Serena's journal only shows the important information and not the whole entry!
April 15th
Kent was amazing help! I beat the Cerulean gym no problem. Dratini managed to wipe the floor with them in no time.
My time spent in Cerulean was great, the city is beautiful and there was so much to see. The aquarium was my favorite place to be, I bought a few postcards from there and put them in the mail for Mom, Dad and Clair. I miss Clair and hope to see her again soon. It's hard pushing myself on my own; everything was easier when Clair was being tough on me. She sent me a letter telling me all about her classes. They seem challenging, but Clair is smart and doing well compared to the other students. I believe she will be a gym leader no problem in Blackthorn.
They'd be fools not to hire her.
My next stop is Vermillion City. I can't wait to see the ocean view! Lance says it's beautiful there, he called me the other day to check up on me. He has three badges already and is taking a break in Celadon City where his next battle is. I hope to do lots of sightseeing in Vermillion, and maybe grab a few pictures too. Espeon has been itching to travel around faster, I'm hoping the big city she is from is Vermillion.
She's not as cold as she used to be with me. She enjoys watching me battle and will even cheer us on, but most times she is sleeping or ignoring me. I hope I find her trainer and everything is okay. My first plan of action is to stop by the police station and see if there were any reports in the city.
OoOoOoO
Serena wakes up in a cold sweat. Her eyes burst open, interrupting a dreamless, restless sleep. The bed's warmth envelops her in a comfy cocoon as she just lays there and takes in the silence of the morning. Beside her, Espeon slumbers with her body now draped across her calves. Her body emanates most of the warmth keeping Serena comfortable and sleepy.
The room is quiet, which is a surprise, aside from some light snoring from the other occupants. Turning her head to the side, she sees some light trinkling in from the window. It's way too early to be up, her gym battle can't be for another few hours.
Getting up early to walk has thrown off her sleep schedule. Goodbye to sleeping in until noon. Instead, she is up at five and hitting the road by six with Ty beside her. It's great for getting to places fast, but bad when she's staying in a town for more than a few days. She reaches up for her phone, the light shines bright as she checks the time.
Five in the morning. Fantastic.
The light peeking in from the window is a gentle blue, as if it's trying to ease her from her sleep. Serena sighs turning onto her back to stare up at the bunk above her. She got a room filled with other trainers and they're all snoring. Ty snuggles her more from the blanket, his little squeak makes her heart jump. She turns to him and buries her face in his stomach.
"Ty, we gotta get moving," she mumbles into his soft fur. He groans and places his back paw on her face to push her away. She giggles and uncovers them both. Her voice is just above a whisper. "I'm going to get ready, so you have a few more minutes before we leave."
Serena uses the light from her phone to find her day clothes from the bag. Earlier this week she found a flyer talking about a volunteer opportunity with the Pokemon House. There's a village filled with pokemon outside of Cerulean City, and the house takes care of pokemon that are too sick to be in the forest. Every so often, they gather a bunch of volunteers to take out to the forest to clean it up, plant some trees or other plants, and to care for the pokemon. She was intrigued by it and signed up to volunteer for the full week.
In a few hours, she has to head out to the Pokemon House to be picked up along with other volunteers. She's heard of this program before, it helps a lot of students go on to be nurses, vets and other pokemon related jobs. While she doesn't want a job like that, she would love the opportunity to work in this setting.
For one week, she'll be living in the woods with other people helping take care of pokemon and nature. The thought brings a spark of excitement to her and that's why she signed up.
Planning the next few hours, she gets laced up, packed up and ready to go eat breakfast. Ty is sprawled out on the bed, his snore joining the symphony of others in the room. She rolls her eyes and hoists the pokemon up into her arms. His small body weighs quite a lot for an unevolved pokemon. He barely rouses out of his slumber, she hushes him gently as they slip out of the room without waking any of the trainers.
Once outside, Serena feels the pressure to be quiet lift as other trainers make their way towards the cafeteria. Soft music plays from the speakers around the hall and she finds herself heading towards the vending machines. She passes some trainers talking amongst themselves, her eyes stay on Ty as they stride by until their voices disappear down the hall. Ty lets out a coo of comfort, she smiles in return.
