Chubby Charles’ if he removed his shirt. Jimmy cast his towel to the ground and charged straight past Charlie before performing an exaggerated leap into the dark pool.

As Jimmy surfaced he heard that ominous music: Dun, dun…..dun, dun…..dun dun dun dun, dun dun dun dun. His gaze swept the pool, looking for a fin slicing through the water towards him. As his gaze swept across the undisturbed surface he heard laughter from the bank. Charlie sat, rocking back and forth, beside his cassette player.

“Turn that stupid stereo off.” Jimmy yelled, trying not to laugh. It was that music - you couldn’t help looking for a shark when you heard it, even if you were in the mall or sitting on the bus.

Jimmy splashed over to where Jake and Earl were frolicking.

“Hey guys.” he called, “What’s new?”

“Not much Jimmy boy, but look at this!” Jake yelled back.

Earl took advantage of the distraction to send a wave crashing over Jake.

Jake emerged, spluttering, and led Jimmy to one end of the pool. There was wire mesh covering the point where the creek flowed into the swimming hole.

“What’s this for?” Jimmy asked, puzzled.

“I don’t know, but it’s the same at the other end.” Jake explained.

“Is it to keep something in or something out?” Jimmy mused.

“Or is it just Haynes screwing with us?” Jake countered.

It’ll take more than that to get us to leave this great swimming spot, Jimmy thought.

“Come on Jake, I’ll go untie the rope swing, we’ll see who can launch the furthest.” They had to tie the loose end of the swing high in the branches of the tree because Haynes was liable to cut it off when he could reach it. No way could Haynes get up that tree though, nor Jackson.

Jimmy untied the frayed end of the rope and used it to swing out from the tree, soaring out over the pool. He let go with a whoop, before landing with a splash.

Charlie was the judge; he called out scores for style, distance and height. He usually let Jimmy win because he wasn’t as mean as the other two, in truth their efforts were fairly even in length, if not in style. Jake was particularly likely to fly through the air with arms and legs flailing like a man on fire, before landing a belly flop or a back splat. Jake got no points for style.

They took it in turns, then they swung out two at a time, finally all three of them hung from the pendulum at once. They didn’t fly very far, but their combined tsunami-splash made it worthwhile.

After a while the boys grew tired of their Tarzan impersonations and returned to the pool to swim.

Suddenly Charlie leapt to his feet on the shore, “What the heck was that?”

“Give us a break Chubby, you think we’re falling for any more of your tricks?” Earl sneered.

“No, seriously you guys. I saw something moving. Over there, by the tree swing. In the water. Something big!” Charlie insisted.

Earl set out with wild strokes towards the swing tree, to show how much truth he felt Charlie’s remarks held.

“See, there’s nothing out here!”

Suddenly a look of panic froze on Earl’s face. There was a long, black shape circling him. The circle was gradually getting smaller, and smaller. Eventually the creature was one continuous loop around Earl. It churned the water, faster and faster. Earl stood in the centre of a washing machine on spin. Without warning a flash illuminated the murky water, purple sparks leapt and sizzled around Earl. When the electrical tempest abated, Earl’s discoloured body was floating face down.

Jimmy and Jake were out of the pool faster than a cat dropped in the bath. Charlie stood open mouthed until Jimmy grabbed his shoulder.

“Come on.” Jimmy urged.

The boys, and Rufus, hurtled away from the horror they had just witnessed. A pair of eyes watched their retreat. The eyes weren’t quite those of a fish and weren’t quite reptilian.

Further down the track two more pairs of eyes watched the boys’ flight. The eyes turned to each other. “Well Jackson, it doesn’t look like you’ll have to chase them again. They must’ve just met my new pet!”

Old-Man Haynes laughed and reached down to scratch between Jackson’s ears.

THE END

Word Count: 1000