Chapter 7: Erin

I help myself to seconds and thirds of savory hamburgers and delicous fruit and even 2 big white chocolate chip cookies. I am starting to feel the benefits of coming here, like never being hungry, getting food that's much better than drive-thru and that's actually HAND-COOKED! That term is almost completely foreign to me! Dinner, lunch, and everything in between is either cafeteria food, drive-thru from fast food restaurants or something completely simple that I've made myself. The only meal I ever get in a day that's not drive-thru, cafeteria food, or made by me, is breakfast. My mom is to busy to pack me a lunch, my dad's always gone by the time I'm awake, I myself am too busy and I'm always being rushed out the door before I have a chance, and we are all too tired to cook dinner at night. I look over at Violet, who is also wolfing down as much as she can get her hands on. I smile at her. I decided ages ago that I like her. The other campers in the Moon Cabin sure don't seem to, but I do. I doubt that Violet's ever told them her story and I doubt that they'd ever listen unless she forced them to, which she doesn't seem to eager to do. I'm having a good time eating, and talking with her about almost anything at all, and Jacob, the boy who defended me when Alice got all mean when she thought I was being rude for not giving him a proper hello, came over and sat across from me. He and Violet gave each other apprehensive looks, and he didn't talk much to Violet at first, though he talked plenty to me, but he slowly warmed up, and soon joined in whole-heartedly. I have to admit, he's kind of cute. A bit, umm..., outspoken and not to fond of Alice, which I can respect, and Violet, which I can kind of detest, but otherwise, he's really nice, almost perfect. And he seems to like me! I kind of like him, too, but I don't know him to well, so I'm gonna be kind of catious and get to know him before I make a move, or fully trust him, or anything. Soon, there's a whistle from up front, and the girl I recognize as Ebony clears her throat.
"Hello Camp Night Shadow campers and welcome to Shadow Acres, home of Camp Night Shadow. To those of you new to camp this year, we are very pleased you joined our long list of campers this summer. It's nice to see so many fresh new faces. To those of you returning from previous years here, welcome back, and it's nice to see so many familiar faces as well. Most of you know me as Ebony, one two people in charge of running this camp and one of two owners. This is my co-head of camp and co-owner, Ivory." she said gesturing grandly to the tall blonde standing beside her, that I also remembered and recognized from the Main Office. There was great clapping as each took a small bow. "We're very glad that you're all enjoying the feast laid out before you, compliments of our head chef, Michael, and his entire team of chefs who worked all day to provide you with all this food, although the grilling was done just recently." continued Ebony, gesturing to a tall man standing on her other side of her, who also stepped forward and recieved a hearty applause, and who even bowed grandly several times, though his hat nearly fell off and he narrowly managed to catch it, he still went on. "Now," said Ebony, waiting for everyone to settle down, "Ivory will be handing out your assigned electives. If you don't get exactly what you wanted, remember that we tried to put everyone in at least one activity that was on his or her preference list that you sent us. People were assigned so that everyone has 3 electives. Also remember that nobody can get exactly what they want every time. So come and get your schedule, and then meet at the Bonfire Pavillion for the Annual First Night Bonfire Legend Telling and Marshmallow Roasting." concluded Ebony. I followed the crowd of kids swarming up to Ivory and forming a line. I took my schedule and walked towards the Bonfire Pavillion that Violet pointed at.
"Hey! I got almost everything on my preferences list: Drama, Horseback-riding, and Journalism!" I cried, excited by my luck. The only one that wasn't on my preferences list was Horseback-riding, and that wasn't so bad. I'd rather have gotten Art, but it is what it is. Violet yelps excitedly.
"I've got the exact same thing, except for Drama. I've got Rockwall-climbing!" she says. Jacob just smiles.
"I've got Journalism, Canoeing, and Horseback." he said simply. I smile too, and so does Violet. I can feel the tension and dislike between them lifting, which makes me happy. We arrive at the Pavillion and sit down. Soon, a bonfire is going and everyone has marshmallows. Ivory clears her throat.
"It's time for you all to hear the legend that has been told for ages at this camp, and told for centuries in Shadow Acres. Believe it or not, some parts of it are believable and are true. Once, there were 3 families, all co-existing in Shadow Acres..." she said mysteriously. She and Ebony took turns telling the story about 2 sisters, who recieved magical jewelry from the Sun and Moon. They were fought over by the 2 men they were supposed to marry, so they put a curse on Shadow Acres that said that when the 15,000th sun had set, and the 15,000th moon had risen, all of Shadow Acres would be destroyed, unless the jewelry was returned to the sea. "And so," finished Ebony, "to this day, the curse continues, and the years slip by. That clock is supposed to countdown the sunsets and moonrises until the the 15,000th of each has happened. And according to that, and my calculations, the 15,000th sunset and moonrise is to happen this summer!" she said, eerily. After that, we all went back to our cabins, with Violet and I running ahead again, only this time, she wasn't pulling me much. I settled into my bunk, and heard her getting comfortable in hers, right above me. I settle in and fall asleep instantly. Maybe coming to Camp Night Shadow wasn't such a bad idea after all. Of course, that night, I have nightmares about the legend. It bothers me, every time I wake up from it. Something about it creeps me out, and something about the camp does, too.