Inserting some coins, she opts for a smoothie and a fresh sandwich from the machine. Ty gets a bit of his breakfast as he's set on the ground before she heads to the front desk to turn in her room key. Once outside, the morning air is cool and calm, the sky is a mix of pastel oranges, pinks and blues. Her scars tingle as the cool breeze brushes over them, she grimaces at the feel of it. Like sweat dripping down her back after a strange dream.
She zips up her sweater and picks up Ty once more, he happily obliges and gets comfortable in her embrace. Cyndaquil have such warm bodies, and his is a relief. Being close to his trainer makes Cyndaquil happy and relaxed in her arms and against her chest.
Serena takes an immediate right as she leaves the center behind and moves in the direction the map she memorized last night informed her. She makes it to the end of the street when, to her right, Serena catches sight of a large white van just outside the Pokemon House. There's a small group of people gathered outside of it. As she approaches the building an older woman beams at her.
"Hello! Are you here to volunteer today?" she holds up a clipboard.
"Yes," she responds and then states her name. "Serena Lockwood... For the week."
"Yep, I see you right here," the woman points to her name. "I need a signature... Okay, so we have a free shirt for you and a little baggy of supplies for you to have out there. Take a seat in the van we will be leaving soon and once we get there you'll be informed of all you have to do!"
"Okay, thank you," Serena accepts the red bag and heads towards the van.
A group of teenagers stand right outside of it conversing as if they know each other well. Their presence makes Serena feel torn, she wants to say hi, but on the other hand, why? She returns Ty to his pokeball and tries to sneak by without a word. Her heart pounds as she slips by them, would they say something? Nope. She's free to get in the van without a word, much to her relief.
The group outside continues their talk of their week and how they hope the rest of the week will go. They sound like seasoned volunteers with how they're naming off people, places and pokemon. She smiles at how they talk with each other, so familiar and happy, just like her, Clair and Lance. Her heart aches for the days she could just walk down the street to see them.
Lance is so far ahead now and she doesn't get to hear from him as often as she used to, but it can only be expected. He loves being out here and on his own. When he does check in with her, it's great, and they talk for hours on end. His adventures are way more dangerous than hers and for that she's grateful. Clair, however, is having no fun being at home with her class. She is learning so much in a short amount of time and doing tests every few weeks. She may hate it, but Serena knows just how badly she wants to be a gym leader and show how tough she is. She knows she'll make it.
Serena admires the two of them for their ambition and devotion for something that they love. At the same time, she is bitter because she doesn't have the same ambition for anything and this is her journey. She is supposed to be ambitious about something while here and, yet, she is just wandering...
"Let's get this show on the road!" one of the guys from the small group hops into the van next to Serena.
The others laugh and pile in right behind him and immediately the van is filled with loud uplifting music. Despite the sudden noise, Serena finds herself laughing and smiling alongside them. Their energy is swirling around the van, pulling away any worries about the week ahead.
Once the driver gets it going, the van takes off through the city. All the buildings pass by in a blur, Serena watches with wonder as the buildings turn into trees and lush green shrubbery. The others in the van are singing camp songs, boasting about their time volunteering and exchanging jokes. Almost everyone in the van knows each other Serena confirms from her earlier assessment. She watches from her spot as they talk with each other with big smiles, pointing at parts of the forest they may have frequented or loved.
Soon the van is rolling to a gentle stop and Serena is being herded from the van into a large wooden building. The camp is pretty small, one building for lunch, one for bathrooms and showers, one for the dorms and another for the administration and security building. It's a cute campsite run by all natural means with many pokemon roaming about. As she enters the lunch building, Serena spies seven tables lined up in the middle with a foam board in front of them with a team of five adults at the front. They look content with the people rushing in to join those that are already there.
Serena stays with the group she came with as they take a seat at the back table and quiet down in time for one of the women to speak. She's a short woman, wearing dark pants and a white shirt with a red pokeball logo on it and the words manager at the top. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a small bun, neat and put together. Serena takes interest in her immediately.
"Welcome newcomers! My name is Jean Chambers. I'm going to keep this short so that we can get started. The team that came in is Team 7, you can come up with a nickname tonight. You will stay with those members in the bunks and leave to your areas with them. If there are any questions, let your leaders know, they are wearing the white shirts," she states and then turns to the board. "Now, everyone else will have the same areas and work to do, while the newcomers will be tending to the pokemon around the village."
This news gets Serena pumped as Jean begins to outline a few changes to the duties of the volunteers. She is quick to get to the point with appropriate amount of detail. The way she talks is informative and firm. Her arms swing and her face is set in a smile even while she is talking with her fellow employees. Serena decides almost immediately that she likes her.
