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Late at night, a full moon in the sky shimmered on a lake's surface, its reflection broken only by ripples from our splashing.
I floated on my back in the cool water, my blue swimming trunks clinging to my athletic body.
"Cannonball!"
Nearby Ben shouted in the quiet night as belly-flopped into the lake with a spectacular splash. Splashing a jet of water like a malfunctioning fountain before surfacing and spitting the water out. "And he scores…Yes! PERFECT 10! Yeah!" He threw his arms up, imitating a crowd's roaring cheers. "and the crowd loves him!"
I chuckled, shaking my head as he mimicked the roar of his imaginary audience.
On the shore, Gwen sat cross-legged on a rock, giving her usual sigh, Her flashlight aimed toward Ben like a spotlight.
"A perfect moron is more like it." Gwen finally argued though I caught the faintest smirk tugging at her lips.
"Hey, let him have some fun. It's not like he's making fun of you." I quickly defended Ben, swimming closer to shore.
"Yeah. Come on, Gwen! Dive in with us!" Ben tried to encourage her.
Gwen's nose wrinkled. "Are you kidding me? Please! Who knows what nasty slimy things are slithering around in there?" She refused, aiming her flashlight at the water, and then Ben. "I rest my case."
"What's the point of camping by a lake if you're afraid to get wet?" I teased as I splashed some water on Gwen.
"Knock it off, Dweeb!" Gwen complained, scrambling back as droplets speckled her shirt. Her cheeks flushed pink—whether from anger or embarrassment, I couldn't tell— before she huffed and stomped toward the RV.
I watched her go, then turned to Ben. "Alright, hotshot. Time to dry off—I've got something for you."
Ben's eyes lit up. "For me? Is it a gold Sumo Slammers card? A plush Sumo Slammers mascot? A—"
"Just come ashore."
Minutes later, we reached the RV. Now completely dry, I reached behind the driver's seat and pulled a large, sleek box.
"No. Way." He tore into the packaging, revealing a kid's electric scooter, "Rio, this is—! How did you—? I love it!" Ben's voice cracked with excitement as he hugged the box.
This was something that I made to protect Ben although for now this scooter was just fitted with a transmitter that sends recordings and lets me know its location. This wasn't to spy on Ben - it was to protect him.
Later as I can get more material, it can even have an energy shield for protection or it can be a kid transformer.
I smirked. "Figured you'd need a better way to burn off energy." I ruffled his hair—and this time he didn't resist my hand.
Ben didn't wait. Within seconds, he'd assembled the scooter (with zero instructions) and went zipping around the campsite, whooping like a wild animal.
"THIS IS THE BEST NIGHT EVER!"
I leaned against the RV, grinning—until a familiar voice prickled my neck.
Gwen stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "You're spoiling him," she said, though her tone lacked its usual bite.
"Nah," I said, watching Ben nearly crash into a tree. "Just giving him a better outlet for his energy."
"Where'd you even get that?"
Rio's smile didn't waver. "From the mega mart"
Gwen raised an eyebrow "Hump! Now Ben gets fancy toys and I get nothing? Am I not worthy of your gifts?"
I was put between crying and smiling "It's my mistake. My mistake, I just didn't see any gift that you would like, but I promise, I will definitely give you something."
"hump" Without any other words Gwen stormed off.
Soon after, seeing it was time for bed, we got in the RV, locked the door, and settled into our beds to sleep soundly.
Outside, the moon's reflection stretched across the still lake. Then the water stirred- not from wind or fish, but with something... larger.
The moon's reflection shattered as a dark mass rose silently from the lake, Water fell off a smooth, alien shape as it breached the surface just enough to reveal - A mouth.
It just stood there for 3 breaths looking towards the clearing, revealing only... a mouth? Two tentacles? But the darkness hid its appearance.
Then, with barely a disturbance, the shape slid backward into the black water.
The lake returned to its undisturbed calm as if nothing had ever broken the surface.
------
Early the next morning.
