I’m standing on the bank of the lake watching the canoe race. I’m struggling to focus on what’s happening; my mind is still fuming.
Oh wait. Jaclyn just capsized with the rest of her team. I stepped forward almost convinced that I was actually going to swim over there and drown her. She hadn’t paid for what she’d done to me yet. Jaclyn would have to die to give me any peace after what she did.
.. ..
“Hey, you must be the new boy.” A smug comment came from behind. I turned around to find Felix with a bandage on his nose and both his eyes looked black. Chloe got him good.
“That’s not funny.” I growled. My temper was extremely short. He seemed to look at me up and down as if to figure out how far he would be able to push me. He opened his mouth again but a small commotion caught his attention in the lake.
“What’s the rules of this race?” That was probably the first sensible thing I’d ever heard him say, though I hadn’t heard him say much.
“I don’t know; I came late with Chloe... What’s going on out there?” Both my group and the rival group had been capsized and I couldn’t spot Dylan. Chloe looked a little frantic and Tyler a bit too... but Forrest didn’t seem concerned.
.. ..
What’s with Forrest? He claims he doesn’t remember anything so wouldn’t he gain something from being our friends? Better to have friends than foes right? Yet he stands back in his own world as if we’re below him or something. He so deserved what I did to him ten years ago and he doesn’t even know it. I could just slap him!
...Calm down Mary... I really don’t think logically when I’m this mad.
.. ..
“Curiosity killed the cat.” Felix said almost joyfully. That snapped me back into reality after a few moments of clouded vision cause by pure rage. The other camp teams were still racing around the lake from one buoy to another, those who capsized heading back to land. Closer to land though was Chloe and Forrest carrying Dylan. Dylan was out of it. They quickly lay him on the ground and a camp leader rushed over to help resuscitate him. A few seconds later Dylan was on his side coughing up water and gasping for air.
“What were you trying to do?” Chloe asked angrily toward Dylan. Tyler stood back a bit looking at Dylan worriedly. Dylan didn’t offer any reply.
“He should be fine. Someone should take him back to his dorm to rest.” The camp leader said after briefly examining Dylan’s condition. Chloe helped Dylan stand and walked him towards the cabins, Tyler followed at a distance. That’s when I stopped staring and turned my attention to Jaclyn...
Jaclyn? It seems Jaclyn escaped while she got the chance. Maybe it wasn’t just the way I felt about her, perhaps she could actually see the dark cloak of anger hanging over my head and the sythe in my hand burning with fury and a thirst for an ultimate revenge.
.. ..
Again I found myself staring into space only thinking of my rage and briefly noticed Forrest saying a word or two to Kari. I thought we were rivals! Why do those guys have to keep conversing with the enemy? I can’t believe I’m the only one thinking this. I need my diary!! I need to write... or I’m going to snap. I can’t contain this anger and confusion any longer!
As I watched Forrest turn away from Kari I felt my hands turn into fists. At that moment I felt like a third person. Standing back watching myself step forward and slap Forrest... Hard. That wasn’t something I’d normally do and if it wasn’t for the painful tingling of my right hand I wouldn’t have believed that I’d just done it. Then a sharp pain on my left cheek broke my rage once more. In front of me stood Kari. Had Kari just slapped me? What about Forrest? I spotted Forrest over Kari’s shoulder looking dumbfounded.
I think Kari’s trying to tell me something but I think I’m in shock. Sounds are blurring together. My mind is overwhelmed with disbelief. So I turned and ran.
.. ..
Tears pouring out my eyes, trees flashing past me as I ran... I don’t even know why I’m so upset. I don’t understand anything anymore. Diary... Where’s my diary when I need it? Daddy? I need Daddy to fix this.
Next thing I knew I was heading back to camp. I dazedly walked across the yard which was still deserted because of the unfinished group activity back at the lake. Headed straight for the front office it wasn’t long before I walked into the admin office, wet splotchy face, red eyes. Leila was at her desk and stood up with shock as she noticed me.
“Mary, are you okay?” She asked and quickly brought a box of tissues to me and sat me in one of the waiting chairs. I sniffed and blew my nose. If there’s one thing I remember about camp ten years ago it was that I could always rely on Leila to be in the front office to comfort me or just let me hide out until I felt safe to return to my peers.
“I’ll be fine.” I replied. I didn’t want her to worry too much. Plus I didn’t really trust that much either. There was something in the way she was trying to comfort me that didn’t seem right, not sincere... Her act was good enough to fool a ten year old, but now I know better. Also the one thing I wanted right now was my Daddy. Judging by this ten year anniversary camp so far I doubt I’d be allowed to use the phones... and why ask if I can do it without anyone knowing. Leila always let me watch the desk for a couple minutes while she took a quick break.
