The Hauntings of Wilderwood [ongoing]

1: Nine Years Later

Nine years is a long time.

It's long enough to completely change a person. The young eleven-year old adventurous Adrian had changed into a different person over the years. He was changed by high school, college, and the constant lovers slipping away from his grasp. 

But that eleven-year old boy never seemed to go away completely. Just walking on the trail back to the Wilderwood Campground gives him a sense of exhilaration-- the same feeling he'd felt years ago. The beautiful sun setting above the canopy of trees was almost enough to make Adrian explode with memories: the good and the bad.

"Adrian fucking Hamilton." A familiar voice stops Adrian in his tracks.

His pale green eyes meet the dark brown eyes of Desmond, "Shark?" 

"I told you guys not to call me that anymore!" A laughing Desmond approaches Adrian with a hug in which Adrian gladly accepts. He'd acquired the name through his particular childhood obsession. During their camp years, he was what you'd call a 'shark maniac'.

Adrian's nose catches the smell of smoke on the other man, only then did he notice a cigarette dangling in between two fingers on his right hand. He wasn't prepared for the fact that everyone else has probably changed too. Then again, it hasn't been twelve full years since he's last seen his Wilderwood friends, but it's certainly been quite a few.

"I don't remember the dock being this far back." Shark throws the cigarette onto the forest floor and gives it one good stomp before continuing the hike.

"Really?" Adrian asks sounding surprised, "I remember this place like it was yesterday. It's only a little longer."

"Wow, you almost sound like our old camp councilors. What was that one lady's name... Tyra?"

"Tina." Adrain corrects him.

"Close enough." Shark cackles at himself before the conversation dies. However, his curiosity and bold self can't help but wonder about the life of his old friend. "So... I remember you and Salem were... well, you know, close."

Heat flushes through Adrian's cheeks as he frowns. "We were kids. Salem has her life and I have my own. We're just friends."

"Mmhm."

"I'm not kidding, it's true." Adrian releases a long sigh. He somehow felt prepared for this circumstance to arise. "Look, I've been seeing people. Alright?"

Shark condescendingly replies, "But are you seeing anyone now?"

Adrian raises a finger, thinking of some excuse or statement which will put Shark in his place. Yet, he can't think of a single one. "No..."

"And when was the last time you were actually in a relationship." The conversation seems more like an interrogation than anything else.

"There was a... uh, guy back in Portland a few months ago." Adrian was prepared for a reaction from Shark, knowing his friend didn't expect that response.

"Oh, so... you're... gay?"

"No, no, no." Adrian shakes his head to stop Shark from thinking about it to much. "I just don't really have a preference, that's all."

"Well you do you, the hell do I care." 

He hates having to explain that over and over and over again. To avoid the awkward silence, Adrian points out the dock hovering above the water with an old boat floating by its side. The orange sky reflecting off the water, the dark twisted trees reflecting off of the lake, the view of the island and the nature on it; it's another beautiful sight which withholds memories. 

"Finally." Shark mutters, "I was beginning to think the trail never ends."

Funny, because Adrian was beginning to hope it never would. He hadn't expected the anxious feeling emerging in his chest, but he can't quite figure out why its there. Is it because of meeting all of his old friends? Or is it because he remembers what happened on their last day? Maybe it's the thought of meeting Salem again. Or maybe its because the island is his old friends' grave.

"Hello dearies!" A soft woman's voice emerges from the boat. Her blonde hair and frail physique is easy to identify: Kylie.

"Kylie!" Adrian tries to sound as excited as he can before embraces Kylie when she leaps onto the dock. Shark follows his leading, repeating the same motions.

"I haven't seen you two in so long, I was beginning to worry!" Her giddy smile almost makes her seem like she's on some sort of relaxed drug, but that's just naturally Kylie. "You're both early. The others haven't gotten here yet."

"Sweetie, what in God's tarnation are these magazines doin' all over the floor-"

Adrian and Shark jolt at the unknown slurred voice on the boat. An older man walks behind the standing shelter who's eyes are widened at the visitors.

"Uncle J, you're not supposed to say anything." A frustrated Kylie smiles nervously, "Guys, don't mind him he hasn't been himself since before his accident."

"Don't you go talkin' bout Uncle Jim like that." He then disappears back behind the standing shelter.

Kylie shrugs towards the two and smiles, "My uncle said we can borrow his fishing boat to get to the island, but he wouldn't let me drive the damn thing."

Adrian smiles at Kylie reassuringly, "Well, it's better than no boat."