#6 - At the Mercy of the Lake

After thinking, she had located the ingredients, MJ resurfaced to cat her breath again and generally try to get used to the water. It had been a lot colder than she had expected and she was lucky it hadn't shocked the breath right out of her.

MJ quickly discovered that nothing was going to help with the chill and she needed to gather the Mercy's Lace as quickly as possible so she could clamber out of the water again to warm up.

She ducked her head under again but now the water wasn't as clear as before. The silt had been stirred up by something and it made her frown. She wondered what had been nearby that she had disturbed.

Swimming towards the dock, MJ reached out for the first ingredient and then opened her mouth in surprise. This was a mistake and she tried to fight against her assailant to breech the water for air.

This was managed for only a second as the fish's mouth clamped around her hand and tugged down. The inside was so unpleasant to touch that MJ felt a shiver go down her spine. She panicked that she was going to be dragged further down and tried to kick with her legs or hit the creature with her free hand.

The water closed over her again and MJ felt her arm being pulled this way and that which caused an ache in her shoulder. She kicked as strongly as possible to get more air, struggling with the fish.

It was so big! MJ got a good look at it before more of the mud was stirred up and clouded the water once more. It felt like she was going to run out of breath before she got away... Which made her fight harder.

Both of them twisted in a weird dance, trying to fight against the other -- the fish for food and MJ for escape.

Finally, her foot made contact and she propelled herself up towards the surface again. She coughed and spluttered, trying in vain to gulp down much-needed breaths of air. She let out a cry and looked around, kicking her feet to keep herself in place while looking for the creature again.

When she didn't spot it, MJ hoped it was gone for good. Her heart raced and she couldn't even think about collecting the ingredients until she calmed herself down. She took a few long breaths and then took stock of her situation.

She checked her hand and it seemed quite already, if a bit sore. The same could be said for her shoulder and the whole ordeal had drained a lot of her energy too. It wouldn't be wise to spend much longer in the water.

And the dock -- it was too wet and slippery to climb up again. MJ turned slowly in the water and assessed where she would exit instead. It seemed like the boat ramps would be her only choice. It would be awkward but she would find a way to make it work for her.

MJ had stopped crying too, thankful the encounter hadn't gone a lot worse but there was a realisation there that the Lake wasn't as jolly as it had first seemed and there were definite dangers within its depths. She had been a fool.

No, she wouldn't allow herself to be caught off guard again. Despite the ache in her shoulder and how much she wished to be dry and warm again, MJ dived under the water again and towards the ghostly shapes.

The water had settled and cleared somewhat so it was easier for her to distinguish the Mercy's Lace from everything else.

Reaching out once more, she plucked the first one free and held it carefully in her hand. There was no way she was going to give up even if she was scared the fish would come back (and perhaps not alone this time). MJ reached and took the second one as well, being careful not to damage either of them.

Getting out of the water was tricky.

She had given up one hand to hold and protect the Mercy's Lace while she struggled with her free hand and legs to pull herself onto the ramp and out of the water. She earned a few cuts and scrapes but if it meant she had the ingredients for the knife she wanted, MJ considered it worth it.

First things first, she hurried to put the Mercy's Lace into her Potions Kit so it would be safely stored away. Then she grabbed the towel and wrapped herself up in it while looking back at the water.

Was it a trick of the light or had she seen the pale shadow of that creature again?

With a shudder, she gathered her things. She could look for something else but she figured it would be best to complete Amara's request first.

The plan? Head to school and get to the nearest bathroom to dry off and change back into her uniform and then head for the last ingredient she needed.

She nodded to herself and hurried off.

[OOC: Exit]