Animalia

Lycaena Waterhouse has just stepped off the Perrinton train to attend her father's funeral.

Left alone in the abnormal heat of the town, she finds herself the accidental tenant of an eccentric couple and their five guests, as well as the unwitting accomplice of the homeless artist that frequents the bed and breakfast. Counting down the days until the funeral, Lycaena finds herself instead searching for meaning in the death of her father amidst the rapidly-receding lake of Perrinton, a purpose that has a much darker path for her than she could have ever imagined.

A paranormal Gothic novella exploring the effects of grief, and the desperation of one's will to live.
ONC Prompt #5: There is a terrible drought ravaging the land, but when the waters recede from the local lake/reservoir, they reveal something no one expected to find.