The Boy Who Cried Werewolf

Skinny Dippin'

Wendy and Dipper walked along through the woods. The sun was still high, and the late afternoon was almost uncomfortably warm. But it was otherwise as beautiful a day as anyone could ask for. After half an hour of trudging through the bracken, Dipper spoke up.

"So – where are we going?"

"Well, I just got out of work, and I'm feeling kinda grungy...."

"Y-yeah...?"

"I thought we'd go for a swim." Wendy glanced sideways at him and smiled.

"A swim?" Dipper repeated. "B-but I'm not wearing...I mean, I didn't bring any- "

"Dude!" Wendy laughed. "Don't worry; we're not going to the pool."

"But then, where are we going?" Dipper started to feel very warm, indeed.

"A little spot I know," Wendy told him.

"Um. Out here in the woods?" Dipper stammered, blushing.

"Yep!" Wendy laughed, even as her own face took on a rose-pink tint.

Dipper swallowed hard, but eagerly followed where Wendy led. They were silent except for the crunching of the pine needles and leaf carpet under their boots. After almost thirty minutes more, they came to a small ridge of pristine, old growth forest. Wendy scanned the ground for a path about whose existence only she knew. She led them through several yards of dense branches, thicket, and heavy undergrowth. Dipper felt that they were heading down into a shallow depression. And then, they stepped out into a clearing around a small lake.

"Ta-Dah!" Wendy cried, throwing her arms out. "Whaddaya think, Dipper?"

It was beautiful. A moss- and grass-covered beach several yards wide fronted a lake that was maybe half a mile in diameter, and completely closed in by ancient pines that came right up to the water's edge. Summer wildflowers blazed in the dappled shade where the mossy clearing met the woods around them.

"Wendy, this is amazing," Dipper said. "How did you find this place?"

Wendy started pulling off her boots and socks. "Me and my brothers were doing some surveys of the area, looking for sources of lumber that'd let us leave more of the old growth stuff alone. Stumbled on it completely by accident."

"It feels like we're the only two people in the world!" Dipper breathed.

"My plan exactly," Wendy laughed. Then more quietly, "You're the first guy I've brought here." She unbuttoned her flannel shirt and tossed it aside.

"...Wendy...?" Dipper asked nervously. "Are we really gonna...?"

She couldn't help but tease him.

"What? Go swimming? Hell, yeah, dude!"

She took off her undershirt and eased her jeans down.

"Wendy," Dipper said in a small tight voice, "I've never done this before."

Wendy paused, standing there in her underwear. "Dude!" she exclaimed. "You've never gone skinny dipping before?"

"No," he replied.

"Well, Dipper," Wendy told him. "We're gonna correct that today."

She winked at him and stripped off the last of her clothes. Dipper stood, paralyzed, eyes as wide as saucers.

"Well?" Wendy asked. "What do you think?"

Dipper eventually found his voice.

"I have never seen anything as beautiful as you," he whispered, his mouth bone dry.