Chapter 56 Tough Barrier
On a late Friday afternoon, Kimberly is just coming home from school. She looks into the mail box which happens to be filled with mail and goes into her home. She knows no one is around because usually everyone is so busy, so she rushes up to her room after seeing a letter she has been expecting from Camp Turnaround. Camp Turnaround is a local outfit that deals with out of control teenagers. Instead of going to juvenile, the teens have the alternate choice of going to the camp, where they'll spend the entire weekend doing chores and learning different things which in hopes will lead them to a less destructive path.
When she gets to her room, she throws her book bag onto her bed and then takes off her shoes. She then jumps up on her bed and opens the letter. She reads it.
Kimberly-Dear Kimberly.. We have reviewed your application to become a Junior Camp Turnaround Counselor and have decided you have everything it takes to be a Junior Camp Turnaround Counselor. We want you to start this weekend. Please contact us for details. Sincerely, David Jameson..
Kimberly sighs with happiness because she has always wanted to help people in trouble. Ironic, isn't it? She's a Ranger, she's always helping people in trouble..
She doesn't waste any time. She calls the number on the paper and immediately finds out what to do. Later on she gets a call from Nakia asking if she wanted to go do some shopping with her and Zelda tomorrow. Nakia exclaims after listening to Kimberly's answer.
Nakia-WHAT?! Are you serious? I heard that camp deals with really bad teenagers.
Kimberly-I know.. But I might be able to make a difference somehow.
Nakia-Good luck.
Kimberly-Thanks.
Dark Sinistar is preparing her ceremonial temple on the moon as she listens in on Kimberly's phone call. She summons General Crimson from his healing chambers and orders him to deal with the White Ranger. He smirks and vows to return to her with the White Starlight Power Gem.
The Next day, Kimberly wakes up at 7:00 am. She showers and puts on a white t shirt, a pair of blue jeans, white socks, and her nice tennis shoes. After dressing, she goes back into the bathroom to comb her hair.
After a few minutes, she goes downstairs to make herself breakfast. And soon after eating, she leaves her house tightly locked. She walks towards the sidewalk as she puts on her jacket and waits for the shuttle bus that is supposed to be picking her up in a few minutes.
Kimberly begins to think to herself.
Kimberly-I hope I can do some good. I really do.
Five minutes pass and soon a large blue and white shuttle bus comes driving up from the right side corner. She smiles as the bus stops and opens the door. A middle aged man who's driving and wearing a pair of black pants, a white shirt, a blue outer jacket and black shoes, smiles at Kimberly. She smiles back and boards the bus. She notices other people in the back and takes a seat upfront. One of the girls who looks about 17 and has blonde hair, brown eyes, medium build and is wearing a jacket over a pink shirt, a pair of jeans, and white tennis shoes reaches over from behind Kimberly and asks.
Rhonda-You're going to be a junior counselor too?
Kimberly looks back and responds.
Kimberly-Yeah.
Rhonda-Me too. I hope things aren't as bad as they say.
Kimberly-Well if it is, just don't give up hope.
Rhonda-You're right.
She sits back down in her seat as the door shuts and the bus starts leaving the area.
After 50 minutes of driving, the bus finally makes it to its destination. Everyone on the bus notices the camp grounds looking very nice. Sparkling green grass everywhere. Beautifully built log cabins at almost every corner. The bus stops at the main entrance point.
A medium built man who's in his thirties comes walking out of the main building. He's wearing light blue shorts and a white t shirt with the logo "Camp Turnaround" on it. The bus driver opens the door and the man walks up into it to greet everyone.
David-Hello. My name is David. And I asked you all to be here this early so that we could get acquainted a bit and so I can explain everything to you before everyone else arrives.
David explains what's to be expected for the weekend. Everyone will have the responsibility of taking care of three juvenile teens. He hands each of them a list with the names of the teens they'll be attending too.
Kimberly reads hers to herself.
Kimberly-Robby, Ben and Brad. Hmmm.
David then explains that they'll be assigned a room within the main cabin and they'll have to read the rules and relay those to the others once they get here.
Everyone gets off of the bus. David informs them that they'll have to wear a camp Turnaround uniform, so they are to go into the main entrance cabin, find one that fits them and change.
After doing all of this. Kimberly and Rhonda walk outside, they look at each other and snicker a bit.