Rio, who was still asleep, felt his arms sway from side to side and woke up from his sleep.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at the blurred figure in front of him. Vaguely distinguishing that it was Ben, already dressed and beaming with energy.
"Rio, get up."
Seeing Rio open his eyes, Ben quickly lowered his voice: "Gwen and I are waiting for you."
"Ha~"
Rio yawned lazily, rubbing his eyes, "Did the sun rise from the west? Why are you guys up so early today?" he asked, glancing at the cloak in the RV. "It's not even six yet."
"Of course, it's to go swimming," Ben said eagerly.
"Now get up quickly before Grandpa wakes up or he won't let us play in the lake," Gwen said, her redhead materializing at Ben's shoulder.
"Then why are you waking me up only now, hurry to prepare, we need to go now!"
Rio remarked as he scrambled down from the top bunk, nearly tripping in his haste.
Ben just grinned, used to his brother's antics, while Gwen muttered under her breath, "Shameless."
Rio took about two or three minutes to wash up. Then, after picking some bread and jam, the trio quickly tiptoed outside while Max was asleep.
Rio pushed open the car door, jumped to the ground, and inhaled the fresh air. Not only was the scenery beautiful here, but the air was crisp and clean. Helping shake off the last remnants of sleepiness.
"It's beautiful."
Ben stepped out after him, looking enchanted.
When Gwen climbed down, she carried a large bag with swimsuits for all three of them—she'd come prepared.
"Change into your swimsuits first."
Gwen took hers and walked into the nearby woods to change. Ben, more carefree, changed right there with Rio.
After the two finished, they waited a few more minutes before Gwen emerged in her swimsuit.
"Let's go."
Rio took the lead, walking ahead while the other two followed.
When they reached the dock, Rio stared at the endless, calm lake and muttered to himself: "Is there really a sea monster here?"
He was curious.
"Splash!"
A sound came from beside him—Ben had already pulled on his goggles and jumped into the water. The explosive splash sent the droplets high in the air.
Gwen was gentler, stepping into the water step by step.
"Rio, you're not scared of water, are you? Or are you just not coming in?" Ben teased, floating in the lake.
"Alright, I'm coming."
Rio saw through Ben's provocation but played along, mimicking Ben's action he also cannonballed into the water.
It was summer, and the heat was intense.
The cool lake water enveloped his body, a refreshing relief.
"Splash!"
Rio surfaced, wiping water from his face.
"Whoosh!"
Ben smirked mischievously, splashing water at Rio.
"C'mon, Ben, this is childish. I'm not playing." Rio turned away, exasperated.
Ben splashed him twice more.
Then—
"Splash! Splash!"
"Oh, it's on," Rio growled, as if some primal instinct had kicked in he started launching a counterattack.
Rio and Ben began their childish water fight, laughing and swimming around each other.
Gwen tried to stay away from the fight, but when the waves soaked her hair, even she joined in the battle.
When all three were exhausted, they finally retreated to rest against the dock's pillars.
Gazing at the distant lake, Ben mused: "Rio, Gwen, think you can swim out there? Like, dozens of meters in one go?"
"Yeah, but Ben, you shouldn't push it. Muscle cramps are no joke."
Rio patted Ben's shoulder, flexing his arm slightly.
"Pfft, I bet you can't even swim properly—just splash around like a kid," Gwen smirked.
"What?!"
Ben's face twisted in indignation. "Oh yeah? Watch this!"
"Splash!"
He plunged back into the water, ready to prove them wrong—
"KID!"
Suddenly a booming shout from behind froze them all.
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*Guys I am extremely sorry for not uploading a chapter yesterday. I was hospitalized for the whole day, with no access to my computer or mobile, so I couldn't upload the chapter.
Again I am extremely sorry for what happened. I hope you won't be angry.*
Hey there! Thanks for reading my work! I hope this chapter is to your liking. Sorry if you expected more details. Also sorry if you felt it was still too much detail.
If these chapters are a mess of grammatical errors, please point it out and I will try to fix it.
Thanks as always for your time, hope you have a fantastic day and please stay safe.