CAMP SPIDER
By Opal Jones
Camp Spider
Opal Jones
Copyright Opal Jones 2012
Dedicated to my parents, the ones who inspired me to write. Thank You!
When Wallace is sent to Camp Spider, he doesn't expect anything other than the worst-spent summer ever. But he gets so much more. Between meeting the only girl at the camp-Teri- and seeing her taken away before his very eyes, he doesn't know what to make of anything. Handling his fears, Wallace has to make a heroic step forward and goes to save her. With “Camp Spider”, you see the facts of Wallace and Teri's living nightmare. The cliff-hanger ending will keep you hooked long after the last brutal pages are closed.
Feel the message of Opal Jones novel work its magic. Enjoy the first book of Opal's career and feel absorbed into the pages. Read of the camp that was thought to change so little, but changed a world more.
Chapter 1
In the beginning.
I was about thirteen years old, and on my way to Camp Spider. I was on the bus riding through Ohio wilderness. The only two people I knew on the bus going to camp were Zane and Billy.
Zane always wore thick, black sunglasses all the time. In fact, the only time I knew he took them of was when he slept. He only wore black clothing. I used to wonder if he ever got hot in the summer. As for Billy, he wore camouflage clothing. His shoes were blue, though. He was a bit odd, too.
I would be staying until July, 3. Just in time for the 4th of July. Then on the 5th, back to camp. Our final departure from camp would be in early August.
I felt my Android vibrate. Zane texted me.“CHECK THE BACK ROW” I looked five rows behind me. A person dressed like a detective. I could only tell he had blond hair.
Throughout the ride, I kept looking back at the mystery person, wondering who he was. The only thing I could catch him doing was looking out the window and scribbling in a journal.
About an hour or so later, we finally arrived the camp. We got off the bus to look around and stretch. I looked back at the mystery person before I went out. He was packing up the notebook. I caught up with Zane and Billy and we joked around a little.
When I turned around, I wasn't expecting what I saw. I saw a girl! The first girl I ever saw on a camp bus that didn't to a girl's camp or to school.
She had short, wavy, blond hair with a clip to hold it back. She looked really super weird.
Zane, Billy, and I had our mouths agape. We couldn't believe it!
Right in the middle of our thoughts, someone yelled, “Ahhhhhhh! Scorpion!”
We saw it and froze. It was a rare one that had two tails; a black scorpion. Deadly kind. I looked at the girl. Then I took note that she was the only one who had shorts on. An easy target for it. The scorpion must have figured that out, because it started right for her.
She began to edge back. What was she thinking? Was she trying to get us killed or what?
Slowly, she picked up a small rock, held it tight, and threw. She had killer aim and power.
It nailed the scorpion in the second tail. The tail popped right off. Then it scurried right back into its hole. Then she put a large rock over it, to keep it in its hole.
Every boy there, including the three of us, had our mouths wide open. She looked at us and spoke.
“What?” she asked, smiling. “Never see a good aim like that?”
We turned so she wouldn't hear us taking.
“Dude, that chick is a super freak.” Zane giggled. “I say we avoid her.” Billy and I agreed. Well, I half agreed.
And, thus, started my memorable stay at Camp Spider. The stay I would never forget.
Chapter 2
I have my social life ruined by a counselor.
“Okay campers!” A camp counselor said with obvious false enthusiasm. “Let’s settle down then kiddies, we have fifteen cabins for all you. Now I know that you will want to pick your friends.”
“Yea!!!!” We hooped and hollered.
“Settle down you guys. The camp had already randomly selected your bunk mates ahead of time.”
Believe it or not, there were no groans. Just silence. Dead silence. After the first 13 bunks, she got down to the last two bunks.
“Okay, Billy and Zane will be in bunk fourteen. As for you, Wallace, you'll be with Teri. My eyes were wide and my mouth was agape. With all the twenty-nine other boys, I got stuck with her? The only girl at the camp? Everyone went inside except me, Zane, and Billy.
