Chapter 1
April 27, 2014
The vehicles bustled in the busy streets of London as a shuttle bus transported students from the United States of America after picking them up from London City Airport. These students got out of their school early in order to participate a international educational exchange summer camp program.
The first of the three is Eric Kane, a fourteen-year-old Caucasian boy with sunny gold-ish brown hair and hazel-green eyes with tiny half-visible ring of sunset orange-gold around the irises. He's wearing field-green t-shirt with sky-blue sleeves, gold-ish brown khaki shorts, and dark brown hiking boots with dark-gray wool socks. His father is a respectable and good-natured United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, John Kane. He always balances his time with his job and his family, which makes his family happy whenever he got home. And it's rare when he's called to spend more time at work than his family which is only when he's really needed the most. Eric's mother, Samantha Kane, is a journalist and she too balanced out her time with work and family. And for his little sister, Sarah Kane, is five years younger than him while having light-brown hair. And apparently Eric is the only one with the colored ring around his irises. The reason why Eric the program entered the program is to see places outside of his country... and to find a great adventure to call his own.
Then the second of the three is Joey Izumi, a fourteen-year-old Japanese-American boy with black hair and dark brown eyes. He's wearing a light-grey buttoned shirt with rolled cuffs, glasses, a brown sleeve-less v-neck sweater, beige silky pants, and dark brown lace-less scholar leather shoes with white socks. His father is a historian and his mother is a librarian, storyteller, and author of fiction. And he's the youngest brother of two brothers and two sisters. He's been best friends with Eric since preschool. The reason why Joey went to this program is to not leave Erik behind (mostly not to be alone back at the states since he has no other friends besides him) and to increase his intellect by learning things outside of the United States.
And finally, the last is Darian Lopez, a fourteen-year-old half African-American and half Hispanic boy with black-ish tanny-brown hair and medium-brown eyes. He wears a orange sleeve-less shirt (it originally had long sleeves but he torn it off), dark blue pants with ripped parts on the knee areal, and tennis shoes (black and white) with white socks. His father, a Hispanic American born, is a chief unit leader and profiler of one of the F.B.I. B.A.U. teams to hunt down serial killers and such. And his mother died of cancer when Daryl was seven-years-old which began his slow path of being a rebellious troublemaker and a local bully at his school. He's a shoulder-and-a-head taller than both Erik and Joey while they're part of his many targets of bullying. And the only reason he's going to the program is because the school is forcing him to because of his terrible grades AND his dad thought that the program will set him straight while hoping it will make him a better person. The teenager already hates this.
It was then the shuttle then stopped at the teenagers destination: Victoria Coach Station (basically a coach is what a bus is called in the United Kingdom). Except they're not there to catch a bus but to be picked by one of the camp councilors, Jeffry Gorden, with the camp's own bus. As the shuttle dropped them, the boys held onto their luggage as they waited for their ride.
Eric looked at his cellphone and saw the time corresponding to his country's time zone. He opened the Clock App of his phone, clicked onto the World Clock section, and read that it's 7:32 A.M. in London.
Joey was doing the same as Darian looked at both of their phones and groaned. "Really?! It's that early! It doesn't even feel like that at all!"
"Well that's what traveling into a different time zone does to ya." Joey replied.
"Can it nerd!" Darian barked dangerously.
"Hey back off!" Eric said as he quickly stood between Joey and Darian. "You're just upset that you didn't want to be here!"
Darian took a couple steps toward him as he stood towering him while facing him face-to-face. "Well, you finally have the balls to stand up to me huh."
"That's because I don't want to get myself into trouble, unlike you."
That was half-true. Eric was also afraid that Darian might break him in two. Although Darian hasn't even started a fight and beaten someone up before... which is why everyone makes sure not to piss him off.
Darian then sneered at Eric as a bead of sweat dripped from the nervous Caucasian teenager's brow.
Oh crud...
"Well I'm no genius like your friend here, but that sounds like a another term for being a p—"
"GOOD MORNING CAMPERS!"
Then three of the American teenagers nearly jumped in statement, except Joey actually jumped into Darian's arms, as they quickly turned around to the source and saw a middle-aged man wearing the most cliché camp councilor uniform in the world... but in a British fashion. He has a full goatee while the rest f his beard is a thin stubble along with full set of hair while both the hair and beard is dark grey.
This must be Jeffry Gorden. Eric thought.
"You three must be Eric Kane, Joey Izumi, and Darian Lopez. Our three young Americans participating in Britain's international summer camp program." Mr. Gorden exclaimed. "It's great to have the ambassador's son to join us."
Eric smiled nervously. He doesn't like that everyone thinks of him just as only the son of an ambassador. When the teenager thinks he would of gotten used to it by now, but he didn't. Eric doesn't hate his dad because of it and he isn't mad at him either, but instead is admired of his because of his leadership skills and courage that the boy can never match up to.
"From what your teachers told me," Mr. Gorden said while facing Joey with a smile, "I believe you might to able graduate from your high school a year early and enter Oxford due the large amount of college credit you have. IF you keep on getting good grades and keep attending your classes next year."
