DID YOU MISS ME?

Chapter Five

"And over there is a pine tree!" David smiled, pointing ahead of him.

"David, why did we all have to split up?" Harrison asked, not paying attention to what the counselor was saying.

"Yeah, and why did you ignore what Gwen wath trying to thay?" Nerris broke in.

"It was just probably about funding," David sighed. "Oh! If you look over there, there's an elm tree!"

Harrison and Nerris looked at each other before sighing and following David. This went on for about an hour until David frowned and looked up at the sky.

"Looks like we'll have to cut this hike short," David muttered. He sighed, then turned back around to face the other two with a smile. "I'll call the others and tell them to meet us in the Mess Hall. Look like we're going to have to have to watch a movie for the rest of the day."

Nerris and Harrison sighed in relief, glad that they'll soon be back with the rest of their friends, and soon, they will all be safe.

***

Jen silently led Nurf, Ered, and Dolph down the trail as she looked around the forest. How on Earth could these kids escape this camp without getting lost in these woods? She shook her head before smiling and stopping, causing the three campers behind her to stop as well.

"So, kids, how much do you like this camp?" she asked.

The campers stayed silent for a while before Nurf spoke up.

"You know, you don't have to continue to act nice to us," Nurf growled. "We know that you and Daniel are cultists."

Jen let out a small laugh before turning around and beginning to lead them back to the campsite.

"No, you misunderstand us," Jen smiled. "Daniel and I just want you all to feel safe. Why don't you understand that?"

Nurf just growled in reply, while Dolph and Ered stayed silent. Jen perked up when she felt her phone buzz, and she picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jen, it's David. It looks like it's about to rain, so can you bring back the kids? We're just going to watch a movie for the rest of the day."

"Alright, on our way now."

"Alright kids," Jen began, putting her phone away. "We're going back to camp since it's about to rain. Now, come on!"

Jen began to whistle to herself as the three campers began to follow after her.

"Hey, Jen."

Jen stopped and smiled as Gwen, along with Preston and Space Kid, approached them.

"Hey Gwen," Jen waved. "Heading back to camp as well?"

"Yeah," Gwen replied, frowning. "I saw you and I thought that I could accompany you guys back."

"Sure!" Jen replied, slinging an arm around Gwen's shoulders. "The more the merrier!"

"Thank God Gwen is playing along," Ered whispered to Preston and Space Kid.

"Yeah," Space Kid agreed. "Hopefully this will go over smoothly."

The others nodded as they followed Gwen and Jen back to camp.

***

"And it's still all his fault that I ended up in jail!" Campbell growled to Daniel.

"It's his fault that I ended up in the hospital, and then jail as well," Daniel nodded.

"You guys deserved it," Max mumbled to himself.

"Now now Max," Daniel turned towards the small boy, making his neck crack. "You should act nice to your camp counselor."

"How could I act nice to the two assholes who want to kill my da-David?!?" Max shouted, ignoring his slip up.

"Oh?" Daniel smirked raising his eyebrow. "What did you just say?"

"He didn't say anything!"Neil broke in.

"I told you that these brats were rowdy," Campbell whispered to Daniel, who only let out a small chuckle.

"They may be rowdy," Daniel began, stepping towards Max. "But they will do anything to protect their precious David." As if on que, Daniel's phone rang. He looked at it and grinned. "Speaking of-"

"Hello, David."

"Hey Daniel! It looks like it's about to rain, so bring those campers back here for a movie! The others are already here so hustle!"

"Alrighty David! See you there!"

Daniel turned off his phone and put it away, grinning the entire time. He turned back to the three friends, who were staring nervously at him.

"Time to return!" he chuckled as he began to walk away. "Oh, and just so you don't run off and tell your precious David about us...Campbell?"

Campbell picked up the three friends and held them captive in his arms as the three of them struggled. Daniel just kept on walking, whistling the entire time.

***

"Alrighty!" Daniel began as Max, Neil, and Nikki ran over to the other campers. "Now that everyone's here, let's begin that movie!"

He popped in The Lord Of The Rings and the kids became glued to the tv. But it was also because Jen, Daniel, and Campbell were standing behind them, keeping an eye on them. Gwen took this as her chance to talk to David. As if he heard her thoughts, David asked if he could talk to her.

"So, what were you trying to tell me this morning?" David asked.

"Here, watch this,"Gwen simply replied, giving him her phone that showed the news she saw last night.

David stared at the small screen, his face falling into complete horror. He couldn't believe it. He thought that this man was his friend. But no. He was just using him. Max was right all along. He has to talk to the campers later.

"What are we going to do?" David whispered, looking back and forth from the campers to a Gwen and back again. "I can't let them hurt the campers."

"We have a plan," Gwen answered before whispering it into David's ear.

"Is that going to work?" David asked worriedly.

"Let's hope it does."