The Call of the Wild
Chapter 1: Camping Out
As Told by Ginger copyright Viacom
Posted: 1 Mar 2006
Camping was for yuppies. But where did that leave Carl and Hoodsey? They were in the woods miles from anywhere trapped with their sisters and parents. And Carl couldn't rid himself of the feeling that Blake was in the area, watching him. Plotting his plans. Especially since the Griplings were vacationing in Aspen.
But Blake didn't get along with his sisters. Which was something he and Carl had in common, incidentally. Carl sat on the log watching Ginger laughing with Dodie and Macie. He leaned over to Hoodsey, who was on a tree stump.
"Told you nothing good would come of this trip."
"What do you mean? I mean the girls are just sitting there, our Moms-"
"That's just it, Hoodsey. No doubt they are planning our dooms at this very moment."
Hoodsey started to freak out. "Not Dodie. She couldn't. She wouldn't."
Carl placed his hand on his shoulder. "Just remember one thing, my friend. She's a girl. Who knows what she's thinking."
"Uhh," Hoodsey began. "Other girls?"
Carl considered for a second. "You know, Hoodsey, you're absolutely right. Only a girl would know what another is thinking."
"But, Carl, what girl is going to help us?"
"Noelle."
"But how are we going to contact her?"
"Just leave that to me, Hoodsey." And then he crouched down and put his finger to his mouth. And he stuck into it.
"How is sticking your finger into your mouth going to help you contact Noelle, Carl?"
He raised his other finger. "Just a minute."
He whistled.
Hoodsey waited a minute. Then another minute. And for good measure, a minute on top of that.
"How would we know if we get into contact?" he said after the wait.
Carl took the finger out of his mouth. "Here she comes."
Indeed, Noelle did come out of the woods at finishing of his statement. Hoodsey popped up like toast.
"Carl, we need to talk."
"Whoa, how did you that, Carl?"
Noelle turned to Hoodsey. "How did he do what?"
"He contacted you somehow."
She stabbed a finger at Carl. "He didn't contact me. I came on my own free will."
"You sure about that?" Carl smirked.
Noelle glared at Carl. "I'm the one with paranormal powers, remember?"
"I remember." He stared at Noelle.
She stared back. "Good."
"I hate to break it to you guys," Hoodsey said, "but I'm sensing a lot of tension here."
Noelle looked at Carl. "He's right, you know."
Carl just smiled knowingly.
"What are you hiding, Mr. Smarty Pants?" Noelle had stood and had her balled hands on her hips.
"The truth."
"I don't know what…"
"Two words, Noelle. Candid photos."
Noelle froze when she heard. My gosh! What secret could Noelle be hiding? Hoodsey thought. But upon closer inspection of her face, he began wonder if he did want to know. He began to feel a drop of sweat on the back of his head. Whatever they were involved in, it was huge. He hoped they would change the subject.
They did.
"Say, Noelle," Carl said, "did you pass by our camp on your way here?"
"Yes. But you didn't have to whistle, Carl. I was right here."
"Say, Noelle," Hoodsey asked, "Just what are you doing here anyway?"
"Noelle shrugged. "My family is camping here too."
"Isn't that interesting?" Carl mused. "Right, Hoodsey?"
Hoodsey nodded.
"And so is Blake," Noelle added.
"Even better." There was a gleam in Carl's eye. He was ready to pull a prank or two on Blakey-boy. All right, now we're getting somewhere.