Summer Camp

Chapter Twenty-Four

  Blood still stains when the sheets are washed
Sex don't sleep when the lights are off
Kids are still depressed when you dress them up
And syrup is still syrup in a sippy cup
He's still dead when you're done with the bottle
Of course it's a corpse that you keep in the cradle
Kids are still depressed when you dress them up
Syrup is still syrup in a sippy cup

~ Sippycup, Melanie Martinez 

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**Jace's POV**

I crumpled into the old couch next to Reb and Lisa, who were holding hands. We were in our base in an old learning room. The place was small, but concealed. Most of the kids in the resistance came out when they heard me come in.

About 20 kids gathered around me, asking me what had happened today. I sighed sitting up. I was still wearing a guards uniform. 

"Did you learn anything new," asked Cayla, sitting on the arm rest.

"I didn't learn anything today," I told the group of kids who were listening to me, "The Kings room was occupied at all times today. Soon I will be able to sneak in and find some information, but we just need to be patient. We might have to start thinking about delaying the search of the King's room and start with some smaller things first. There are so many things hidden in the Castle."

The kids grumbles, and slowly drifted off.

"Why do you want to delay the search," asked Reb, poking me in the shoulder. 

I signed, "This girl got whiped for touching the Kings stuff. If I do anything and the King finds out anytime soon, he's just gonna go back to that girl over and over. I don't want anyone to get hurt for my actions."

"Who was it," asked Cayla quietly.

"It was the girl you told me about," I said, "Alex."

Cayla was quiet for a minute, "Is she okay?"

"I think so," I said, "She got quite a beating. I'll tell you about it in the morning. Maybe we should all get to sleep."

"Yeah," said Cayla drifting away. 

"Is she really okay," asked Lisa sadly.

"I really do think so," I said, "It was awful."

"What," asked Red. I took a deep breath and shuddered.

"H-he made me, " I started, "He made me lock her up in, in this, this metal contraption. The girl couldn't move as the King hit her over and over with the whip, it was awful." I took a break. "I had to grab her, she wouldn't listen to me. I grabbed a chunk of her hair and purposely put her in harms way. I forced her into it."

We we all quiet until Reb put his hand on my shoulder, "I would have been worse if you didn't do it."

"I grabbed a girl, and handcuffed them so that they couldn't move," I yelled, standing up and backing from the couch. "I put her on display for the King to hurt. I chained her up and watched as she cried out in agony over and over again. I didn't do anything, I didn't move a finger. In fact I helped the King hurt her." I turned and ran into my room.

Fortunately no one followed me as a started sobbing on the bed feeling weak and disgusted with myself. 

"Can I see her," asked Cayla suddenly, moving into my room.

"Alex," I asked, wiping my face. 

"Yeah, I want to help you."

"No," I said sternly, "This is too dangerous."

"I need to help," she said, moving to sit on the edge of my bed, "I know what they are going through, and I want help them."

I sighed exasperated, "Can we just talk about this tommorow?"

"Sure," she said, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."