"7, you'll be out in the forest. Your lunch will be delivered later, be good and listen to your counselor!" she points a finger at the boys in the group, narrowing her eyes at them.
Serena chuckles as they look around trying to look innocent. As soon as Jeans gives the go, everyone is off. Serena gets to her feet and allows herself to be ushered out with the rest of the group.
"So, what's your name, Silent Girl?" one of the boys bumps into her in a gentle manner. He's bright in the face, his pale skin is stark against his black hair and like his pale blue eyes. His smile is friendly and genuine. He's wearing an orange shirt that says 2 year volunteer, and dark khakis and hiking boots. "Is this your first time out here?"
"I'm Serena, and yes," she smiles at him. "What's your name?"
"Glen," he holds out his hand. Serena takes it gently. "Where are you from? Because where I'm from we shake with firm hands."
"I've moved around a lot. I started in Celadon, but I just came from Blackthorn City," she responds.
"Ah, the ever mysterious Blackthorn. What's it like?" he questions as they walk up to a wooden cart.
Some of the other staff members pack up the cart with bags, shovels and soil bags. Him and the other volunteers have gathered around to hear about her. Blackthorn City is pretty mysterious to outsiders. Serena used to wonder about it, back when her mother just talked about it at bedtime before they moved in there. She always pictured it more mystical than it turned out to be. Dragons everywhere, people running around with capes and the mountainous backgrounds providing a dangerous overtone to the city.
"It's pretty intense," she admits and then pauses as they climb onto the cart. A large older male holds the reins for a Rapidash. When prompted to continue by the eager looks of the listeners, Serena chuckles. "It's like a normal city. But with more uppity people walking around."
"Sounds like Saffron," the boy next to Glen snorts.
"Are there dragons just flying around?" Glen questions, his eyes are huge and his head is tilted slightly.
"No, I used to think the same before I got there. It's kind of disappointing," she shrugs.
"But you have dragon pokemon right?" one of the younger girls hops in her seat.
"I do," Serena blushes at the sudden interest in her. Everyone is staring and she doesn't know how to feel.
"You guys stop treating her like she's a specimen under a microscope," one of the other girls speaks. She's on the other side of Glen, leaning back against the cart. Her eyes are light, emerald green and her hair is a thick swath of curls. She's wearing ripped jeans and a green shirt that says '3 year volunteer'. She smiles at Serena, it's warm and welcoming. "Ask her over the course of the day."
The group groans but there are less and less invasive questions after that to which Serena is grateful for as they make their way deep into the forest. Sunlight trickles between the tree leaves, casting a scattered bright glow on everything around them. Some pokemon scurry away at the sight of the cart, some of the kids call out the names while pointing at the different species. Serena listens with a smile, remembering her class with Clair in which they entered a contest to name the most pokemon by their silhouettes.
She tilts her head up to spy some bird pokemon as the cart rumbles to a stop, as does all conversation, and her excitement spikes.
"Stick with us, it'll be fun," Glen nudges Serena before hopping off the cart and offering his hand.
She stares at it for a quick moment, this reminds her of the dozens of times Lance and Clair helped her up, this is her time to branch out. His hand is warm and a bit rough, possibly from the work he has been doing out here, as he pulls her along to where their tools are gathered to get rid of litter and help maintain the forest. Their group rumbles with half excitement half groans as they get to work.
The day is hot with little wind, leaving Serena sweaty and tired easily within a few hours. Glen and the girl from the cart keep a watch on her, this being her first time out there and not used to the conditions, they don't want her to get hurt. But she keeps strong, remembering the times she trained with her father in the mountains, or even Kent. The former being in extreme conditions to help her get stronger mentally and physically. This was just strenuous.
Despite being told they were working with pokemon, Serena is disappointed to find out that isn't until tomorrow. They are one of two teams assigned to tending to the Pokemon's needs. The forest is vast, spreading between Cerulean half way to Vermillion City, miles and miles of forest with only a portion of it being the village. Pokemon from around the area wander in and out with trainers following them. Serena wonders how the peace is kept, pokemon in the village cannot be captured as they are being rehabilitated. Who keeps track? Are there rangers out here?
