For the past week Briella had been in the infirmary whilst the girls and I found a more permanent living situation together. But by far the novelty of camping outside together had worn off and fast.

"Ew! I think a bug just bit me! Help! Help," Lianna screams.

I scowl at the sleeping bag in front of me that I was folding before scampering my way out of the bright green tent, making sure to pull the zipper of the mesh net down to avert any more bug induced reactions. So far there had been a lot.

"It's just a bug Lianna, it won't do you any harm," I say with a forced smile.

"How do you know? You don't even know what type of bug it is." She puts her hands on her hips.

Someone let me at her, god she's getting on my last nerve.

"Why don't you tell me then?"

"Fine. It was a butterfly." Kill. Me. Now.

"A butterfly won't kill you, now go and help the girls clean their tents."

"But-"

"No buts go." I give her a look that means business and she stomps off with a pout. God I hate children.

A satisfied smile stretches across my face and I turn my gaze from the moody madam to the nature around me. To my amazement, I enjoyed camping more than I thought I would. Something about waking up to the birds chirping and the dew on the grass glistening in the sunlight in the morning made me feel content. Plus, there was less critters chaos than I actually thought there would be.

"Alexis!" My eyes turn to see a familiar red head walking over the grassy embankment.

"Gianna." I smile. "How can I help you?"

"A little bird told me you were having some trouble from your campers?"

I sigh. "Let's just say they're less than thrilled about having to sleep on the ground."

She nods her head in agreement. "I thought so which is why I've arranged a camp wide cookout."

"Oh wow, that will perk them up for sure. Thankyou!"

She laughs. "It's no problem dear! And you know Albert, he's always up for some s'mores. "

A chuckle can't help but escape from my lips. "That I do know."

"Anyway, expect a bucket load of kids coming your way very shortly."

As if on cue, Braden, Tanner, unfortunately Colton and a bunch of other counsellors appear over the hill carrying large logs and stools. All of them have taken their camp shirts off and swung them over their shoulders, sweating in the heat. It's probably a good thing the boys uniform includes shorts because I don't think I could cope if these exposed abs joined an exposed ass.

"Nice timing," I tease.

"I'm a master of many things. But yes, I should leave now, a lot to do before tonight." She bids me goodbye before disappearing past the boys to the other side of the 'hill'.

Braden drops a log around where some of the guys are making a campfire before turning and heading my way.

"Are you going to just stand and stare or are you going to help?" He laughs.

For whatever reason, I catch a hint of an innuendo in there but I can't figure out what it means. These past few days Braden has definitely been making a move up the confusion-o-meter, not far away from Colton's puzzle-tactic progress.

"Are you going to tell me why you left yesterday?" I ask, crossing my arms.

A hefty sigh releases from his body. "I... I had to help Colton."

Frowning, I can't help but be a tad annoyed. "Oh, because Colton was the one that needed help? Not the poor child in pain on the bed."

"I knew you'd be mad."

"No shit."

He scratches the back of his head. "Put it this way, if I didn't help him, more accidents would've happened."

"Yeah because he has a dangerous temper. Because he is dangerous."

"I wouldn't put it that way."

I snort. "Everyone kowtows to him, sure but I guess I never expected you to. Whatever, I need to check on my girls."

"Ale-"

"No, it's fine go help Colton."

Nightfall upon us, the festivities have started. Particles of ashes float in the air, the raging fire at the centre of the jamboree the source. Most of the camp stands surrounding it, while others set up tents. Although, I won't be surprised if half those tents don't last the night, many of the pegs look about ready to spring to life.

I, myself, am in the middle of eating freshly made s'mores with a group of children. I sigh, inhaling the smell of heaven on earth as it wafts up through the smoke that exits the flames of the fire. S'mores are orgasmic, there isn't two ways about it. Timing it perfectly, my stomach rumbles supporting my argument.

The campers giggle and I give a chuckle too, the atmosphere around me couldn't make me mad if it tried.

Laughter dying down, a trumpet sounds and we turn our head to see Gianna standing on one of the logs grinning. "Bed time for all campers!"

Groans go off in all directions, the campers booing. "Oh hush, half of you can barely keep your eyes open."

True enough, many of the younger campers' eyes are blood shot and stifling yawns. They now sit up straighter in a silent protest.

Beside Gianna, Al steps up holding his hands up with a grin. "Oi, boss's orders, what can ya do? But the sooner ya sleep the sooner ya can have s'mores far breakfas'."

Moans turn to whoops, children scrambling up out of their seats to go to their tents. Gianna slaps Al over the back of his head with a good-natured frown. S'mores are delicious but I wouldn't say they're part of your healthy five a day. Not that I'm arguing.

Once all of the children have made their way to their tents to get ready for bed, the rest of the counsellors' crowd round the flames that are dying out. Ashlynn plops down next to me, her sister, Natalia and Vivian sitting elsewhere.

"Well, what now?" Edna asks, appearing on my left and stealing the log next to me.

"Let's play a game?" one of the other counsellors suggests.

"Boring!" Tanner shouts laughing, only to be shushed by Gianna. He smiles sheepishly. "Boring," he tries again in a whisper.

