Kindred Connection

Chapter 6 - Welcome To Camp

Evan finally arrives at a wooden sign hanging above the path, the words "Camp Yucatán" carved into it. The area is fenced off by short wooden walls, making a large, circular plaza. Tents of various colors are set up around the area and there are huts in the center of the area. All of these are typical camp buildings: a mess hall, an infirmary, a bathroom, etc. A bonfire pit with a dying ember is in the foreground. Beside it is an iron pot, filled with a stew of some sort.

Despite this, the area shows almost no signs of life. The only person visible is a man in the reception hut, his face gently candle-lit with what can only be assumed a fire hazard. As Evan starts to walk towards the hut, hundreds of stapled posters and leaflets decorate the walls, both inside and out. Evan hesitantly enters the building, preparing to present himself to the man. The man pays no attention as he reads a magazine about spa treatments while lying back and putting his feet on the reception desk. A pile of other magazines lay haphazardly around the area. Evan stands in front of the desk awkwardly for some time before actively trying to get the man's attention.

"Ehm..." Evan coughs. Startled, the man in the hut throws down his magazine and looks up at Evan. His chair tips and he falls to the ground, clumsily flailing around. He immediately pulls himself back up and puts his hands on the counter, looking directly at Evan.

"Oh, hi." the receptionist greets Evan as if nothing had happened. Taken aback at the scene in front of him, Evan pauses with a strange look before putting on a forced smile.

"Hey. I'm Evan. Evan Hughes. I'm here to dig up some dirt and find something that will blow the socks off everyone at home!" Evan said with excitement. Evan continues smiling at the unimpressed receptionist. The man sighs and picks up his chair. He pulls a clipboard from under the desk with lots of typewritten text on it.

"Okay then..." The receptionist mutters to himself. Evan drops his smile and internally kicks himself for what he just said. The receptionist flips from page to page, going through some details on the clipboard. Meanwhile, Evan has another look around at the camp from where he is, wondering where everyone has gone.

"Hey er... Where is everyone anyway?" Evan questioned

"Evening dig. They'll be back any moment now. Sign here, please." The receptionist said bluntly. The man hands over the clipboard and pen attached by a string to it for Evan to sign. He points out where to sign with the pen as it's being handed over. As Evan signs the paper, he hears faint echoes of raucous laughter in the background.

"Speak of the devil," sighs the receptionist. As Evan finishes signing the paper, he looks around at the flock of other people approaching the camp. All of them are in high spirits as they pour through the entrance. A loud chorus of several conversations fills the camp.

Evan notices that all the people walking in are much older, definitely older than 30. He can make out 9 adults and 3 seniors, a total of 12 other campers. Suddenly less confident, Evan shifts his eyes towards the receptionist.

"So, er... Is there anyone my age staying here?" Evan whispers. The receptionist picks up the signed paper and clipboard off of Evan. Evan's shoulders slump slightly as he hears the answer.

"Not that I know of kid. Young ones aren't as interested in this stuff as they used to... Oh! Marco!" The receptionist spots a familiar face entering the hut. Marco, the coach driver, is standing behind Evan with a wide grin on his face. Evan slowly turns around to see the coach driver and with a look of shock, takes a step back.

"Huh? But you...? What?" Marco's changed his clothes to a muddy pair of overalls and a torn t-shirt. Marco dons a fabric cap, completing his uniform. With all of this, he seems to be an entirely different person overall.