With the sun high overhead, Serena keeps her head down and works on clearing the paths and picking up random debris and litter that may have blown in from the nearby trail to and from Vermillion and Cerulean. All the while, Glen shares with her stories of his time as a volunteer, he's been in the business for about two years now. His parents started him off on it and, at first, he was reluctant to go. After spending a week in the woods, he came back as often as possible.
"Just the feeling of being out here brought me back the first time," he takes a deep breath. "I've never been one to want to venture out of Cerulean, I don't want to be a trainer that travels, I'd rather have civilization at arms length. I can go back and forth whenever I want." She opens her mouth to comment when he interrupts with a rush, "Is it the same in Johto? I'm told that the only major city out there is Goldenrod. Is Blackthorn part of the mountains?"
The question strikes her as odd. She stands up and turns to him, thinking of an answer. Sure the regions didn't get along in the past and barely acknowledge each other now, but are the people this oblivious? Her frown must convey something else because Glen's face flushes and he rushes to correct himself.
"I-I didn't mean... I just... What I meant was-".
"It's just like Kanto," she speaks over him, her finger coming up to tap her chin. "We're not neanderthals scavenging for our next meal."
Nearby the curly haired girl giggles at Glen as he stumbles over his words trying to apologize. "I just heard it was more traditional over there! I didn't mean to say you guys were anything less."
"Traditional doesn't have to be old fashioned," she points out. There's a small smile on her face as he continues to struggle with words. "I get it, the terrible past between our regions has made for some terrible holes in our view of each other. Hell, we can't into the League without badges from Kanto because it's so messed up. It makes sense that it's a complete mystery to you."
"We're not a mystery to you?" he questions, his voice laced with caution, as if she'll lash out at the wrong word use.
"Our schools taught Kanto and Johto history as a whole, at least in Blackthorn they did. I can't speak for anywhere else," she shrugs leaning over to pick up a stray branch at her feet. "I only know history, not what is going on in the present. I only know Kanto looks down on Johto. We're stuck in the past while you strive for the future."
"That's kind of messed up," Mystery Girl comments, her green eyes narrowed at the words.
Serena nods, what is that girl's name? She's got to ask her later tonight.
Their conversation is halted by the sound of a bell ringing in the direction of the van. The three of them gather their tools and head back to the van. They're joined by the rest of their group, all slithering out of the woods as if it were a horror movie. Sweat drips down Serena's face as she piles her tools with the rest and waits patiently for the food to be passed around. The sun is lower in the sky offering little relief to the humid air. She swipes at her forehead and plops down on the grass.
"It gets better," the curly haired girl grins at Serena. Finally, she holds out her hand. "I'm Layla."
"Nice to meet you," Serena beams, shaking her hand with vigor. "Thanks for getting everyone off my back before."
"My pleasure, I know what it's like to be observed like you're a specimen," she grimaces. "It's not good. What brings you out here?"
If only she knew just how 'not good' it was, Serena wants to say but opts for a better option. "I'm not entirely sure. I saw the flyer and felt like taking a different path, I guess," Serena lifts a shoulder in a lame shrug. She's tired, sweaty and hungry. Food and a bath sound fantastic right about now.
"Are you taking the League Challenge?" Layla leans back on her palms, watching the other kids accept their passed out meals.
"Kind of? I'm not sure I want to be part of it... Actually, I'm not sure what my goal is," Serena admits after some thought.
"That's okay," the other girl laughs. "At least you're out here doing something."
That's new. Serena never looked at it that way, such a simple and innocent thought and yet it lifts so much weight from her shoulders. It's true, she wasn't at home wishing to be out here. Instead, she's out here wishing to see more. Maybe it's a sign that she's heading in the right direction.
"Yeah, I just wish I had a goal. I want to be more driven like..."
"Like?" the other girl urges with a twist of her wrist.
"Like my best friend, he's days, maybe even weeks, ahead of me. He's been driven since we left Blackthorn, taking down gym leaders and trainers like they were stepping stones. It's pretty amazing and expected of him," Serena babbles and then catches herself. She tilts her head and adds, "My other best friend is at home training to take the written test to be a gym leader."
"Wow, those are some big goals," Layla raises her brows bringing herself to sit up right. "Do you like battling?"
Serena opens her mouth to answer but is interrupted by their lunch boxes. She accepts the container and keeps herself from ripping it open and digging in. Her cheeks flush a bit at the thought and she takes care to unbox her food. A sandwich, chips, some veggies and berries and a muffin for dessert. There are two coolers nearby, one with water and the other filled with various juices, Glen returns with a selection for the two of them.
