Chapter One-Welcome to Camp Green Lake

-Mackenzie's POV-

"Damn Crimson! Hurry up all ready!" I yelled as I jabbed the cashier in the head with my black pistol. 'Crimson' hastily shoved money into the sack and the jumped over the counter screaming, "Let's go, Cascade!"

Hitting the cashier with the butt of the gun, I began to run after him. I could hear the shouts of onlookers calling the police but we didn't care.

"We have to split up and meet back at HQ," Crimson said as we continued to run. He stopped at an alley briefly before he turned to me. Really faint sirens were in the distance but I could tell they were getting closer. "And if we get caught-"

"We won't get caught!" I insisted as I punched his shoulder.

"Just incase, I want to give you something to remember me by." Crimson grabbed my arms and pulled me to him in a passionate kiss. He's never kissed me like that before and I could feel myself melt into his embrace. He pulled away as he whispered, "Good luck."

"Good luck."

I turned down the alley way and jumped the brick wall that was in my way. I turned back to make sure that I wasn't followed when I struck a trashcan and rolled into the street.

And I guess you could say the rest was history.

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The bus ride was so damn hot. I knew I shouldn't be complaining because I was doing this for my twin brother, Matthew. Basically the reason we were being sent to Camp Green Lake was because he was accused of stealing, arson, and murder; although he was innocent. I wasn't because I killed, and stole, and set things aflame, but they didn't charge me for it. We were so hungry and we haven't eaten in days. We had to keep our little sister a live somehow, so stealing is the only way Ican do that. I come across as a sweet, innocent girl as a ploy so they won't suspect my accomplice

I guess I wasn't sweet enough today. They saw right through me like glass. I guess I let my guard drop because I've done that millions of times before. Stealing is the only way I can keep my little sister alive. I care about her health more than mine, only because she's too innocent.

She was surprised to see police at our rundown house and they were surprised to know that we lived alone. We did have parents, but our mom died and our dad just left us for a dead.

Now he can't harm my little sister because they made her come with us. They figured she was in on it and sent us all here. They sent a little girl to a juvenile detention facility and she didn't even do anything!

My father should be the one going to camp or a jail.

Not us!

-Flashback-

I sat nervously on my bed as I bit my lower lip. I looked at the clock and confirmed the time. 6:07 PM. My dad would be home any minute. He always came home at about 6:10. That always gave me time to try and hide. I was afraid of him. No one knew that, not even my twin brother or my little sister. They think I love my father to death.

Well they're wrong.

What they don't know is, whenever he comes into my room at night to help me with 'homework', he actually beats me. He makes sure my screams aren't heard and that my bruises and scars and cuts are covered up before I go and play with my little sister or read with my twin.

I don't deserve this life, but this is the way I have to live it. I don't have many friends because of my kept secret. They think I'm too quiet and too depressed that I don't want to do anything with them. I guess they're right, but I am friends with my brothers' friends. But that's probably because I'm his twin.

"MACKENZIE!"

The thing I'm afraid of more than dad hitting me when he is sober, is him hitting me when he is drunk. I quickly dove under the bed and stayed threre, trembling as I heard the front door open and close.

"Matthew, where's your sister?" I heard his muffled voice through the floor.

"In her room waiting for you to come up and help her with her homework," he responded. I chocked back a sob as I heard these words. 'If only he knew'. I quickly shut up when I heard my door open, close, and lock. I was trapped in here with a maniac. I knew better than to call the police because he would split me, my brother, and my sister up and I would rather die then let that happen.

A hand suddenly reached underneath the bed and grabbed my ponytail. I held in a scream of pain as I was dragged out from underneath it. I looked up with fear filled eyes into the angry bloodshot ones of my father. He had a malicious grin on his face as he yanked me onto my feet and shoved me back onto my bed. I heard a noise and felt my head buried into my covers as sharp pain hit my lower back.

My cry of pain was muffled as he whipped me with his belt in the same spot again and again. My breathing was cut off as I began to get light headed. I was finally lifted from the covers and took in a deep breath, only to get it knocked out by being slammed into my dresser and thrown onto the floor.

"Stop it! Please!" I cried as I covered my face with my arms. He punched me in the stomach and I curled up in a ball from the pain.

"Shut up, you bitch!" He screamed as he kicked me in the side. I cried out as he kicked me again. Then all was silent as he left the room. My body ached and I crawled over to my bed with difficulty. I sighed once I felt the mattress sink under my weight. I just lay there as drowsiness took over me and I fell into a light sleep.

I knew that was a dangerous decision but I was so tired…

I was woken up by my bed being pulled out from under me and flung up against the wall. I land on the floor on the side away from him, thank goodness, so my eyes had a little bit of time to adjust.

"You should have known that was not all your punishment you piece of shit!" I hear him scream.

'Lord, please let Matthew not be in here yet.' I take a quick glance across the room. His bed was empty. 'Thank god.'

He lunged at me with my blanket in his hand. I was so scared that I tried running for the closet even though I knew he wasn't drunk and would follow me. Right after I shut the door behind me he opens it and jerks my arm out of socket and me out into the open.

