Terrorforming || Yandere!Harem X F!Reader

Don't Go in The Water

It was time! They were finally letting you in the lake! The camp counselors dragged out all manner of water sports equipment -including boogie boards, pool noodles, and various inflatables- while campers changed into their swimming suits.

You changed in the bathroom so you didn't realize you were the only girl in Temperance to change... At least not until you met your bunkmates on the beach and saw they were still in their regular uniforms. Chaeyoung was laying on a blanket under a big umbrella while Louise stood by, looking over the lake and wringing her hands.

You ran up to Louise, waving your arms and calling, "Hey! You aren't going in the water?"

Louise drew you in close, close enough that you noticed the usual ruddiness was gone from her face, and whispered, "Don't go in there!"

"What? Why?" You asked. Your mom never trusted lakes and ponds. "Still water runs deep," she would say. You would bet cold hard cash that she just thought she was too good, too much of a lady, to swim with frogs and catfish. You weren't your mother.

"There are corpses... Floating in the lake," she said, tears choking her voice. She pressed one hand over her mouth, muffling her sobs beneath the meat of her palm.

You moved to comfort her, gathering her into your arms and shushing her quietly. All the while, though, your gaze was turned to the lake, where most of the other campers were happily swimming and splashing around. There was not a corpse in sight.

She noticed the direction your eyes were pointed, and that made her cry even harder, "You don't believe me..."

"No, I believe you." You didn't think Louise was lying. She did see these horrible things. They just weren't really there. Once she had tired herself out from crying so much, you stepped away, toward the lake. "Listen, have these spirits ever hurt you before?"

"No," she admitted sullenly. She reluctantly followed you that one step closer to the water's edge rather than keep her distance. "They just... They scare me."

"So they're not dangerous."

"They have the potential to be dangerous," she argued, voice high and shrill with panic.

"Everything has the potential to be dangerous," you argued back, doing your best to sound calm and reasonable. You sighed through your nose, took another step back. She didn't follow you this time, eyes flitting between your form and the bodies in the water. "Listen... I'm going to go in the water, and you should too. I think it would be good for you."

"I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

"I can't!" Louise yelled, stomping once, sending sand flying. "I won't!" Now other girls were either looking at the two of you or politely looking away.

"Then stay here. I'll be back, safe and sound," you reasoned.

She shook her head violently, whispered something under her breath that you didn't quite catch before begging you, "Stay."

"I can't," you answered. You tried to be firm but kind.

You quickly turned on your heels and walked away, made your way down the shore, where Salome was waiting knee-deep in the water.

"Hey!" She greeted you, playfully flicking water at you as if you were a cat. "What was that all about?"

"Oh! That was just Louise," you said as you waded into the water. It was refreshingly chilly. "She didn't want me going in the water. Was worried about me drowning."

She looked at you, wide-eyed. "Oh, yeah. Cool. Like all friends do."

You couldn't help but laugh. Still, you splashed her for her comment. "She really was just being a good friend, if a bit of a worrywart. I should introduce the two of you! I think you'd really hit it off."

"Oh, I know Louise. This is her third year, I think. She started out in Faith before getting moved to Temperance. Personally, I think she'd be better suited in Hope."

"Why's that?" You asked earnestly, tilting your head to the side.

Salome suddenly looked nervous, sent little glances over to the shore. "Due... Due to the nature of her problems. I don't think you or her really belong in Temperance. If you want to know more, you should ask her yourself. My point is she's nice, if somewhat withdrawn."

Huh... Maybe you should try harder to get her out of her shell. You guessed she was unsociable due to bullying. You wouldn't be quick to open up to people either if you thought they would look down on you for being different.

There was why you hadn't told anyone the real reason you ended up at Camp Bethel. Salome and Louise were too polite to ask, but you knew they were curious.

You'd only ever seen Louise talk to other girls in Temperance, and they -you included- weren't the best company. She needed to be around more normal people. People like Salome.

"Is there any way I could convince you to sit with me at dinner tonight?" There was no harm in asking.

Still, she shook her head sadly. "I could never! I would invite you to sit with me, but our table's already full. My camp counselor's popular. Not as popular as Rosasharon, but popular all the same. We can still hang out during activities, though. Now... Want to go tubing?"

You sighed and nodded, disappointed but not surprised. You didn't want to push her, lest you push her away.

As Salome went to collect you both a tube, you looked back at the spot on the beach where you left Louise. She was nowhere to be found.