The Facility

Several months passed and summer came to Georgia. One summer day, Cassidy and Gemma were sitting at the end of the dock behind Cass’s house in swimsuits, their legs dangling over the edge into the water below.

Gemma was still kind of leery of the water, only recently learning to swim. That and the swamp was full of all kids of dangerous creatures to her.

Cass thought it was funny, since she could heat or freeze anything that came near her if she chose.

Gemma leaned back, resting on her arms. “Have you heard from Rudi lately?” she asked.

“No, but I got an email from Lyle yesterday. Rudi is back with his parents, with a promise there will be no more studies,” Cass told her.

“Good.”

“And we have all been invited to Lyle and Maggie’s wedding. It is like a month away.”

“Why so soon?”

“Oh,” Cass said with a sly grin. “Because Maggie wants it to be before she starts to show too much.”

Gemma squealed with delight.

Cass was looking out over the water and saw a few bubbles in the water, which seemed to be getting closer. She watched with interest. The bubbles came closer and then stopped. Cass waited patiently.

It was not long before Gemma was being yanked into the water and Cass felt it cool suddenly around her feet.

Gemma came up sputtering and yelled, “What the hell!”

A pale head emerged from the water up to its eyes, seeming to hover just under the water. Slowly it rose up, scale like skin gleaming with the wetness.

Gemma screeched and whipped her arm through the water, sending a spray in that direction.

“Damnit Myra, that was not funny. I thought you were a gator or something,” Gemma shouted.

Myra swam over to the dock and agilely pulled herself up onto the dock.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you crack kills? Put something on for the love of all that is good. You are not a gator, no matter what you say,” Gemma called out.

Cass put her arm around her friend, handing her a towel to cover herself with. “I am glad you decided to come join us.”

“You were right,” Myra said. “This is a lot better than some damp, smelly basement.”

Cass nodded. “But I do not think teasing Gemma like that will get her over her fear of wild animals. And she is right, you should really put something on. You never know when someone might come along, and you would not want some boy seeing you like that would you?”

Myra sighed. “No. Although it’s not like it matters. No boys will ever like me.”

Cassidy laughed. “You never know. I think there is someone out there for everyone.”

Gemma pulled herself up on to the dock and after Myra pulled on her swimsuit, all three laid out in the sunlight enjoying their new lives.

Harley came walking down the dock. He still was not sure about Myra. He walked around the far side of Cassidy and laid next to her, resting his head on her arm. All was good – for now, she thought.