Prologue
"We're done!"
The words were still echoing in Jackson's head after Roxanne "Rocki" Mahan left stepped on his heard and left his home. Jackson Fuller was lying dejected on his family's couch in his almost empty house. His mother, aunt, and Ramona's mother left earlier to go see the play, Hamilton. Fernando, Jimmy, and Max went out for sandwiches and Steve so the only person with him in the house was Ramona. Jackson was currently wallowing in self-pity as Rocki had just left his house after he tried to make amends with her. Two weeks ago he made the stupidest mistake in his life thus far and he regretted it since the moment he opened his mouth. After convincing his then-girlfriend to go with him to the prom he allowed his desire to be accepted by his peers to overrule his common sense and he badmouthed his girlfriend to his football teammates. Jackson Fuller pounded his fist into his forehead as he thought about all of the obstacles he had to overcome to just get Rocki to label herself his girlfriend. This was the girl that didn't like labels and he actually got her to accept one.
"Make room Jackson." Ramona requests bringing two pints of ice cream with her. Jackson moves as Ramona holds out his pint and spoon.
"Thanks," Jackson states as Ramona slides onto the couch beside him. The two teens touch ice cream pints like they're toasting champagne glasses before they begin to dig into their respective ice cream.
The housemates dig in with Jackson scarfing down half of his ice cream in no time. "Man I blew it." Jackson declares taking a break from his frozen dessert. "I'll never hear from Rocki again," Jackson states.
Before Ramona can respond Jackson's phone chirps. "That must be Rocki wanting to get back together." Jackson stupidly declares.
Ramona internally can't help but feel sad for Jackson. He really is having a hard time grasping the fact that his now ex-girlfriend would never do anything like that in such a short period of time. Only Jackson himself (or some of his clique) would be so naive.
"Oh, it's just your mom having the baby," Jackson says after reading the text message.
"What!" Ramona yells at the statement that hasn't even registered with her surrogate brother.
"Yeah, they want us to meet them at the hospital," Jackson tells her.
"How? Neither of us has a license or a car?" Ramona states realizing that with her father, Jimmy, and Max is gone, and their mothers out they have no way to get to the hospital.
Jackson thinks about her statement and knows these facts as well. He then realizes he knows one person that can help them out. Standing up he looks Ramona in the eyes and tells her, "Call her."
"Who?" Ramona asks not catching Jackson's implication.
"Rocki. She is the only person that we know that has a license and a car." Jackson replies.
Ramona thinks about Jackson's words for a moment and realizes that he is correct. She then asks him, "Why don't you call her?"
Jackson gives Ramona a skeptical expression and then says, "Ramona we just broke up. Who do you think should ask her to drive us, her ex-boyfriend or her best friend?" Questions Jackson.
Ramona listens to Jackson's words and quickly gets his point. With no time to spare, Ramona pulls her cellphone from her back pocket and quickly taps on the phone icon. Zipping through her contacts she finds Rocki's name and dials.
"Hi, Rocki... I know this might seem a bit odd but I don't suppose you would be willing to do me a big favor?" Ramona asks her friend.
Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Rocki did pick up Ramona and Jackson from the Fuller house. They drove to the hospital making conversation with Jackson showing how ignorant he could be. Ramona knew that Rocki loved messing with Jackson and wondered how she would get along without being able to constantly antagonize him to get the satisfaction of doing so to him. The two teens thanked her for the ride and told her that she didn't have to stay as they would be able to get a ride home from one of the adults but Rocki opted to stay and see the baby. Jackson of course pressed his luck and asked if that meant there was the possibility of reconciliation but Rocki just shut him down to anything right away.
As the teens watched from the other side of the door as Kimmy gave birth Rocki held Jackson's hand making the young man hope that their breakup was only momentarily. After all, she had already forgiven him. He hoped his momentary lapse in judgment would, no, could be forgiven on such an auspice occasion. His hopes were further encouraged when Rocki followed him into the room holding his hand to greet the baby. Ramona held her newborn cousin first, followed by Max, then Jackson, and finally Rocki. Once they had all held the baby the younger kids left to give the adults some alone time with the baby. Max and Ramona went to the cafeteria to go get a snack leaving Jackson and Rocki in the waiting area alone.
"Your cousin is adorable." Rocki states for the record. Quickly realizing what she has said aloud Rocki then adds, "If you tell anyone I said that I will punch you."
"Your secret is safe with me." Jackson declares. "So Rocki..."
"No," Rocki states. Jackson is so transparent that she already knew what he was going to ask. "Other than your cousin being born nothing else has changed today. I forgave you, but I still can't trust you."
"Ok then," Jackson states. "Well, I hope you have a nice summer."
"I will. I'm going to be attending Volleyball Camp for a large portion of the summer so I won't even be in the area. Try not to do anything stupid while I'm gone. I'd hate to miss it." Rocki tells her now ex-boyfriend. "I think I will be going now. Tell Ramona I will talk to her later."
