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Under the Moonlight (12) : In an ever persistent desire to get people out of the city and into nature, Destiny City is hosting guided tours on the water at the Reservoir. Kayaks can be bought or rented, and a very generous sponsor has even covered the cost of several kayak rentals per day throughout the month. Away from the city lights, you can leave with a tour group at dusk or take a kayak out on your own. As you near the caves at the reservoir, you may even find that with each stroke of the paddle, the waters around the cave glow with bright, bioluminescent lights. If you’re lucky, the trip is peaceful, but you’re not so far out of Destiny City that you’re not at risk for at least some oddities. While you can be happy that there seem to be no mosquitoes biting, sometimes something large might bump under your kayak, or you may hear a strange, clacking wail from deep in the forests around you. Sometimes large trees rustle, and sometimes you see strange eyes just staring at you. No reports have come out about anyone being hurt or attacked, but the forest can be a scary place–especially if you’re not used to it. All kayaks must be returned by midnight or you risk being hunted by some very unhappy park rangers!
Shelly hadn’t been expecting to rent a kayak for a Reservoir tour when she’d woken up that morning. But, now that she was here and getting the safety spiel, she couldn't say she regretted the impulse that had brought her out here. It was honestly crazy that she’d never come out this way before. Maybe she’d just been too busy? Who could say? Whatever the case, she was here now and listening carefully as a ranger explained kayak safety to the group.
Not that they’d stay a group for long though. Shelly had wanted to try a solo trip out. She knew herself to be a good swimmer and she’d never heard of anyone actually drowning out there. She’d be fine. And a dusk/sunset trip out on the water was sure to be gorgeous and peaceful.
“All right,” the Ranger slapped his hands together and grinned. “I think you folks will be just fine. Go ahead on and collect your oars and kayaks. And remember, we need the kayaks back by midnight at the latest. Stay safe and have fun!”
Dutifully, Shelly followed the other people and got in line to wait for her equipment. And when she reached the attendant and took the oar, she saw that a star charm had been taped to the paddle of each oar in the girl’s hands. Grinning at the whimsy of it all, Shelly noted that hers was a pretty green color before popping it off and putting it safely in her pocket.
“Have a good time, Miss! You’ll be taking kayak 4.”
Waving in thanks and acknowledgement, Shelly proceeded to the sandy beach and found her kayak propped up against a tiny launching dock. She accepted help in getting in and once everyone was satisfied that she wasn’t going to turn over, she was set loose.
Immediately paddling off in a different direction from the rest of the group, Shelly decided that she just wanted to take it easy. Maybe go take a peek at the caves, maybe just float out in the middle of the water. It was a nice evening, not too cold or breezy and she was more than content to pause in her rowing to simply sit and look up at the sky.
It was amazing how peaceful it was. She could hear little frogs and a gentle slosh as water moved around her kayak. And above her, the sky was already purpling and stars were coming out. Sighly happily, she resumed rowing, determined to at least see the caves before it got too dark to feel safe. As she paddled, she felt her little kayak move with more force than she was putting in. Pausing, she waited, ready to dismiss it as her imagination when something very solid smacked up against the bottom of the boat. She didn’t tip over, how she would never know, but she rocked for a good few minutes. Once the water stopped rocking, Shelly slowly began to paddle again. Only to feel something knock up against her again. Only now, she was watching the water and saw a strange, glowing wake moving away from her. The size of it reminded her unpleasantly of the opening scene in Jaws.
Even as the thought popped into her brain, she was already paddling back to the dock. Sure, it was pretty and all, but did she really want to stay out on the water and risk becoming something’s dinner? No, no she did not.
She was noping out of this one.
Word Count = 592
