Summary: David has his suspicions about the new counselor they just hired but he decides to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, he will be keeping a sharp eye on him. Daniel seems friendly enough, so why are his instincts howling danger?

Notes: I didn't realize just how hard it is to write a cultist. I hope it's okay!

"Good morning, David!"

"Good morning, Gwen!"

David jumped out of bed and saluted her with the Camp Campbell salute. He knocked his blankets, sleeping cap, and the wooden log squeaky toy he was sleeping with onto the ground.

"Wait, this feels backward." He pointed at her then to himself.

Gwen strode up to him with a wide grin on her face.

"Yep! But today's the day!"

David brought his hands up to his cheeks, eyes gleaming and smiling widely.

"You finally realized your love of Camp Campbell and everything it stands for?" Excitement oozed from his voice.

And wait for it…

"Hell no!" She threw a newspaper in his face.

David yelped as he fell backward.

That's pretty much what I expected.

He picked up the newspaper and read it.

"Help wanted?"

"That's right. Found a stash of cash Campbell hid in the Quartermaster's store behind a box of grenades."

Although Gwen looked proud of herself, David felt a twinge of worry.

"I don't know, Gwen. Are you sure we need more help?" As he finished his sentence a grenade flew through his window, scattering broken glass on his bed and the wooden floor.

"Sorry! Foul ball!" Nikki hollered from outside.

David whined as Gwen grabbed him by the bandanna.

"Yes." She growled.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

They both turned to the door of the cabin.

"Hello? I'm here for the job listing?"

Gwen dropped David to the floor.

"Oh my God!" She threw the door open.

"Yes! This is-"

"Good morning! Smell that fresh mountain air. Gosh, now that's the kind of nature you don't just find in any ol' neck of the woods."

David pushed himself back to his feet.

Why'd she stop talking? Wasn't she excited a second ago?

"Oh, dear God no."

That made David a little worried. He peered out of the door from behind Gwen.

"Hello?"

It was a blonde man dressed all in white. It was more of a background thought as David stiffened in fear after meeting his gaze. His instincts were screaming at him to run.

"Oh! Well hello there, friend. Where are my manners? My name is Daniel, your camp counselor applicant. I hope I'm not too late to submit my resume."

Why does he scare me so much?

"Oh, u-uh. You're actually the first one." David plastered a fake smile on his face.

If Gwen noticed he was acting different, she didn't say anything. Daniel propped his arms on his hips.

"Ha ha! Are you pulling my leg?"

David stopped himself from backing up when Daniel pointed his finger at him.

"No, sir. My name is David and this is my co-counselor Gwen."

Daniel shook David's hand. David barely hid a flinch at the odd, slightly bitter smell that clung to Daniel. He couldn't place it but he knew he smelled it before.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, David and Gwen!"

Calm down, David! He's so friendly. Stop judging him without cause.

David forced himself to relax.

"The pleasure's all mine, Daniel. So, what sort of experience do you have?"

Daniel frowned.

"Well, sadly, my old camp was recently shut down and ever since I have been searching night and day for a new group of eager young kiddos I can help to educate and reach their full potential."

See? He wants to help the kids! What a nice guy! My gut feeling hasn't gone away in the slightest though…

David propped his hands on his hips.

"That sounds wonderful, Daniel! However, I do want to be fair to any other possible applicants that may show up asking about the position. Gwen just put it out so if you want, I can have you start helping around the camp as a temporary counselor. You'll be paid for your work, of course, and then if we get no other applicants within the week or if you're the best qualified for the position, I'll hire you full-time."

Daniel's smile got wider.

"That sounds like a great idea! I can't wait to get to know everyone here at camp and hopefully I am able to prove to you how much I want to be here."

Gwen placed a hand on David's arm.

"You know, I think now's the perfect time for me to use my vacation days…"

David turned to Gwen.

"Aww, Gwen. Are you sure?" "Aww, Gwen. Are you sure?" They said in unison.

Gwen nodded. David watched Gwen walk back to her cabin and pack her things for her break. The entire time he debated asking her to stay but did his best to shake his doubts away.

Daniel seems like the perfect counselor. I don't know why I can't get this bad feeling to go away but even if it's just Daniel and me, I should be capable of watching him. I'm just overreacting. Remeber David, you're supposed to be the nice one.

David waved to Gwen as she took off in his car. Daniel was standing beside him, still carrying his things.

"Well, more fun for us. Come on, Daniel! I think you're gonna fit in here just fine!" He gestured to Daniel and they walked into the cabin.

"I think so too, David! I think so too."

David steered Daniel to an empty bed and desk. Gwen had either packed her stuff with her or packed it away somewhere for safe-keeping.

"Gwen normally sleeps here. If everything works out, I'll bring in a mattress into my cabin and we can share. For now, though, please make yourself at home!"

Daniel set his suitcase down on the bed and turned back to David.

"Are all the kids eating breakfast right now? I know it's pretty early still."

