Camp Lakeview

Chapter 26 Let the past be the past

The candlelight service was tonight. With the help of the camp director that Shawn hired I was able to pull it off. She was a big help. We invited the family of the ones who died and the local people in the neighboring town. She even got the news crew to come out to cover the story.

We decided to have the candlelight service just outside of the campgrounds. We didn't want to have it inside the camp because Shawns wants to have the big reveal tomorrow when the camp opens. He didn't want anybody to know how much the camp has changed, look wise until the day of the opening. The only people who know how the camp looks are the staff and the contractors of course.

I was sitting in Shawn's office while he was away at the mess hall having a meeting with his staff. Tomorrow was the big day so they had a few last minute things to talk about. As for me, I was putting together the rest of the flower arrangements and candles.

The candlelight service

The sun was setting giving off a beautiful light to the sky. The candlelight service was just about to start. Candles were being passed out to everyone who came. There were yellow flowers spread around the area representing love and friendship. there was a banner that held everyone's name who had lost their lives that night. At the last minute, Marin the camp director was able to get a blown up picture of the one we took years ago at camp. The site was really beautiful to say and I'm sure everyone who died would love this. I'm glad we are honoring and cherishing their life.

A speech by Shawn

"Opening Camp Lakeview back up wasn't an easy task for me to complete. As many of you know what took place here 15 years ago. 15 years ago there was a mass murder and unforatanlly had to live through that. 

Although I am glad that I survived there are others that have lost their lives. People may look back at what happened as a tragedy in which it was but I'm sure that those who passed on would want us to cherish and honor their life.

I wasn't too thrilled when I found out that my father bought this place and decided to reopen it. In fact, I was against it and tried everything that I could to stop it. I had to come to the realizing of letting go and moving on. Its what I know my friends who have left me would want. 

We open up Camp Lakeview in memory of those we love that passed on. This camp is for them. This camp is a symbol of hope and new beginnings."

On the back of the picture, Marin thought it would be a great idea to write something to the person we list that night. Overall the service turned out pretty nice. I just know that everyone who died that night would love this. And everyone who lost someone that night was able to get a little bit of closure.

Standing there looking at Danielle parents was surreal. I haven't seen them since the day they found us. The hurt look on their faces as they watched their daughters best friend reunite with their parents. The frantic look on their faces searching for their daughter and me realizing that Danielle wasn't about to walk out of that camp alive.

I'm not really sure what happened to our relationship. Danielle parents were my godparents. But after the incident, I never spoke to them ever again. Sometimes I feel like they blamed me for their daughter's death. At times I do too.

Shawn was over there carrying on a conversation with Danielle parents. It's like the never missed a beat. I slowly walked over there. Part of me wanted to be noisy and the other part just really wanted them to forgive me.

"Shawn its really nice seeing you again." "Yes, I'm glad that we can still connect after all these years." "And as I can see from here the camp looks so lovely and this ceremony was so nice. Danielle would've loved it." "Well, I would like to take credit for this but La'Rayna is the one that set this whole thing up. All of this was her idea." Shawn pulled me next to him. Danielle parents eyes shifted towards me for a split second. "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Jonhson" They didn't respond. Mrs. cleared his throat and spoke to Shawn. "Well, we will see you later Shawn." "Yeah every third Wednesday of each month, Now don't you forget." "Have I ever." They gave him a hug and walked away.

That really just hurt me more than anything. Like I wasn't there and my feeling didn't even matter. I wanted to break down and cry right there. I pulled away from Shawn. "Rayna." "No, no you have been in contact this whole time with them." "Yeah but." "And you never told me," I said cutting him off. "This whole time huh. All those times I vent to you about how they seem like they hated me and was shutting me out for what happened and you were still in contact with them. My best friends parents, my supposed godparents." "La'Rayna I'm sorry I didn't tell you because I knew it would upset you." "Well, it's nice to know that I still have a friend." "La'Rayna come on."

He grabbed my arm but I pulled away. I just wanted to be alone. I found myself wandering around the camp. I ended up in front of my old cabin. Cabin five now known as the sunflower cabin. It was so bright here. For some reason, things still looked the same. No matter how much paint and decoration you put up it just can't hide the pain that happened here.

I walked over to the back where we tried to escape. Flashes of blood being splattered on the wall. Screams echoing in my ear. Rayna and Danielle being screamed. The creepy camp song being sung followed by giggling. Never go over the hill...soon your soul will end...the cabin is at a dead end...cabin six that is...searching through the wasteland that is...they never found his body...now he's hunting everybody...you'll be next...he's coming for you with an ax...living at Camp Lakeview...gotta sleep with one eye open...or he's gonna get you."

I heard the door slammed shut making me jump and fall out of the trace that I seemed to be in. I turned around and there stood Kirk in the doorway. What could he be doing here? I didn't even notice him in the crowd of people during the ceremony.

"Whoa, this place looks a bit different. Don't you think Ray Ray?" "Please don't call me that." "Oh, haven't we become the polite one." He walked closer to me. "What are you doing here?" "I came to warn you." "Warn me. Warn me about what?" "Shawn didn't tell you." "Tell me what? Get to the point." "Something isn't right. Something isn't right here. You shouldn't open this camp." "Then why are you sending your niece here then huh." "I'm not sending her nowhere. I have no control over what my sister does. Besides I tried to warn her too. But that's why I'm coming to you." 

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A/N: This chapter and like most of the chapters of this book will be a lot longer when the story is finished...I'm saying this because this is the rough draft (1st draft)...later I will go back and add/change/fix things to the story...let me know what you like and don't like and what I could add...I'm writing this story for you...be sure to add this to your library so you are notified on the updates...only four chapters left...