One by one

Ch. 2 Welcome to Haunted Woods |Kendall|

Kendall, 8:20 am 6/4

Monday

I tried my best to tell my Dad how much I didn't want to go but he insisted that I would have a good time. That I'd be thanking him in the future. I didn't talk to him for the whole weekend. Would it be so bad if I stayed home? My grade probably wouldn't even change. Mr. Shirman was probably lying about that.

I knew if my Dad said I was going then I was going. No matter how much I begged it wouldn't change anything. I forced myself to pack everything I would need. My brothers said I was lucky that I was going to some Haunted Woods. They said they would do anything to have a chance to go but I was not letting that happen. At least when I go, I can have 5 days without their bickering. I made sure to text Karl, (my boyfriend) to see if he was coming. I wasn't expecting an answer for a day or two since he was slow to respond.

But now it's 8:20 in the morning and my Dad is dropping me off at 8:30. I rechecked that I had everything then made my way to the kitchen. I checked my phone, still no answer from Karl. I quickly ate breakfast then told my Dad that I was ready to leave. It was the first time I had spoken to him in two days.

As we drove, I tried my hardest not to think about those stories. Once I knew that I was being forced to go, I googled stories of the place and haven't been able to take my mind off of it since. I learned that a family called the Robinsons were buried here. People have supposedly seen shadows and red/white orbs. People have also heard spooky noises that supposedly indicate a spirits presence. What scared me the most was a photo I saw of what looked like a shadowy figure. It was facing the person that photographed it. The photo was blurry but I could just feel as if the figure was staring into my soul. It could've been easily edited but I was so creeped out by it that I couldn't sleep the whole night.

When we arrived I said goodbye to my dad and went into the school to my English class. I was surprised to see only 10 students there. I checked the clock and saw that I was nearly late. Not early. Which meant that more than half the class skipped today. I sank down in my seat. I was relieved when I saw Alli there though. Thankfully I wouldn't be alone this week.

    The bell rang and Mr. Shirman came in. He didn't try to hide his disappointment to see the lack of students today. "Alright, we need to get ready to leave so when I call your name go out and onto one of the busses."

    It was like kindergarten all over again. I heard Alli's name get called. I watched as she left her seat and out of the classroom. I secretly hoped that she would be waiting for me.

When my name was finally called, I sped walked out and tried to find Alli. Fortunately I found her just outside the line of busses.

    "It's such a nice day for such a dull trip." I muttered as I reached her.

She nodded. "I had to come. I didn't have a choice. Once my parents saw that email that included the words 'affects grade' they instantly told me I was going. Also, I think we should wait for the others. They should be here soon, I haven't seen them get on and we are pretty early."

    "Yea, my Dad told me this would be a 'fun experience.'" I said while holding up air quotations.

    "I'm sooooo excited! I can't wait to get there!" Madi screamed.

    Alli didn't try to hide her annoyance. I'm assuming it's because of the whole ghost ordeal. "Is Collin with you?"

    "Yea he's over there." Madi pointed to Collin who now had a new set of...grayish hair? We all got used to him changing it like every month but it still surprised me how his hair was still intact after all that dye.

    "Gray hair?" I laughed.

"Don't start with me Kendall." Collin Grumbled.

Madi came close to me and Alli. "He's upset because he was forced to go to the barbers and they messed it up. Now it's grayish looking." She whispered, careful not to let Collin hear.

Alli ignored everyone and looked around. "Only waiting on Art now. He better hurry up before the seats are taken"

    "I don't think that's gonna happen. Hardly anyone showed up." I pointed out.

    "Still. I'll text him."

    "Okay."

    I looked around at everyone boarding the busses. There definitely weren't many kids, that was clear.

    "Behind you..?" Alli said, puzzled while staring at her phone.

    I looked over at her in curiosity. "Wha-?"

    "BOO!" Art shouted behind Alli.

    I jumped at the sudden outburst while Alli screamed louder than I had ever heard before. We all watched as Alli hit Art repeatedly. Collin and Madi seemed amused since they were laughing hysterically.

Once Alli was finished with Art, she straightened up and looked at the busses again. "Let's go." She muttered, sounding more annoyed than ever.

    Because of the lack of students, the teachers told everyone to go in the first bus then once it was filled they would load up the next. We took the available spots in the back. I shared a seat with Alli since she didn't want to be near Art at the moment, Collin and Madi shared a seat, and Art sat alone. Although he didn't seem to mind. He kept trying to show off how he had enough room to actually lay on his seat while the rest of us sat.

    The bus was nearly full by the time we drove off. When I turned around to see the other buses, I could only spot one of them moving. Which meant that more than half the grade skipped and only two out of the eight busses were being used.

    We spent some of the time talking and playing games like rock paper scissors, and truth or dare. I kept checking my phone, hoping to get a text from Karl but still, there was nothing. I texted him again in hopes to get a reply this time.

Kendall: Hey you didn't answer before. Did you come today?

Kendall: Are you on the other bus?

Small text that spelled "read" appeared below my message before three dots appeared. I tried not to get too excited but I couldn't help but feel somewhat joyful.

Karl<3: I wasn't going to but when I saw your text yesterday I decided I couldn't leave you alone.

Karl<3: Yea, I'm on the other bus. I was late.

Karl<3: Wish I was with you though. <3

I smiled then quickly hid my phone so Alli wouldn't peek at my messages. She'd just tease me like everyone else did since me and Karl got together. No one else in our group is dating anyone so they put all that focus on me. I didn't really care though. At least I wasn't alone. At least I had Karl.

I woke up to someone yelling in my ears. Before I could make sense of anything I opened my eyes and screamed. I looked around me and saw Collin and Art laughing hysterically. I must have fallen asleep on the ride because apparently we were already here. At the so-called Haunted Robinson Woods. I smacked Collin and Art before walking down the aisle to get off the bus.

I stretched my legs and arms then realized I forgot my bags on the bus. Before I could go back in though, Alli came down with my bags and hers in her arms. It surprised me how much weight she could carry. I took my bags from her and viewed my surroundings. Just a whole bunch of trees. I couldn't help but think how creepy this place would look at night. I also couldn't help but think how I was going to survive these next five days here.