It was hot. Too hot. Stan had closed up the mystery shack and was forcing everyone to go to the pool. Ford felt too exposed, not just because he was wearing swim trunks and a t shirt opposed to his usual garb. But because the strange could strike at any second.

He was sweating as he stood tensely by the pool edge. Looking into the clear chlorinated depths as the sounds of children playing echoed in his ears. “This is asinine.” He muttered under his breath.