Church camp

01.

[Word count: 2,393]

{Third person}

♡♡♡

By the time five am had rolled around, Gabriel could feel a pit of dread and nausea churning in his lower stomach.

Moments after Gabriel had awoke, his alarm clock blared. Flashing red against the dark walls until he smacked the top and heard it topple down unto the floor.

Letting out a small moan of displeasure, Gabriel moved from the warmth of his bed. Clicking on the small lamp, not wanting to be emitted to the glare of a 100 walt light-bulb at this unholy hour. Slumming towards the bathroom, towel dragging behind the on the clean hardwood floor. This being the routine every morning of July 5th for the last five years.

After a half hour of unwillingness Gabriel settled at the table, cup of decaf coffee in hand, suitcase handle in other.

"Gabriel, make sure to lead Elliya. You know how she is with new things." His mom informed. Wide awake even this early in the morning.

"Mom! I'll be fine!" Elliya blushed, also a morning person like her mother.

Gabriel remained quiet, just slightly politely nodding his head to the ongoing conversation. He wasn't much of a vocal person compared to the females in the house, he more so took after his father. Often described as 'mysterious' and 'well-kept', not that this attitude was sought as a bad one, but rather one described as a man of God who only spoke the holy word. Which all sounded ridiculous to Gabriel, but thus he stayed quiet about his opinion.

Elliya turned to him."Aren't you excited?!" She piped, voice higher with energy in each word.

"Yeah." Gabriel spoke, voice cracking. It was the first thing he had said that morning.

Elliya clearly please with his answer turned back to animatedly sparking in conversation. Hearing the chair next to him screech against the hard wood floor. His father looking tired turned to him with a grim face, patting Gabriel the shoulder.

    "Morning daddy!" Elliya welcomed. Still at the age eleven calling her father daddy.

     Elliya was quite the typical incorrect church girl. Ever-loving to everyone, not yet tainted by the fumes of hatred from others. She was a ball of sunshine, like warmth by a fire on a cold winter night. Blind to any emotions besides positive ones, quite the optimistic child.

   "Morning pumpkin pie." Her Father spoke back, smiling as he used the sweet nickname.

"Let's pray." Gabriel's mother, Mary spoke.

     Out-reaching her hands to Elliya and Gabriel who sat only an arms length away. Clasping hands together the family bowed heads, eye respectfully closed. Gabriel zoning out as his Father spoke. Wistful words to the God they so confided in.

     Hoping that a few kind words to an higher being would send any future troubles or turmoil away to the depth of another time. Mary looking up, eyes swelling with melodramatic tears, lips tucked into a relived smiled. His mother was always seeming to be touched emotionally when 'god was in their presences." Even for simple things like praying before a meal, she often spoke even small prayers swelled her heart with the love of God and touch of the Holy spirit. It was all to embarrassing for Gabriel, but thus like usual he kept his problematic thoughts to himself.