"Five-Mile Lake" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Jonathan Kepler was driving though his old hometown on the way to a business conference when he noticed the sign for "Five-Mile Lake." Back in high school, Jonathan and his friends used to hang out at the lake all the time and he decided to stop and take a look.

The parking lot was now covered in graffiti and litter, and a "No Trespassing" blocked the trail that led to the beach. Jonathan walked around the sign and was shocked at how everything had fallen into decay. Empty beer cans and other debris littered the beach. The fishing dock looked like it was about to fall into the water and the tree under which he first kissed Julie had been cut down.

Jonathan angrily kicked one of the beer cans. He couldn't believe that everything was gone. For a few minutes, Jonathan stared out at the dismal water and then walked back to his car. A police officer was waiting for him in the parking lot, and he got a ticket for trespassing. Jonathan had to admit the officer was right: He no longer belonged at the lake.

"Holly" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Long-haul truck driver Sam Shelton was trying to get some sleep in the cab of his truck when he heard a faint knocking on his door. Sam opened the door and was surprised to see a teen-age girl standing there. "Can I help you?" Sam asked although he had an idea what she wanted. The girl blushed furiously, "I was wondering if you wanted a date." 

"What's your name?" Sam asked gently. "Holly" the girl answered looking down. "Well, Holly, you should be at home and not walking around a truck stop at two in the morning."

"I don't have anywhere to go" the girl said sobbing.

"Look, I have a friend-she's a teacher and you could stay with her for a while." For a second, Sam saw a flicker of hope in the girl's eyes and then it was gone and she turned and ran away. 

The next morning, Sam was getting ready to haul a load to Boise, when he heard that same faint knocking. It was Holly, but she had been badly beaten. Sam called 911 and followed the ambulance to the hospital. Fortunately, Holly was going to be ok, and his teacher friend Paula had agreed to let her stay at her home until they could make permanent arrangements.

There was one last piece of business that had to be taken care of. Holly didn't know the name of the man who had attacked her, but she did remember the mural of a green snake on the truck's door. Sam knew the truck and the driver, and he planned to make a visit the next day.

Sam rapped on the door of Ernie Gibb's truck and waited for the man to come out. Gibbs wasn't pleased to see him. "What the hell do you want Shelton?" Sam grabbed a fistful of Gibb's hair and drove his knee into the man's face. Gibbs held onto his broken nose and cursed Sam with everything he had.