Christian Camp | ✓

Nightmares and Conversations

- Ginny -

Run!

Ginny heard the voice from somewhere deep within before she saw the billowing black clouds crowd the sky above. Her heart thudded tremendously, as if it was about to thump straight through her chest, as she took off at a staggering run along the path. The ground was slippy beneath her feet, and rain was beginning to drill down on her from all sides, but she didn't lose her step. The command to run was still blaring through her mind, and she couldn't ignore it. Behind her, she could feel something getting closer, looming up against her like a dark shadow, prepared to swallow her whole.

Jesus! Please help me! She thought desperately, as her foot gave way beneath her and she stumbled into a puddle. It was becoming difficult to see now. The darkness was closing in around her, oppressive, strangling, taunting.

Jesus, please! I need you!

Look up, my child.

Ginny forced her face upwards, squinting hard against the sharp rain. Through the writhing mass of darkness, a needle of light pierced through, breathtaking in its brightness. As she watched, the darkness seemed to flinch away from the light, receding into itself back from where it came. Ginny felt as if warm arms were wrapping themselves around her, holding her close-

Ginny shot up in her bed, her chest aching with her hasty and desperate breaths. Fear coursed through her, fear like she had never felt. Even before she had fully comprehended her surroundings, she quickly prayed to the Lord, asking desperately for him to take the fear away. Not moments later, His presence seemed to settle over her, stilling her panic in its place. Ginny thanked Him, gently settling back against her pillow, although her heart was still thumping fiercely.

"Ginny...?" A quiet voice murmured into the silence. Ruth. "Are you ok? You sounded like you were having a nightmare."

"Yeah... I'm good." Ginny told her, forcing a smile. She didn't want to explain what she had just seen, especially since she didn't even fully know herself. "It was just a bad dream, I guess... What are you doing up?" She added, upon noticing that Ruth wasn't snuggled up in her blankets like everybody else in the cabin, and was instead sitting beside the window. The girl offered her a small smile and lifted up her KJV Bible from its place on her knee.

"I was just reading some Daniel. I couldn't sleep."

Ginny nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy for her new friend. She, too, had struggled in the past with insomnia. It was frustrating to say the least, but Ginny had realised at some point that God was keeping her awake for a reason, so praying to Him was the most productive thing. It had always worked for her.

"Did you try praying?" She asked, lowering her voice to a soft whisper as Lillie stirred in her sleep across the cabin.

"Yeah. I just thought I'd read anyway. I've only got a few more verses to read. Hey, Ginny... Can I ask you something...?" The tentative tone to her words had Ginny's intruige hightened.

"Go on." She smiled, remembering Jesus' words to 'love one another'. Ruth swivelled around to face her fully, and even in the gloom of the cabin Ginny could make out the expression of nerves playing across her freckled features.

"That - that thing we saw this evening - at church... Do you think it'll happen again?"

Ginny felt her smile falter at the memory of tonight's strange prayer session. The image of the dark figure loitering in the entrance of the church seemed to be engraved in her mind.

"Honestly, yes. If we're with Jesus, we're going to have to expect to see more of that kind of stuff. But He'll always protect us. Don't worry about it, Ruth. We're all in the same boat - and God is with us." The words flowed effortlessly out of her mouth, and Ginny immediately knew that the Holy Spirit had spoken through her. She shot Ruth a warm smile, which was earnestly returned.

"I think I needed to hear that, so thanks."

"No problem." Ginny grinned softly. "They weren't my words anyway."

She watched for a moment as Ruth got to her feet, silently crept to her bed and settled down on it, placing her Bible on her bedside table.

"I'm glad Gavin tagged along tonight - aren't you?"

Ginny felt her heart stammer at his name. She was thankful the room was dark enough to hide her surely red cheeks.

"Um, yeah. He's a nice guy."

"Riiiight. Nice." Ruth said. She sounded severely sceptical.

"What?" Ginny asked, hoping she sounded innocent enough to convince her. Yet even in the dark, Ginny could feel an understanding between them.

"Don't you think I know what it looks like when someone's got a crush?" Ruth asked. Her gentle tones surprised Ginny. She had expected her to be full of teasing, like Libby.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell him." Ruth continued when Ginny didn't say anything. "I know how embarrassing it can be when someone-" She shot Maisie's comatose form a mock glare. "teases you around them."

"Am I really that obvious?" Ginny asked with a groan.

"Only if you're really looking for a sign. I only brought it up because Gavin kept glancing at you today during the flag game. When someone asked him about it - I think it was one of his cabin mates - he got this shy grin on his face. I just had a hunch you might feel the same way towards him."

Ginny felt her heart thrumming faster against her chest with every word.

"Huh. That's good to know." She mumbled, a smile threatening to dance over her lips.

~~

Dear diary,

It's 3:45am. I know, I know - I should be asleep, but I'm far too awake. Prayer was so weird this evening - me, Libby, Maisie, Ruth and Gavin went to go pray in church after dinner. Maisie had just finished the Lord's Prayer, when the Spirit warned me of something. I glanced at the entrance of the church, where I saw this dark figure lurking; it was as if it was stalking us. Everyone else noticed it too, and I immediately felt it in my Spirit to pray, so we all took hands and prayed over each other for what felt like ages. When we'd finished, the figure seemed to have disappeared - all glory be to God for fighting our battle! It's no coincidence that an awful nightmare followed the spooky occurrence, but Jesus saved me from it again! All praise be to God!!

Ruth and I had a conversation about the whole ordeal a few minutes ago, and she told me that during the capture the flag game I spoke about this morning, Gavin kept glancing at me intermittently. I hope I don't get too carried away with this crush on him though! I'm here for God afterall! :)

Hi, everyone! I'm back with another chapter! 

I hope you all enjoyed it!  ❤

I honestly haven't got a clue where this is going, so let's just see what God's got in store for these dear characters! 

As usual, don't forget to vote and comment! 

God bless you all immensely! ❤❤