Chapter 2
It's nighttime as the moon was high in the sky while the campers and the councilors are circled around a huge campfire telling each other stories. Eric and his group already set up their tents the moment they arrived at Camp Lockley. They're eating s'mores as Joey finished a story about the ghosts in Aokigahara. Eric already heard this story before so it didn't bother him as much. Meanwhile Darian tried to look calm and collective, but on the inside he was terrified as all hell. Anya on the other hand was both spooked and sad at the same time.
"What a chilling story." Mr. Gorden applauded.
"It's also sad." Anya added.
"Well the Japanese government tried to warn them not to do it there and told them to ask for help from either their families or professional experts." Eric pitched in.
"Can we please talk about something else!" Darian asked while hiding the fear in his tone.
"How about you tell them about G.A.I.A. Jeffry." said the much younger councilor, Carl Sallow, in which causing almost causing the teenagers to jump in fright when the man spoke behind them.
"Oh don't bring them up Carl!" Mr. Gorden said with annoyance. "Nothing good will come out of it when talking about those terrorists!"
"Terrorists?!" the teenage boys exclaimed. Anya on the other hand went dead silent with wide eyes.
"I've never heard of G.A.I.A." Eric said. "If they're that dangerous, shouldn't we hear about them in the news?"
"Well the governments around the world want to keep their existence quiet." Mr. Gorden replied. "Especially here in the U.K."
"If they want them quiet, they're not doing a really good job." Darian said.
"Well that's because of the stupid conspiracists talk about them a lot!" Mr. Gorden said while eyeing dangerously at Carl who responded with nervous smile. "Luckily word of their existence hasn't left the U.K."
"Yeah, but who are they?" Eric asked while being intrigued.
Mr. Gorden was hoping to change the subject but he knew that that the teenagers are already hooked onto the subject. He then sighed, both in defeat and annoyance, as he began to explain.
"Genetic Alteration Institute Association, G.A.I.A. for short, was an important company that began here in the U.K. in 1962 which helped with many breakthroughs with medicine and genetics. Unfortunately the company went into a unethical route performing experiments both on animals and humans alike twenty-five years ago. Our government was about to shut the company down permanently until they retaliated by setting off a invisible gas-based bomb of sort across the entire United Kingdom a year later. Luckily the bomb was just a failure since it didn't do anything."
"That's not exactly true there old chap." Carl began to pitch in. "There have been rumors saying that the animals gain the lifespan and aging process of a human once they fully reach adulthood. Plus if any of the animals left the United Kingdom, they rapidly age and die. But for some strange reason it doesn't affect the sea birds, although they can't reproduce outside of the U.K. for some reason AND they cannot live outside of the U.K. less than year or else they'll rapidly age and die too."
"That's all they are! RUMORS!" Mr. Gorden argued. "Besides if they were true, there would be documented proof about it."
"There is! But the our government is holding back!"
"What about the documented animals that died naturally in their normal lifespans?"
"Cover ups!"
"Good lord." Mr. Gorden said while rolling his eyes. "Also if they were living longer, wouldn't there be a population explosion with the animal kingdom here in U.K.?"
Carl looked stumped which got Mr. Gorden to smile. But that didn't last long as Carl began to answer with smile causing the old councilor to frown in annoyance.
"I believe that mother nature is working overtime to keep the balance with the wildlife OR our government is secretly maintaining the animal population until they find a solution to remove the effects of the bomb."
Mr. Gorden groaned "Oh for god's sake! You're sounding more ridiculous every time you talk about G.A.I.A.! So for the love of queen and country, can we please stop talking about this—"
"Why stop? This is getting interesting!" Joey said.
"Yeah." Bren agreed. "Even I haven't heard of this before."
"Plus this is a lot better than the ghost stories we're telling" Darian added.
"Even if it isn't true, we like to hear more about G.A.I.A." Eric said.
The teenager then noticed Anya looking a bit... troubled?
Mr. Gorden was about to object until Carl a look teasing smiling expression that says "You're not going to disappoint them are you?"
The older councilor sighed as he then said "Fine... continue. But be quick about it! It's almost time for them to go to bed!"
Carl agreed as he began to explain more about G.A.I.A. to the teenagers. He told them after the bomb incident, they were hereby announced as terrorists in which they went into hiding. They couldn't leave the country due to the names of those that work listed in Interpol's wanted list.
Eric even asked why G.A.I.A. even began to do illegal experiments in the first place. Carl then replied that the younger workers wanted to advance their progress in order to get breakthroughs they normally wouldn't get in a century... also they got a bit greedy along the way. After being exposed for their activities, Stewart Preston (founder of G.A.I.A.) was about to apologize nationally and fire the employees involved in this atrocity, but he was murdered by the nameless leader of the rebellious scientists before he could do so. Carl even added that the poor fellow never got the the chance to reveal who lead his rebellious employees either.