David held the door open for him and they walked to the Mess Hall.

"Actually, they already ate. They were outside playing earlier but I sent them to wait in here because they were playing with grenades earlier. I try to get them up at 7 in the morning. Their curfew is at 10 pm. Most of the kids are pretty friendly. The only one that will take some time to warm up to you is Max. He can be a bit rude but he's a good kid at heart."

They walked in and noted all the kids were still playing with the grenades.

"Alright campers! I'm gonna need those grenades back. They are very dangerous and not meant to be played with."

"Aww but David, I was so close to getting a home run! Can't you take them from us after the game is over or they explode?"

David plucked the grenade from her hand.

"Now Nikki, while grenade a circular like baseballs, they are fairly sensitive to movement and pressure. You should also note that they can explode, which can cause a lot of damage to you and to the environment around you as well as the fact that these are made of metal and have a detonator at the top. They're shaped more like ornaments. Baseballs are white, round and have stitching on them. They are a softer material that bends slightly with the force from being hit by a bat and that concludes my presentation on what is and is not a baseball. So! Any questions?"

He placed all the grenades back in the box they originate from and set it down at his feet. He looked up to see all of the campers hands up.

Max is willingly participating? That's great! I need to encourage this behavior.

"Yes, Max."

Max glared off to the side and pointed at Daniel.

"Who the fuck is that?"

"Why what an excellent question! Campbell campers, I'd like you all to give a warm welcome to our new co-counselor candidate, Daniel."

He gestured their attention to Daniel.

"Howdy, kiddos!"

Space kid waved at him.

"Howdy-do Daniel."

"You've got to be fucking shitting me." Max turned his suspicious glare to David.

David frowned at the cursing.

"Oh-ho! Watch the language there, little fella." Daniel wagged his finger at Max.

David wrapped an arm around Daniel's shoulder.

"Watch the language indeed!"

Oh, it feels nice to have someone else correcting him on his cursing as well.

"Just because Daniel here is new, doesn't mean you should treat him any different than you treat me."

"Got it! Gah!" Everyone watched Nikki as she grabbed some mud from her overall pocket and slung it at Daniel's white clothing.

Max stepped forward aggressively.

"He is you, David! Save for the outfit. Seriously, freakshow, what's with the cult leader get-up?"

Daniel brushed the dirt off his clothes and smiled at Max.

"You must be Max. I've heard all about you."

David felt a shiver run down his spine at the way Daniel said that.

…Okay, that was a bit odd. I even heard his neck crack. Probably just cracked it to make it feel better! I'll make sure I don't leave him alone with any of the kids just in case.

"O-kay?" Max looked disturbed.

Let's just change the subject.

"I'm sorry about that, Daniel. Kids will be kids, right?" He nervously chuckled.

" I have some activities for today already planned if you want me to go over them with you really fast."

Daniel clapped a hand on David's shoulder.

"Don't you worry co-counselor! They're just ragging on the new guy. I would love to hear about today's activities. Maybe tonight, we can go sit down and plan tomorrow's activities together!"

David relaxed again.

"Sounds wonderful! Now let's get started!"

While the day passed on without any problems, David could not shake away the awful feeling he had in his gut about Daniel. It felt like several times to him that the other counselor had tried to be alone with some of the kids. He would start to talk about negative emotions but David would quickly appear at his side and Daniel would cease all talk about it.

I don't understand why he keeps trying to talk to the kids about their emotions. Normally, I'd be all for it but he's hiding something from me. I'm just glad I have advanced hearing.

Since it was night now, David and Daniel were seated in the Mess Hall. The kids had all been sent to bed already and the two were discussing plans for the next day.

"I thought it would be nice to change some of the meals. I know you probably serve them a variety of different foods, but at my old camp, we had this detoxification diet that the kids really liked. I think it would be nice for them to try to experience a healthier diet."

David looked at the meal plan that Daniel had handed over.

Most of the food on this plan isn't actually cooked. Nothing is store-bought or even processed except for Kool-Aid.

"I don't mind incorporating some of this but I feel like this would be unfair to spring on the campers so suddenly. They're not used to eating like this and it will be hard to get used to."

David could've sworn he saw Daniel's eye twitch.

"Okay, I understand. For tomorrow activity, I thought we could work on purifying ourselves of our negative emotions. These children are so pure and innocent. I think they could benefit from cleansing themselves from the negative-rich environment around us."

David cocked his head in confusion.

"So, like meditating and yoga?"

Daniel's eye twitched again. He bent his neck to the side.

"Yes, but I was also hoping I could talk to them about it as well. I know you still have to complete my paperwork even as a potential counselor so I would like to take them for a bit so you can have some time to get your own work done. After all, that's why I'm here right?"

David rubbed his neck with his hand.

"I actually don't have a lot of paperwork at all. I'm going to stay up tonight to get it done so don't worry about me. Thank you for the kind offer though!"