Kimberly-What's so funny?
Rhonda responds.
Rhonda-I was about to ask you the same thing. You were laughing too.
Kimberly smiles.
Kimberly-I know.
The last three walk out of the main cabin wearing the same uniforms as Rhonda and Kimberly. David comes out and asks them to relax and take time with the teens they hope to reform.
Time passes and its now 9:00 am. Everyone has taken the time to read the rules and regulations. And now, a different type of bus comes driving up the dirt road. A large yellow bus filled with teens who have decided to go to camp instead of juvenile.
The junior counselors stand their ground as the bus stops and let off a bunch of rowdy teenagers. After David settles them all down. He asks each of his junior counselors to read off the names of the teens they'll be supervising. Rhonda reads her list, and then Kimberly. Once complete, each teen gets into a line with their counselor in front.
Then they are all lead to a large cabin located behind the main cabin. Rhonda looks at Kimberly and says as she leads her team to a cabin five ways down.
Rhonda-Good luck Kim.
Kimberly smiles and says.
Kimberly-You too.
Kimberly makes it to cabin number 2. She tells the three guys to go inside of the cabin to get themselves familiar with their surroundings. One guy who's 14 and goes by the name of Ben, he stands at 5'6 has light brown hair, brown eyes, a slightly muscular build and is wearing a pair of black jeans, a black tank top and tennis shoes. The second guy is 15 years old and is named Robby. Robby stands at 5'9 has blonde hair, hazel eyes, a medium build and has a goatee. He's wearing blue jeans, a v shaped neck t gray t shirt and black sneakers. The last guy is Brad. He stands at 5'9, is 16 years old, has dark black hair, blue eyes, a muscular build and a goatee. He's wearing black shorts, a t shirt, and tennis shoes.
Brad walks over to Kimberly and then starts walking around her in circles. She says.
Kimberly-What are you doing? You guys should go into the cabin.
Brad asks her.
Brad-How old are you?
Kimberly-I'm 17.
They all exclaim.
Guys-17?!
Brad stops circling around her and says.
Brad-You're 17 years old and they expect us to listen to you? You're only one year older than me!
Kimberly-Well that doesn't matter. All that does matter is you changing your ways and your attitude or you'll end up in jail.
Brad-So.. Your point?
The other two guys start laughing.
Kimberly responds.
Kimberly-Oh come on. Don't give me that "I don't care" tone. If you didn't care you wouldn't be here right now for the weekend.
Brad-Who says I wanted to come?
Kimberly-You did, when you got on the bus.
Brad-Whatever..
Kimberly-Look, you guys go into your cabin. If you have any questions just ask me okay?
Ben-Look we don't want to listen to you. So why should we?
Kimberly-There's no time for this. Just do what I said.
Ben-No.
Kimberly-There's no point in arguing. If you don't go into your cabin, I'll have to report you.
Ben-So report us.
Brad says in a gentler tone.
Brad-Nah.. Lets give the girl a chance.
He then adds in a mockingly smuggish tone.
Brad-She's only looking out for… us..
The guys start laughing again. But they go inside of the cabin. Kimberly starts getting angry but doesn't let it get the best of her.
Kimberly-Calm down Kim. Things will be all right.
Later on after things have settled. Everyone gathers together in the big field located behind the cabins. David steps in front of the crowd and calms them down. He then says.
David-Okay, everyone. Now you know why you're here. But I didn't want to start your weekend off with a boring lecture. No, so what we'll do now, just to start things is we'll have some bow and arrow practicing.
Kimberly smirks to herself as she stands in front of Brad, Ben and Robby. She then says to herself.
Kimberly-I'm a pro at this.
David asks them all to take notice. They look and see 6 target boards that are attached to 6 trees. David asks the counselors to gather together bow and arrows and to be careful.
Once finished, they return to their groups and hand each of them an arrow. David asks who wants to be first to start and so Kimberly volunteers. She gets a few snickers from Brad but doesn't pay much attention to it. She walks up towards David as he asks.
David-You sure you want to start?
Kimberly responds in a reassuring tone.
Kimberly-I sure do.
David-All right then.
Everyone looks at her as she places her arrow into her bow. Brad and the other two guys whisper to each other.
Brad-She'll fail. She can't do anything like that.
