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ENTER THE LAKE
Uncertainty envelops you as you step into the lake. The surface tension breaks, capsizing a thin film of an algae-like substance or shattering the film into rafts, rocking in your wake. The warmth and smell of rot in the waters somewhat tempers your advance, but the looming presence of the creature behind you is more than enough to push you forward.
When the water is up to your hips, you look back. The sunlight is nearly gone, but you can see shapes emerge from the forest. Many shapes that join the creature that directed you here. All unnaturally tall, with a recognizable stumbling gait. Some of these creatures seem to emerge from the trees themselves.
Before long, the entire lake is surrounded by crooked silhouettes, peering at you.
You move a few steps forward, the water up to your chest now. Your foot slips on something beneath the surface, and you gasp as the water momentarily engulfs your head. As if in response, there is a splash much further out into the lake. The heads of all the creatures surrounding you turn toward it.
Your feet barely touch the bottom. Still, you must press on.
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