Bella waved as June’s car pulled in. There was a faint pink glow behind the trees on the far side of the lake and Bella shivered in the pre-dawn cold even with her wet suit on and her thick, towelled swimming robe over that.

“How come we have to get here so early?” she called out.

Pulling on her own robe her friend laughed and answered, “So we can enjoy a quiet swim, just the two of us, before everyone else shows up!” 

She gave Bella a hug and the two linked arms as they walked down the muddy path to the shore.  

Above them the sky gradually lightened as Bella took off her robe and folded it neatly on the grass. June was already running through the reeds into the chilly water.

“Come on!” she yelled.

Bella hesitated, looking over the lake towards the trees, as wisps of mist rose from the water and dissipated into the air.

“Have you noticed there seem to be fewer and fewer ducks around each time we come here?” she said.

“Maybe its bird-flu,” June replied. “Whatever, it means less poop in the water!”

Bella laughed and plunged in, sending a swell rolling across the water. She quickly passed her friend and a minute or so later had reached the other side. Leaning back against the muddy bank, she watched June glide in beside her. For a second Bella thought she could see something, a dark shape, just below the surface.

“Did you see that?” she asked, pointing.

“No, what?” June responded, following Bella’s outstretched finger. 

“It looked like something in the lake, something big.”

“Ha! Probably just a fish,” June said. 

Bella shook her head, then shrugged.

“Maybe,” she said. “Race you to the other side!”

Half-way across Bella thought she heard June shout but with all the splashing she couldn’t make anything out and when she looked back, she couldn’t see her friend.

“Hey, June!!” Bella cried out, treading water. Then the other woman emerged just a few yards away, gasping for breath.

“I’m ok … think my leg snagged something,” she said.

“You sure you’re alright?” Bella asked.

June just nodded and waved her on.

Turning for the other bank, Bella could see the other women already gathering by the lakeside. Suddenly she noticed them waving their arms and shouting, so she turned once more to check on June. All she could see were large ripples spreading out towards her.

“Shit!” She muttered, then called out, again, “June! Where are you?!” before swimming back to where she had last seen the other woman.

As she did, a head broke the surface of the water and Bella blew out a breath with relief. 

“Oh, thank goodness,” she said. “I thought we’d lost you there for a minute, June!”

“No, not June,” the figure said, “Jenny.” And it swam powerfully towards her, scaly arms outstretched, weed-like hair trailing behind.