Twisted Wonderland 2

Ready for Anything

By the time all the clubs have gathered together, the sun has set and the night sky sparkles with stars. You sit atop a log and sketch using the light of the campfire. Grim curls up beside you, tucking his paws beneath him and loafing like a cat. Vargas steps forward and blows into his whistle to get the boy's attention.

"Okay, the day two challenges are officially over!" Vargas folds his arms. "Looks like every club made it through with all their badges. I'm already seeing more definition on those muscles!"

Grim rolls his eyes with a scoff. "That's what he said last time and I still 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."

Azul and Vil walks over to Vargas. Seeing how serious they look, you pack up your sketchbook and join them.

"Excuse me, Coach Vargas?" Azul clears his throat. "I have something to report."

"Ah, Ashengrotto, with the Board Game Club." Vargas nods. "What is it?"

Azul adjusts his glasses, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Well, it's just that Idia hasn't returned to camp."

"And Ortho is missing as well." Vil adds.

Vargas brings a hand to his chin as he hums. "The Shroud brothers, huh..."

"We've been searching exhaustively for Idia since yesterday afternoon. But we have yet to find him." Azul feigns mock worry. Placing a hand to his chest and shaking his head. "I don't want to believe it, truly I don't, but he may very well have fled from camp. Oh, I... I'm just so ashamed that one of our own would do such a thing! We take our duties very seriously in the Board Game Club. We do NOT condone playing hooky!"

Vil places a hand to his hip. "I could hardly believe it myself. Who could imagine that Idia would get Ortho to abandon his post? Our club respects self-reliance and discipline. Skipping out on one's duties is inexcusable, regardless of the reason. We're all taking this matter quite seriously."

Vargas stays quiet for a moment only to burst out laughing, startling you and the two boys.

"Is that right?" Vargas grins. "You both have the right attitude. Your intensity goes to show that Camp Vargas is already paying off! When they get back, make your feelings crystal clear! That's the ticket!"

Azul is speechless for a second. "Uh... yes, sir."

Vil whispers to you and Azul. "Is it me, or was his reaction rather mild? I thought he'd be furious that people were ditching his camp."

The Pop Music team, along with Trey and Rook approach.

Cater nervously plays with a strand of his hair. "Hey, uh, Coach Vargas? We've got something to tell you too..."

"Lilia hasn't come back yet either." Kalim says, worry in his eyes. "We know he went to do the giant catfish challenge, but when we went to look for him at the lake, all we found was the catfish he'd caught."

Trey's eyes widen. "Lilia's missing too? We haven't seen Malleus since this morning..."

"OKAY, BOYS, SETTLE DOWN." Vargas quiets the unsettled boys. "Don't worry, I've already planned for this eventuality. I'll look for the missing students myself. You should be more concerned with your next challenge! Make sure to rest up those muscles, you need to be ready for anything. Dismissed!"

Vargas walks off, leaving you and the boys to speculate some more.

"I didn't realize Ortho was missing too." Trey turns to Azul. "But hey, didn't Idia go missing yesterday? Why did you wait to report it?"