Chapter 1: Home Again

Wanted for the repeated sexual abuse of his five-year-old daughter twelve years ago and suspected of having raped more than a dozen girls since his escape from the police, Jack Mason is to be considered armed and highly dangerous. Several sightings have been reported, placing him in the Trenton area and-

Connie Torres reached out and turned the radio of her catering van off. "You shouldn't have to listen to those stupid news flashes, honey," she said to Mitchie, eyeing her seventeen-year-old adopted daughter with a look of concern. "Are you sure you should be going back to Camp Rock this year with him in the state?"

"Mom," Mitchie replied, "don't worry! We've been over this; he hasn't seen me in twelve years, and he certainly doesn't know that I'm coming here. Plus, you'll be there, and Caitlyn, Lola, all my other friends, and Shane. I'll have people around me at all times. There is nothing to worry about. Shane especially won't let anything happen to me." Mitchie tried to sound as confident as possible; she knew that if her mother detected even the slightest hint of fear in her daughter's voice, she would turn the van right around and go home.

Connie watched Mitchie's face glow when she mentioned Shane's name. That boy certainly did love Mitchie, and she loved him. Connie knew she would never be forgiven if she kept them apart the whole summer. She sighed, acquiescing at last. "Fine, I won't say another word about it, but you have to share a cabin with me this year, for the whole summer, I'm taking no chances-"

"But mom!" Mitchie interjected. I was going to share a cabin with Caitlyn and Lola! They'll want to know why the change of plans; I need this summer to be normal. Camp Rock is like a second home to me, and I don't want it tainted like this!"

Connie sighed once more, knowing that persistent Mitchie would come up with a hundred more reasons why she should have her way; she also knew that in the end, she would give in. She smiled inwardly though, she had always found it amazing that someone who had been through what Mitchie had so young could turn out so normal and happy, although her psychiatrist did say that she had most likely suppressed the memories and a traumatic event could bring them back at any time…Connie shook those thoughts from her mind. Mitchie was normal and happy- she was one in a million- with a steady, loving relationship and good friends by her side. "Fine, you can have your cabin and your normal summer."

Mitchie squealed. "Oh, thank you, mom, SO much! I love you!"

"I love you, too, honey. Okay, we're here now." Mitchie beamed. "You can go find Shane and Caitlyn and Lola, but don't forget that you still have to help me in the kitchen later."



"I know, mom, and thank you again." She leaned over and gave her mother a tight hug before practically leaping from the van and running off to find her friends.

Connie watched her run off. "Stay safe, baby."

Shane Gray was standing by the lake talking to Caitlyn and Lola, but he wasn't taking in a word they said; he was completely distracted- as he so often was- by thoughts of Mitchie, as he waited for her to arrive. His face lit up when he saw her running toward him. He ran to her, completely abandoning Caitlyn and Lola, pulling Mitchie into a tight hug and placing a loving and passionate kiss on her lips in greeting. "Hey, Mitch," he said, staring into her soft brown eyes.

"Hey, Shane," Mitchie replied, a slight blush rising in her cheeks as she stared back. They had been dating for a year, but he still made her feel like the only person on the planet, and it still made her blush.

"Hey, Mitchie, remember us, your friends? Over here, yeah, hi, we still exist," Caitlyn called.

Mitchie laughed; Caitlyn always made her laugh. "Sorry, Cate," she said, walking over and giving both her and Lola a hug.

"Yeah, you look it," Caitlyn said sarcastically. "But you're forgiven anyway."

Mitchie laughed again, standing next to Shane and lacing her fingers with his. "So, fill me in, guys, I want to know what's been happening since we saw each other last." Everyone started talking immediately, and Mitchie listened intently, talking and laughing with them. She loved being at Camp Rock; she felt so safe and comfortable here, and of course Shane's hand in hers always helped. It feels so good to finally be home again, she thought.

From the safety of the woods, a strange, scary looking man watched as the friends reunited. Such beautiful young flesh. He would not be refused, but he would bide his time, watching and waiting, just as he had for twelve long years…..

A/N: So, what does everyone think so far? It's only the first chapter, and I have ideas for the rest of the story, but I want to know what my readers think, first…Hint (reviews) hint