It was early morning when a group of six teenagers found a sign that gave them hope. The sign read:  “Trail continues on to Lake Haven.”  The leader, Austin, looked up at the sign and felt relief.  “Guys, we’re almost there.”

The first girl of the group, Jenna came up behind him and looked up at the sign as well.  She had short brown hair and she was sweating from the forehead, “That’s cool.”

Two more guys came up to the sign, the shorter one fell to his knees exhausted, “About fucking time man…I’m getting sick of all this walking.”

The taller one whose name was Noland patted his friend Dale on the shoulder, “The reason you’re so sick of walking is because you don’t work out like the rest of us do in gym class idiot.”

Dale gave a sarcastic laugh, “Whatever.”

“Nice comeback there pal.”

The only other girl in the group was Missy, who was a year older than Jenna, walked past the two bickering friends and passed the sign, “I hope the work out is worth it otherwise I am going home.”

Behind her came the last one of the group.  Clark was a tall man, towering over the others like a basketball player, and stopped next to Jenna.  “She sure loves to complain doesn’t she?”

Jenna smiled a little, “She’s not an outdoor person.”

Dale stood back up, his khaki pants dirty and wet from perspiration, “I don’t know why she came along with us in the first place anyway.  Last I check it was only supposed to be five of us on this camping trip.”

Noland took a drink of water from his canteen and handed it to Dale who was very happy about the offer and took it eagerly.  Noland spoke up, his dirty blond hair was also showing signs of the hike with it being soaked with sweat, “Well, her daddy thought it would be best to spend some time out in the outdoors for spring break and not out partying with people older than she was—“

Everyone heard Missy call out, “Shut up Noland!”

Noland shook his head and went on ahead with Dale close behind him.  Austin followed suit, being the guide of the group he knew where he was going.  He had offered to come since he knew the way to a camp ground near a large lake.  Jenna and Clark had jumped at the chance to go on a trip, though they had thought it would be just between the two of them they were disappointed to have Dale and Noland overhear their plans.  In a chain reaction they spilled the beans in front of Missy’s father who told his daughter she should go with them to get some fresh air.  Though she complained she was ordered to and gave in.  Ever since they took the first step on the trail Missy had been angry and complained a lot but that was normal and everyone ignored her.  Other than that, the trip was going much more smoothly than they had anticipated.

The forest in West Virginia was thicker than what Jenna thought it would be, but as she was an avid hiker who went camping most weekends she was used to the hardship of the trip.  But she was grateful to have others around, she didn’t like being alone.

Walking what seemed like miles the group came upon a large lake with a faint layer of fog over the water, which seemed to stretch for miles.  Everyone, including Missy, seemed to take in the spectacle.  Jenna had never been up to Lake Haven before, so she was happy to be in some new surroundings. 

“Damn man!  Mother Nature sure knows how to make something beautiful huh,” Dale said as he ran from the trail and onto the beach.  Noland followed him with Missy coming along.  She threw off her sandals to enjoy the cool sand on her bare feet.  Austin continued to look at the map he had in his hands.

“Okay, I’m going to go find a clearing where we can pitch our tents, you guys want to come?”

Clark and Jenna looked at each other.  Jenna spoke first, “Yeah, let’s go.”

Her boyfriend, however, shook his head, “I better stay with these guys so they don’t get lost.”  He said that seriously.

Jenna shrugged her shoulders, “Okay baby, we’ll be back when we find a place.”  She kissed his cheek and went with Austin.

Austin put his map away and went with Jenna.

They got to the edge of the woods and once they entered Austin started to speak, “Alright, according to my somewhat decent memory there should be a clearing near here.”  He put special emphasis on the word ‘should’.

Jenna had known Austin for about ten years, since they had met at a school carnival.  She always thought of him as a nice guy.  “When was the last time you were this far in?”  Jenna asked.

“Actually this is the second time I have been to this lake.  The last time was I think about fifteen years ago, when I was with my parents,” he replied.  Anything past Lake Haven he knew nothing about.

The two went on walking, and eventually going past thicker trees and bushes they found a clearing that was pretty perfect.  The ground was grassy and green as well as flat and without trees.  The sun was hidden behind clouds but the chances of rain were remote the last time Jenna had checked.

Austin’s memory had been right on the money, and Jenna tapped his shoulder, “Great job, Sacagawea.”

Austin was pleased with himself, “Thought Sacagawea was a woman?”

Jenna laughed and turned around to walk back to the others.

 

The time it took to set up four tents took longer than anyone had thought possible.  Missy had no clear idea what she was doing and Austin had to help her.  Jenna and Clark set up their tent quickly then decided to help Dale and Noland set up theirs.

The sun had finally started to shine and it got warmer real fast.

Austin stood up from setting up a fire area for that night, “Alright, now that we have our campsite set up, I’m going to take a dunk in the lake.  Anyone else want to join me?”

“I’m not a fan of swimming in a dirty lake,” Missy said as she sat inside her tent with the flap open.  She didn’t want to come out.

Noland and Dale stood up next, and Dale looked at Missy, “Come on Missy!  Don’t spend your whole time in that cramped tent!  Go and have some fun!”

Noland agreed, “It’d make the time fly by Missy.  We are going to be out here for at least two days after today that is.”

Missy groaned.

From inside her tent, Jenna changed into a two piece green and red stripped swimsuit, and got out of her tent.  Being the one who loved the outdoors, Jenna had a more toned physic than other eighteen year old girls her size.  One could almost make out abs on her belly as she stretched out.  She had heard Noland and Dale conversing with Missy.  “I’m heading to the lake.  I’ll see you guys there?”

Dale looked back at her, “Yeah, we’ll bring Missy along too!”

“Like hell I am going!”  Was her reply but Jenna knew that Dale and Noland were the masters of fun, and would not let anyone miss out on said fun.

 

Jenna saw that Austin got to the lake first with Clark, both wearing swim shorts.  The sun was indeed shining brightly now and the lake looked more blue than ever.  She walked on down the beach towards a cluster of large rocks that went into the water.  As she went she heard the high pitched screams of Missy.  Turning around she found that Missy was being carried over Noland’s shoulder and she was madly flailing about trying to get off him.  She was also screaming obscenities at him but the two jokesters were having a ball.  The ultimate laugh came from when Noland tossed Missy, still fully clothed in an outfit not made for swimming, into the water.

Jenna smiled and walked on, getting to the rocks she had seen earlier.  They were monstrous and flat enough to lie down on the rocks.  After I have a swim, she thought as she ran into the water.  She went under the surface and up again.  The water was kind of cold at first but she got used to it and swam a ways out before turning around again and reached the rocks. 

Wiping the water from her eyes Jenna gasped when she noticed the large black dog on the rock staring down at her.  It was growling at her with razor sharp teeth showing ready to tear her to pieces.