The new campers were strange. Why had they arrived in such a large number? Why so late in the summer? And what was with that big one that stood in the doorway like he owned the place? He looked like he was about ready to destroy the Big House had Misha not opened the door. And then when she wouldn't let him in, he looked like he wanted to destroy her till Clay had gone up to the door. What was his problem?
A few more curious people went up to the door, trying to get a clear view of the newcomers over Clay's demeaning height. But his size and bulk blocked everybody's views when he shifted in front of the door, trying to not allow the even larger and taller new guy see through. Everybody gave up and returned to their temporary beds.
Well...
Everybody except me, of course.
When everybody left he entrance to the Big House, Clay had shifted his weight onto one leg. This provided a clear view between his shoulder and Misha's head that was just perfect enough for somebody of my size to peer past them.
I stood on my toes as I tried to see all of the people. It was difficult, with that big one in the way. He took up almost the entire doorway. But then he shifted aside as a honey smooth voice spoke up, though I couldn't make out it's words through all the commotion behind me. But the guy had moved, and I could get a more clear view of all who was with him.
There were a lot. I counted at least twelve. Some were moving, so I wasn't sure if I had forgotten to count those ones or had counted them twice. So I stuck with twelve as I looked at each of them in turn. My eyes landed on this one guy who looked set off from the group. He stood there, as if he wasn't sure what to do, and he kept glancing back at the big one. I gave them a small wave, but really it was directed to the guy who looked set off.
"Hello," I said to them. A few of them looked my way, but didn't say anything.
This one guy spoke up and began to answer all of Clay's questions. The larger guy, who had falen to the background now, snarled and said something. Clay shook his head, and then called out our camp directors name. Then one of the girls spoke, and Clay moved aside.
I tilted my head. Why had Clay suddenly moved aside? He never backed down, unless it was to Misha. I looked at the girl who had spoken to him, and immediatly felt off. These people were strange. Different. They gave off weird vibes.
I didn't like it one bit.
Clay stepped aside, and the tall one was the first to step through. He eyes Clay, sizing him up. Clay was short compared to the new guy. Like, two feet shorter than him. It was weird, since Clay was one of the tallest people I knew.
The new guy snorted, and stepped aside to let everybody else in. I counted them again. welve. My number had been correct.
OUr camp director, Zavid, came up from behind me. "How'd you guys find this place?" The manticore asked the new people.
One of them spoke up. "We were sent here, by our parents." He said to Zavid. "How'd we find the house? Ask Cyril." He pointed to the overly large and muscular guy.
Cyril snorted. "Educated guess." He said gruffily.
Another girl spoke up, but I blocked out her words. I looked to the guy I had noticed earlier. Who was he? Why did he look so uncomfortable around all these people? He had obviously traveled with them.
The guy spoke up suddenly. "We were wondering if we could join the camp." He said. His voice sounded smooth. Not gravelly like the other guys in his group.
Zavid cast a glance at the guy. "Well," he said. "You're here now. So why not?" Our camp director shrugged. "The borders don't let in anybody who isn't a half blood, and you got in. So that obviously means that your a half blood. So why not?"
The guy grinned and I couldn't help but to smile. His grin was cute. It looked good on him. "Awesome!" he said.
I giggled softly at his enthusiasm. It was adorable. Different from the off look he had earlier. I began to grow curious about this guy. Why was he travelling with this large group of people? He didn't look comfortable around them, so he obviously didn't like it.
Cyril asked where the food was, and Lorelei told him with little patience. The talked for awhile, before she finally grew exasperated and left the Big House. Cyril and the group followed her, including the timid looking one. I heard m own stomach growl, and I shrugged. Looking around to make sure I wasn't leaving anything important behind, I tagged along at the rear of the group.
The timid guy was talking to Lorelei now. He was asking her about the flood that the camp was currently suffering, which was why we were all in the Big House. The flood had also frozen over, and while everybody else was slipping and sliding, the guy walked with confidence. I tilted my head, confused as to why that was, and also why Lorelei wasn't noticing it.
I forgot to lift my foot all the way up, and it cuffed the ice. I fell forward and let out a yelp. Thankfully, the new people were being too loud that the guy up front with Lorelei didn't hear. I got a few looks, but otherwise I rubbed it off. I scrambled up to my feet, probably not the smartest idea on the ice. I just ended up pushing myself forward a few feet before I stopped. I thought about my movements for awhile before I pulled my feet underneath me and stood slowly. I still didn't understand how that guy did it. How could he be so smooth on the ice? It didn't make any sense.
None of the new people made any sense, though. But the guy talking to Lorelei, with the smile that brightened his face, and the smooth way he walked on the ice... he seemed the least intimidating of them all.
I caught up to them just in time to hear his name. "Daniel Rivera," he told Lorelei. "But I go by Danny."
Danny. That was the guys name. Got it.
I listened some more as they continued to talk.
"Nice to meet you, Danny," Lorelei said to him. "Are you friends with everyone that arrived today?"
I watched as Danny nodded hesitantly. "More or less," he replied. "Some are nicer than others."
"We're not friends!" I heard one of the girls say. I gave them a look. There were three of them, and they appeared to be close. They all looked the same age, and looked alike in some ways, too. Maybe they were siblings?
"I can tell." Lorelei said as she stepped off the ice. We were almost at the food pavilion.
"Like I said," Danny said with a soft sigh. "Some are nicer than others."
I hung back as they disappeared into the food pavilion. Why weren't these people nice to this guy? He seemed nice, and sweet. He appeared to keep his calm around them. And yet they pushed him down.
I scowled as I stood there for awhile. What was I going to do? I asked myself before I took a step forward. I already knew the answer.
I was going to be his friend.