Maurice struggled to stand. He slipped once--twice--then he stood. He peeled his shirt away from his body and frowned down at it with his nose wrinkled. Eugh, pond muck.

"I got my hair wet."

Maurice patted the heel of his palm against his ear as he sloshed back to shore. This wasn't the first time he'd heard the mudmaid sing but it was the first time it had nearly drawn him to the center of the pond. He was embarrassed that Heather saw him sucked in like a moth to a bug zapper.

"Y'know maybe it's time to find a different fishin' hole."