Panther Park creative bear

"Honey, adventure and stupidity," he told her. Despite their predicament, a bubble of laughter burst from her mouth. "That would make a good band name!" she shouted to him when she could spare the breath.

She meant to suggest they hang a slight left and head toward the lake she knew lay beyond the trees. But her impromptu acquaintance indicated a mucky pond up ahead that would suit just as well. He plunged into the scummy water and she went right after, not a single instant's hesitation despite the murk and the slime.

The cold water chased away the last dregs of her drug-induced sleepiness as it closed over her head. Meerkat kicked back to the surface and dragged in a deep breath even as she began to tread water. Blinking some out of her eyes, she flicked her head side to side, looking for her pale companion.