All For Not - Wednesday

Page 101

Walking out to see my sister, Kent trails behind me, eyes locked on as we walk down the uneven hill. His hand reaches out more than once at certain steps down the small slope before he chuffs and moves up to my side, hand moving to my lower back so he can keep further control over a fall.

"Just my luck, looks like dort is gearing up for a ridiculous speech."

We stop behind my sister, looking past to see the man in question stand up atop a large tree stump, "A speech, for what? He's already given one at the school..." I frown watching him clear his throat and look around, calling for all the students to join him.

"For the next two days, Camp Jericho is now known as... Camp Outcast!" I grimace as we move up to the front of the group, Wednesday trailing behind slowly. Dort whoops in excitement, school spirit showing annoyingly, "This is a new annual tradition at Nevermore. A wilderness retreat that promotes community building, team spirit, and most importantly... Outcast pride!"

"Yes!" He yells, holding a shirt up for the camp to see as he smiles brightly, watching the other students become excited and cheer, then he throws the shirt towards us, kent catching it easily with a grin on his face. I frown watching.

"At Camp Outcast, there are no cell phones. And no Normies for miles."

At his last words a whistle blows, shrilly and sharp. "Incorrect! I beg to differ with your last point." Suddenly everything stops as a 'normie' approaches, a group of them behind him as well like a squad of angry children.

"Ron Kruger, Phoenix cadet master." My head snaps into a tilt at the word and I feel eyes shift to look at me, Kent grabbing my hand, "I reserved this campground six months ago for my annual Camp CLAW."

Staying silent I watch the teens surround the stump, facing outward in a stiff position with their hands behind their backs, "Cadets...what does CLAW mean?"

"Camping, learning, adventure, wilderness!" They yell back and my nose twitches in response, eyes narrowing as their leader continues to speak, "We have a signed contract. Which means you need to pack your tents and vacate the woods immediately."

"Well, I also have a contract signed by the camp's owner." Dort pulls out his own contract, unfolding the thing with a smirk.

The scout leader rolls his eyes, a fake smile on his face, "Old Jack? Yeah, he retired to Orlando. His sons run the business now." Wednesday leaves my side suddenly, disappearing somewhere behind us, "Must have double-booked."

"Sounds like Normie incompetence," Dort chuckles, taking his contract back and refolding it to shove back into the inner pocket of his jacket, "Well, see you around, Sarge."

My eyes follow the other man after Dort chuckles, he steps forwards and directs his voice to everyone, "I've been preparing these boys for the last 364 days for my ultimate wilderness challenge. That is happening this weekend! Cadets, help them pack and load. Outcast taillights at 1600 hours."

His cadets reply swiftly, "Sir, yes, sir!" I'd have to say that at least they listen to him.

Suddenly an air horn blares, the sound cutting through the air with a shrill squeal. I don't have to look to know it's Wednesday, reappearing with said horn, creating a stalled moment as she parts the small crowd and walks through, eyes locked on the scout leader, "If you and your dead-eyed drones want this campground so badly, then fight us for it."

"Excuse me?" He eyes her, a glare so obvious it looks like he's constipated.

"Winner takes all. Loser goes home." She states, Dort clapping and speaking, "I like the sound of that. Unless you and your boys are not up for the challenge..." he taunts, easily earning a response. "Okay, pigtails, we speak the same language... What are you proposing?"