“Dude, how on earth did you get stuck with her?” Billy asked.
“I don't know, man.” I replied. “It just...happened.”
“Good luck anyway, dude.” Billy said as he and Zane entered their cabin. I went into my cabin as well.
There were two bunks. Teri was already putting her stuff on the drawers. I did the same. She looked over at me. She came over and said, “Hi, I'm Teri.” She put out her hand.
“You expect me to shake your hand.” I said, giving her an 'Are you crazy?' look.
“I don't think there's a reason why you shouldn't.” she replied.
Without warning, she grabbed my hand and shook it for a good five seconds. I don't know if she could read minds, but she answered my unsaid question as quick as you as a blink and snap.
“I won’t give you cooties or anything like that.”
“Promise?” I asked.
“Yes, I promise. Now come on. We don't want to miss the camp's games!” she said. I followed her, not knowing what lay ahead.
Chapter 3
The unexpected expects us.
When we came out, we were given a schedule of the week. We were to turn it in at the end of the week in exchange for a new one.
The first thing on our list: a nature hike. Although the boys were nearly killed (We just about passed out in our bunks afterward.),Teri seemed to be having fun. When some kid tried to touch a patch of green, grass-like substance, she quickly told him it was poison ivy. After the hike; archery. While my arrow never really left the seven-foot mark, Teri's hit smack center. By that time, it was half past noon.
We could eat inside our cabins or in the picnic area. The three of us went to the picnic area while she went to the cabin.
“If I were you, I'd beg to switch bunk mates.” Billy advised me while he chewed a hot dog. I only half agreed. We had a debate on what to do about her and, after a few crazy ideas,(Feed her to the mountain lions?) we came to an agreement: give her the silent treatment.
After lunch, we made clay pots and put them in the kiln. Then, the dreaded knitting class. I was thankful it only lasted a half hour. Any longer, I would die of embarrassment. The final activity of the day, swimming. Can you imagine swimming at 6:45 in the evening? It was 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezing! Finally, dinner was served. It was salmon, corn and salad.
It was the same routine for a couple days. Then, the biggest activity I'd ever do.
Chapter 4
I have the worst day of my life.
On the third week of June, June 20th to be exact, the counselors announced that we would go camping with our cabin mates. They told us if we went past the orange paint, they couldn't grantee our safety. They also told us about fire safety, wild animals, the normal adult jib-jab.
So we trudged our way through the thick forest.
“Did you see any orange paint yet?” Teri asked me.
“Nothing so far.” I responded. She stopped and looked around.
“This looks good.” she said.
“Then let’s set up camp. We're wasting enough time just talking!” I laughed smiling. It took us an hour or so to set them up. Why? Because if you hit your hand with a mallet, you'd be pretty sore for a while too.
When the tents were up, we organized our things. They were cozy tents
. Small, but cozy. Then we sat down outside.
“Wallace?” Teri asked.
“Yeah?” I asked.
“Can I talk to you about something?” She asked.
I thought about it.
“Sure.” I said.
“Okay, here it goes.” she started. “When I was about five, my parents went to Seattle. They said they would only be gone a week on vacation.” She began to choke on tears. “But, they never came back.” She said, ready to cry. “So I moved in with my Aunt.”
“I haven't seen them since. I know they wanted a boy. I just know it. They had one in Seattle. They never really cared about me when I lived with them. When my brother was born, they showered him with love and toys while they hardly gave me anything at all. They're not coming back.”
“I feel sorry for you.” I said uneasily.
“You don't need to say that!” she exploded, “Everyone says that just to make me feel better about losing my parents! Not one person really means it! I know you disliked me, and I didn't mind that until you said that!”
“You're over reacting!” I yelled standing up, too. “I didn't know about your parents until just now.” So just keep your little sob story to yourself!” She couldn't come up with a good enough comeback, so she just slapped me 'cross the face.
