The car lurched over a log strewn across the track.

“Are you okay?” he asked Candace, while glancing up into the rearview mirror.

“No problem,” Candace said, although she’d been severely jolted. Luckily the seat belt had worked, and it had kept her head from hitting the roof.

Kevin slowed considerably for fear of encountering another log. Fifteen minutes later, they entered a clearing which marked the termination of the track. Kevin came to a halt. Directly ahead the headlight beams washed the front of a single-story cinder-block building with an overhead garage door.

“Is this it?” Melanie questioned.

“I guess,” Kevin said. “The building is new to me.”

Kevin switched off the lights and the engine. With the clearing open to the sky the level of illumination was adequate. For a moment no one moved.

“What’s the story?” Kevin asked. “Are we going to check it out or what?”

“Might as well,” Melanie said. “We’ve come this far.” She opened her door and got out. Kevin did the same.

“I think I’ll stay in the car,” Candace said.

Kevin went to the building and tried the door. It was locked. He shrugged. “I can’t imagine what’s in there.” Kevin slapped a mosquito on his forehead.

“How do we get to the island?” Melanie asked.

Kevin pointed to the right. “There’s a track over there. It’s only about fifty yards to the water’s edge.”

Melanie glanced up at the sky. It was a pale lavender. “It’s going to be dark pretty soon. Do you have a flashlight in the car?”

“I think so,” Kevin said. “More important, I have some mosquito spray. We’re going to get eaten alive out here unless we use it.”

They went back to the car. Just as they arrived, Candace climbed out.

“I can’t stay in here by myself,” she said. “It’s too spooky.”

Kevin got the mosquito spray. While the women doused themselves, he searched for the flashlight. He found it in the glove compartment.

After spraying himself, Kevin motioned for the women to follow him. “Stay close,” he said. “The crocodiles and the hippos come out of the water at night.”

“Is he joking?” Candace asked Melanie.

“I don’t think so,” Melanie said.

As soon as they entered the path, the illumination fell considerably although it was still light enough to walk without the flashlight. Kevin led while the two women crowded behind. The closer they got to the water the louder the chorus of insects and frogs became.

“How did I get myself into this?” Candace questioned. “I’m no outdoors person. I can’t even conceive of a crocodile or a hippo outside of a zoo. Hell, any bug bigger than my thumbnail terrifies me, and spiders, forget it.”

All of the sudden, there was a crashing noise off to the left. Candace let out a muffled scream, as she grabbed Melanie who then did likewise. Kevin whimpered and switched on the light. He pointed the beam in the direction of the noise, but it only penetrated a few feet.