After a few bites, Serena answers the question. "Kind of? I like the rush of it, but I'm not really good at it."
"You don't always have to be good at what you like."
"I get that much," Serena chuckles. "I just want to get better, I feel so behind."
"Well, what are you passionate about? What have you found yourself doing for most of your life?" Layla prods her, scooting closer so that they both face the same direction and sit close. Nearby, Glen eats with his own friends, laughing and joking around with them. They sit in their own little bubble, free to speak about whatever without fear of interruption.
Serena considers the question, she's pondered it so many times and always came up with the same word. "Surviving."
The word catches Layla off guard, she coughs on the water she'd been drinking and stares at the girl with wide eyes. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
Damn. She's just a year older than Layla and she's already been through so much... Well, so has Layla. Survive is a strong word, one Layla can't put to her own life. What does someone who has survived do when all that's left is to live? She isn't sure, but she's started this conversation and doesn't want to leave Serena with nothing.
"Well, if you weren't surviving, just living, what would you do? There has to be some relaxing times?"
"Yeah, of course," the other girls half smiles. "I had friends, it was always the three of us. Although, I feel like I was often settling a score for them."
"So you were the peacekeeper?" Layla muses between mouthfuls of food.
"Sometimes. Other times I was just caught up in whatever they wanted to do," she responds with a shrug.
"Hmm... Well, if you get better at battling you could be a gym leader," the green eyed girl muses. "You were patient with Glen despite his ignorance to Johto. Also, you seem like a good listener and a hard worker. Plus, you were a peacekeeper, maybe a job where you're the boss would be good."
Serena snorts at that. "People make me nervous."
"So? People make a lot of people nervous, but give yourself a goal and you can get something done," Layla retorts. "I think you aren't confident in yourself. My parents always say to never sell yourself short."
"It seems like a lot of work," the older girl mumbles.
"Maybe. But you can do it."
It grows silent as the girls eat in the receding sunlight. Serena watches all the other volunteers interact with each other. The atmosphere makes her miss Clair and Lance. If they were here there's no doubt she'd be laughing up a storm. Instead, she's silent as she contemplates Layla's words. There's no way she could work with people, she doesn't have the charming smile her dad flashes at work, or the professionalism that her mother displays at school. Talking to more than four people terrifies her, she never knows what's going on and she's supposed to direct people? No way.
As afternoon bleeds into evening, the kids are gathered and transported towards the center of the village. Not quite to where they came in, but closer. The cabins they will stay in are small, each one holding two bunk beds and a small bathroom. There are two groups of these cabins, four to each set across a large path from each other. One for boys and one for girls. They're wooden with numbers painted on the outside and seem to gleam in the afternoon light.
After being dismissed, Layla pulls Serena to the one closest to the outdoor bathrooms, the number one painted in green on the door. It's a cute cabin with a flimsy screen door and hardwood floors. On either side of the cabin are the bunk beds jutting from the floor with a round table between them. Beside the bottom bunks are bedside tables, one each, with a lamp sitting on top. At the back is a small door leading to a tiny bathroom.
The beds have been made already and await their occupants. Layla takes the top bunk on the left with Serena right below her. Two more girls rush in with a village worker behind them, towing their bags in. Serena kicks off her shoes next to her bed and grabs her bag off the ground.
She would rather not get her bed dirty with sweat and dirt, a shower is her first priority. Layla follows suit, placing her bag next to the other girls and digging for her own toiletries. Giggles reverberate around the room as the girls express their relief in finally being clean after a long day of working.
"Just to warn you, it's a traditional bath," Layla waits at the door for Serena, their other two roommates have already gone ahead to the bath house.
"Oh," Serena falters, her shoulders drooping. Her heart pounds as she tries to cover up her fear. "And Glen thought Johto was traditional?"
Layla laughs. "Don't pay attention to him, he says the dumbest stuff. It'll be fine, the girls here are nice."
"I hope so," she mutters following suit. "Are there separate showers?"
"Yes, but they're bound to be full. The workers here, mainly, use them. We can with a few exceptions," Layla explains with a pointed look. "What's wrong?"
Serena shifts uncomfortably. "I just don't want others to see me."
