PREFACE

It was midsummer 1979 and the kids in West Chicago were aware of the radioactive signs that surrounded certain sections of Reed Keppler Park.  Whatever used to happen inside this section of the park was long gone, and it had been abandoned for business for several years at this point.  Many kids even dared each other to jump the fence. 

Rumor had it there was a huge pond somewhere inside the radioactive fenced-in area.  A pond that was rarely, if ever, fished is every fisherman’s dream.  One day two kids named Joe and Danny decided to find out just how good the fishing at this pond was…   

It wasn’t the first time they snuck in to Reed Keppler Park’s fenced-in area.  For several years Danny and Joe had been sneaking in, but never did they approach the huge retention pond.  The pond was deep into the fenced in area, surrounded by huge trees and tall grass.  You could not see it from outside the fence.  Rumor had it there were 9 pound bass in this pond. 

“Holy crap, dude!  This pond is huge!  Wonder how big the bass are!”  Danny said.

“We’re about to find out!” Joe replied.

As they approached the pond they noticed it had a bright green tinge to it.  The water was calm and flat, almost as if it were frozen.   There was no noise, no birds were chirping, no leaves rustling… just cold silence. 

“Where should we cast out?” Danny asked.

“Let’s go over there,” Joe said, pointing to a large cement pipe that dumped into the pond.   

They decided to cast off the pipe.  It was several feet over the pond and gave the boys a perfect view.  Danny decided to go first and stepped out front.  He hooked his worm and cast out about 15 feet.  As his worm and hook hit the water it left a perfect ripple.  Joe watched before deciding if he would cast. 

Within seconds Danny had a huge bite.  He pulled up on his pole with authority.  “FISH ON!” he yelled.  Joe watched in amazement.  Within seconds—a monster bite, this place was going to be awesome to fish! 

“It’s a huge bass!” screamed Danny.

“I see it!  Gotta be 5 or 6 pounds!” yelled Joe.

Danny struggled to reel it in, he was used to much smaller fish and only had 6 pound test for line. 

“Keep reeling!” Joe commanded. 

Finally, after a few minutes of fighting, the fish was only a few feet away.  “I won’t be able to reel him in on top of the pipe!” Danny yelled.

“Ok, I’m going down to the water, and I’ll pull him in from there,” Joe replied.  And he ran down off the pipe to the waters edge.  The bass was huge, maybe over 6 pounds.  He signaled Danny to reel it closer to where he was standing. 

“Closer, closer… keep going…” said Joe.  The fish was just inches away. 

As Joe reached out to grab the monster bass he had a huge smile on his face.  He looked up at Danny with pure excitement in his eyes.  Danny was just as excited. 

Then, suddenly it was as if time stood still.  A huge ripple in the water turned into pure terror.  Something massive had lurched out, grabbed Joe, and violently slammed him back into the water. 

“JOE!!!!” screamed Danny.  Just as he screamed another huge lurch came from under the pipe, it slammed the pipe and knocked Danny into the water also.  Danny tried to swim back to shore as frantically as possible, but it was too late.  He was pulled under.  Moments later the water was eerily calm again as if nothing had ever happened. 

The fishing poles and tackle box were all that was left.