Rocki stands and goes over to the room Kimmy Gibbler is residing in and knocks on the door. When she hears a voice say, "Come in." Rocki sticks her head in and says goodbye to everyone. She then makes a hasty retreat for the exit leaving Jackson Fuller alone in the waiting room with his thoughts.
It was the last week of school and Jackson had not talked to Rocki since they parted ways in the hospital. The two had seen one another in passing and they had the same lunch period but it was easy enough to not be in the same area of the cafeteria at the same time as it was such a large room. Jackson did as Rocki wanted, he stayed away and gave her the space she needed. He just spent his lunchtime hanging out and talking with his friends. In his spare time, Jackson studied for, took, and passed his driving test. His mother was very proud of her oldest son and called her insurance agent right away to get him on her policy so that he could legally drive.
Now that he had his license Jackson realized that he wanted a car of his own so Jackson decided he needed to get a job so that he could start saving for a vehicle. There were several postings that appeared on the cafeteria billboard and one in particular caught his eye. Jackson pulled out his iPhone and took a snapshot of the ad asking for teens willing to serve as camp counselors for the summer. Jackson went about his day and as soon as he got home went online and filled out the online application. It was a good two days before Jackson received notice that the camp owner wished to meet for an interview for the position of a camp counselor.
"So Mr. Fuller," The rather tall camp owner starts, "Why do you want to be a summer camp counselor?"
"Well Mr. Willis," Jackson begins to answer.
"Please, call me Ben. Mr. Willis was my father." The Camp Owner informs Jackson.
"Ben, to be honest, I'm looking to earn money for a car. As to why I picked your camp, I am the oldest of three boys and have helped my mother take care of my younger siblings for the last three years. I also have several younger cousins that I help take care of when asked. I think that I will be able of great help with the youths attending your camp and can learn a lot from helping them as well." Jackson explains.
Ben listed intently to the young man's words and is very impressed by his statement. "That is probably one of the best answers to that question that I have ever heard. I normally get a laundry list of characteristics and job history but not what the person plans to bring and what they want to get out of this job. I will warn you that the kids will be rowdy, energetic, sometimes confrontational."
"You did get the part that I have younger siblings right?" Jackson playfully replies.
"Yes, I did. Well, I think that I have my last counselor. I know that you finish school at the end of the week, do you think you can be at the camp by Sunday evening?" Ben asks his newest employee.
"So soon?" Jackson inquires. He knew camp wasn't supposed to start for two more weeks.
"Yes. We have some prep work to do before the beginning of camp as well as orientation for new counselors. That isn't a problem is it?" Ben asks Jackson.
"No, not at all. Just didn't expect to start so soon. I will get ready and you will see me Sunday." Jackson tells his new employer.
The two men shake hands and Ben once again welcomes Jackson to her crew.
Sunday morning Jackson Fuller stepped off the bus from San Francisco to the small rural town that his summer camp was located. As Jackson collects his personal belongings from the bus's luggage compartment he takes in the scenery of the local. The buildings are all well maintained but look very old. Most of these buildings are wood or brick and look like something out of the early seventies or eighties movie. The town actually still had several working phone booths that Jackson could see from where he was standing. Jackson pulls out his cell phone and sees that he actually has two full bars on his phone at the moment but suspected this would change when he reached the campground.
Jackson finds himself on the main street and from what he can ascertain everything in this small quaint town is built off of the street. There are twenty or so various stores with two eateries. Jackson decides to go to the one just before the gas station for directions. Should no-one there be able or willing to help him he would more than likely be able to get them at the gas station. Jackson makes his way from the bus stop to the local diner. Stepping through the door Jackson puts his bag down and says, "Hi, can anyone tell me how to get to..."
"You're looking for the summer camp I take it." The cook asks Jackson from behind the serving counter.
"Yes. Guess my backpack gave me away." Jackson replies.
"A little yes." The waitress whose name tag read Paula informs Jackson. She was a pale caucasian woman a few inches shorter than he was with blue eyes and long wavy dark brown hair. "A group of kids just stopped in here on their way to the camp. They were going to stop at the gas station to fill up their tank. If you hurry you might catch them."
"Thank you very much," Jackson tells the motherly-looking waitress.
"Sir, would you care for a cup of soup to go?" A young woman bearing a striking resemblance to the waitress asks. She had the same dark hair only hers was straight. Same complexion and same striking blue eyes.
Jackson is about to decline but the looks on the young woman's face imply she really hopes he'll take her up on the offer.
"Sure... Denise." Jackson replies pulling out a ten-dollar bill from his wallet. "Thank you," Jackson says when she hands him the soup bag with a spoon, napkins, and some crackers.
"Sir, your change," Denise says as she goes to the register.
"Jackson, Jackson Fuller. You can keep the change. Take care." Jackson says grabbing his backpack by the handle and heading for the door to hopefully catch a ride to the camp.
