through thick and thin

Chapter 16

And finally came the last fun group activity of the day.

Because honestly, what's a camping trip without late-night horror stories?

The fire crackled in the center as everyone huddled around it, wrapped in shawls and stories. One by one, campers leaned forward, flashlights illuminating their faces as they told "true" horror stories with dramatic flair. Some were chilling enough to silence the group. Others were so far-fetched they had everyone clutching their stomachs from laughter.

The atmosphere was electric-half thrill, half fear. Some campers clung to each other, whispering nervously after each story. Others were clearly just here to enjoy the reactions-laughing when someone jumped at a twig snapping in the woods.

Aaryan , Aarav and Aaira sat comfortably at the edge of the circle, hands linked.

They listened quietly as yet another ghost story ended with a suspenseful gasp, prompting a few campers to squeal.

"Okay okay okay! Now it's the Shrivastavas' turn!" someone shouted, pointing at them. The group clapped and leaned in expectantly.

Aaira raised both hands in surrender. "Sorry to disappoint, but we don't really have a horror story."

"None?" another camper asked, half-gasping. "Not even a creepy childhood incident? A haunted house? Black cat sightings? Anything?"

Aarav shrugged with a grin. "I mean... we've had our share of disasters-broken bones, power cuts, near-death chokes-but no actual ghosts. Aaira once mistook a coat rack for a ghost and screamed so loud, the neighbors called security."

"Traitor!" Aaira elbowed him, rolling her eyes.

Aaryan chuckled. "Honestly, we're more ghost-resistant than ghost-sensitive. You'd have to be, growing up in our house."

The group laughed, a few clearly disappointed but still entertained.

"Then at least fake one," someone urged. "It's tradition!"

"Nope," Aaryan replied with a smirk, leaning back against a rock. "We deal in facts."

"Booooooring!" the group groaned in unison, but they were smiling. One camper tossed a marshmallow at Aaryan, who caught it effortlessly and tossed it into his mouth.

The stories continued around them, the fear still present, but a little lighter now. The Shrivastavas weren't adding horror-but they were definitely adding comfort.

By the time the last horror story reached its dramatic end, most of the campers had started retreating to their tents, the exhaustion of the day finally settling in like a heavy fog. Laughter faded into yawns, and the once-vibrant circle around the campfire slowly dispersed under the starlit sky.

Rudra and Shrishti quietly made their way to their tent, exchanging a soft smile and a few whispered words before zipping themselves in. Meanwhile, the Shrivastava trio-Aaryan, Aarav, and Aaira-ambled toward theirs, still chuckling about the overly dramatic tales that had just unfolded. Completely unaware of the mischief brewing between a few campers who lingered behind, whispering conspiratorially.

Blankets were pulled tighter. Tents were zipped shut. But among the quiet hum of crickets and the rustle of trees, a low whisper echoed:

"Operation Ghost Prank is a go."

And so, while the rest of the camp drifted into peaceful slumber, a different kind of chaos was preparing to strike.

It was around 3:30 a.m., and inside one of the tents, the Shrivastava trio were fast asleep. Aaryan lay in the middle, with Aarav and Aaira clinging to him like koalas-something Aaryan often described with an exasperated, fond smile, calling them "monkeys."