Camp Erie Lake

6

I look around at my key teammates—Poppy, Mac, and Jenna. We're all decked out in our blue shirts, pumped up and ready for the challenge. The edge of the lake is buzzing with activity as everyone heads toward our base. The water stretches out, shimmering softly under the afternoon sun, while the surrounding trees cast long, dark shadows that add a touch of mystery to the scene.

Our base is set up at one end of the lake, marked by a tall blue flag fluttering in the breeze. Blue tents and a few lanterns hanging from the trees cast a warm, flickering light. The grass is cool and damp, and there are fallen leaves scattered around. Nearby, some large rocks and fallen logs offer natural cover for hiding or planning our next move.

We all huddle together in a tight circle for our strategy session. The occasional buzz of mosquito's drifts around us as we get ready.

Poppy is at the forefront of our huddle. Her red hair is pulled back into a practical ponytail, and she's focused, her sharp eyes darting around. She stands with her hands on her knees, slightly bent forward, showing she's ready to dive into the plan.

Mac, towering over most of us, crouches with his elbows resting on his knees. His shirt is a bit wrinkled from the hustle of getting ready, and he's grinning widely. He's clearly excited and ready to take on the game.

Jenna, with her neatly tied ponytail bouncing slightly, sits cross-legged on the grass. Her eyes are bright with anticipation, and her hands are folded in her lap. She taps her fingers on the ground as she listens, eager to jump in.

I'm standing, leaning slightly into the circle with my hands on my hips. My blue shirt is already starting to cling with excitement. I glance around at my teammates, checking their reactions and making sure we're all on the same page. I can feel the adrenaline buzzing as I prepare to lay out our strategy.

"Alright, team," I say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the adrenaline. "We need a solid plan to capture the red team's ghost and get their flag. We've got to stay organized and cover all our bases. I'll be damned if the Nix's get this win over us."

Poppy, who's been quietly observing, steps forward. "I can scout ahead and see if I can find the red team's ghost. I'm pretty good at staying hidden and moving quietly."

"Sounds perfect," I reply, feeling confident. "Mac and Jenna, you two should stay here and keep an eye out for any red team members trying to sneak up on us. I'll be ready to grab the flag if we manage to tag their ghost."

Jenna nods enthusiastically. "Got it. We'll make sure no one gets too close to our base." She pauses, a mischievous glint in her eye. Then, with a playful grin, she raises her hand and makes a dramatic slicing motion across her neck, as if to say, "And if they do... well, they'll have to deal with us!" Her exaggerated gesture makes us all chuckle, lightening the mood.

The whistle blows, cutting through the afternoon air with a sharp peep! It's a clear, commanding sound, slicing through the chatter and excitement. The sharp blast jolts us into action as we rush to our positions, ready for the game.

Poppy and I make our way to the far end of the lake, where we think the red team's ghost is lurking. We carefully slip through the shadows, dodging trees and keeping our movements smooth. I can see Mallory and Mason up ahead, but they're more focused on each other than on guarding the area. Seriously, they call that guarding? It's almost laughable how easy it is to avoid them.

As we distance ourselves from their lackluster watch, I can't help but feel a rush of excitement. Working with Poppy like this is surprisingly thrilling—who would have guessed? There's a real spark in the air, and I'm totally caught up in it.

We crouch behind a cluster of trees, peeking out to spot the red team's ghost. Poppy's eyes are sharp and focused. "There! I see them moving near the edge of the lake."