Into the Wood

Chapter 1- The Hole

     "Fuck! That shit is sharp as hell!" Cameron pulled his hand away, clenching his now bleeding finger.
     "Oi, dont be such a pussy," Mitch teased, laughing as he continued folding the paper, "its not sharp, youre just not careful." Cameron put his papercut finger into his mouth, wincing as the warm wetness hit the cut.
     "I'm tho thick of thith, whath tha poin' anyway?" Cameron asked, glaring at the stack of papers they've still got to fold.
     "You know just as well as I do that if we dont get these done now, we never will. And they're due next week," Mitch explained. Cameron pouted some more, laying back on the Wood flooring of the treehouse.
     Mitch laughed at his friends childishness, and picked up another piece of paper to fold.
     "I can't fucking wait to graduate, school sucks ass," Cameron pouted, looking at his finger. Mitch nodded in agreement.
     "Yeah, only a couple months left, then were free from this hell," Mitch sighed, and paused. His shoulders slumped, and Cameron looked over at his friend with a confused look.
     "Hey, the hell is with that face? You ok dude?" Cameron questioned, sitting up on his elbows now.
     "Yeah, its just... I still havent thought of a career path, and knowing my mom, she's gonna be up my ass about it soon. Honestly I'm surprised she hasnt said anything yet," Mitch sighed, setting down the now folded paper. "I just wish we had more time to decide, ya know?" Cameron sat up, sighing.
     "You worry too much, you know that?" Cameron punched his friends arm, giving him a smile. "No one said we have to decide now. We've got our entire lives ahead of us," he said, crossing his arms. "and I refuse to let you worry about it now."
     Mitch smiled, knowing Cameron was right. Why is he so worried? Hes only 19, its not like his life depends on an immidiate decision. He nodded, grabbing another paper.
     The boys spent the next hour folding papers in silence. Once they were finished, Cameron layed back, sighing loudly. "Ugh, finally! I thought we'd never finish those cursed papers," Mitch laughed, nodding his head.
     "Yeah, me too," Mitch checked the time on his phone. "Anything else you wanna do? It's still only 7," Cameron thought a moment.
     "It's Friday still, right? How about we ask our parents if we can camp in the woods for the weekend?" He suggested. Mitch thought, then nodded his head.
     "Alright, sounds like a plan to me. I could use some fresh air," Mitch chuckled, grabbing his phone again. "Lemme call my mom real quick and ask"
     "Yeah, me too," Cameron said, grabbing his phone as well.
     Both boys called their parents, and both were pleased when they got the go-ahead. Mitch looked over at Cameron, smiling.
     "Wanna go pack and meet back here by 8? The woods are pretty close to my home," Mitch said, and Cameron nodded in agreement, giving a thumbs up.
     "See you at 8, bro!" Cameron said after they had both climbed down the ladder. Mitch waved as his friend ran off to his house, looking excited. He laughed to himself, and walked inside his house.
     Mitch grabbed everything he could, not wanting to forget anything essential for camping. His father lent him a large tent and a lantern, and his mother packed them some food. Around 8, Cameron showed up and ate dinner with Mitch and his family before they headed out.

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Both boys were excitedly talking about what they'd do all weekend, and decided what spot they were going to set up at. They chose a pretty clearing near a small stream, and began to set up. Both boys sucked at putting a tent together, but somehow, they had managed. By the time they were all set up, night had fallen, and it was now around 10 pm. Mitch started a fire while Cameron layed down beside him, looking at the stars.
     "Dude, not to be cheesy, but the stars are fucking pretty as hell out here," Cameron said without looking away from a particular constellation, trying to remember the name of it. Mitch smiled, looking up once he had the fire going.
     "No, i totally agree," he glanced at Cameron and looked in the general direction he was looking, and immidiely recognized it as his favorite constellation; canis major. Sure, its certainly not the fanciest one, but it makes Mitch smile. He nudged Cameron.
     "Ah, its canis major," he said. Cameron looked at Mitch, stifling a laugh.
     "Of course you know the name of it, you're such a geek," Cameron joked, poking the older boy's side. Mitch batted his hand away, laughing.
     "Youre just jealous I know it. I could tell by the look on your face that you were trying to guess the name of it," Cameron's face flushed, and he punched the other's arm.
     "You dont know shit," he pouted, causing Mitch to laugh.
     The night carried on, with both boys laughing about this and that. Around midnight, Cameron got an idea.
     "Hey, Mitch," he looked over at his friend, who was now also lying down beside him.
     "Yeah?" Mitch replied, looking over at his friend.
     "Lets go for a walk, I heard theres this creepy ass hole nearby. Some say its bottomless," Cameron grinned. Mitch got chills, he absolutely hated the thought of that, and Cameron knew it.
     "I.... I dunno, dude. Sounds sketchy."
     "What, you chicken?" Cameron asked smugly, and Mitch narrowed his eyes. His pride got the best of him and before he knew it, he had agreed to go.
     When they were almost to the pit, Mitch felt his stomach drop. The vibes around them were... not good. He felt as though at any second, something would jump out and murder them. Cameron noticed the horrified look on Mitch's face and laughed.
     "Dude, calm your tits. Its just a hole. I'm sure its just some old mine or some shit," Cameron shrugged, patting his friends shoulder. Mitch nodded, sighing.
     "You're right, I need to chill," Mitch agreed, and Cameron nodded.
     "Of course I'm right, I always am," he said smugly. Mitch chuckled and soon enough, they were at the pit. Mitch peeked down, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
     Cameron peeked in as well, raising his eyebrows. "Cool," he stated flatly. He looked around and picked up a rock, chucking it down into the hole. A while passed, and nothing. Not even the sound of the rock hitting the sides. The boys leaned closer to try and hear anything, but still, nothing.
     With a confused noise, Cameron looked over at Mitch.
     "That's weird as hell-" he was abruptly cut off by something pulling him into the hole. His screams could be heard as he fell, and Mitch panicked.
     "Cameron!! Oh my god, CAMERON!!" Mitch yelled and, against his better judgement, he jumped in after his friend.