As I went to answer, I realized I was holding my breath, avoiding the rear-view mirror with my head down. I could hear a dull pulsation in my ears. I exhaled. “I think so.”

I raised my eyes without lifting my head, peeking into the rear-view mirror. A young woman, bloated and bluish-grey, with chapped lips and cracked skin, was sitting in the back seat. Her long black hair was dripping wet, and her brown eyes were fixed on me. She smiled slowly, her lips pressed together as though they were glued shut.

I screamed and my hands shot up, reaching for the door handle. I threw the door open and jumped out, peering in through the window. I glanced over my shoulder at the lake, then up and down the road, straining my eyes for any movement in the distance.

Hannah shot out of the car and ran around to my side. She hopped up and down in place, “What? What? What?”

“Did you see her?” I shrieked, lowering my head through the open door.

“No, are you serious? Where?” Hannah bent to peer into the back seat, brushing against my back.

I jumped, spinning around, “Don’t touch me. Jesus Christ.”

“Sorry, sorry.”

“It was the woman. She was behind you.” I checked the back seat again. “Get back in the car. Get in the car.” I climbed in, swiftly slamming and locking the door. I put my face in my hands and shut my eyes, tugging at the skin on my cheeks.

“Are you sure it was her?” Hannah was back in the driver’s seat, scrambling to start the engine.

“Yes, I’m fucking sure.”

“What did she look like?” she asked, both hands on the wheel.

“She was wet. Her hair and eyes were dark. Then she just smiled at me. It was the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Hannah was silent for a moment. “I can’t believe you saw her.” She glanced at me through the corners of her eyes. “I don’t think anyone has ever actually seen her before.”

My eyes remained fixed on the road, waiting for the woman to reappear. I checked the back again. It was empty. I turned and reached, running my fingers over the seat. It was dry.

The clouds had cleared and the halved moon was high in the sky as we followed the shoreline home. The radio played softly as we drove. I watched the water, wondering what would cause a mother to drown her own baby.

Eventually, Hannah pulled onto the shoulder. The windows of my house were already dark. I reached for the door handle and noticed my hands were shaking.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her eyes wide.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You’re kind of scaring me.”

“I said I’m fine,” I snapped, pushing open the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

I leapt from my seat and ran the short distance to my house as though I were being chased. I threw open the door, slipped inside, and secured the deadbolt, peeking through the window one last time.