Joey beamed proudly while Darian rolled his eyes.
Mr. Gorden then faced the big teenager holding Joey. "I'm very glad to see that you're already making friends with your fellow students. What I've heard from both your school and your father, I thought it might take a while before you warm up to anyone."
Darian raised his eyebrow in confusion. He then realized he was holding Joey in his arms as the glasses-wearing teenager smiled nervously at him. Then the huge teenager dropped him like a bag of garbage with THUD.
Mr. Gorden sighs as he then whispers "Well, the London Bridge wasn't built in a day."
"What?" three of the teenagers asked.
"Since you three are here, we'll wait for our fifth camper to arrive." Mr. Gorden quickly changed the subject, "We'll take my car and head out to camp."
The teenagers raised their eyebrows.
"Fifth?" Eric asked, "There's only three of us."
"Huh?"
Then Mr. Gorden checked his surroundings and has a expression of sudden realization. "You're right. Where is that boy? He was just behind me."
"Sorry sir."
Everyone turned around behind Mr. Gorden as they saw a fourteen-year-old Caucasian boy with light brown hair and light-brown eyes running towards them. He's wearing black t-shirt with white generic video-game controller, light-blue pants, grey sneakers and white socks. As the teenager approached them, he expression quickly changed into a excited smile as he then spoke with a British accent. "Erik?! Joey?! I didn't know you guys are coming to the international camp!"
The two American teenagers immediately recognized him as their foreign friend, Brenan "Bren" Fernsby. They first met Bren while staying in America during school year of 1st Grade when his parents were staying for business. When he moved back in England, they never lost touch because they always contacted each other through phone, Skype (later replaced by Zoom), and through online video-gaming.
"We didn't know either!" Eric smiled back as he, Joey, and Bryan gave each other a hug. After they finished "Is this what you meant you can't talk to us for a while?"
"Yeah, but if I knew that you guys were coming, I would've told ya."
"Well it doesn't matter now." Eric said. "It's great to see you in person again."
"Yeah, it's been a long time."
"Can't we cut the reunion short! You guys are annoying me!" Darian said with annoyance.
The three teenagers frowned in annoyance at Darian as Bren whispered "Isn't that—"
"Yup." Eric replied.
"Why—"
"It's a long story." Joey said.
"It's great that you three know each other." Mr. Gorden said with a smile. "This will make it easy for you guys to get along even better in your group of five."
"What do you mean by that?" Eric asked.
Mr. Gorden then explained at the international camp, there will be twelve groups of five which will participate in activities and contests of education, teamwork, trust, strength, wit, intellect, or/and friendship building exercises either against each other or by themselves. But due to regulations, each camper will have their own tent to sleep while sharing an area with those of the same gender while being a small distance away from that of the opposite sex. The councilors' tents will be in their respective area of the same gender as well.
"So who's this fifth member?" Eric asked.
"Beats me." Bren replied. "Mr. Gorden just picked me up thirty minutes ago."
"She should be here any minute now."
"SHE?!" four of the teenagers exclaimed in surprise.
Before Mr. Gorden could reply, something caught his eye as he then smiled. "And here she is now."
The teenagers then turned to see a yellow slightly beaten and old 1963 Volkswagen Beetle parking next to them. The driver got of the car revealing himself as an elderly man dressed in a poor Russian version of the Newsies attire. Also the person that got out of the passenger seat revealed to be a fourteen-year-old girl who's a half-head shorter than Eric.
And she's the most beautiful person Eric has ever laid eyes on.
This girl has dark-brown (almost black) hair which slowly goes to a lighter tone down to the ends. She has a tan-like skin tone while having hazel-blue eyes. She's wearing what appears to be a silver-white v-neck t-shirt with puffy short sleeves, four different bangles on each wrist (a golden one with plain coins that tangle, a thick silver one with assortments of colored crystals, and a brown braided rope one), dirt-brown shorts (the left leg sleeve reaching only to the middle part of her thigh while the right leg sleeve only reaches slightly pass her knee), a rainbow half-skirt covering only the left side (including the left front and back) of her hips and legs, a floral colored and designed sash with three small bells hanging together on her right side, and reddish-brown sandals.
Both the girl and the man appear to be of the Romani people as she grabbed her luggage from the opened trunk as the elder approached them.
"Chaim Nehemiah Teyve." Mr. Gorden said with a broad smile as he clasped his hand with the old man's in a friendly greeting. "It's great to see you old bean."
"Likewise Jeffry." Mr. Teyve said a smile. "Thank you so much for getting my granddaughter into the camp."
"It was a bit difficult at first, but I managed to put a good about her."
"Is it because both of you are gypsies?" Darian asked.
Eric immediately elbowed him for his rudeness. Darian responded by glaring deadly at him as the teenager didn't look back at him with wide eyes realizing what he's done. Joey stared at Eric with horror realizing his friend just signed a death warrant. Bren on the other hand smiled with raised eyebrow.
"Looks like you haven't changed a bit." Bren said. "You still have a knack to get yourself into trouble."
Eric responded with a groan of annoyance.
