Chapter 2
Anya's POV
Owen was being sweet, I still have to remind myself that he's still the same guy who threw Zane in a dumpster. I guess if I'm stuck with him at least he's being nice. We have to make the best of this situation.
We were unpacked in no time. I was attempting to put my sheets on the bed, but having issues with my mattress slipping. Owen came over to help, "thank you" I tell him as I finish tucking in the sheet. I feel his breath on the back of my neck, it's not creepy, but somewhat comforting. I almost forget whats happening, I turn to kiss him, but stop myself. I fumble with my impulsive action, but manage to save face. "Let me help you make up your bed." I say. He gives me a sly smirk, but turns to head over to his side of the room.
We finish up, I look at my phone to check our time. I notice I have no service, and that sucks. I really need to able to check on my mom, I hate not going with her for her cancer treatments, plus she's my best friend and I miss her. We have about 15 minutes until time to meet the others at the hall, so I suggest we head on over. Owen agrees slipping on his hoodie and even opens the door for me.
We get to the hall and everyone is there waiting outside except for Ali and Adam. K.C. is standing as far away from Jenna as he can get, it wasn't long ago that those two wete inseparable. I guess her pregnancy had really pushed the boundaries of their relationship. It made me sad, then think about my relationship with Sav. That could of been us last term. I'm greatful that we can still be friends, and we realized we were better off that way before something happened.
Ali and Adam show up and before either one can say a word, the doors open as if it was magic. A very dark magic. I mean it gave me goose pimples as they opened. Eli is the first one in, followed by Clare. I hear a blood curdling scream come from her as the lights go off leaving everything pitch black. I hear the door slam behind us, I grasp on to the first thing I can find. It must be Owen's arm due to the size of the arm muscle.
"I have a flashlight! " I hear Drew say as a small flicker of light beams from his phone. He starts shinning it towards the walls, I see a metal box on the wall farthest from us. "Are you going to be okay? " Owen softly questions. I tell him I'll be fine, and he takes his phone from his pocket, and follows Drew.
They find the breaker and flip it on after a few moments. The lights flicker, with a creepy hum at first, but it doesn't take long for them to fully come on. I see a long table beautifully set with a amazing looking feast. I see ham, potatoes, carrots, corn on the cob, salad, green beans, rolls, and what smelled to be peach pie.
We all walk towards the table. Each seat was adorned with name plate with elegant handwriting telling us where we were to sit. Owen, pulls out my chair for me and my heart flutters. Holly J. picks up a note and reads it out loud for us all.
"Remember to give thanks for all you have before you . This will be the only meal that you do not prepare together. If you do not pull your own weight, you do not eat. If you can not be on time, you will not eat. If you can not get along with your teammates, you will not eat. If you do not complete your tasks, you will not eat. Your tasks will be waiting for you in your cabins, after you have finished and cleaned up. You will have until 5PM to complete your tasks, and meet back here to prepare dinner."
We all eat in silence, something about this place seems off. It's hard to eat, because of the feeling I have about being here. I have to force myself to, because of what the note says. It's possible it could be a while before my next meal.
After we finish and clean up, we all head back for our cabins. Again on the way out the the door slammed shut, and you could her the locks turn. I jumped at the sound and look around no one else, but the Degrassi 12 can be seen. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but something really doesn't seem right.
I watch as 2 by 2 people walk into their cabins. I watch as Bianca and Eli walk into their cabin, Owen and I still have a bit of a walk since ours is the last one. Miss Raintree's words seem to taunt me, "I'll be watching from a far, along with mother earth and the great spirit." I feel a cold chill run up my back, and I jump slightly. Owen puts his arm around me, he seemed to sense my paranoia.
We return to our cabin and I see a paper sitting on my trunk at the foot of my bed. I pick it up and hold it out so Owen and I can read it together.
"our task today is a nature hike, and finding our partners spirit animal. We are to spend the next three hours observing our partners and nature. The more we talk the less we will know about each other and the world around us. "
"Seems simple enough " Owen says. "Really, how can you know something about someone without talking with them?" I reply dumbfounded. "I know you like to make people happy, even if you aren't. I know you like lillies, and sappy romance movies that make you cry. I know you would change yourself to please others, even if you loose your true self. Of course you like you want to be married, and have a family because you treasure your relationship woth your mother more than anything." Owen tells me. "Stalk much!" I say wide eyed knowing everything he just said was true. "No, I notice things. Little things. I don't have to have a conversation with you to know you. Your actions speek volumes ." he tells me in an eloquent tone.
