The Writers' Circle

I was going to post the original short story but have decided to post the first 3 chapters of the novel in waiting, one at a time.

The Lake

Chapter 1

Cody Travis stowed the fishing rods, reels, tents and everything needed for a long weekend, in the back of the old Buick. The vehicle had long since seen better days: three of the four tyres were slick and when the engine fired up, thick black smoke choked the air for a full five minutes before it settled down to a constant rumbling of worn bearings, piston rings and every other moving part, made worn through a lack of oil, clean or otherwise. In the main, it went in the right direction, and generally came home in one piece.
	"Say, Charlie, you reckon you can match me at catchin' a decent fish?"
	"Match you? Man, I'm gonna wipe that stupid grin right off your face!"
	"An' how ya gonna do that Charlie boy? Get brother Mitch to catch one for yer? Let's face it, you got more chance a pissin' in the wind from one of them there clouds!"
	"You tell him Cody," said Mitch, always trying to play one brother against the other.
Cody turned and faced his two partners. Charlie was what one might call the 'runt' of the litter. He was small in frame and as a youngster had always been the one that needed the attention of the doctor. However, his size was often mistaken for lack of strength. This, and sheer guts and determination, always won through, especially on a Friday night when those that didn't know him, foolishly tried to pick a fight.
His elder brothers Mitch and Cody were always picking on him, mainly because Charlie was so easily wound up. They just loved to see their young brother boil over. Sure, there had been fist-fights aplenty, but in this neck of the woods, blood was definitely thicker than water, and most of the time, the three brothers were as thick as thieves.
	"Are we goin' fishin' or what?" said Charlie. "Cos I sure as hell ain't gonna whip your asses while we're a standin' here like three old women."
	"Oh boy, do I hear a wager comin' on?" said Cody, always willing to take a dollar or two from his kid brother.
	"I got three bucks that says I get the biggest by mornin'."
	"Hey Charlie boy, that's gonna be the easiest three bucks I've ever made. What about Mitch here, you gonna take him on too?"
	"I ain't got no money Cody."
	"That don't matter, I'll lend you a buck, if that's alright with Charlie."
	"It's all money comin' my way, so let's get it on an' let's get goin'."
	It was nearing the end of August and the Travis brothers had decided to make one last expedition to the lake. The weather could turn foul at any time now, and access to, and exit from, the lake would be impossible due to the depth of snow. Get caught unprotected in a snow storm in the 'Winds', and you freeze! Then there were the rumours. They went way back. Sure, people had gone missing, and the occasional body was found, but this didn't worry Cody, Mitch, and Charlie Travis. On the contrary, these brothers could care for themselves.
	"It's just a mountain lion, or maybe a bear or something," Cody would say. "All this talk about a maniac on the loose in the mountains is just bullshit!"
The three hour drive was uneventful, apart from the usual friendly bickering, and it was late afternoon before the full beauty of the Wind River Mountains stood proud and majestic in the distance. Cody turned off the highway. There was no sign to indicate what lay ahead. It didn't seem necessary, as the lake had gained fame for its excellent fishing and shooting, by word of mouth, despite the rumours. 
The pine trees bordering the lake opened out into a wide patch of dirt and scrub, devoid of trees. The patch, about eighty yards wide, was between two dense thickets.  The Buick's tyres kicked up a sandstorm as Cody drove hard along the dusty track which led to their favourite spot, near the southern end of the patch. Cody stopped the Buick just short of the water and the Travis boys did as they always did, sat and admired the awesome beauty of the lake, stretching far into the distance. High ridges topped with pine gave the place a calm, almost serene sense of safety. You could feel the mountains closing in. Not in a claustrophobic way, but more like the mountains wanted to cradle you in their arms.
	The brothers unloaded and pitched the tents, after which Charlie lit a camp-fire and made a pot of strong coffee. Cody looked up at the sky, everything was so peaceful.