She turned on her heel and stomped away into the brush. I sat down on a log seat and tried to start a fire. I was so steamed! I had no idea what her parents did with her until just then. She had no right to get angry at me on something I never knew.
After about ten to fifteen minutes, I heard her screaming. I figured she had just stepped on something or saw a snake. Lazily, I strolled over to where I heard her. There was a stump, but she wasn't sitting there.
When I saw her, she had something covering her mouth, and was being dragged away by two men into the thick forest.
Chapter 5
I learn to hate the outdoors.
I was in so much shock that I thought I was in a hypnotic trance. When I finally came to my senses, I realized what had happen. One word came to mind: kidnapping.
I sprinted back to camp. Then, I tripped over something and face-planted into a puddle of mud. I looked down. A rope of fake leaves. But they were convincing fake leaves. Underneath it was the orange paint that we weren't supposed to cross.
I couldn't believe it! Someone had tricked us, namely the kidnappers. It was like they wanted Teri and I to be separated from safety. I ran back to camp.
When I got there, I was the only one there at the cabins.
Then, all at once, the other campers came back to the camp with their supplies. The counselors came out of their cabin as well.
I looked for my cabin's counselor. When I found him, I told him about the argument,and the kidnapping. Would you believe what he said in reply?
“Is this a joke, kid?” he asked. “Now get back in your cabin,and stay out of trouble while you're at it.” Rolling his eyes, he walked off. He didn't believe me! I ran over to Zane and Billy. I told them the same thing I told the counselor. Same results. No believers. They didn't even care what happened to her! Well,duh! They hated her. Why would they care?
I realized I would have to do this alone. No help at all. I decided to do this at night. When I could do this without drawing any attention or people holding me back.
It was around 11 when I made my move. I grabbed and loaded my air soft gun. And before I left, I remembered to get my pocket knife sitting on my drawer. Then I headed out. Headed out to rescue Teri.
Chapter 6
I join the Search and Rescue team.
The forest was darker at night than day. I was sure glad I brought a lighter. I took it out of my belt, and shone it on the forest for a few minutes, looking around. When I heard several voices talking, I turned it off.
I recognized one of the voices. It was Teri! I peeked through the brush. Sure enough, the two men and Teri. They were talking.
The camp was defiantly last minute. They had a sloppy tent/lean-to. A meager fire made of sticks and dead leaves was at the base. I did notice a small, meager case, but I didn't think anything of it at the time.
I didn't shoot the gun because I wanted to hear what they were saying. I could learn something about what they were doing.
“So, Teri,” the tall, thin man said. “Tell me what you know about the camp's history.”
“I told you, I just got here last month. I hardly know the place, let alone the history!” Teri said. Her hands were tied behind her back with some pretty solid twine. A chubby man was asleep with a musket in his hands. He made a loud snore.
“Excuse me a moment,” he said in a phony sweet voice. “Get up already man!” The tall man shouted. The chubby man woke with a fright. He shot the musket, nearly taking off the other man's head. As well as mine. I ducked just in time.
“Why you waking me for, Trent?!” said chubby.
“You nearly took my head off you idiot!”
I raised the air soft. Then I loaded it. The load was loud. Too loud. They all heard me. Even Teri. They turned.
Then, I ran. Ran, ran, and ran. After about fifty yards, I stopped. I went back at a different angle this time. Then I climbed a small tree. They were still looking were I used to be. Still waiting. Watching.
“Did you load your gun or something, Simon?” asked Trent.
“No.......”
“We'd better move out.” said Trent cautiously.
“Come on girl, get up.” grumbled Simon.
“It's Teri, for the hundredth time!” said Teri. She got up anyway. I picked up my air soft, aimed, and fired.
It hit Simon in the left arm. He cried out in pain.
“Who shot?! Who in the name of God fired?!” Then he looked in my direction, and smiled an evil smile. A smile a cat would smile before the mouse was eaten.