"How did you get so wise? Throwing people in trash cans and into windows?" I spit out defensively. "Fair enough, I can be a jerk, but we've been at the same school for 3 years. We know who one and other are, but do you know anything more about me than that?" he asks. "Well, I've seen you carry Jenna's bags, let me have the bed with a view, you've let me seek comfort with you twice when I've been scared. So, maybe you are more than just a bully." I reply. "I am. Now I believe it's time to observe nature." he tells me holding open the door to the cabin so we can head out to start our task.
Owen's POV
We walked down a trail following a stream, I didn't see the other teams, it was quite peaceful. I watched as Anya took delicate and careful steps. She leaned over to pickup a rock along the bank of the creek. She rolled it around in her fingers several times observing it, before tucking it neatly into the pocket of her jeans. Every moment she seemed to embrace, her beauty shined brightly. She was a free spirit.
We continue our walk for about 20 more minutes when the sky started to turn gray, it looked quite ominous. Anya turned to me and spoke for the first time since we left the cabin 2 hours ago. "Maybe we should head back." I agree as we turn to follow the stream back.
We were about 30 minutes from the camp, and the sky opens up and it starts to snow. Gradually at first, but in about 10 minutes it's snowing so hard you can hardly see your hand in front of your face. I reach my hand back to find Anya, "we need to stay together. I don't want you hurt." I tell her. "OWEN! " she yells, as she lets out a blood curdling scream. My heart races, as I turn around. I can't see her because of the storm. "Keep talking! I'll follow your voice." I cry out. "Owen, I tripped over a tree root... My ankle… I think it's... Twisted." she cries out. It doesn't take me long to find her. I can't see what her ankle looks like, but I scoop her up in my arms. I try to hurry back, but I have to be careful with my steps so not injure or more or the both of us.
Within moments I see the strange purple glowing flams, and know that the camp is near. My vision is better the closer we get to the flames, I can see the others gathered around, huddled together in blankets. I finally am able to sit Anya down, Clare rushes over draping a blanket over Anya's shoulders.
"What happened? " Holly J inquires as I slowly unlace her boot to look at her ankles. "I slipped in the snow." Anya tells her. "I'll try to find a first aid kit." Adam yells taking off. "All the cabins and the hall are locked." Jenna says coming over to sit by us. "They're locked?" I questioned. "Yes, every door." Drew replies. "It's swollen, but I don't think it's broken." I tell Anya. I can see her tear stained face, I know she had to be in pain as black and blue as her ankle is.
"No, luck everything is still locked." Adam says looking defeated. "I'll get it wrapped up." I say taking off my hoodie and my t-shirt. I throw my t-shirt to Drew, "rip this into strips." I tell him. K.C. takes of his shirt and starts ripping his up. "One won't be enough." he says.
I carefully wrap up her foot and ankle, when I'm finished she offers to share her blanket. I gratefully join her and she rests her head on my shoulder. Her breathing has calmed, and is no longer panic stricken. Eli hands her a large stick. "This should help you keep pressure off when you walk. I'd be fine carrying her everywhere, but it was a nice gesture.
"What are we going to do about being locked out? I mean if stay out her too much longer we'll freeze to death." Ali asks. "We'll figure something out." Sav tells her putting an arm around her. I know she wasn't the only one concerned about this, It was all I could think of after getting Anya squared away. I look around and see the look of desperation on everyone's faces, I knew we needed to come up with a plan, and fast.
As I rack my brain trying to come up with a plan, I hear drums. They are faint at first, but grow louder and louder. We are looking around to try and figure out where thw sounds are coming from, they seem to be surrounding us. They get so loud they should be right behind us, but nothing. I don't remember seeing any sort of PA system around the camp so it can't be a recording. I'm completely dumbfounded. All of a sudden the fire goes completely out. Anya jumps closer to me. Clare and Ali let out a scream. Lights appear in the great hall, and the doors swing open. I help Anya up and to walk, we all head towards the great hall.
The snow has stopped and so have the drums when we reach the doors. No one is inside, just random ingredients for a meal on the table. Chicken, carrots , celery, onions, potatoes, flour, eggs,along with pots and pans, and knives. A note that reminds us everyone helps or doesn't eat.
