"Smoke wafted through the air," Brett said. "The wind picked up and we couldn't tell where the smoke originated. Though we didn't want to, we took the plunge, and dog-paddled until the rains came."
Oohs and aahs interrupted his story. Brett waited for the group to quiet before continuing.
"Without seeing fire, we exited the lake, exhausted," he said. "We rested despite wanting shelter and warm, dry clothes. When the light faded, we headed home."
"Was it scary?" Bridget asked.
"Some, but I had Faith beside me," Brett said.
Megan rushed outside, her breaths shallow as if suffocating. She wanted to never experience a day like today ever again.