The younger councilor continued as he told them that G.A.I.A. began to split into smaller groups so they wouldn't get caught but somehow they're able to communicate with each other without the British government from finding out. G.A.I.A. apparently didn't view themselves as terrorists but as scientific heroes in hiding like Robin Hood and his Merrymen (Carl scoffs at that). There were some members of G.A.I.A. that weren't happy with the lives they're living, so they tried to tell Interpol about their many whereabouts and the names of their fellow scientists (including their new recruits, either forced or joined willingly)... but they never get the chance since they're always ended caught and killed. It was then ten years ago that the current leader (it was unclear what happened to the previous one but his name was also never revealed) of G.A.I.A.'s identity was finally revealed which slowly began the capture of every member of G.A.I.A. but they either killed themselves or G.A.I.A. killed their fellow members before they could spill the beans about themselves, their remaining hideouts, and their research. It was because of that incident the remaining terrorists, including their uncaptured leader, went quiet and remained heavily hidden to this very day.
"And there have been tall tales that G.A.I.A. has been kidnapping people here in the United Kingdom to continue with their experiments for the last five years." Carl added while trying to be spooky at the same time. Which worked as the teenagers looked really frightened.
"Oh knock it off!" Mr. Gorden said warningly. "The last thing we need to for the teenagers is to watching their backs constantly in fear!"
"Sorry about that." Carl said while rubbing the backside of his head with a sheepish grin.
"So what is the name of the current leader of G.A.I.A.?" Erik asked.
"Sadly, I don't know." the young councilor replied.
"Let me guess, the government is withholding it right?" Darian asked.
"Yup."
"Of course." Darian said as he rolled his eyes.
"Alright now. It's time for all of you to go to bed." Mr. Gorden said as he got up from the log he sat on. "Tomorrow morning, your exciting adventures of Camp Lockely will start. So sleep well."
Then the teenagers then began their walks to their tents as Carl helped with Mr. Gorden to put out the fire. As they walked, Eric couldn't help but notice that Anya was still upset about something.
"Hey Anya. Is everything alright?" Eric asked.
Eric's question snapped out of whatever trance that the teenage girl was on as she turned to him and replied. "Uh... yeah. I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
Anya then smiled sweetly at him. "My, aren't you a caring gentleman."
Eric blushed. "I... Uh..."
"Don't worry, I'm fine." Anya finally replied not even noticing the teenage boy's reddened face. "I'm... just really spooked about G.A.I.A. is all."
"Yeah, I understand." Eric said. "It's hard to believe a group like that exists."
"Uh-huh."
They're on the path where they part ways to the where each specific gender camps.
"Well, good night."
"Good night Eric. See you and the others in the morning."
As they parted ways to their tents, Eric is kept on walking as he was still blushing, but with wide eyes and a dorky excited smile across his face.
Holy cow! This is the longest I've ever spoken to a girl around my age that I'm not related to! AND A BEAUTIFUL ONE AT THAT!
He kept on giggling nervously and happily until he reached to his tent.
Almost two weeks have passed since Erik and the others learned about G.A.I.A. (and it was the last they heard of them since Mr. Gorden forbid Carl from talking about it again). During that time, Eric and his friends became fully acquainted themselves with Anya and vise versa. Except Darian was forced to talk about himself with them, but only a little bit, by Mr. Gorden since he told him it would be good for him to talk.
The boys learned that Anya traveled all over the United Kingdom with her family and her troupe. She always dreamed of traveling across the United States, though Darian ruined it by pointing out the negative things about America in which Eric elbowed him. Darian almost strangled Eric for doing that if Carl didn't restrained him. Luckily Anya didn't hear what the delinquent said. The boys even learned that her parents died when she was just five-years-old. When they tried to ask her more about her parents, she polite asked them not to since that topic is a bit touchy and personal. When she first heard that Eric's father is the U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., she was amazed about it. She even praised him that he's lucky to be a son of such a great leader which made Erik feel a bit awkward. Anya later noticed it and stopped.
Both Eric and Joey already know about Bren being a video-game, electric guitar, and techno wiz. Bren had to explain to Anya what video games are since she never played them before. Heck, she didn't even know what the internet is! She only watches TV couple times in her life and the only technology she listens to is the radio. Plus her only form of entertainment is watching plays, playing outdoor games, and reading books. And her favorite hobby and form of entertainment is dancing and singing. She's quite good at them since no one in camp can beat her in singing and dancing contests. The boys wondered how she managed to survive that long. Bryan himself never left London, except for going to the U.S. with his parents, so being outside of the city he grew up in was really exciting.
Joey explained that he wants to be a scientist in astrophysics in hopes that everyone can travel in space and live on different planets. The reason is that the human population is overcrowding the Earth and he wants to help humanity, and their planet eco-wise, so they can reach for the stars.