"Well what do you suggest?" the same guy asks.

"Um, I don't know."

Brooklynn who is sitting next to him, whacks him over the head. "God, you're an idiot."

"Hey!"

"You didn't deny it."

"Well what do you suggest your highness?"

"Lets' share stories... horror stories." She smirks.

"Nice dramatic pause, real scary."

"I will hurt you."

"Try your best princess."

I turn away from the squabbling pair and find myself staring at Braden. He's frowning at the duo who're still bickering and I'm reminded that he's had a crush on Brooklynn for as long as I can remember. My stomach sinks perplexing me. You've ate too many s'mores Alexis, stop overthinking.

Automatically, I turn away from him. Boys are from another planet, that I know for sure.

"God would you two shut up so we can get on with it? You're worse than a cat and dog," Edna speaks up, rolling her eyes.

Brooklynn glares. "I'd rather be cat than a bitch."

"I never said you were the cat. Join the club, bitch."

Seeing where this is heading, I speak up, "Alright, both of you shut up."

"Yeah, someone just fucking share a story."

To my disbelief it's Colton that backs me up, and I send him a grateful smile, albeit I'm sure my eyes are as wide as the lake behind us. He returns it and the whole scenario just feels... weird. Colton's attitude's bipolar at best but it's definitely distracting me from Braden who's frowns now been cast this way. Hi, I'd like to speak to Boy Hopeless Anonymous thanks.

"I have a story!" Natalia pipes up.

"Do share."

"Gladly." She grins before taking a deep breath. "Once upon a– wait does anyone have a flashlight?"

"Just get on with it Nat," Vivian groans.

Natalia huffs, her face glowing auburn from the fire. "Okay geez, it's just for effect–"

"Just go!" we all shout probably waking up some kids.

"Fine," she says making a face. "Once upon a time in a camp like this, was a man who lived alone, what I call a hermit-"

"He's not what you call a hermit, he is a hermit," Vivian interrupts.

"Shut up Viv! Now, where was I? Oh yes, so this hermit lived on the outskirts of the camp in a small house that looked an awful lot like an old shed. It was said that the only things in the house were the basics, no tv, books or games to keep him amused. Obviously, over time this drove the man to boredom, after all he never picked this lifestyle. In fact, he used to work in this very camp, loved by all and very popular. For this man was never an introvert, he made a deadly mistake and the only way to save face was to leave his town where everyone hated him and start over. But no other towns would have him-"

"Highly unlikely."

"Vivian be quiet!" Natalia groans before continuing. "So, he moved to the place he thought everyone loved him most in the hope one day they would forgive him. But that never happened. Years he spent alone in the tiny shed, foraging for food and growing insane. He was the shadow of the man he once was. No one would recognise him, even if he had his old uniform on with the name badge-"

"Again, probably untrue."

This time we all shush Vivian indicating for Natalia to continue.

"A few times he was said to walk through the camp, no one recognising him or even questioning him because he was in uniform. Bits and bobs over time would disappear, children getting blamed for stealing in most cases. Items showing up in the wrong places, entire activities swapped places over night; archery on the beach, volleyball in the fields. Counsellors put up cameras in the hopes of finding him but he always evaded them. But then one night something much more valuable went missing." She pauses. "A camper." A collective 'gasp' erupts, all of us on the edge of our chairs.

"Legend has it, little ten-year-old Leslie disappeared over night and was never seen again despite tens of search parties. Her parents petitioned for the camp to stay open in her memory but many think it's because one day they think she'll find her way back to the camp. Either way, it's been said every time there is a storm you can hear her scream for help being carried across camp by the wind, the hermit laughing from his shed that's never been found." As she says this the wind picks up, almost like 'Leslie' knows she's being talked about.

The group stays silent for a minute, staring out to the woods until a bush starts to rustle slightly.

"Did you hear that?"

"Yes. It's the hermit!"

"The hermit will be dead now Ashlynn." Vivian rolls her eyes. "And I doubt the stories true, a camp would never be able to stay open even if the parents wished for it too. Nobody would send their child their and it would get shut down."

"The parents were rich."

"You're just making that up now."

"I am not!"

"Oh really, do you have any proof–"

"Boo!"

The arguing stops and all of us scream in terror, turning to see Tanner, who must've disappeared at some point jump out of the Forrest.

Boom boom, Boom boom, boom boom. The sound wrings throughout the night, everyone breathing deeply and hearts erratic.

"God tanner you fucking–"

Brooklynn makes a move to jump for Tanner but Gianna interrupts her. "Alright, I think it's time for you guys to go to sleep too."

On her word, we all make a move to leave, bidding each other good night. Natalie's story wasn't very horror-ish but it sure was more of a physiological thriller. I didn't doubt that it could've happened, this camp had a bad history of tragic events, Peyton's accident included, but the camp never seemed to close down. Even given that Albert and Gianna are a wealthy pair.

But as I'm tucking myself in tonight, ready for a mind of overdrive, I can't help but see that tonight I somehow managed to have fun even when Colton was around.

a/n in chap 12 with all end of chap stuff.