Marie Eklund finishes setting up the very awkward hammock tent she and her sister will share for the duration of their camping trip. The young woman retreats several steps, admiring her handiwork. Forming two joining L's with both hands, Marie checks the tent's placement.

  "Good enough," Marie huffs.

  She whirls around, glancing toward a swiftly flowing stream a short distance away. Her twin sister, April, sits on the shore. The youngest of the fraternal pair is calmly soaking her bare feet in the cool water. Marie plants both hands on her shapely hips and scowls.

  "You could help me, you know?"

  "Yeah, I could..." April says, throwing back her head and staring upside down at Marie. "But then, I wouldn't be sitting here enjoying the water running between my toes. I'll let you handle all of the boring details, big sister."

  "Ergh. April, you are unreal. I...I don't even know why I invited you out here. You're such a pain. You're lazy. That's what you are. Plain lazy. Ergh."

  April climbs to her feet, shooting Marie a snide grin. Taking several steps into the water, she glowers over one shoulder at her sullen sister.

  "So I'm lazy? So what? It's not like I'm being graded on how to put up a stupid tent. Technology is great. The thing practically does all of the work for you. I just want a nice long swim before it gets dark. That okay with you, big sis?"

  April begins to undress, casually throwing her pants on the shore. Marie looks around with uncertainty. What the hell is April doing?

  "You're going skinny-dipping, April? Are you serious? What if something swims up your...Stop that, April! You're so stupid!"

  "I'm stupid?! Nothing is going to swim inside of me, Marie. That's not how it works."

  "Oh my god! Yes...Something can! There are things that can swim inside your urethra. I read an article about it once. An amoeba or something. Come on, April. Just stop! It's not smart."

  "Marie...I cannot believe we almost came from the same egg. You are so dumb. 'I read it in an article once,' does not make it true. People write all sorts of things in articles. Do you believe the Daily Enquirer about the fish lady from Mars? Or about the woman impregnated by her boyfriend's ghost? Most of that crap is...Well, crap. It's entertainment. No amoeba is going to swim up my urethra. Go make dinner or something. I'm going for a swim."

  "I hate you, April!" Marie hollers, cupping both hands around her mouth. "You're such a spoiled ass."

  "I know you are, but what am I?" April goads, sticking out her tongue immaturely.

  "Ergh!" Marie growls, storming off toward where she stashed their backpacks and camping gear.

  "I thought she'd never leave," April says, throwing her hair over one shoulder.

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  Movement to the young woman's left draws her attention. April gazes down into the water, her interest piqued. Something is making its way to the surface. April swims closer and studies the fast-moving creature. The large mottled frog breaks the surface of the water, back legs kicking furiously.

  April watches the frog with an amused grin. No matter how much the frog paddles with its legs, it doesn't seem to make any headway. The frog floats in place, possibly stuck in the current. April reaches out a hand to aid the poor amphibian.

  As April's hand hovers above the frog, the creature practically explodes. Blood and frog guts speckles April's face. She wipes at the disgusting gore and sputters.

  "What the he--," April begins.

  A large tentacle erupts from beneath the water, wrapping around April's throat. The surprised young woman tries to inhale, while using both hands to tug at the pale tentacle cutting off her airway. Another tentacle surrounds her middle, dragging her beneath the water. April sinks with a loud wet sound close to a slurp.

  Several meters away from the stream, Marie is kneeling on the ground. She goes through their individual backpacks, methodically removing several items from each pack. Marie is in the process of removing two cans of sterno and a box of matches, from April's bag, when she hears what sounds like a choked gasp. An odd splash follows immediately after. Marie drops the box of matches in her left hand and pivots to peer at the stream. Her eyes find nothing. No April.

  "April! April?! Stop with your silly games! It's not funny. I'm gonna tell Mom and Dad you were being such a jerk. See if they pay for your stupid cruise then? April? April!? God, you are such an idiot!"

  Marie slams a fist onto the ground and rises to her feet. She stomps toward the water's edge. Using an authoritative voice, she hollers loud enough for April to hear.

  "Come on, April! Stop fooling around. Apri--."

  Marie's voice dies away as she views the partial hand floating toward the surface of the water. April's hand. The ring. Oh god...The hand is wearing April's ring.

  Marie presses a hand to her mouth and backs away from the shore. She shakes her head with disbelief, eyes growing wide in her skull.

  "Oh no. No no. April. Oh no. No!"

  Marie turns and runs. A tentacle, larger than the the ones which enveloped April's neck and middle, explodes out of the water. Marie looks back just as her right ankle is grabbed. The creature draws in its enormous tentacle. Marie loses her balance and goes sprawling. However, she is able to use both hands to break her fall.

  Flipping over, Marie uses her other foot to kick the tentacle. Another tentacle slowly waves above the surface of the water, like a submarine's periscope, seemingly watching her. Marie grabs a rock and slams it down over and over. The tentacle continues to drag her back towards the water. Bluish blood oozes from the large tentacle where Marie's blows effectively land. The second tentacle rises higher, as if on standby to assist.

  Marie is only a foot from the water's edge when she manages to sever the tentacle holding her. She smirks and quickly scoots away from the shore. The second tentacle waves in the air threateningly. Running backwards, for a meter or so, Marie hauls tail away from camp--and the stream.

  Five minutes later, Marie glances around, taking in her surroundings. The main camp sites are not far. If she can only get there. Someone will be able to help. But will they believe her? They'll probably think she's drunk or high on something.

  Marie is so engaged in her musing, over how to convince her future rescuers, that she doesn't hear the loud snap behind her. Marie is whacked forcefully from behind. The young woman goes flying, slamming into a tree trunk. Dazed, Marie clambers up, pressing her back against the tree. In the approaching darkness, Marie is able to make out a strange shape. As it gets closer, Marie shakes her head madly from side to side. She backs away, using her hands and feet to put distance between herself and the grotesque thing. Too late.

  A webbed appendage shoots forward, and then a second. Both appendages wrap around Marie's head before she can scream. In less time than it would take to inhale, Marie's head is reduced to mush.