Robby-Yeah, and if she fails, maybe she'll leave.
Ben-Hey yeah! And we'll be free.
Brad-Nah, I don't think so. They'll just assign someone else to us.
They groan out in disappointment.
Kimberly is now set up to begin. They all watch her as she holds up the wooden bow and arrow. Just as she is about to release, Brad let out a fake cough. It distracts her but only for a second. He coughs again as she tries to release. She growls to herself but keeps her attention on the target board.
Kimberly pulls back the wire on the bow and lets the arrow go with full force. The arrow plunges right into the target board. Everyone gasps when they see she hit the bulls eye. Kimberly starts cheering to herself.
Kimberly-Yes!
Brad says to his buds in a smuggish tone.
Brad-Beginners luck.
The next to go up is Brad. He does the same thing as Kimberly except when he's loading up his bow he turns out to be a bit nervous. He thinks he'll get it the bulls eye because how possibly hard could it be if a mere girl can do it, he thinks..
Brad pays close attention to the same target board as Kimberly. David yells over to him in a cheery tone.
David-Go for it Brad, you can do it!
Brad drowns out the slight talking he hears from behind him. He releases his arrow towards the target board. He watches and hopes his arrow hit the bulls eye. He closes his eyes now and wonders if he loses he might lose the respect of his buddies. Everyone gasps as he slowly opens his eyes. He gasps too as he see's his arrow has hit the very bottom of the target board.
Brad exclaims angrily and says a few words that I don't care to mention, if you catch my drift.
He throws down his bow and arrow and starts walking away from everyone. David looks at Kimberly and asks her to go after him and she does.
Brad ends up walking towards a very large and empty rock quarry that is only a few miles away from the campsite. Kimberly finally catches up with him, but she's out of breath. She yells towards him as he keeps on walking angrily.
Kimberly-BRAD! Wait! Please!
Brad stops walking. He doesn't turn around. He just says.
Brad-What do you want from me?
Kimberly walks over to him as she catches her breath. She looks him right in his face and says
Kimberly-Look just because you didn't make the bulls eye doesn't mean you're no good.
Brad-Oh yeah?
Kimberly-Yeah.
Brad-Easy for you to say. You shot that arrow so professionally.
Kimberly-All you need is practice.
Brad-I don't need practice. What I need, is to be left alone!
Kimberly-I'm not going to leave you alone Brad, so just forget it.
Brad-If you don't leave me alone I won't be around here anymore.
Kimberly-Oh, so you're just going to quit, like that?!
Brad-I'm all too familiar with quitting.
Kimberly-What is wrong with you?!
Brad-More than you'll ever know.
Kimberly-I wish you would just tell me. I'm here to help you.
Brad-Yeah because they're paying you!
Kimberly-Paying me?!
Kimberly lets out a little chuckle.
Kimberly-They're not paying me Brad.
Brad-What?
Kimberly-No.. I came here voluntarily. To see if I could help guys like you.
Brad-I don't believe it. Everybody wants something.
Kimberly-You're right. And what I want is to help you. And I can't do that unless you're willing to let me.
Behind a large rock and other smaller rocks lies the evil General Crimson. He watches and listens to Kimberly speaking to Brad. He smirks a bit and says to himself.
General Crimson-I'll get you soon White Ranger, when the time is right.
After a few minutes pass, General Crimson see's Kimberly and Brad walk away from the quarry.
They make it back to camp just in time for lunch. David spots Kimberly and walks over to her as Brad leaves to go and wash his hands.
David-How is everything?
Kimberly smiles meagerly..
Kimberly-A little rocky, but I think he'll be fine.
David-Good.
Everyone goes into the mess hall for lunch. Kimberly decides to go back to her room in the main cabin. When she gets there she decides to lay down on her bed to just think about how the rest of the weekend will go. She sighs.
After lunch, David assembles the counselors and their groups once again out in the main field. He explains to them that now they will have to listen as he gives them a one time lecture. David begins as soon as everyone takes a seat on the grass. Lots of teens don't want to listen and so they start making rude noises and dumb comments right after he finishes reading the first sentence.
David gives a gesture that tells the junior counselors to get control over their groups and fast.
Meanwhile, lurking in the shadows behind some very large trees is General Crimson, awaiting for the right time to strike the White Ranger..