David stood up and stretched.

"So tomorrow we'll have yoga and meditation in the morning, and then arts and crafts in the afternoon. Thank you for the suggestion, Daniel! I'm sure the kids will love tomorrow. Goodnight!"

David headed back to the cabin. Once he was behind closed doors, David hugged himself and shivered.

All that stuff about negative emotions was really creepy. I guess that's why he stops talking about it when I get close. I don't have a good reason to fire him yet though, so I guess I'll just continue to keep an eye on him.

He sighed and sat down at his desk.

Now to get this paperwork out of the way.

The next day went similarly. David was surprised when Max came pounding on his door in the morning, with Nikki and Neil in tow, going on about Daniel being a cultist.

"I know Daniel is a bit odd, Max, but unless he's done something wrong, I can't fire him. I want you to know though that I will keep your concerns in mind. Now come on! It's time for breakfast!"

David had paid even more attention to Daniel because of it and he could tell that Daniel had noticed that something was off. Right after dinner, he had asked to be excused for not feeling well. David had sent him off with a glass of water but otherwise had heard nothing from him for several hours.

Oh well. I hope he feels better soon. Let me make sure everyone is in their tents first before I go.

David visited every tent and listened carefully to make sure they were all asleep. He made his way over Daniel's cabin and knocked softly on the door.

"Daniel? Are you feeling better?"

"David."

David jumped in surprise. He turned around and saw Daniel standing behind him.

"Oh, you scared me, Daniel! I didn't expect you to be outside your cabin. Are you feeling better?"

How did I not hear you?

Daniel smiled.

"Last night I built a purification sauna on the edge of the campgrounds. Since I wasn't feeling well, I went and completed it so that I could relax and enjoy the hot steam. I feel so much better now."

David grabbed Daniel's hand.

"You built a sauna? That's amazing!"
Daniel scratched his chin in thought.

"Do you want to use it? It certainly made me feel better and now that the kids are asleep, you have some time to yourself."

David jumped up and down in excitement.

"That sounds great! It's been so long since I've been in a sauna and it sounds so relaxing."

Daniel put an arm around David's shoulder and led him away.

"What are we waiting for? Come on!"

They walked over the sauna. It was bigger than David thought it would be.

That door reminds me a lot of the kind used for safes. Why does it seem kinda like a prison?

David could feel his stomach churn at the thought.

"Hey, Daniel? Why does it look so… secure?"

Daniel stopped in front of the sauna and spun the handle of the door.

"Oh, that's to hold the steam in. If it leaked out really easily, I would take more energy to heat the sauna and that's a waste of resources."

Daniel pulled the door open and instantly, David covered his ears in pain. The sound of a robotic voice talking emanated loudly from the sauna.

"Wait, Dani-ahh!"

Daniel shoved David inside the sauna. The grating of the robotic voice assaulted his sensitive ears at full blast.

"OBEY YOUR LEADER. GIVE YOURSELF TO ZEMOOG. OBEY YOUR LEADER. BECOME PURIFIED FOR HIS BLESSING. OBEY YOUR LEADER. ZEMOOG IS LIFE. OBEY-"

David slammed his body against the metal door but it didn't budge. He looked at the small window to see Daniel smiling evilly at him.

"Daniel! What are you doing? Let me out!"

Daniel laughed at him.

"Sorry, David! I normally don't purify adults but you were getting in my way. I just want to purify the children so that they can ascend to heaven where the great Lord Xemoog can protect them from the negative backlash that they are constantly bathing in here on earth. They are still pure and innocent! They can be saved!"

David tried to kick the door open.

"You really are a cultist! What are you gonna do to the kids?!"

"I'm going to sacrifice them to our savior. They will ascend and be free of all impurities and then I will move on to the next camp." Daniel pulled out his sacrificial knife and a box of rat poison.

He's never left the camp though! How'd he managed to sneak- That's what the odd smell was! He had the rat poison on him the whole time! I knew something was off about him! He's gonna kill the campers and it'll be all my fault!

David felt terror course through him. He didn't want to reveal his secret but he couldn't let the campers get hurt. He changed into a wolf and started ramming the door. He clawed at the door and the walls but he couldn't escape. Finally, David collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion.

"Wow! I didn't realize werewolves existed! What a wonderful gift Zemoog has given me. With a werewolf on my side, it'll be so much easier to help children ascend. Now you enjoy yourself in there! I've got an ascension to plan."

Daniel walked away from the sauna.

Okay David, think! You can't break out, maybe you can get someone to let you out!

David took a deep breath and let out his loudest howl. He barked and howled for several minutes and then put his ear to the door. He couldn't hear anything but the robotic voice playing on the speakers.

No! I have to get out!

"-IS SAFETY. OBEY YOUR LEADER. ZEMOOG GIVES PURPOSE. OBEY YOUR-"

Max! Nikki! Neil! Nerf! Harrison! Someone let me out! Please!