"You stupid little bitch, you think your so smart but your NOT!" He takes the blanket and wraps it around my neck and then tightens it to where I can't catch my breath. I pulled at the contraption around my neck but I couldn't get it loose. I was suffocating. Surely this time, he would conquer his goal or what seemed to be his goal; I was going to die right then and there.

I brought back my heel and smashed him in the groin. He threw me across the room and I hit my head on my dresser. He kicked me in the side one last time as I coughed up a little blood as I faintly heard the door slam.

I couldn't take this anymore.

I had to leave.

I quietly crept into Matthew's dark room and shook him. He had a soccer game earlier and I guess he was really tired. He shot up at the first touch and looked at me through the darkness.

"C'mon, we're getting out of here."

Matthew was with me 100 percent. He all ready knew what we were going to do.

-End Flashback-

I don't know why I was the only one he hit, I'm just happy he didn't rape me. Sometimes I think that him beating me gave me a bad heart, I fought back at anyone who tried to get close to me. That's how I got chosen to be in the street gang the Nightmare Soldiers. We had a grudge against our rivals, the Shadow Stalkers, and almost every night my life was at risk in the battles. That's where I got half of my scars and bruises, but Matthew and my little sis didn't need to know that.

"Mack."

I turned and looked into my brother's green eyes. I know this sounds weird, but I always get lost in them when I look at him. No, I'm not in love with my brother, but I do love him. He and I are really close. Closer than most twins.

"What is it, Matt?" I asked turning slightly, sending a wave a heat rushing up to my head.

"You know that the guard said Camp Green Lake is a guys' prison camp," he started slowly, watching my expression. "And chances are you and Max will be the only girls there."

"I'm not worried about that." I said as I turned my head to look out the window. "I'm strong Matt, and you know that. I don't always need you to protect me."

"I know, but I'm always here for you. And Max. No matter what."

The bus skidded to a halt and I slammed my head into the seat in front of me. Thank god I was wearing a hat or that would've hurt like hell. The guard uncuffed us from the seat we were cuffed to and followed us off the bus.

Right as we stepped off a man with way too much zinc oxide on his nose came up to us with an overly friendly smile on his face.

"I'm going to start off by saying that I know you aren't bad kids. You just made a bad decision. And I'm going to help you change. My name is Dr. Pendanski. Matthew, you'll be in D-Tent. Mackenzie you and Max will be in G-Tent. D stands for diligence and G stands for…well girl." He said as we started our trek to our tent. "That's the Mess Hall, the Wreck Room, and the showers. There's only one temperature, cold."

"Joy," Max said as she rolled her eyes. She's been complaining for the past three hours. It's nothing new though; a young girl like her would complain that much for that long.

"Dr. Pendanski, bring them over here." A gruff voice called out. Max hid behind Matthew as he and his twin turned to see a man with a big gut who was wearing sunglasses and a big sun hat. Dr. Pendanski lead the family over to him by their shoulders. He motioned for them to come inside and they followed hesitantly.

"My name is Mr. Sir. You will dig a hole five feet wide and five feet deep. You will wear these jumpsuits, one is your work clothes, the other is your relaxing clothes. You will wash them on the third day and sixth day of every week. If you find something interesting, report back to me or Pendanski. You might even get the day off." He paused and looked down at Max's trembling figure. A cruel smile crossed his face as he said, "This aint the Girl Scouts."

The family grabbed their things and left the cabin where Dr. Pendanski was waiting for them. He showed them around and pointed out where they would stay. Matthew would be put in D-Tent and Mackenzie and Max would be put in G-Tent. (G for girl, duh!)

"Hey Mom! Who're the noobs?" A boy asked as he walked up. Turning around, Matthew noted that one was black and the other was white. The black boy had dirt covered glasses and the white boy was wearing a white doo rag.

"Hey Mom, who's the boob?" Mackenzie asked with a smirk as the boys got closer.

"This is Rex and Alan. Boys, this is Matthew, Mackenzie, and Max," Dr. Pendanski said as he pointed to them.

"The name's X-Ray. And that's Squid," Rex said as he shook his head. "Mom always gets our names wrong."

"They all have their little nicknames," Dr. Pendanski explained when he noted the confused look on Matthew's face. "However, I prefer to use the names their parents gave them–the names that society will recognize them by." Max started to giggle once she noticed that Squid was imitating Dr. Pendanski. He seemed to gain a satisfied smile on his face once he heard the little girl's laughter. "You'll meet the other boys of D-Tent later. Ricky will be your mentor," he added to Matthew. "Although you're in a different tent, you two will be a part of D-Tent also. That means I want you boys to treat them with respect. You understand?"

"Yes Mom," X-Ray and Squid responded in unison, although Squid looked like he didn't mean it.

Once Dr. Pendanski walked away Max turned to Squid and asked, "That Pendanski guy, is always up in your face?"

"Pretty much," he responded before he knelt so he was eye level with the young girl. "Look, it'sa dangerous place here. If you ever run into any trouble, call for me, aiight Shorty?"

"Ok," she responded uncertainly.

Squid stood and smirked as he said, "Welcome to Camp Green Lake."