Sure enough...
“I’m going to grab a cup of tea quickly. Think you can mind the desk while I’m gone? Just like old times.” She suggested and started to head for the door. That was exactly what I’d predicted she’d say but the way she said it... was she daring me to do make a phone call? Was there hidden cameras I didn’t know about? None the less I agreed and she left. Quickly I rushed to the desk and grabbed the phone. Within seconds I’d dialled home.
.. ..
Ring... The first ring sprung some doubts in my mind. What was going to say?
.. ..
Ring... I was starting to panic. What if mum answered the phone?
.. ..
Ring... After the third ring I decided to hang up, but suddenly I heard a voice on the other end.
“Hello?” That was my Daddy’s voice. Finally a rush of relief fell over my body.
“Daddy, it’s me!” I exclaimed.
“Mary! Where are you? Are you okay?” He asked in a hushed voice.
“I’m at Camp Woodlands...” I heard mum’s voice in the background.
“It’s just a salesman darling.” Daddy replied to her. “Let me talk first...” He debated. There were some more mumbles from my mum before the line cut off. Mum must be really angry if dad won’t tell her I’m on the phone. I glanced around quickly. No sign of Leila returning. I dialled again. My hope rekindled that Daddy could actually help me.
.. ..
Ring... I knew dad was right by the phone so he should pick up quickly.
.. ..
Ring... Or maybe he’s trying not to be suspicious because mum’s around.
.. ..
Ring... Three rings? It should take this long again.
.. ..
Ring...
“Good afternoon. Lane residence.” On hearing mum’s voice I hung up.
I wandered back to the chair with the tissue box and grabbed a couple more tissues to blow my nose again. Soon Leila walked back in. I hardly gave her a glance before I took the opportunity to leave.
.. ..
I headed back to the cabin. Upon entering the room I felt like I had mud on face because of the way Dylan, Tyler and Chloe had suddenly looked at me. They looked at each other briefly and back at me as I moped over to my bed and collapsed on the mattress. I could hear mumbles from the other three. That’s when the thought occurred to me, why was Tyler in our cabin?
.. ..
“Mary.” I heard Chloe’s reluctant voice. I groaned and buried my face deeper into my pillow. I was sick of today. I was sick of today before it even began. I didn’t want to deal with anything else. “Mary, we have something important to tell you.” Chloe tried getting my attention again. I lifted my head for a brief moment.
“I don’t care.” I yelled and dropped my head back down.
“I think you’d want to know.” Dylan said. His voice was weak, it was probably sore from nearly drowning.
“I don’t want to know anything.” I mumbled into my pillow. I was sick of theories, conspiracies, anniversary camps or whatever everyone thought was going on. My head felt light for a moment, for once I felt peaceful just letting my mind go and not worrying about anything. It kind of reminded me of home.
.. ..
A sudden noise made me jolt and I realised I’d been sleeping. I glanced at the window and saw that it was dark outside. I’d obviously slept right through dinner. Though now having two afternoon naps I wasn’t feel very sleeping so I sat up. Everyone else was in bed fast asleep.
I felt now that I was thinking clearly. I reluctantly ran my hands through my inch long hair. I felt a tinge of emotional pain pull at my heart as I swiftly lost hair to run my fingers through. I didn’t want to be here. It was all too clear and I didn’t understand why I hadn’t left sooner. I don’t care if it’s the middle of the night. That just means lest questions to answer, less people to sneak past. I felt like I’d stepped out of my real life for a couple days into a soap opera. At least now I had the guts to leave.
No diary meant no more over thinking, the pure truth is I don’t want to stay so I won’t. Two days ago I wasn’t worried about never seeing these people again, why should I worry now? It’ll just complicate things.
Looking around I concluded there was nothing of mine left to take with me so I just stood up and quietly tip toed to the door.
.. ..
After quietly leaving the cabin I made my way through the camp grounds towards the front gate. The dark night sky was cloudy which made everything darker. I had to walk slowly with my arms in front of me to make sure I didn’t run into a post or a building. As I reached the front office, the last building to pass, I heard a car leaving the kiss n ride zone. I pause and peeked around the corner to see an express delivery van leave through the front gate. I then waited a couple minutes before heading across the empty stretch between the office building and the gate. But half way to the gate I heard a voice so I stopped, hopefully only for a moment.
.. ..
“Where are you going?” I turned to see the head counsellor standing just outside the front office door.
