Even before the bite, Hunter would have been able to run from the house to the pond with his eyes closed. He had learned the path as a child, each tree and footpath, to the point where he could almost feel it. It had always been that way, like if he closed his eyes he could be one with the forest. He kept his eyes open this time, however, determined to beat Fawn to their destination.
The trees stopped just a few feet away from the water, their twisted roots easing away to allow a small ring of grass that led to the waters edge. It wasn't large, just enough for the sun to get through and make the water comfortably cool rather than cold. Hunter kicked off his shoes at the lakes edge and then stopped, dumbfounded.
"Bringing our bathing suits might have been a useful idea," he said chuckling, shaking his head at their over exuberance.