As if in understanding, Layla puts a hand on the girl's shoulder. "There aren't many girls here. We can wait a few more minutes for the others to come back and then we can go. The baths don't close until midnight and it's only nine."
Relief floods Serena at the idea. "Please?"
"Of course."
The two settle at the table, their talk of nothing but observations made throughout the day. After an hour, Serena regrets her decision to wait. Sweat and dirt don't mix well and she feels grimey as the other girls come back squeaky clean. Her back aches and burns, her scar agitated either by the dirt or her paranoia at being seen. Without another delay, Layla signals for them to head out, leading down a short path to the bath house.
Layla enters the bath house, a building just big enough to house the boys and girls in two separate spaces. The worker at the front desk checks them in and gestures for them to move to the right. Past the frosted door, Layla is greeted by steam and the laughter of a few girls bonding in the shower. Her face flushes at the sight of naked bodies all around, but brushes it off as she heads to the lockers with Layla.
"Is this okay?" Layla gestures to the few girls in the bath.
Serena bites her lip. The girls seem ready to leave soon, maybe they won't see anything?
She nods her head and follows Layla to the far wall. The two strip down and pick two cubicles right next to each other. Layla, being used to it, is open about cleaning herself, picking up the nozzle and drenching herself in warm water. Serena, however, takes her time. She stares at herself in the mirror, her reflection blurred by water and steam. Her hair is frizzy, poofing out around her, and there are dirt streaks on her stopping only where her clothes once were. She feels gross and enjoys the stream of water pouring from the shower nozzle. She keeps herself hunched over to avoid the eyes of the girls in the bath.
Water pouring over her scar feels good and soothing.
"Hey, want me to get your back?" Layla leans over, careful to keep her eyes away to help Serena feel comfortable.
"No thanks," Serena answers a little too fast. "Sorry, I'm just nervous."
"It's okay. I was my first time here too," Layla shrugs and holds up a loofa. "Would you mind getting my back?"
"Not at all," the darker haired girl speaks in a light tone. She accepts the soapy loofa, the smell of fruit wafting from it. Without another thought, she scrubs Layla's back, being careful to not dip too low or press too hard. "Does it get easier?"
"It's up to you. If you think people are staring, it makes it harder. But if you don't mind them staring, then it gets better," she shrugs turning to accept the loofah back. "Thanks... Are you sure?"
"I'm good."
The other girl shrugs and moves on to clean her hair. Serena spreads soap on her shoulders and sprays herself to wash her back. After cleaning her hair, she and Layla relax in the bath for a few minutes. The steam water irritates her back at first, she hisses at the pain until she adjusts. Then she welcomes the relief it brings, her body relaxing against the edge of the tub.
It's silent as the two stare up at the ceiling. The sounds of sloshing water around them, dripping water from the faucets and booming laughter from the boys fills their silence. Serena closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Her fear from earlier has subsided and she feels strange, nothing is wrong and it feels nice. She is here, in this moment, relaxed and content with someone new.
"What are you thinking about?" Layla whispers.
"I'm relaxed."
"Doesn't happen often enough?"
"Nope."
Silence.
Not long after that, Layla is the first to leave, warning Serena not to stay in for too long. After another breath, Serena pulls herself out of the bath and heads back to the changing room. With Layla tucked away in the corner, Serena is careful to keep her back away from the girl while grabbing her towel. The two get dressed in comfortable silence. With a shirt on, Serena is able to allow Layla to brush her hair back into a french braid and teach her to do the same. Though hers is sloppy, Layla keeps it in and packs up her stuff.
"How was your first day?" Layla questions on their way back from the baths.
Their footsteps crunch on the dirt path back to their cabin, Serena stares at the ground, half watching for any bumps half in contemplation. The overhead lamps are little help in guiding them back, but thankfully, their cabin is close. At the door, Serena pauses and glances over their camp with a half smile.
"It was awesome."
Layla beams at her, opening the door for her to go in, and explains the plan for tomorrow. The other two join in, offering advice to Serena on how to get the most done so they can play around in the woods before lunch. Not long after that, dinner is served, hot food brought to their cabins the first night. Their team leader comes by to count them out and make sure everyone is accounted for. Serena poses for a picture the leader takes and giggles with the other girls at the suggestion of a scary story time in their cabin.
Laying in bed, her eyes droop, unable to stay open for long. The warmth of the bath still flowing through her veins, lulling her into a deep and restful sleep.
