The Grim Adventures of Camp Camp

Chapter Four-The Plan

"Oooooh, this is SO exciting! We're just like ninjas!" Nikki broke the silence of early dawn and rose her hands like she was ready to deliver a karate chop.

Max and Neil both shushed her at once.

"Oops, sorry guys."

They all watched the tents, hoping that someone would leave theirs, especially Mandy so that they would be able to investigate.

As quiet as mice, they waited behind a rock not far from the site as they saw the tent that belonged to Mandy zip up and open. A while later they saw her leave from it, with her usual angered expression engraved onto her face.

As soon as she was out of sight, Max spoke up. "Okay everyone, this is our chance! So don't screw this up." He eyed Nikki as he said the last sentence. "We need to do this as quick as we can so she doesn't catch us."

"Aye aye, captain!" She replied with a salute.

"What if she notices that the tent is different because we were looking around?" Neil asked.

"Good question Neil," he responded. "If there really is this Grim guy in her tent, then she wouldn't be too suspicious that some of her belongings have been moved around."

"Oh. But what if he is there and then tells her about us?"

He cursed. "To be honest, I haven't really thought about that."

Neil and Nikki exchanged anxious glaces with each other.

"Eh, we'll compromise or whatever."

Neil shrugged while Nikki hopped up and down in excitement, proving that she was ready for action.

Max lead them into the tent while keeping a close eye on his surroundings. As soon as everyone else was inside, he was ready to go in as well, until he heard a load, "WOAH" from Nikki.

All he did in reply was curse quietly to himself while he pinched the bridge of his nose.

He scanned the scenery around him rapidly to see if Mandy was nearby and then bolted into the tent.

When he was inside, he noticed that Nikki was amazed. However, Neil was shocked and didn't say anything at all. Max peered above him to see what was going on and was flabbergasted.

"I told you so, Max!"

He barely paid any attention to Nikki's words. All he saw was what was looming over him, the Grim Reaper.

Max let out a scream as soon as his mind finally processed what was happening.

"Oh no mon, you're gonna get me in trouble! Keep quiet child!"

Max stopped screaming after what seemed like a whole minute, leaving behind words that only sounded like murmuring. "This... this isn't real, right? This is all in my mind... and I'm totally not going insane right now... right?"

The skeleton shook his head. "Nope. This is one hundred percent real, so quit denying it!"

Max immediately reverted back to his normal attitude. "Oh my god... I'm just going to sit and rethink my life for a little bit..." He walked over to the side of the tent that Mandy usually spends her time reading in and sat down.

"YES! I WAS RIGHT!" Nikki extended her hand towards Grim in order to shake hands. "Nice to meet cha, Mr. Reaper! I'm Nikki!"

Grim reached out and and shook her hand awkwardly for a couple of seconds and then let go. "Um... you seem eager to meet me... not much mortals are excited to see death after all."

"I'm not a normal mortal!" Nikki proudly stated.

Neil finally gathered up the courage to speak. "Wait a second, why would the real Grim Reaper be in a little kid's tent?"

"Well, this is kinda embarrassing... but I lost a bet to Billy and Mandy and now I have to be their best friend forever."

"How did you lose a bet to them? You're a powerful being able to reap any living thing!" Neil asked.

"It's a long story. And I'd rather not talk about it." Grim pouted.

There was just silence for a while between all of them until Nikki interrupted it.

"Yep! I just lost all my respect for you."

Grim snorted in annoyance.

Max eventually got up and stumbled next to everyone.

"Right, so I was wrong about the Grim Reaper being fake, so what else is real, the Boogeyman?!" He flailed his arms up in the air in a sarcastic gesture.

"Actually, yes."

Max put his hands in his face, which showcased how irritated he was. "I give up."

"Well, this was underwhelming, gotta bail!" Nikki announced as she darted out of the tent.

"I don't think it was, but okay." Neil got ready to leave. "Max, you going?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be out there in a minute." He gazed over at Grim.

"Alright, if you so say so." Neil said as he left though the opening of the tent.

Grim and Max just glanced at each other for a few good moments.

"Uh... yeah?" Grim intended to end the supposed starring contest.

"Nothing." He shrugged. "This is just a lot to take in at the moment."

"I can imagine."

"Uh huh."

"Y'know, child, you really remind of Mandy for some reason."

Max made a face that basically yelled 'ick!'

"Her? Yeah right."

"Huh, I would tink so."

"Why?" He genuinely seemed interested in the conversation, as he tilted his head to the side.

"Just a similar personality type." Grim pondered for a bit. "You act as if you dislike her. I would of thought that you two would get along, since you're both alike."

"That's exactly the problem." He brushed off his sweater. "People who are very similar usually don't like each other. Whatever, it's not like I care, she's too bossy for my taste anyway."

"Dat I can agree on."

Max smirked and put his hands in his pockets. "It was horrible talking to you, and stuff."

Grim knew he was joking, even though he tried to say it as serious as he could. "Likewise." Grim mustered a tiny smile.

As Max got ready to go, he started to wave goodbye, but froze in place.

Grim looked over to what caused him to pause like that, and gasped in horror by what he saw.

Mandy.