Tara Levesque was relieved when three o'clock hit and her class dismissed, for it was Friday, not only that, but a Friday in June, a particularly hot Friday in June. She was attending summer courses in her final year of University, tying up a few loose ends so she could graduate come autumn. So far everything was going well, but she hated the idea that she was going to be stuck in a classroom all summer while her friends would be enjoying themselves and making money as they worked. However, that Friday she had been invited out to one of her girl friend's beach home, and Tara was looking forward to some time in the sun and some much needed swimming.
The walk from the university's main building, to her dorm was a relatively short one, a little under ten minutes. When she arrived, she found her summer dorm-mate waiting for her wearing a green camouflage-pattern bathing suit and a wrap skirt around her waist. Her soft Asian facial features were crinkled in a slightly annoyed expression.
"About time you showed up!" Said Amy, hands on her hips.
"I told you I was probably going to be a few minutes late. I didn't drive today."
Amy breathed a light sigh. "Well, hurry up and get dressed, I've been dying to get to the beach all summer!"
Tara smirked and gave her friend a crooked glance as she passed her. "Summer's barely even a day old, Ams."
The other girl wore a sheepish smile. "Well, I've been waiting all day so, technically I'm right."
Tara just snickered, rolling her eyes as she entered her bedroom to get dressed. She quickly peeled off her blue and white tank top, tossing it haphazardly on her bed, followed by her sun skirt and sandals. Stepping over to her dressed, she pulled open the top drawer, and began rifling through the various swimwear items she had stored there. Knowing she was likely going to be spending more time on the sand then in the water, she opted for the black and white bikini she had bought for herself a few weeks prior. She removed her bra and panties, replacing them with the bikini top and thong. Finally, she returned the sunskirt and sandals to her body and exited her room.
"Okay, are you ready?" Tara gave her friend an inquiring gaze.
"Got the car keys."
"Lets go!" Tara grinned, following Amy out the door and to their car, which was currently the only vehicle in the parking lot across the way.
The beach where their friend's house was located was a little under a half-hours drive outside of town. On the way, Tara and Amy had decided to stop at a convenience store to pick up some drinks and snacks and the like. Tara got herself a case of vodka coolers which only she liked, so she knew they'd be all hers, while Amy, a non drinker, picked up several bottles of Fresca as well as some chips and candy bars. Amy had always been a bit of a piggy when it came to junk food, though one would never guess given her physique. Even Tara was quite envious of her friend's metabolism.
As they went to check out the items at the cash register, Tara's eyes momentarily diverted to the television that was hanging in a corner, currently broadcasting a local news report. It was the heading of the news report that had caught her attention, the words 'POTENTIAL OUTBREAK' emblazoned on one corner of the picture.
"... should be on the lookout today as the company Biotech has reported that an animal they had been doing medical research on has apparently escaped confinement. Residents are advised that while the animal poses no immediate danger to anyone, should they observe any unusual animals in their area, report it to the authorities immediately. At this time, Biotech has not confirmed exactly what risk the animal has, only that the research being done on it is of a sensitive nature and cannot at this time be disclosed to the public, on account of industry trade secrets. In other news..."