As usual, Darian didn't explain his plans for the future (or he even has one). Anya was still kind while telling him he might find out during the summer. Darian shrugged... but in a polite way.
After all the campers finished eating lunch is when the councilors told them that they're going to do a friendly and competitive scavenger hunt. Erik already knew he's teamed up with Joey, Bren, Darian, and Anya since their first meeting with Mr. Gorden.
They supposed to collect the most objects that's marked with a small golden rabbit (since they're in a camp named after a guy that wrote about rabbits). Each rabbit marking has number from one to twenty which acts as points. And the team with the most points wins.
Normally all the campers wouldn't put their all since the activities were a bit... dull. And some of the the prizes were Annie's Homegrown desserts which made the activities somewhat worth it.
But this time, the prize is homemade pizza of any toppings of your choosing for dinner. And for a special treat afterwards is dessert pizza; which can be anything from cinnamon rolls to cake.
All the teams are looking competitively eager (some dangerously and desperately looking) at the starting line and when Mr. Gorden gives the signal, everyone starts running into the woods to collect the objects.
"Are you ready campers?" Mr. Gorden asked as he raised the starting pistol in the air. "You have thirty minutes to collect enough points and get back to the starting line before when sound the 'return siren'."
Oh I'm ready. Erik thought. I'm sick of eating bad pioneer food from a freakin' pot!
"On my mark. 3... 2... 1... GO!"
Mr. Gorden fired the starting pistol as each team let out a ferocious battle cry as they ran into the woods... except for Anya since she's somewhat concerned for everyone's outrageous behavior.
"AND NO FOUL PLAY!" Mr. Gorden called out to them before they were out of earshot.
Within fifteen minutes Erik and his team already collected five objects that's worth a total of thirty-seven points. Anya is holding a satchel each team was given store the objects.
Each member of the team was given a specific role. Darian was the muscle, Joey the brains, Bren the athletic, Anya the morale support, and Erik the leader. He hated that role since he's always nervous when it comes to decisions which cost him and his team some activates which Daryl always reprimand him for.
"Come on guys, we have less that fifteen minutes before the the councilors use the return siren!" Joey said.
"Don't remind me nerd!" Darian said furiously. "If we don't win, I'm going to throttle you Erik! I can't stand eating camp food!"
Erik flinched at the big teenager's threat.
"My goodness Daryl!" Anya was appalled. "You shouldn't threaten him like that! I mean, what's so great about pizza anyway?"
All the boys stopped and stared at her incredulously in disbelief.
"What so gr— Anya have you ever eaten pizza before?!" Erik asked.
"No. Why?"
The boys were utterly shocked.
"Oh you poor lass." Bren said as he shook his head.
"Girl, if you want to travel to America, you need to learn more about the outside world before heading out!" Darian said. "And try out the cuisine you're not familiar with."
"I mean you can't like the food the councilors been making for us!" Erik said.
"Well... they don't taste as good as my families', but I didn't want to be rude."
"If I eat more of their 'famous' brussels sprout nattō soup, I'm going to cry." Joey complained. "It's not even soup! It's a nasty thick concoction of sticky illogical disgustingness!"
"Well I've heard a rumor around camp that they're going to get better ingredients." Erik said while trying to uplift things with weak unconvincing grin.
"What THEY should get is a better cook!" Darian said. "Their food is so bad that one of the councilors got sick and was sent to the hospital!"
"Do you mean the woman with auburn hair?" Bren asked.
"Yeah."
"At least she'll be coming back within a week." Anya said with positivity.
If I were her, I wouldn't come back at all! Erik thought.
"Can we please stop wasting time!" Darian said. "We need to collect more points before—"
Then suddenly all of them heard the siren from camp.
"That's odd, it hasn't been thirty minutes yet." Joey said.
"That's not the return siren." Erik said with a nervous and concerned tone as sweat dropped from his temple.
As everyone else listened, they realized it was just a regular "return siren". It's a emergency siren signifying to return back to camp immediately!
"What the hell—!?"
Darian never got to finished as she slumped to the ground with tranquilizer on his back into unconsciousness.
The teenagers are instantly terrified as they then individual felt a prick on their backs as they too slumped to the ground into unconsciousness as shadowy figures approached them.
"Professor, we got five test subjects in total now." said one of the figures as he pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Do you require more?"
"Is one of them the girl I requested?" said a man on the other end.
Then the second figure pulled out a photo and replied "Yes."
"Then no. We don't to draw in too much attention. Bring them in."
"Yes sir."
Then the figures grabbed the teenagers and carried them away from the woods.
Author's Notes
Eric's dorky expression after talking to Anya is inspired when Deku's reaction after first meeting Uraraka in "My Hero Academia".
Carl Sallow resembles James McAvoy.