𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳 ~ [𝘋𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘹 𝘖𝘊]

⇒ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴏ

"Here at Camp Campbell we pride ourselves on the variety of our curriculum." I was only half paying attention to David's tour, narrowing my eyes instead at Mr Campbell. What the hell had he done to piss off the government?

Max had already proved a sort of attachment to Nikki and Neil, actually talking to them and being slightly less sarcastic to them. I say slightly, but even that might be an overestimate. Still, it was nice to see him making friends, I'd taken note of how lonely he'd seemed since day one. David and I had tried to fix that from the get-go, obviously to no avail. But now he was doing it himself. I felt a swell of pride in my chest for the young boy.

"We've got Extreme Sports Camp, Magic Camp, Space Camp, Theatre Camp, Art Camp and Other Magic Camp." Gwen listed off, nodding to each section of the activities area and the camper that went along with them. Ered, Harrison, Space Kid, Preston, Dolf and Nerris; respectively. Nurf was also around, mainly throwing tomatoes at Preston as he reached the 'epic' finales of another of his plays.

I'm sure Gwen's description would have made Nikki and Neil excited, had it not been that the facilities we had were all... Well, shit.

"What else?" Nikki's fists were clutched as she rocked back and forth on her heels, radiating anticipation. At least she looked happy. Neil on the other hand... Ah well, I'm sure Max will teach him to hate everything, then he can look miserable and I won't have to worry because I know it's not my fault.

"Well I'm glad you asked," David smiled, reaching for the guitar he kept strapped his back, "Because I have a little song I can sing-"

"No." Gwen shut down the idea immediately.

"When Gwen's not around." He finished, spinning the acoustic instrument back to its original position. David's songs were annoying, but at least he had a nice voice.

"Mr Campbell?" I called, turning to my boss. "Now that you're here can we maybe discuss how we operate this place at such a scale-" I asked, desperate to get some insight given how this place had been barely scraping by in his absence.

"Hey, is that kid trying to escape?" It was Max, of course it was, running as fast as his legs could take him.

"Oh for fucks sake!" I cursed, throwing my hands in the air. I can't keep doing this.

"Language." David said, face somehow still painted with joy. I waited until he began to follow Max before sticking up my middle finger behind his back.

I paused, before realising I should probably help my friend.

* . °•★|•°∵ ∵°•|☆•° . *

"You are the bane of my existence." Max sighed. David and I had caught up to the little shit pretty easily, being faster.

"Alright now, let's go back to camp." He picked up the boy easily so he was lying across his arm. We took a moderately slow walk back, my coworker whistling some tune as we went.

This was the sort of thing I lived for at Camp Campbell, quiet walks through forests. (Well, nearly quiet). It put my mind at ease, a very relaxing affair. Often, if I wasn't tired in the evening, I'd go for a late night stroll to calm me before I finally settled down for the night. David occasionally joined me, but never Gwen. She was too busy sleeping or reading/writing fanfiction about weird fish people, vampires or werewolves in the evenings. I'd learned not to question it.

"Excuse me, what the hell is this?!" I heard the boy in the yellow sweater exclaim as we got back. Oh great, Neil's found Science Camp. If you could even call it that. David set Max down next to Nikki. I examined the equipment on the rickety table, sighing softly. The bunsen burner was half melted, beakers and testubes made of wood, which I already knew would pose a disaster. Oh and who could forget, the magnifying glass labelled microscope. The classic staple of Camp Campbell's legitimacy.