Twisted Wonderland 2

Relax

Later that night, Coach Vargas has gathered all the boys around a campfire. You and Grim stand to the side as Vargas blows into his whistle to get everyone's attention.

"Okay, the day two challenges are officially over!" Vargas nods approvingly. "Looks like every club made it through without missing any badges. I'm already seeing more definition on those muscles!"

Grim folds his arms. "I don't see no difference."

"Tomorrow is the last day of Camp Vargas." The coach announces. "Which means you'll be facing your final challenge. You'll find out more about it when the time comes. Keep your heads in the game and give it a hundred and ten percent! Any questions? If not, you're all dismissed."

"Coach?" Jamil steps forward. "I have a concern, actually."

"Ah, Viper, with the Basketball Club." Vargas nods. "What is it?"

"Ace Trappola hasn't been back to camp since yesterday."

You feel worry creeping in. Ace hasn't come back?

Vargas hums. "Trappola, huh?"

"That's right, sir." Jamil frowns. "No one's seen him since yesterday afternoon. I'm worried something might've happened..."

The other boys nervously talk amongst themselves, speaking in hushed tones.

Vargas bursts out laughing. "Relax, Viper. He's probably too ashamed to face you guys after skipping out on his assignment. He'll be back when his stomach starts rumblin'! You should be more concerned with your next challenge! Make sure to rest up those muscles, you need to be ready for anything. Dismissed!"

Riddle shakes his head. "What is Ace thinking, making his club members worry like that? I'll need to instill a sense of Heartslabyul propriety into him... again."

Silver approaches the red head. "Excuse me, Riddle. Sorry to disturb you. I'd like to discuss our campfire shifts tonight, if I may. I wasn't much use last night, so I wanted to make up for it by taking Sebek's shift."

"Please, don't." Sebek folds his arms. "You'll just end up nodding off. You must accept this is beyond your capabilities and let it go."

Riddle nods. "All right, you've both made your points. Let's discuss it with the rest of the club when we get back to our tents."

Grim looks to you, tilts his head. "Where'd Ace run off to? If he's been gone since yesterday afternoon... Does that mean he ain't eaten for a whole day?"

You anxiously hold your arm. "I hope he's okay..."

Grim shrugs. "Then again, we know what a schemer that guy is. Maybe he's found somethin' good and is keepin' it to himself. I'll get the answers outta him when we find him!"

"Record keepers!"

Jumping from the loud voice, you look up to see Vargas walking over.

"Time to head back to the cottage!"

"There's Vargas; we better get goin'." Grim sighs. "Aw, geez, I hope he doesn't make us sit on that bench he's using as a dumbbell to add extra weight again."

You shake your head with a laugh. "Just give me one second. I'll be right back."

You quickly make your way over to the Basketball club camp, taking off the jacket Floyd lent to you. You spot the twin easily amongst the club members and rush over to him.

Noticing you approach, Floyd grins and waves. "Heya, Shrimpy. What can I do ya for?"

You hold the jacket to him. "I came to return this. Thanks again for letting me borrow it."

Floyd shrugs, taking the jacket. "Think nothing of it. The cold doesn't bother me anyway so it was no big deal."

You hold your arm with a smile. "Well, I still appreciate it."

He tilts his head as a thought occurs to him. "Wait, won't it still be cold in the morning?"

"Oh, uh, maybe." You shrug. "But you don't worry about me. I don't want to take your jacket twice."

Floyd glances from his jacket then back to you. "You know what, I'll just let you keep it."

Your eyes widen. "What?"

"You heard me." Floyd holds his jacket out to you. "You can keep the jacket."

You shake your head and take a step back. "No, no, no. I couldn't possibly, I mean... I don't want to take something so expensive looking from you."

Floyd smiles to you. "What's the point in having pointless luxurious things when I have the chance to see you smile?"

Your eyes grow large, your cheeks turning red. You try to form words but they get stuck in your throat.

Floyd chuckles. "Just take the jacket."

He tosses the jacket. It lands on top of you as if you're some glorified coat rack. You take the jacket off and hold it in your arms.

You smile at the twin. "Thank you, Floyd. This really means a lot."

Floyd smiles. "Anything for you, little Shrimpy."

Later into the night, Jamil and Floyd sit atop a log by the campfire. Jamil folds his arms and leans forward, resting his arms on his legs.

"I have a hard time believing that shame is preventing Ace from coming back." Jamil scoffs. "Since when does he even have any?"

Floyd shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck. "But if Coach Lobster says it's cool, he's probably fine, right?"

Jamil quirks an eye. "Lobster? ...Oh. You mean Vargas. Granted, despite his ego, Coach Vargas isn't the type to take his duties lightly. He's responsible and has sound judgment. Maybe he's right and I'm worried about nothing."

"There you go." Floyd turns to face Jamil. "Look, you know how loud and annoying Coach Lobster is, yeah? You tellin' me you never feel like you wanna skip out on a couple straight days of that? So stop worryin' over one little crabby. Let's head back to our tents and-"

"Hey, Floyd?"

Turning around, the boys see Ruggie and Epel walking over.

"Oh hey, Sharksucker. Guppy." Floyd waves. "Whaddaya need?"

Ruggie places a hand to his hip, flicking an ear. "Epel wants to talk to you two."

Epel nervously steps forward. "So, um... You said Ace hasn't come back to camp?"

"Yeah, but I ain't too worried." Floyd says.

Epel holds his arm. "He's not the only one who's missing. We haven't been able to find Leona since this morning."

Jamil's eyes slightly widens. "Leona's gone too?"

"So what?" Floyd rolls his eyes with a scoff. "No surprise there. It's Sea Lion. He's probably off catnapping somewhere."

Ruggie turns to Epel. "See, Epel? Just like I said. No need to worry. Think about it. This is Leona and Ace we're talking about. Leona sneaks off to relax practically every day. And our teachers and Riddle lecture Ace all the time for cutting class. I'm sure Coach Vargas is right. They're just slacking off."

"You think so?" Epel sighs. "Maybe I AM worried over nothing. Sorry to bother you all."

Jack walks over, his gaze scanning the trees. "Hey, uh, guys?"

"Oh, hey Jack." Ruggie flicks an ear. "What's up? You look a little shaken."

Jack folds his arms. "...He's gone."

"Huh?" Ruggie tilts his head.

"It's Deuce... He hasn't come back to camp either."