Story 70: The Laughing Stranger

Emma, enjoying a rare moment of peace, had stripped down to her undergarments and waded into the cool water. She reveled in the refreshing embrace of the pond, her worries drifting away with each ripple.

But as she swam, she felt an eerie sensation, as if being watched. She quickly scanned the shoreline, and her heart skipped a beat. There, perched on a rock with a playful grin, sat a stranger. His clothes were neatly piled beside a red bicycle, and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

"Well, hello there!" he called out, his voice carrying a friendly yet unnerving tone.

Emma's cheeks flushed as she hastily tried to cover herself with her arms. "Who are you? What do you want?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

The man chuckled, leaning forward with an easy grace. "Name's Jake. Just passing through and couldn't resist the view."