“You okay?” Eleanor asked in the kindest, sweetest voice ever.

        “I-I’m fine…” I answered in the strongest voice I could muster. Her thumb was caressing my fiery, crimson, tear-stained cheek as we stared into the murky brown creek. The memories of Wednesday came flashing in my mind like thunder and lightning; I was so exhausted I felt like I could collapse right then and there, never to get up again.

        “Are you ready?” Eleanor asked as she gently grasped my hands. I silently nodded as we turned to the young reporter. 

        “What happened to Lester Stillwell on that day?” the reporter asked with a sincere face.

        “July 12th, the day it all went wrong...” 

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        “Jane!” my mother hollered from downstairs, “go with Lester and his friends to the Matawan Creek, please,” she said in a jolly tune, unaware of the horrifying events that would occur.

        “Yes, Mother!” I responded as I glided down the stairs, attempting to imitate a mighty hawk. I tried not to trip over my dress. I jerked my hat from its resting space and darted out the door. 

        On my way out I smashed into someone, my brother Russel. “Apologies, Brother,” I stated, trying to get up off the sharp grass all aimed at me. Harry was right behind him; I could see him covering his mouth as his face turned apple-red from the hysterical laughter. 

        “No worries,” Russel assured me while shooting a death glare at Henry, this  time Henry up real quick; even his stare could scare father. “Watch where you're going next time, kiddo,” he said encouragingly as he patted my head. I nodded, smiled, and brushed past the older boys. That’s when a sudden crisp, cool breeze struck my face. When I realized that my dress was lifted up from the breeze, I quickly yanked it down and ran, too embarrassed to speak. 

        “Lester,” I called as a 12-year-old boy surrounded by his group of friends cocked his head and looked at me in confusion.

        “What are you doing here?” Lester hissed; clearly there was annoyance written all over his face. 

        “Mother said I have to go to the creek with you,” I replied in my calmest voice, although I wanted to strangle Lester. Lester just rolled his eyes and turned his back to me. My compassion for that boy was worse than the bottom of the barrel. 

        “Fine,” he said exasperatedly.  I rolled my eyes and followed them to the creek. Once we got there they all sauntered into the murky brown water, the occasional yelp from one of the boys as another splashed them with the freezing water. I sat on the edge of the creek, watching all the younger males rough house and cackle with each other. A fin appeared; it yanked Lester underwater. It seemed like everything had stopped.

        “Lester!” I yelled as I watched the murky water turn to a dark blood-red. The boys all screamed and ran to get help; townspeople came to the creek after hearing a terrifying yelp for help, one of which belonging to my friend, Elanor.

        “What happened?” she asked in a worried tone. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move, I was frozen, staring at the water, waiting for the beast to swallow me whole. Suddenly, the boys ran back with a man who immediately jumped into the water. We all watched in awe as he pulled my older brother up from the water.

        “Lester!” my mother, who had just arrived, screamed. Lester was unconscious but still breathing. The man threw Lester to the shore and was bitten in the process. He pulled himself out of the water just as the paramedics arrived. About half an hour later the paramedics confirmed that they were both dead. Just as the paramedic was getting up, he was called. 

        “Sir,” the voice announced, “There was another attack! ‘Bout half a mile away,” the man continued. 

        “Another attack?” the man asked, surprised. I reverted my gaze back to Lester’s pale, lifeless body. I started shaking. I fell onto my knees, weeping as a pang of guilt washed over me. My mother was not far behind. At this point, my brothers and father were there. Henry and Russell silently sobbed while clinging to each other; my father clutched his hat, letting slow tears hit his hand. 

--------

        “I’m sorry for your loss,” the reporter commented in a sorrowful tone. Elanor hugged my side as my brothers both patted me on the shoulder. “Please continue on with the despairing tale,” he stated.

        A couple of days later, I met the man who was attacked half an hour later From Lester’s event; “I was very thankful at least one person survived,” I stammered. “I also found out the name of the man who helped Lester out of the water, Stanley Fisher,” I croaked, sadly smiling at the man’s pure soul. 

        “Is it true that they managed to capture the Jersey man-eater?” A hint of curiosity danced along his face.

        “They sure did! Apparently, it was seven and a half feet long,” Elanor chimed in, a smile tugging the corners of her mouth.

        “Yeah! Apparently it had 15 pounds of human flesh and bone in its stomach,” Henry declared as a smirk snuck across his face. Russell hit him on the back and gave him a disgusted look. Mother and father let a small smile spread across their faces as they both snickered. I finally realized something. I was snapped out of my thoughts when the reporter started talking again. 

        “So, Jane Stillwell, do you have anything to say about what your family will be like without Lester Stillwell?” he requested with a hint of compassion in his voice. 

        “Well, I am unsure how we will all fully recover from this, but I know we will be there for each other every step of the way,” I exclaimed, satisfied with my own answer.

         I hugged my family and my best friend; maybe everything would be okay.

-Brooke S.