“Let’s go swimming.”

Usually her weekdays were full, but Beth kept her weekends free to spend with Lily. Her departure in two months for college was looming, Beth wanted to spend what time she could with her before she left. Sadness clutched at her chest at the knowledge things were about to change. They had such a close relationship and Beth did not want them to grow apart.

“Okay." Laughing, they scurried into their suits, covering them with shorts and t-shirts. Beth enjoyed her relaxed attire. Usually, she dressed professionally when about town dealing with her clients.

After eating a quick breakfast and packing a light lunch, they got in Beth’s car and headed to the small lake nestled in the base of the surrounding mountains. Usually, this time of the year it wasn’t busy, but Beth and Lily had discovered a small nook with a small beach that no one ever went to. They frolicked and played for over an hour before getting out and lazily eating their lunch.

“Ready to go back in the water?” Lily asked.

“You’re supposed to wait twenty minutes or you will get cramps,” Beth replied, stretching out and relaxing on the soft blanket they kept in the car for such occasions. Both sisters were avid swimmers and the cold water was never a deterrent.

“That’s an old wives' tale.”

“I don’t think so, sounds true to me.”

“Lazy butt, you just don’t want to get up.”

“I’m not seventeen with boundless energy. I am old.”

“You’re twenty-four. That’s not old, besides, I’m nineteen remember?”

“It feels old and you act seventeen.”

“You’re only tired because you got in so late last night.”

“How do you know what time I got back? Your light was off when I got home.”

“I wasn’t asleep. I can’t sleep until I know your home.” Lily confessed.

“It won’t happen again. I am sorry.”

Lily shrugged. “It’s not your fault. I need to get used to being on my own. I could go to the community college in the fall and it would be closer.” Lily watched for her sister’s reaction.

Beth shook her head negatively. “I told you it would be good for you to go to a college further away from home. There is a whole world out there for you to discover. Give it a couple of semesters if you’re truly unhappy then come home. You know if you want to be a social worker then you need the advantage of a broad spectrum of experiences.”

“But…”

“Give it a try.” Beth smiled.

“Alright, but if I am unhappy, I am coming home.”

Laughing, Beth jumped up and grabbed her hand “Let’s go swimming.”

“What about waiting?”

“Let’s live dangerously.” They giggled as they ran into the cool water, taking turns dunking each other and just spending time together.

Finally frustrated at being unable to catch her slippery as a seal sister, Beth headed back to their blanket.

“I will pack up if you want to swim a little longer.” She said over her shoulder.

“Cool.” Lily lazily floating on her back waved her sister away. Smiling, Beth was kneeling on the blanket putting away the remains of their lunch when she heard the loud motors coming their way. She began praying they would pass by. Her prayers remained unanswered as the large group of bikers rode into the small nook.

Beth remained frozen as she watched them get off their bikes. Pulling beer and towels out of the side bags attached to the motorcycles. Beth recognized Razer, Knox, and Samantha, but was unfamiliar with the rest of the group of twelve. Sam and five other women had ridden in on the back of the bikes. Beth recognized the biker she had rode behind from the bar last night, his heavily tattooed body made him impossible to forget. He had dark hair like Razer’s, but cut shorter, he was also leaner with an air of menace that clung like a glove. His eyes were covered with sunglasses, yet Beth could sense his taking in the position of both Beth and Lily.

Her eyes turned to Lily who had been swimming back toward the shore when the motorcycles had turned into their isolated spot. She, like her sister, had frozen in place, Lily’s beautiful face showing her terror.

With her eyes on her sister, Beth felt someone approaching her as she sat frozen on the blanket.

“Mind if we join you?”

“Not at all, but as you can see we are about to leave.” Beth kept her voice even, to keep from frightening her sister. She was terrified enough. Beth didn’t think the group would accost them; word would have gotten around town if they had a reputation of bothering women. In fact, it was the exact opposite. The shortage of available males in the community provided them with plenty of women to choose from.

Razer’s direct gaze pinned her to the spot. “We can’t tempt you to stay?”

“No. We have been here awhile and the sun is getting to us.” Razer studied the woman sitting on the blanket. Her pale blond was beginning to dry; parted down the middle it framed her face before curling underneath. The thick mass was long and silky. Her pale skin was a faint red showing that the sun was beginning to take its toll. The pale curves of her full breasts were barely hidden from the pale blue one-piece suit she was wearing.

“I bet that isn’t all that’s getting to you.” Sam said snidely, brushing up next to Razer, her sharp gaze looking pointedly at Beth’s swimsuit top. Beth blushed aware the girl saw her pointed nipples through her still damp suit.

“Ignore her. She’s a bitch, but I am sure you know that since you’ve lived around her longer than I have. Hi, I am Evie.”

“Hi.” Beth acknowledged the pretty brunette, again not taking her eyes off of Lily. Beth stood pulling on her shorts self-consciously, she was about to reach for her t-shirt, but Razer already had bent down to get it. Holding it in his hand, she reached to take it, but wouldn’t let it go at her sharp tug.

“Everything alright?” He was staring at a still frozen Lily.

“Yes, everything is fine.” Hastily pulling her shirt from his grasp, she put it on, bending to pick up the blanket.

“She okay?” Evie looked in concern toward her sister who was beginning to tremble. For the first time, Beth took her eyes off her sister to look at the men. Their expressions were hard to hide. It wasn’t what Beth thought she would find. They were all concerned. Beth’s worry about their appearance disappeared. Lily was wearing a tiny pink bikini that showed the maturity of her figure, for them to see the fear she was exhibiting and not salivating gave her peace of mind as to their intentions.

“Hey we can leave.” Razer offered.

“No… No it’s fine.” With the blanket in her hands, Beth walked slowly towards her sister. “Lily, I finished packing everything. Are you ready to leave?”

Lily backed away from her, back into the water. Her hands crossed to cover her breasts, which only pushed the firm flesh higher. Beth stopped. This had happened once before when an intoxicated parishioner had shown up at her parent’s house carrying a liquor bottle. It had taken Beth several hours to get Lily out of her daze. Beth didn’t have to guess the nightmares she was reliving. She knew, it was why Lily was determined to be a social worker; the dedication she had the only thing that could lure her away from the safety she had found in the mountains.