“I can’t hear any…no wait.  I can hear something.  It sounds like…like running water.  Could it be the lake?”     Mary turned to Esmara.     ”It’s not that simple, Mary.  I can hear it aswell, but you have to ask yourself that if it is the lake then why is there running water?”     “Yes, but Esmara, you mentioned earlier to me that it there would be the sound of running water from the lake, I remember very clearly.”  Esmara gave a sigh and said,     “I can’t tell you everything Mary, because this riddle has been created by someone only for you.  I can only clue you in, but you are the one who has to crack or solve it.  Think of me as your guide and friend.”       Mary thought long and hard.     “You know, Esmara, I think I’m beginning to realise what it is with me.  I get over excited and act on impulse where as I should really wait a few moments in solitude and review the situation.”  Esmara remained blank-faced as Mary continued.     “Here we are, literally feeling our way through this forest and responding to sound and I;ve just realised that a lake does not have running water.”  Esmara smiled for the first time.     “I am pleased to hear it, Mary.  You have passed another elemant of the riddle.”  “But, it is not necessary that the sound of running water is from the lake.  It could be a stream or a waterfall or even…”    “Even?”  Asked Mary, inquisitively.  Esmara nodded.     “All I can say is that there is running water and it is near the lake.”     “But how will I know when to turn this torch on.”  Esmara pointed forwards.     “When we reach the next stretch of land, straight ahead, we will have reached the lake and then you may switch it on.”  Esmara began walking and Mary followed.      Within fifteen minutes, they finally arrived at the lake and Esmara stopped.     “We’re finally here, Esmara.  We made it!”  Cried Mary, hysterically.      ”I cannot help you from this point Mary.  I’ve completed my purpose to bring you here; now, someone else will be coming for you…”      “No,don’t go, Esmara!  What about the tor…”  Esmara faded away, just like the Professor had.  Mary kept staring at the exact spot where Esmara had been standing and then, she aimed her right arm out in the direction of the lake and switched it on for the first and last time.       Suddenly, a strong red beam  blasted out in flames, reminiscent of a red fire-breathing dragon and the torch began to vibrate in her hands and grew hotter and hotter until it fell and poor Mary had to partially cover her eyes at the impact of it’s sheer powerful rays so much so that she could barely see the lake ahead of her, but more than that, she could also make out a hazy dark figure, reaching out to her and calling.    “Mary…Mary…Mary.”  Mary stood her ground and thought for a moment.  She wondered if this maybe some kind of a trap or hallucination intended to lure her to her death.  She closed her eyes momentarily and concentrated hard.  Her mind focused on her late husband, John Weming, whose memory always gave her mental strength and salvation.  She looked up at the glowing full moon and whispered,     “Oh, John, I need you so badly at this point in time.  Please help me John, please please please!”     Suddenly, she felt a mighty thrust as some force pushed her forwards straight at the lake.       “Aaaahhhhh!!!”                                        End of Chapter Fourteen…