The sun dipped toward the mountains, painting them gold. The lake was perfectly still, reflecting the sky like a sheet of glass. A cozy campsite with a red tent and a kayak nestled on the sandy beach.
Milosh kicked off his sandals on the warm sand. Gina barked once, ears perked, and bolted toward the lake. 'Wait for me!' he called, sprinting after her.
Milosh stepped into the lake—splash!—and jumped. A wave knocked him backward, and he landed on his bottom with a soft squelch. Gina shook herself, sending glittering drops over his face.
He tried jumping again, this time facing the deeper water. He leaped—whoosh—and landed with an enormous splash that soaked his hair and shirt. Gina caught his wrist in her teeth and tugged him toward a narrow channel between two rocks.
They paddled through the dark tunnel and burst out into a wide clearing. The sunset turned the water into a sheet of gold. Something glinted on the far bank.
Milosh swam faster, Gina paddling hard beside him. He reached a smooth stone half-buried in the sand and picked it up. It was a perfectly round, shiny blue glass marble.
Milosh held the marble up to the last stripe of sun. It caught the light and threw a tiny rainbow across Gina’s black fur. She wagged her tail so hard her whole body shook, and Milosh laughed until his cheeks hurt.
He pocketed the marble and walked back to camp. Gina’s paw pressed against his ankle with every step. The stars began to blink in the darkening sky.