RAË
By early dusk, we neared the campsite. We had to cautiously negotiate the thick fortification of dense foliage surrounding the lake: some plants were known to be poisonous.
A palynological study revealed these marshlands existed 20,000 years ago, a time when man was marking cave wall with hand prints. We were entering untrammelled wilderness, untouched by modern man, except for the occasional forest ranger.
Animals that frequented the watering hole were bison, boar and barking deer; elephants and the occasional leopard. A rare tiger sighting was filmed a handful of years ago.
Our tents were pitched on sloping fingers that reached the water's edge. I dropped my knapsack, removed my shoes and with my clothes on I went for a swim.
The water was so cooling. I stayed wading till light began filtering out, slanting into streaks of india-ink.
As I sloshed my way out of the lake, our chaperone, Mr. Soli, announced we had to collect dead-wood for the evening bonfire.
After a quick change of clothes, I joined my friends at the main tent.
"What's bladderwort up to?" said Neel, just as I approached him.
They were watching Æsh, who was about to pick a forest path when Syrah intercepted him.
"She's reeling him in," said Sakura.
"Let's interruptus them," said Neel.
"I'm doing no such thing," I said.
"He needs to be warned," said Neel.
"Maybe she needs to be warned," said Lydia. "Look at him, doesn't he look like he's at war with something?"
"Nobody worse than Syrah," said Neel.
"Why do you hate her so much?" asked Shazia.
"You know why I hate her!" barked back Neel.
"What if he's a mass-shooter?" said Lydia. "By now, someone knows someone, who knows someone who's experienced a mass-shooting? Don't we?"
"Maybe, that's why he went to prison," said Sakura, her eyes widening.
"Maybe they deserve each other," said Shazia.
"Yeah. Both seemingly benign but possibly toxic punch," said Sakura.
"Mr. and Mrs. Evil/ went missing in the woods/ they were caught in the dark of the night/ trying to burn down our campsite," said Lydia in a rhyme.
I laughed. It seemed far-fetched, but nothing in our times was too strange or too incredible to happen.
YOU ARE READING
BECOMING SUPRA
RomanceWhen Raë (ambitious and driven) and Æsh (mysterious new kid) sign up for an after-school course, they chance upon Bose, a quantum physicist, who teaches them how to become SUPRA: beings that are above and beyond; beings that can manifest at the spee...
