Camp Pinecrest

EIGHT

"Danny?" Bennett frowned, jumping up immediately, he raced towards his camper with concern.

"Bennett, give the kid some space." Leo stood up and barricaded Bennett away from the camper. Both Valerie and Danny were caked in mud and wounds covered them from head to toe. That wasn't the only similarity, both of them each wore a crazed look with glazed eyes of fear.

"Hey, bud," Leo said, slowly approaching Danny, he crouched down in front of him, Kayla had already whipped out her phone and had begun to furiously text Mariah who would get in touch with the police. Hushed whispers filled the hostile air as everyone gawked at Valerie and Danny.

Running a hand through waves, Leo glanced between Danny and the rest of the staff and campers. "Staff, take your campers and uh, let's call it a night." He cleared his throat as he shot a worried glance towards Kayla.

"Reckon it's actually them?" Isla spoke quietly as she leant towards Marina. She was referencing the bivouac story, but even she knew it had to be them.

"Shush." Marina hushed as she elbowed Isla's side, shutting her up.

Rolling her eyes, Isla morphed into her counsellor persona. "Cabin six, pack it up and let's go!" She said as the group of senior campers began to stand up and make their way Campers filled the slim wilderness path that led back to the main campsite. Loud voices filled the pathway as sharp tongues made way for idle gossip to begin.

"I'll grab the snack tonight." Isla offered, glancing at Becca. She nodded, deep in thought.

Kicking a rock on the dirt path towards the dining hall, Isla huffed. It was a warm night, humidity clung to her skin as sweat beaded on her forehead.

"Snack for tonight?" Isla called out as swung the dining hall's door open.

"In here!" Clara's sweet voice echoed over the fan. A smile appeared as Isla strolled towards the kitchen. A single translucent bag sat on the scratched stainless-steel counter. A six had been scrawled onto it carelessly in blue sharpie.

"Ugh, mini cookies!" The grin widened as Isla snatched the bag from the counter, nails prying into the thin plastic. Clara swatted her hand as she popped one of the cookies into her mouth.

"Not for you! For the campers, idiot." Clara chuckled. "Do I have to request Becca to get the snack from now on?" she was teasing, she always enjoyed seeing Isla's reactions to the nightly snacks.

Isla pushed herself up to sit on the counter. She would make sure to clean it before she left. "Did you hear what happened?" She asked through a mouthful of crumbs.

"About Val reappearing at the campfire?" Almond eyes stared at Isla. Clara had heard various gossip as the counsellors collected the night-time snack for their campers. "I'm glad at least two are back." She shook her head as she snuck her hand into a bag of leftover cookies. "But it's worrying only two are back."

Isla nodded, tucking a curl behind her ear. "I just don't get it." She began, eyes narrowing on the terracotta-coloured flooring. "How did only two show up?" Wide eyes moved upwards to look at Clara, her eyes meeting a sympathetic glance.

Shrugging, Clara closed the package of mini cookies, storing them back in the snack cupboard. "God knows, Isle. At least we got two back." Clara pinched her lips together as she glanced down at her watch. "Shouldn't you be getting back?" She glanced up.

Isla huffed as she pushed herself off of the counter, the soles of her converse clapping on the tile. "Yeah, I guess. I'll see you in like an hour., and then we can talk about that date you went on last weekend! You can at least tell me her name."