Camp Raunch

Chapter Nine

The boys quickly realized that the ominous clouds gathering overhead weren't just for show. As they hurried back through the woods, the first few drops of rain began to fall, quickly turning into a downpour that soaked them to the bone within seconds. 

Andy, clad only in his soaked and stained underwear, seemed to get the worst of it, the fabric clinging to his skin as they sprinted back toward Camp Raunch. "Shit, we're gonna get drenched!" Tyler shouted over the sound of the rain, his voice laced with a mix of urgency and laughter. 

"I think we already are!" Ethan yelled back, wiping water from his eyes as he ran, his clothes quickly becoming heavy with the rain. Jeremy, trying to keep up, glanced over at Andy, who was grinning despite the rain plastering his hair to his forehead. 

"Andy, you look like a wet dog in those undies!" he teased, dodging a puddle as they ran. 

"Better a wet dog than a drowned rat!" Andy shot back with a laugh, splashing through the puddle and sending water spraying. 

"Can we pick up the pace? I think I saw lightning!" Ethan added, a little more urgently as they neared the campgrounds. 

"Maybe we'll get superpowers!" Tyler joked, though he picked up speed, his feet pounding against the muddy ground. They raced the final stretch, finally reaching the familiar sight of their cabin just as the rain began to fall in sheets. 

By the time they burst through the door, they were completely soaked, water pooling around their feet as they stood in the entryway, panting and laughing. "Holy shit, that was insane!" Tyler gasped, running a hand through his wet hair as he kicked off his soggy shoes. Andy, dripping from head to toe, looked out the window, watching as the rain turned into a full-blown thunderstorm. 

"Looks like we're just gonna be chillin' in here for the rest of the day," he remarked, watching the lightning flash across the sky. Ethan, always the prepared one, dug through one of his suitcases and pulled out a deck of Uno cards. 

"Well, if we're stuck inside, we might as well make the best of it," he suggested, holding up the cards. "Anyone up for a game?" The others quickly nodded, eager for something to do while they waited out the storm. They grabbed towels from their suitcases and dried off as best they could before changing into more comfortable clothes. Each of them grabbed their blankets from the beds, wrapping themselves up as they sat in a circle on the cabin floor. 

As Ethan shuffled the deck, Tyler smirked and said, "How about we put a spin on it? Whenever someone has to draw four, they have to make a confession." The idea was met with nods and grins of approval. 

"I'm down for that," Andy said, already eager to see what secrets might come out. 

"Yeah, that sounds fun," Jeremy agreed, leaning back against his pile of blankets. With the rules set, Ethan dealt the cards, and the game began, the sound of shuffling cards mingling with the steady rhythm of rain pounding against the cabin roof.

The rain continued to pound against the cabin roof as the boys settled into their makeshift circle on the floor, the warmth of their blankets contrasting with the stormy weather outside. The atmosphere was cozy, but the competitive energy in the room was palpable as they began their game of Uno with a twist. "Alright, let's do this," Andy said, grinning as he adjusted his blanket around his shoulders. "I'm ready to dominate." Tyler smirked as he eyed his cards. 

"Oh, we'll see about that. I'm feeling pretty lucky today." Ethan, ever the strategist, carefully organized his hand. 

"Luck's got nothing to do with it. It's all about skill," he said, his voice filled with mock seriousness. The first few rounds passed with plenty of playful banter and laughter as they each tried to outdo the others. Then, the inevitable happened—Ethan drew the first draw four card. His cheeks flushed a deep red as he set the card down, knowing what was expected of him.