The door to Jaidylen (Eng. Version)

chapter 1.

   The encounter with the pink alien

☆ PROLOG ☆ Zoe's view ☆

This was the worst idea ever.

Well, maybe not the worst, but already in the top 10.

No, top 3...

Anyway, I have to live with the consequences, even if they are unbearable. Even if they lure me out of my reserve. Even if they are unbearable....

"Zoe!!!" I heard a very familiar voice call out. Too familiar.

"Now don't get all tuggy and join the group. Camping with people from your school was your idea and now don't pull out at the last second!!!"

I saw my dad waving his hands wildly and looking at me frantically.

I know this was my idea.

Because I wanted to take the pressure off him.

He hadn't had a break since Mom had died. My thought was to take some of the worry off of him, and that was to talk to other fellows. Something that you just do normally.

Some communicating and interpersonal relations.

Actually not difficult, right? If you find the right people, it's a cinch, but these people aren't really. But I'll take the risk.

For 7 long days.

After that, I don't have to see them the whole summer again. But hey, maybe there was something good in it, like I get new friends. But now I have to concentrate on what's coming. Which is camping, yay....

"Alright Zoe, I know this is hard for you, but try to make some friends.''

He rolled his eyes as I screwed up my face.

"You're honestly old enough to handle it, have fun and I love you!" He pulled me into a warm and tight hug that I have loved since childhood. 

It comforted me in hard times and gave a sense of security, like a simple "I'll take care of you" but only stronger and more approving.

His medium length dreadlocks tickled the back of my neck, they were always special because Dad always wore colorful beads and other glittery dread jewelry in them. They reminded me of grandma. She had the same jewelry as him, she was a tough lady. Said I should rub it in when dad was bullshitting again that I was right as usual.... As I said tough.I waved goodbye and turned my back on him for good.

Oh, what a dramatic exit!

A disastrous goodbye!!!I contorted my gaze to my words and spun in circles as if I were a poet. The stares of the other girls and boys pelted me as I stood next to the camp director. Perhaps the contortions of my face and my father's shouts were not worth the attention.

"Good campers! Today we start to set up our tents and look for sticks in the forest. But watch out, there are bears! Just kidding!" The camp director tried to make jokes, but it didn't really help with a bunch of 16-year-old pubescent teenagers.

Oh man, I really don't feel like going there! Why did I think this was a great idea? Again, I didn't use my brain, which I very rarely do. The camp was quite big, there was enough space for 20 tents. A large campfire and stone stools were enthroned in the center, and trees stood around the edge, bordering the camp. As I walked behind the leader, I noticed her getting a little nervous and looking at her watch.

"O-okay campers!" She began, blaring out her words. "Quick change of plans, you guys split into two groups, one goes to gather branches and the other sets up their tents. I'll be gone a minute!"