Camp-19

Chapter 6- Soul tree

Myra and Ace are walking deeper into the forest until they reach the place. Ace asks: ''How long do we have to walk?'' Myra responds: ''We are already here. Look there. Do you see the big tree?'' Ace can't believe his eyes. He never saw such a big tree.

He says: ''It's beautiful.'' But something was off. There are names carved in the tree. Ace asks: ''What's with the names?'' Myra smiles and says: ''These are the names of the dead people from Camp-19. It was Joe's idea to do that, so that their names won't get forgotten.'' Ace says: ''Joe? Wasn't that the man who found you?'' She says: ''You know, I haven't told you the full story. I should tell you how I became the leader. The creator of Camp-19 was Joe and so he was the first leader. It was hard to get so many people to join us and obey the rules but Joe made it work. One day when I was 10 years old he and I found this tree. He immediately told me about his idea and I found it great. I got my knife and carved the name of my sister in it. Joe seemed like a tough man but he was kind. He always pat my head or held my hand so that I wouldn't get lost. Joe practically raised me as his daughter since my sister died. He asked me how to name this tree and I said soul tree, so that all the dead souls would have a home. Joe laughed and said that it's a good name.'' Ace says: ''He seems like a nice guy. What happened to him?'' Myra continues: ''One of the members of Camp-19 was Taylor who is now the leader of Camp-10. He is the same age as me and Joe also kinda raised him as his son. We grew up together. Joe trained us, showed us how to fight and survive. Then years later when we were 16, Taylor began to become greedy for power. On a winter day where it was very stormy, Joe and Taylor were hunting and it took too long. So I decided to search after them to see if everything was okay. I finally found them. But I came to late. I saw Taylor stabbing Joe in the back. I couldn't believe my eyes. So many things went through my head but I needed to do something. I was so angry. I took my gun and aimed at Taylor but unfortunately the snowstorm blinded my sight and I shoot his shoulder. Then Taylor ran away. I guess he wanted to kill Joe and let it seem like a hunting accident so that he would become the next leader.

I ran to Joe. He was still alive but he bled so much. I tried to stop the bleeding by pressing on it even though I knew that I couldn't save him. He grabbed my hand and looked at me. He said that it's too late and that I am now the leader. Those were his last words. Since then I am the leader.'' Ace is shooked: ''How could he! Weren't you and Joe his family?'' Myra says: ''It seems we were not. A few months later I heard that he somehow managed to become the leader of Camp-10. But this is good. So I know where he always is.'' Ace interrupts her: ''So why don't you kill him now?'' Myra responds: ''Are you stupid? I am the leader. Should I risk to kill all my people? I have a plan. For 2 years now I am trying to get as many allies as possible. And since Taylor has this ridiculous plan to get all camps under his control, many others want to kill him too. But it won't take long. We just need a few more allies and then we can attack.'' Ace understands and says: ''I see. I am sorry that-'' Myra interrupts him: ''Stop apologizing for everything! I am fine! You don't have to-'' Ace couldn't bear to see her like that and hugged her: ''It's okay to be sad. You don't always have to play the tough one. I am with you.'' Myra forgot how it's like to be hugged. She realizes how she missed it. She remembers how her sister always hugged her when she was sad. Joe also did that when she had a bad dream. Cora and Joe. She misses them so much that she finally started crying and let her pain out. Ace hugged her more tightly and told her it's gonna be okay.

A few minutes later Myra calmed down. Both are sitting next to the tree and Myra says: ''I am sorry that I started to cry.'' Ace says: ''No, it's good that you didn't hide your emotions. I know that you are the leader and have to be strong but if you are with me you don't have to be ashamed.'' Ace realizes what he said and gets red and nervous: ''Ehm I didn't mean it like that! You know...ehm...'' Myra laughs and says: ''You are red like a tomato! I didn't know you are so shy.''

Then both of them heard something. They immediately stand up and grabbed their guns. There was...