影
かげ
Shadow
In which Max is not exempt from consequences
In the late summer of that year, they lived in a camp in isolation ,that looked across the river and the plain to the mountains. In the bed of the thick river, there were pebbles and boulders, dry and white in the sun, and the water was clear and swiftly moving and blue in the channels, with fish fighting against the current. The infamous bus went by the entrance and down the road. The dust raised powdered the leaves of the trees. The trunks of the trees too were dusty and the leaves fell early that year, in late August.
Nothing in the camp ever could assuage his sorrow. The pooling of mud between the cracks in the path told the age of the camp. It seemed to become less grand by the second. The sweet nectar of life seemed to erode from the cracked walls of log cabins that could barely support themselves anymore.
The mysterious aura around the mountains hung like mist in the air; their presence warned him of his own mortality. The fog circling their peaks, was absolutely stellar, in all of its natural glory. Max often imagined what things could be lurking into the dense forest surrounding them, but figured that the most dangerous thing in the camp wasn't really the woodland creatures, the neighboring camps, or the usual villain.
It was the staff. They were the reason he was even here in the first place. David had yet again requested for him to be here, to which his parents agreed.
Max looked up from the table in the mess hall to see an airborne pile of mashed potatoes hit Preston in the face. The performer stumbled over and glared at the source of the flying projectile. Nerf simply rolled his eyes in response, glaring at him. His lips curled into a smirk as the performer simply had retreated to the other side of the mess hall. Max turned away from the sight, getting involved in the beef between those kids had proven to be a hefty task before. An issue that was best left to time, and lots of therapy. This entire camp was in dire need of therapy, once he thought about it.
He dreaded camp. He wanted to burn the entire fucking forest to the ground.
He wanted to. He really really wanted to ruin the day by making the Grape Kool-aid cocktail that Daniel taught them how to make. Then he'd offer it to those fucking lovebirds, who had been unconsciously flirting for the last four days.
He sat on the bench of the lunch table, staring across the room as Neil was concentrated on whatever little knick-knack he dug up from Computer Camp. The mashed potatoes sat untouched on the drab green tray as he hatefully eyed the pairing across the room.
Harrison sat next to Nerris, staring directly at whatever weird kind of magical item she had in her hand. It was some sort of glass of what he could only figure, was some type of soda. It fizzed to the top, oozing some sort of liquid. It was probably some carbonated soda from one of the potions Gwen had put out for magic camp. Max slowly realized the next scheme on the horizon.
Getting that carbonated soda.
He laughed, why hadn't he realized that before? That was the perfect Soda scheme. Taking the Carbonated liquid and distributing it to hyper, eager, and problematic campers. That would definitely be the beginning of a true riot, which could allow for himself, Neil, and Nikki to make an easy escape.
He watched as Nerris poured the liquid into Harrison's cup. The magic duo hadn't even taken any of the stale bread, which was honestly the best thing to eat that the Quartermaster served. For the sole fact was that he didn't make it.
"It won't make you disappear or anything Harry, it's just an experiment. I just came up with it, thinking of you. I put some corn syrup, just to make it taste good." she laughed.
How did she even get corn syrup? Not that he really cared.
"It's still not as sweet as you," Harrison darkly whispered.
Max retched inside his mouth. Harrison touched her hand with a light blush. What was it with these kids? Whatever it was, it was icky and he found it oddly endearing, but still nasty. He rose from his seat. He stomped over to their table. The magic kids had been unperturbed by the angry raven-haired boy.
"For you, my good lady, this will only enhance-"
"I'll be taking that, Houdini." he sneered, putting the cup to his lips and chugging down the murky liquid.
Nerris' eyes widened as Harrison abruptly stood in shock. Max set the cup down and wiped his lips off the remainders.
"A bit sour. If you want to become a good magician you ought to pocus on your craft." he advised, "But, I can help you by getting the carbonated soda and corn syrup off your hands."
"Maxwell! You oaf, you don't know what you've done!" she bit. Nerris looked at him in terror. "And the wrong type of magic dimwit."
"Where did you get the flavor for it though?" he said, ignoring her. " It tastes like that cherry Tylenol shit."
"Whatever Max. The effects of the potion just seem to have not worked. Its back to the drawing board for me," she said. "Come on Harry, we gotta make more.
The pair of twelve-year-olds stood up and stormed out of the wooden cafeteria, enraged. Max went back to his seat, slightly agitated. What was that drink supposed to do? Give him powers or some shit?
As he sat back down on the wooden bench, he lowered his head in thought. Then his stomach churned and he felt a slight disturbance in his pants.
" Oh god, the Tylenol must be kicking in," he said, holding his hand over his mouth. He raced out of the cafeteria to throw chunks behind the counselor's cabin, his own little way of saying an extra 'fuck you' to David.
As he let his stomach empty out against the grass, he could feel an overwhelming sense of adoration wash over him, taking over his mind. He absently smiled as he walked away. He began to walk deeper into the forest and stopped when he reached the lakefront, his eyes trained on the water.
"Why am I dressed like a fucking pauper?" he asked himself, "And where is the princess?"
Oh no, whatever Max drank really messed him up. Any guesses on what the potion did to him? Winner gets a request. And thanks Steampunk Wilson, I'll change the age. I was just doing it to how old I thought was the standard age. But Ered is like 15, so I guess Harrison is about 12-13? I don't know exact ages, sorry.
6.30.18 (Max + Nerrison)