The Season Of The Witch: But It's 1984

Chapter 3: SUMMER BUMMER

When we drove up to Camp Redwood, I immediately got a bad feeling. Everyone jumped out of the van, except Brooke, who stayed behind with the injured boy. There was a blonde woman chopping wood, she welcomed us, her name was Margaret Booth. She was the owner. Montana went and talked to her, but I didn't catch much of their conversation because I pulled Xavier to the side with me.

"I don't like it here." I whispered.

"It's just the outdoors, Circe, nothin' to worry about"

"It's not that. I've just got real bad vibes."

I was interrupted by Brooke, "Is there a medic or a nurse here?" She called from inside the van.

Margaret walked over and asked "What happened to him?"

Xavier quickly spoke up "He was by the side of the road. He was already messed up."

Margaret told us to get him to the infirmary and we did, Montana informing me of what I missed before as we walked. Apparently the kids were to arrive in the morning and we were the only counselors.

A black woman named Rita was there, putting up medical supplies. She had Chet and Ray lay him down on one of the small beds, before she did her examinations. When she was done she asked,

"You say you found him in the middle of the road?"

"He was by the side of the road." Xavier clarified, "He's been pretty out of it, saying weird things, not making much sense."

"He's severely dehydrated." Rita concluded. "Probably went for a hike and got lost. Couldn't find his way back. Panicked. People don't realize just how deep these woods are. Hikers get lost in them every year. End up dead of hypothermia or falling into a ravine or just disappearing altogether. He's lucky you found him."

"Is he gonna die?" Ray questioned,

"Not on my watch." Rita replied, "Don't worry, I work in the ER at Hawthorne Hospital the rest of the year."

A loud voice sounded behind me, "Why don't we give our nurse a little space." Margaret ushered us out the door, "Come on. I can show you all a tour of the camp."

We first visited the lake, "We have canoes and rowboats. All children must have a buddy to go into the water." Margaret stressed, " The lake is allegedly bottomless, and drowning is the number one cause of death for US campers."

"What's second?" Xavier said with a smirk, Margaret just ignored him and continued with the tour. She stopped at the cafeteria, "And this is Chef Bertie, a Camp Redwood veteran." Margaret motioned to an older brown haired woman who was unloading a truck full of food.

"Dibs." Xavier teased,

"You wouldn't know what to do with it if you got it, handsome." Chef Bertie shot back. We all, except Xavier, let out a laugh.

"Put those scrawny arms to work, and help a lady fill her pantry." Chef Bertie commanded. "All of you, grab a crate."

"Chef Bertie worked here when I was a counselor." Margaret said, "We are so blessed to have her with us."

"I have many good memories of this place." Chef Bertie said, "It's magic up here in the fresh air. I'm sorry that one bad apple ruined it for everyone. The minute I heard Margaret was reopening this place, I was first to volunteer."

After we got done at the cafeteria, Margaret continued with her tour, "Girls shower in the a.m., boys in the p.m. Same goes for counselors, too. This is the girls' cabin....And this is the boys' cabin. Girls are red. Boys are blue. Don't even try to make purple."

"You expect us to be celibate all summer?" Chet questioned, annoyed.

"Well, I'm not banning self-abuse." Margaret explained, "Although every stroke soils your soul. But how could I ever enforce it?"