Chapter 1 Camp Fun!

Would it hurt to jump out of a moving vehicle? It’s a question I’ve pondered a lot in my life. The question first came to me when I was eight years old, driving away from the only friends I ever knew. With the promise of a better future, I didn’t act on the urge. But now I feel it stronger than ever before.

“Stop pouting, it’s just camp, it’ll only be three months.” My mother's kind voice tries to calm me.

I turn away from the window, the trees moving like a blur around us. I look at her with a glare prominent on my face. “Three months. That’s a long time. Not to mention I’m the new kid. Again.” I add the last bit with a bite in my tone, making my father give me a warning look in the rearview mirror.

She turns around in the seat in front of me, a broad smile on her bright face, her blonde hair blowing softly from the AC. “It’s the perfect opportunity to meet people before the start of the school year, Anna.” It’s hard to keep glaring at her when she looks so hopeful.

This is how it works every time we move. I get upset, contemplate jumping out of the car, and she. Well, she is herself. She always smiles at me and looks so excited for my new future, so I give in and accept my fate. Summer camp is new this year. I’m not entirely against the idea, having never been to one before. And with all the activities that mother has sworn are available, I think it might be perfect for me. But I won’t let them know that.

I roll my eyes at her, earning a laugh. I try to stop the smile making its way to my face; her laugh is the most contagious thing in the world. She turns back around in her seat, satisfied with herself.

I look back out the window, the quiet hum of the radio filling the silence. Large trees surround us on both sides. The greenery from the thriving summer forest blends together at the speed of the car. I can already feel myself falling in love with the sight.

Maybe summer camp won’t be so bad. 

~~~

“Here we are.” My father’s gruff voice alerts us from the driver's seat.

My mother and father have always been a yin-and-yang kind of couple. He’s the mean one, while she’s the nice one. I lean over to look through the windshield. A large wooden sign that definitely needs repair reads ‘Welcome to Camp Fun’. That name takes most of my confidence that this will be a fun place.

“Couldn’t come up with a better name?” I say to no one in particular.

“Maybe that’s just how fun it is. There is no better word to describe it besides fun.” Mother tries to lighten the mood again.

“Or they’re trying to convince you this place is fun.” Father’s tone slices all of Mother’s hard work out of the air.

The mood is ruined. He’s been moody ever since we started the drive here, and although it’s annoying, I’ve learned that with him, it’s better just to ignore it. He drives us to a parking spot off the gravel road in a grassy lot.

Ahead of the path, I can see cabins peaking out of the greenery, making me glad I won’t have to stay in a tent for the next three months. There are a few vehicles parked around us, but it’s emptier than I expected. I follow them out of the car, hoisting my bag over my shoulder. I can hear some talking now that I’m outside, but the bug’s constant chirping drowns out the majority of the sound.

“Are we early?” I ask, shutting the door behind me.

“Just a little. But isn’t that better, then you can pick your own bed and get settled in.” She tries to save it despite my unimpressed look.

I should’ve known I would be one of the first people here. I think they find it physically impossible not to arrive early somewhere. Father goes around the car, grabbing my suitcases from the trunk. We’re only allowed to bring three bags or average-sized suitcases, which seems like too little for three months in the wild, but I followed the rules as my parents taught me. He carries the cases as she leads the way, with me following in the middle.

I look around at everything, trying to assess how good or bad my summer is going to be. The gravel continues into a large circle, with a fire pit in the middle and logs around it for seating. They really fed into the whole camping experience. Six cabins are spread around the edge of the gravel circle, resting on grass, while two of the six have a separate cabin behind them. The gravel circle breaks into dirt paths between each of the cabins. I can see a glimpse of the top of a tall building at the end of one of the dirt paths.

Mother looks around at each cabin, obviously unsure which is mine.

“You would think they would have someone to check you in.” Father mutters.

As if on cue, a man over thirty-five years old with a cliché camper's outfit on walks up to us. “Hello there, happy campers, are you ready to have some fun?” He speaks so cheerfully, I know Mother and him are going to get along great.

“Yes, we are.” She replies enthusiastically.

“That’s what I want to hear. What is your name, camper?” He turns his attention to me suddenly.

My mouth feels dry for a second, making me almost choke on my answer. “Anna.” My voice is more timid than I intended.

“What a great name! I’m Tim, the one who runs this lovely place. I’m guessing this is your first year here?” He turns his attention back to Mother, thankfully.

Father is ignoring the conversation as mother answers Tim and asks what we need to do. He’s standing a few steps behind us with his head on a constant swivel as though he’s looking for something or someone. I want to question what’s going on, but I know with their line of work, they won’t tell me anything. He’d just blame it on being aware of your surroundings.

“Are you ready to find your new home for the summer?” Tim’s cheerful voice grasps my attention as I turn back to him.

“Yeah, let’s go.”