The Hauntings of Wilderwood [ongoing]

Prolouge

Prologue

(12 Years Ago)

The sun was just beginning to set over the horizon as 10 year old Adrian Hamilton pulled himself up onto a stone jetty. His scruffy auburnish hair was tucked neatly into a Camp Wilderwood snap-back, as his tan Camp uniform and orange ascot waved in the slight breeze. Setting his hands on his hips as he inhaled deeply, his short attention was drawn by a voice calling to him from below the steep stones,

"Adrian? Are you there?"

"C'mon, Salem. This view is incredible!" Adrian set down his large hiking pack as he kneeled, taking hold of a pale wrist hooked weakly to the edge of the cliff side. Using his body weight, Adrian pulled his best friend Salem Wolfe up onto the small plateau. Significantly smaller then Adrian, Salem heaved a breath as she pushed strands of long raven hair out of her dark eyes,

"You left me behind,"

"No I didn't!" Adrian insisted, smiling as he helped the smaller girl to her feet and held her hand, "I got you here, didn't I?"

"We shouldn't have left the group. Ranger Jerry said a storm was going to blow in soon,"

"Puh-lease. It's so nice out here, and look at this great view we have!"

Adrian waved one of his arms, drawing Salem's attention to the view. From the jetty, they could see all of Wilderwood Island. Down at the bottom of the mountain, shrouded in trees was their camp, beyond that was Spooky Moose Canyon, and on the horizon was the sparkling of Wilderwood Lake. The sun was just setting beyond the mountains surrounding camp, which cast an orange hue across everything,

"It is beautiful," Salem smiled and inched slightly closer to Adrian, who was still smiling broadly, "so why did you want to talk to me all the way up here?"

"Oh yeah," Adrian turned slightly and took Salem's hand. He then dropped down onto one knee, removing a red piece of thread from his pocket. Salem merely cocked her head to one side confusedly as Adrian tied the red string around her finger,

"What are you doing, Adrian?"

"I saw Ranger Jerry do this with Ranger Tina last night."

"What is it?"

"It's like, a best friend ritual. You'll always be my best friend now. See, this thread is so you always remember. I made one for me too. Here, help me put it on,"

Adrian dug a blue piece of thread from his pocket and held it to Salem, smiling the biggest smile a young boy could, "come on, we learned how to tie knots yesterday,"

"Do I have to kneel and everything?"

Salem took the string cautiously as Adrian knitted his brow, and puckered a lip slightly,

"Uh, no. I think only the boy does it. So here," Adrian stuck out his hand, watching intently as Salem slowly tied the knot, "there, now we're best friends forever."

"Is...is that it?"

"Well no. We get to kiss now," Adrian bounced up and down on his heels as Salem flushed deeply, her pale cheeks early matching the shade of the sunset,