“Looks like we've got a snooper.” said Simon. He aimed his gun, loaded, and got ready to shoot. Just then, I jumped out and grabbed Teri's rope and we ran.
At first, we were stumbling around the forest. Then, when I let go of her rope, we were running a lot better. They must have had a grudge against us kids, because they were pumping bullets like nobody's business. They almost hit us a couple times, but they missed us, thankfully. We made a few sharp turns and back tracked a couple of times.
After about five minutes of running, we ran behind a huge tree. We heard them run by. After hiding a few minutes, I told her they were gone. She let out a sigh of relief and went to the front of the tree. I followed. We froze in our tracks, and our smile disappeared.
Trent was right there chuckling. Apparently we'd ran in circles. He whistled and Simon came out chuckling.
“A game of cat and mouse.” chuckled Trent. “Looks like the cat gets to eat.”
We began to back up as they began forward. We backed up until we we cornered against a steep hill. We were trapped!
“Don't even think about running any more. Because we'll just find you all over again.” said Simon. Trent gave him a glazed look,
“What's this?” he asked lazily, holding up a fist.
Simon looked and replied slowly, “A fist.”
“Hit it.” said Trent. He hit it and the fist went around and bopped him on the head. Then they started to argue vigorously.
Teri nudged me. We saw two cleared paths. One lead to a river. The other lead to the camp grounds. It was still dark, maybe about 1:30.
If we tried to run to camp grounds, we might have a chance of escaping. On the other hand, if we took the river's path, we could try to lose them and come back around because they could trick the counselors.
Teri looked over at the river. I shook my head. I knew we had a better chance if we headed to the camp grounds.
They wouldn't argue for much longer. We had to make a choice. Fast.
Chapter 7
I encourage swimming lessons.
Teri darted to the river. I knew it was only a matter of time before they st
opped arguing and I'd be caught. Then, I made a dumb choice that almost ended my life. I ran to the lake. Simon saw me as he and Trent were making up.
He steadied the gun, loaded, and aimed. When he fired, I could have sworn I saw a spark, 'cause it was that fast. I almost lost my balance, but I didn't, thankfully. I regained my balance and ran for the river.
I almost ran right into Terri, who had stopped herself at the edge of the five-foot bank of the river. I was going to ask why she had stopped, but I didn't, and for two good reasons.
First off, the firing of the gun was too loud for us to talk, and second, I was pretty sure I knew why. She hadn't participated in swimming, so I figured that she couldn't swim. Just by looking at the river, we could tell it was pretty deep. Eight feet deep, at least. It was a cold, swirling vortex; depressive and unforgiving.
“Look,” I said, “the only way to get across the river is, well, going across the river. We could try jumping across.”
“I am a pretty decent jumper.” She said, sounding really worried. I didn't have time to reply.
They were getting closer. I gripped my gun and jumped. I felt like I was flying. I was woken up by crashing into the icy water. Amazingly, I was only two feet from the other side. I wadded over to the other side and turned around. Not surprisingly, Teri hadn't jumped.
To my horror, I'd forgotten to untie Teri's ropes. 'Come on, really?' I thought.
Just then, Trent snuck behind her and, to my horror, pushed her into the water. Teri screamed and fell into the water with a splash. Her head came up for a few seconds, but it went down again. Then again. Once more. Then it stopped. Trent was standing there giving me an evil smirk.
I remembered what everyone had told me,
“Dude that chick is a super freak.” Zane had laughed.
“If I were you, I'd beg to switch bunk mates.” Billy had advised me. But if they were here now, I would've gagged them and made 'em take it all back.
I snapped out of my small trance. Then, I dropped my gun and jacket, and dove into the water to save Teri from a fatal, and wet, fate.
Chapter 8
The water sides against me.
Everything went blurry and I got a body full of goose bumps. I shook them off, and opened my eyes.