“I’m leaving.” I replied bluntly. The head counsellor didn’t scare me, though I got the impression he may have startled others in the past.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I heard him call after me as I started continuing my journey to the gate. I didn’t reply. “Do you want to take your package with you?” He stated quite clearly. I paused. What package? Was that what the delivery van was here for? I hadn’t turned around yet but I could imagine the counsellor grinning at his success to stop me. Then I heard Felix’s words echo in the back of my mind ‘Curiosity killed the cat...’ I ignored it and turned around.
“I wasn’t expecting any package.” I explained wandering what the head counsellor’s motive was here. Still no one had told us we weren’t allowed to leave yet I felt that the way the head counsellor was looking at me was a warning that I shouldn’t leave.
“It looks like the usual to me. Package from Mr Lane. Are you sure you don’t know anything about it? Perhaps it was a different Mary that sneakily used Leila’s phone this afternoon...” The head counsellor knew about the phone call. Would I be in trouble for that? Wait. It’s Daddy’s package. That means... CLOTHES! I really need that package. I don’t care what I have to do to get it. Pay the phone bill? Wash some dishes? What sort of trouble could I be in? I followed the head counsellor inside much to his satisfaction.
.. ..
I followed the head counsellor into his office where I spotted the package sitting on his desk. He directed me to sit on a plush red chair facing the chair he sat in on the opposite side of the desk.
“What’s with your group and leaving the cabin’s at night?” He started the conversation. I thought it was an odd topic to bring up. I knew Chloe had gone out and I guess Dylan was the one who went out last night. Still, I don’t see why the whole no leaving your cabin after dark rule is really all that important.
“Is there something more important to discuss or can I just take my package and go?” I didn’t want to sit around talking about nonsense if I could just as well be on my way home forgetting this place ever existed. The head counsellor leaned back, he was holding something in his hands but I could see it properly. It looked like a small book.
“Dear diary...” WHAT? DID HE JUST SAY THAT? Wait it can’t be. How would the head counsellor get MY diary? Did he find it. I sat stiffly on the edge of my seat. He grinned as he saw he had my full attention. “There is one think I’d like to discuss...” The head counsellor suggested. He flicked through the pages and stopped, then began to read. “...when I was sitting between Forrest and Chloe I thought I heard something... I was sure I heard Forrest talk to someone for a moment. There was no one there. I didn’t hear any other voices. Just Forrest, seemingly angry.”
“I get it! You think I’m crazy. Can I please have my diary back? I don’t like it when other people read it.” Especially Jaclyn!
Though I made my point clear he didn’t seem to respond. He just paused as I spoke then kept reading.
“I looked at Forrest, his hazy eyes just staring at the announcer at the front. There was no way he just spoke.” He stopped and looked at my curiously. He flicked to the next page and began to read again. I was starting to feel uncomfortable. “Back to Forrest. He’s gone now, but earlier in the forest. I think something strange happened again. When I was putting on his jacket I heard him say ‘Shut up!’ But I wasn’t talking... I asked him what he was going on about. He looked at me blankly and denied saying anything.” He stopped again and put my diary down. I was quick to reach for it but he was quicker. “I’d like to hold on to this for a little longer.” The head counsellor commented.
“What? But it’s my diary! You have no right!” I stood in defiance.
“Who’s going to stop me?” He asked in a daring manner. I stared him down but his stare was almost unbearable. He was so creepy. I don’t know why I hadn’t noticed it before. So I sat down again. “What were you trying to say in these diary entries?” He asked.
“It’s none of your business.” I snapped back. I was surprised how confident and feisty I’d become today.
“I think you’d be surprised.” I don’t like what he’s suggesting. Or maybe he thinks I’m just a little disturbed in the head. I always thought the counsellor part in his title was just a title, I didn’t actually think he was like a psychiatrist or anything.
“It know it sounds crazy, but this whole camp thing going on is crazy. I’m not crazy. I know I heard something, but I can’t explain it. Can I leave now?” I was starting to consider leaving without the diary or the package.
“It’s very intriguing. I was starting to suspect you were a failure but...” A failure? That’s high quality self esteem building right there. Where did this guy get his psychiatry degree? I just scoffed at him.
“I’m out of here.” I stood up and walked towards the door.
“Without your package?” The counsellor asked quickly.
“I don’t care about that anymore.” I grabbed the door handle and tried to turn it but it wouldn’t turn. It was catching on something as if it were locked. But how? There wasn’t a key hole on the door, or a knob. Perhaps it was some kind of high tech magnetic locking system... But why would the head counsellor lock me in here. What’s going on? “What’s going on?” I turned around suspiciously.
“I tried to do this the easy way...” He stood up and moved towards me. “You can’t blame me for trying.”
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