Arrival at the Lake Cabin
The moment the car stopped, Clyde launched himself out like a rubber missile.
“VACATIONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!”
Matthew followed, yelling, “STEP SEVEN: EXPLORE EVERYTHING!”
Zyde whispered, “Perfect environment for science.”
Meep floated toward the lake, glowing like a tiny blue lantern. Mae trotted after Clyde, already preparing to save him from drowning. Benjamin stayed in the car for a moment, whispering to himself.
Then he got out. Because someone had to keep everyone alive.
Clyde’s First Lake Discovery
Clyde ran straight into the water.
Not walked. Not waded. Ran.
He splashed, yelled, and immediately declared:
“I HAVE LAKE POWERS!”
Benjamin yelled, “NO YOU DO NOT.”
Matthew yelled, “STEP EIGHT: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!”
Zyde wrote, “Clyde may have lake‑related abilities” in his notebook.
Meep floated above Clyde’s head, glowing brighter than ever. Mae barked at Clyde to stop drinking the lake water.
Clyde did not stop.
Zyde’s Experiments Escape
Zyde opened his cooler labeled SCIENCE ONLY.
This was a mistake.
Inside were:
- Three glowing vials
- A tiny robot T‑rex
- A jar labeled “Do Not Shake”
- A device Zyde called “The Lake Analyzer 9000”
The robot T‑rex immediately sprinted toward the water.
Zyde yelled, “NO, LITTLE SCIENCE, COME BACK!”
Benjamin yelled, “WHY DID YOU BRING THAT?”
Meep meeped in excitement. Clyde yelled, “NEW FRIEND!”
The robot T‑rex ran into the lake and began swimming in circles. Zyde wrote, “Robot T‑rex is aquatic” in his notebook.
Benjamin wrote, “I’m quitting” in his.
Matthew’s New Step
Matthew opened his notebook and proudly announced:
STEP NINE: MAKE A SPLASH
Then he cannonballed into the lake so hard that Clyde was launched backward like a rubber torpedo.
Meep squeaked. Mae barked. Zyde took notes. Benjamin got soaked.
Matthew resurfaced and yelled, “STEP TEN: DO IT AGAIN!”
Benjamin yelled, “PLEASE DO NOT.”
Meep’s Glowing Mystery
Meep floated over the lake, glowing brighter and brighter until the water beneath him shimmered blue.
Clyde gasped. Matthew gasped. Zyde gasped. Mae barked softly. Benjamin whispered, “What now.”
Meep dipped into the water.
The lake lit up.
A glowing trail formed beneath him, swirling like a neon ribbon.
Zyde yelled, “SCIENCE!” Clyde yelled, “MAGIC!” Matthew yelled, “STEP ELEVEN: FOLLOW THE GLOW!”
Benjamin yelled, “NO ONE FOLLOW ANYTHING!”
But Clyde was already swimming after Meep. Matthew followed. Zyde followed. Mae followed to keep Clyde alive.
Benjamin followed because he had no choice.
The Lake Surprise
Meep led them to a small island in the middle of the lake.
On the island was:
- A weird rock
- A glowing puddle
- A sign that said “DO NOT TOUCH”
Clyde touched the rock. Matthew touched the puddle. Zyde touched the sign.
Benjamin screamed.
The rock hummed. The puddle bubbled. The sign fell over.
Meep glowed even brighter.
Mae barked at everyone.
And Clyde declared:
“THIS IS THE BEST VACATION EVER.”
Benjamin declared:
“This is the worst vacation ever.”
Matthew declared:
“STEP TWELVE: TOUCH EVERYTHING!”
Zyde declared:
“SCIENCE IS HAPPENING!”
Meep squeaked dramatically.
Mae sighed.
And the island began to shake.