Jackson quickly exits the diner causing the little bell on the door to ring again. Turning left he jogs toward the station and sees a new Toyota trunk by the gas pump. As he nears the station he hears a male voice yell, "Hey!"
The person waving to Jackson appears to be about the same height as he is and is standing in front of the passenger side of the truck. "Hey, are you going to be a counselor at the summer camp?" The tan-looking young man asks.
"Yeah," Jackson replies as he slows his pace. Now only several feet away Jackson stops to catch his breath.
"My name is John Craven. I'm from San Jose, California and I'm a fellow camp counselor." The teen tells Jackson when he doesn't have to yell. The two shake hands.
"Jackson Fuller from San Francisco," Jackson responds. "Is this your truck?"
"No, it's mine." A very stern female voice answers interrupting the pair. The young woman in question is tan just like John and her hair is the same color with the exception of blonde streaks in her hair.
"Calm down Melinda, he's a counselor too," John informs the cross young woman. "You'll have to forgive my sister, we've been on the road since early this morning and a couple of wrong turns put us behind schedule," John explains. "She gets very cranky when things don't go according to plan."
"Understandable. If it's not too much trouble, I don't suppose I can catch a lift to the camp with you?" Jackson inquires.
"Sure if you don't mind riding in the back with the packs. The cab is about to be very full." Melinda tells Jackson. From the gas station's service store out strides a young African American male who was almost as tall as Jackson's 6 feet. A young caucasian girl with long blonde hair and about have her companion's height was beside him. Jackson suspects that he could actually fit upfront with the ladies but as they are doing him a favor by not making him walk decides it is not best to press his luck.
"Mike, help our new co-worker make room for the packs and him in the back. John, you're in the backseat this leg of the trip with Mike." Melinda informs the guys.
"Yes ma'am," John replies adding a mock salute. He moves the seat forward and then climbs into the backseat.
"Mike Manning from Paulo Alto." The other male greets Jackson with a handshake.
"Hi, I'm Sydney James from Paulo Alto." The pretty blonde says waving hello.
"Nice to meet all of you. Jackson Fuller, San Francisco, California." Returning Mike's handshake and waves at Sydney and Melinda.
Mike climbs into the back and rearranges the bags that the four original occupants had in the back along with Jackson's two bags. He and Jackson then switch places with Jackson plopping himself down against the back of the front cab. Once he is in place Mike climbs into the back seat of the front cab and Melinda shuts the door of her gray Toyota Tacoma truck. Jackson feels the truck vibrate when Melinda turns the ignition key. He hears a tap on the side of the truck bed and sees Denise standing there.
"Hi there." Jackson greets the waitress.
"Hey, if you're smart you'll quit your job and leave as soon as you can. That camp has a history." Denise informs Jackson.
"What kind of history?" Jackson asks.
"It's got a death curse." Say an elderly man dressed like he was going fishing. Jackson doesn't know where he even came from and jumped at his proclamation.
"Ralph, how many times do I have to tell you to leave my customers alone." The gas station attendant yells from his doorway.
Ralph looks scruffy as if he hadn't shaved in a day or two but had a crazed look about him. "You're all doomed." Ralph states. Ralph leaves the teens and runs to collect an old bike. Mounting the two-wheeler he pedals off saying, "You'll never come back again!"
"Geez, what was that all about?" John asks having only caught a portion of what Ralph was spewing.
"Who cares. It's time to get back on the road." Melinda informs her younger brother.
Melinda reves the engine of her truck and as she doesn't have time to go into further detail Denise shoves a paper into Jackson's hand. She quickly backs away from the truck and Melinda pulls away from the pump and is back on the road. When Denise returns to the diner all of the regulars have cleared out as the breakfast rush is now over. Only a few brunch/lunch regulars are expected but they won't trickle in for a while so Paula is busing the tables.
"I told you they wouldn't listen," Paula tells her daughter.
"I didn't get a chance to explain. Ralph showed up spouting his doom and gloom speech then they were gone." Denise explained to her mother.
"Honey some times you can spell something out and people still won't listen. It's too bad, he was kind of cute." Paula says as she carries the bin of dirty dishes to the back for the dishwasher to take care of.
"Yes... he is," Denise admits as she stares out the dinner window in the direction of the camp.
Jackson Fuller was enjoying the ride in the pickup truck as it zoomed down the two-lane road. Traveling ten miles in a truck is much quicker than ten miles on foot and at the speed, Melinda was driving they were making up for the lost time that the girl had suffered from taking a few wrong turns. Of course, Jackson was glad that his co-workers had made those mistakes as it means his final trek to camp was made much easier. Jackson felt the wind shift and realized that Melinda had turned down the road that leads to the camp. Jackson stood up in the back and could see the sign welcoming everyone to the campgrounds.
"Well, we're finally here everybody," Melinda announces. "Welcome to our summer job, welcome to Camp Crystal Lake."
To Be Continued in Long Night at Camp Blood