A thin moon pierced the summer sky. The scouts lay warm within their comfy tents.
“Psstt, c'mon you two.”
Billy woke and focused quickly on the voice.
“Time for a swim,” someone said, “a little midnight dip.”
Bobby's eyes popped open. He looked to Billy for support.
“C'mon Bobby,” Billy whispered. “Let's go have some fun.” He grabbed his brother's hand and they emerged from the tent into the crisp forest air. They jogged eagerly down the trail as the others ran before them in the soft light of the starry sky. Bobby, large and gentle, grinned widely as he followed Billy, his smaller twin best friend, who once more led the way.
The moonlight glistened off the peaceful water as they trotted onto the sandy beach. The shimmering water held the boys hypnotically as they gaze across its glassy surface. Their trance was quickly broken as two older boys stripped to their boxers. They stroked strongly towards the platform in the middle of the frigid lake. The other boys quickly followed, all except Bobby that is, who was a weak swimmer and somewhat afraid.
“No Billy, no!” Bobby protested.
Billy waded back and reassured him, “It's okay Bobby, you can do it.” Their eyes met warmly in the faint light. Billy found an old inner-tube and handed it to his brother. “Just hang on Bobby and you'll float like a cork.”
Billy stroked out ahead. The shivering Bobby followed deliberately in the old tube as the thin moonlight continued to glisten off of the lake.
Scouts swam to the platform and clambered up victoriously. They broke into a spontaneous war-dance, hands pumping and heads bobbing as they chanted at the top of their lungs.
Suddenly a shout rang out, “Billy I'm sinking. Help me Billy I'm sinking!” |
