Adventures Beyond The Void (Season 1)

Chapter 4: The River Incident

POV: GEORGE 

What's this guy's deal? At first, he seemed like a normal dude, bonding nicely with many people in our group, then he just straight up bullies someone right in front of everyone! I could see Nicholas starting to hyperventilate, so I started rubbing circles on his back to calm him down.

I could tell this wasn't the first time something like this was happening. Which could only mean one thing:  This Hunter and the other boys must've known Nicholas before the summer camp. I may not be the greatest person  when it comes to socializing, but I could tell something was wrong with the way Nicholas was behaving. Even though I've never been a target for bullying or abuse, I once knew someone who has.

And Nicholas was no different. The way he talked, the way he stuttered, the injuries on his body. His claim of falling down the stairs was clearly an excuse to hide what truly happened.

He was assaulted, and I'm fairly certain, by those jerks. But what angered me most was that no one else from our table stood up for him. Though, at the moment, it didn't matter since the important part was keeping Nick (Nicholas' nickname) safe.

Luckily, Hunter's sister appeared, and sent one of the bullies flying through the air. Then, she and her brother started having a very "heated conversation", to put it lightly, which concluded with the sister saying something she probably shouldn't have, resulting in Hunter exiting the dining area.

It wasn't long before our cabin's leader, Paul, returned to our table. He was tall and muscular, with a short haircut and brown eyes, wearing a sleeveless black T-shirt and white basketball pants. A tattoo was visible on his right shoulder, as well as an annoyed/tired expression on his face.

       Paul: - What on earth happened here, Jessica?

       Jessica: - Nothing really.... Just teaching my asshole of a brother some manners.

        Paul: - "Sigh" Jessica, I understand I have no say in your family affairs, but it'd be best if these matters were dealt with privately, and not in front of little kids.

He said while folding his arms on his chest.

        Jessica: - Oh, don't be like that, babe. You know I prefer that sophisticated tongue of yours put to better use when you're with me. Hmmm.💝😘

The girl had a devilish smirk on her lips as she blew a kiss at him. Paul literally turned fifty shades of red in a matter of seconds, waving his hands in the air, sputtering things like "not in front of them" or "shameless".

     Jessica: - Hahaha, babe, you always start malfunctioning whenever anything sex-related comes up, especially when it's me. And yet, when it actually happens.... you're a total monster in-....

     Paul: - H-Have you no shame, woman?!

Laughter broke out around us. Some even turning into blushing messes. At least, the awkwardness was gone. I turned to look at Nick, who had thankfully calmed down.

After a while, the conversations resumed, and it wasn't long before people began retreating to their respective cabins. I asked our leader for permission to leave early so I could get Nicholas a new T-shirt to replace his soaked one. He agreed.

Some time passed. The tables were now empty. Paul asked the leader of a neighboring cabin to take the rest of the kids back to ours, so he could bring Nicholas to the infirmary, change his wet bandages, and apply fresh ones. I stayed by his side, and I could tell he was grateful for it.