Mr. Teyve turned toward Darian without changing his expression. "Half true. Basically my little Anastasia has been home schooled most of her life and we don't stay in one place since we're part of a huge traveling performance troupe. And the program only accepts those that are currently enrolled in schools."
"You think that people change what they think of others in this day and age." Mr. Gorden said with slight frustration. "Luckily the program looked passed that. As long she doesn't cause a commotion."
"I won't Mr. Gorden." the girl said as she approached them with luggage at hand. "My troupe, my family, don't steal or/and cheat. We're honest, peace loving, and hard working folk. I would never dishonor them in any way."
"I know you won't dearie."
"Well don't just stand there my sweet young rose." Mr. Teyve said sweetly. "Introduce yourself to your fellow campers."
She then dropped her bags and turned toward the teenagers with a greeting smile. "Hello. My name is Anastasia Roselynn Teyve. You can just call me Anya."
"H-h-hi." Eric stuttered with a nervous smile. "M-my n-name i-is Eric Kane.
Anya giggled sweetly.
Eric blushed.
"My name is Joey Izumi." the glasses wearing teenager introduced himself.
"Bren Fernsby." he also introduced himself. "Native English-born like yourself."
Darian remained silent.
"And this is Darian Lopez." Mr. Gorden introduced the quiet teenager.
"I'm looking forward to get to know each of you more at camp." Anya said still smiling.
Then Mr. Teyve began inspecting the teenagers as he stopped to Eric last. He stared at him for a bit as he then spoke a grin. "You make a good husband for my granddaughter."
Eric blushed even more as he blurted "WHAT?!"
The teenagers responded with bewilderment, especially Daryl, as Mr. Gorden shook his head.
"GRAMPA!" Anya said as her face began to blush in embarrassment.
"I kid, I kid my dear." Mr. Teyve then turned toward Mr. Gorden. "You'll make sure that my granddaughter is alright while at camp, yes?"
"Don't worry old chum, I'll look after her."
"Thank you." the grandfather said sincerely.
Mr. Tevye turned to his granddaughter, kissed once on each cheek, kissed her forehead, and then hugged her.
"Goodbye my sweet little rose. See you after camp's over."
Anya kissed her grandfather in the cheek and hugged him back in return while replying affectionately "Goodbye bunic."
Then Mr. Tevye then walked back into his car and then drove off.
The gypsy girl picked up her luggage as Mr. Gorden began leading them to his van.
"So where is the camp located?" Eric asked as placed his luggage into the trunk of the van.
"By Windermere Lake." Mr. Gorden replied. "The program managed to find a secluded area in the Lake District National Park close to the lake, thick vast forest, and grassy hills for us to camp. Plus it's only an hour away from the next town."
"Windermere!" Anya said excitedly. "I haven't been there for almost two years! I've they finally restocked the books I wanted!"
"We're going by the lake, not the town." Mr. Gorden replied. "But we are to plan to visit there for a field trip before camp ends."
Anya bare contained her excitement as she and everyone else entered inside the van with the front passenger seat already occupied by a box of contents... something to do with camp.
As Mr. Gorden started the van, Eric asked one more question. "Also, what's the name of the camp?"
"Camp Lockley?"
"Lockley?" Bren asked.
"Named after Ronald Mathias Lockley."
"Who?" Darian asked.
"The author of The Private Life of the Rabbit." Joey replied.
"I'm surprised you know that Mr. Izumi." Mr. Gorden said with impressed tone.
Darian rolled his eyes as the camp councilor drove the teenagers to their destination.
Eric stared outside of the window of the car as he stared at the streets and buildings of London until he can finally see trees and grasslands. He then began to recall his father telling he'll have fun at camp. His dad even added he might get some exciting and memorable experiences while there.
I hope you're right dad.
Author's Notes
Eric Kane's appearance is similar to both Jack's from Netflix's "The Idhun Chronicles" and Jack Sullivan from Netlix's "The Last Kids on Earth" (but minus the nose). His hairstyle is similar to Jack's from Netflix's "The Idhun Chronicles".
Joey Izumi's appearance is similar to both Joe Kido from "Digimon Adventures 2020" and Kirito from "Sword Art Online".
Darian Lopez's appearance looks similar to Dirk Savage's from Netflix's "The Last Kids on Earth" except he's half African-American and half Hispanic/Mexican-American. Has a similar hairstyle as Dirk Savage's from Netflix's "The Last Kids on Earth" except the bald parts is replaced by a buzz-cut.
Brenan "Bren" Fernsby's looks similar to 8-BitRyan from YouTube but minus the goatee.
Anastasia "Anya" Roselynn Tevye's appearance is similar to both Victoria's from Netflix's "The Idhun Chronicles" and Esmerelda's from Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame".
Chaim Nehemiah Teyve's appearance is similar to both Tevye's from the 1971 film "Fiddler on the Roof" and Papa Mousekawitz's from the animated film "An American Tail" (if he was human and was little bit more slim).
Jeffry Gorden's appearance is similar to a John Hurt's.
Bunic is Romanian for "Grandpa/Grandfather".