"Can anyone cook?" Sav asks. "I've got this." Clare says and proceeds to give orders. "We need wood to start a fire for the stove. Owen, Drew, and K.C. go gather some from the fire pit. Jenna start cutting up celery, Anya dice the carrots, Sav cut up the chicken into inch cubes, Adam Onions, Eli peel potatoes, Holly J fill this pot half full of water from the pump out front, Ali, Bianca and I will start making noodles. " she spouts out in her take charge voice. We all do as we are told, and by the time we get back with the fire wood eveything is just about done. Holly J. is setting the table. We get the fire started and set the water on to boil, once it starts Clare adds the chicken and vegetables to the pot and instructs us on how to cut the noodles that Ali has rolled out on the table.
It doesn't take long for the hall to fill up with a wonderful aroma. We clean up what little mess we've made, Jenna is watching the pot stirring every ao often, as Clare sends Eli to the pantry to look for something for us to drink. Eli returns a few moments later with a box of tea bags, and an other note. It instructs us to talk about our partners spirit animals over dinner. Adam goes out to fetch more water to boil for tea and Holly J goes in search of mugs.
I take a seat next to Anya, and try to relax for a few moments. It had been a long day. K.C. goes over and tells Jenna to rest, and he'll watch over dinner. Everyone looks exhausted. Dinner is finally finished. We leave the pot on the stove, and everyone helps themselves except Anya and Jenna. K.C. and I make sure that they are both staying off their feet.
During dinner we all start taking about what spirit animal they believe belongs yo their teammate. Everyone seemed to take things fairly serious and put a bit of thought into it except for Ali. After Adam being very kind in talking about Ali, she was rather snotty towards him. "I don't know… a frog." he spat out. "Really? A frog. Just because your mad at me don't take it out on my brother! " Drew retorts. "No, it's perfect! " Clare chimes in. "Thanks a lot Clare." Adam pouts. "No, you see a frog started life as a tadpole… it transforms into frog… just like you Adam." everyone agrees that a frog is fitting for Adam, even him. Ali may have said it due to spite or just being a royal bitch, but ended up really picking the perfect one for him.
Next it was Anya and I. "After spending the day with Owen observing him, I belive he is a wolf. He has Sharp intelligence, deep connection with instincts, Appetite for freedom." she tells me. I think a wolf is pretty cool, better than homophobic jerk that she thoughtvof earlier today. "Anya is a butterfly she brings beauty and joy into the world. butterfly is about the ability to go through important changes with grace and lightness. I think that fits her well" I say as all the girls "Awe" in unison.
The lights start to flicker and it goes pitch black for about 30 seconds. As the lights come back on, there's a note with instructions in the middle of the table. It tells us to clean up and head back to our cabins. "No one could of left that note, and disappeared that fast." Jenna says in a worried tone. "Something isn't right here." Bianca tells us, and we all agree. "Everyone needs to stick together, make sure all the cabins are locked up tight." Sav says. "Guys, watch over the girls! If something creepy happens we need a signal, and met spot." Drew says in a shaky voice. "I agree we need a code of sorts, how about we shout Degrassi? Then meet up at Owen and Anyas cabin. That way Anya doesn't have to try and move too fast on her ankle." Eli suggested. Everyone agrees and we start cleaning.
When we finish the doors of the hall swing wide open. We start to file out, I pick up Anya and carry her so she doesn't try to put weight on her ankle. As we pass through the lights go off and the doors slam behind us. The fire pit is glowing purple once again. "Hey, we need fire wood to heat the cabins." Bianca reminds us. The guys load up with fire wood, while the girls stay together by the fire pit. Before we can reach our cabins the drumming is back. I hurry up and unloaded so I could back to the girls. The snow was now falling, but not as fierce as earlier. I noticed that the giant dream catcher seemed to be glowing. All the girls were turned staring at it. Ot couldn't be the reflection from the flames because it was glowing an eerie green.
"What do you think this means? " Jenna asks when I returned followed closely by the other guys. "I don't know." K.C. says. "Adam grab your flashlight. We need to investigate! " Drew shouts towards his brother. "You girls stay here." Sav commands. "No, were going with you!"Clare insists. Drew and I prop up Anya and help her hobble towards the dream catcher. Eli has Clare's hand, and she's gripping it tight. Jenna is wrapped in K.C.'s arms, Bianca looks frightened, and thats odd for her. The others are huddled together walking slow, as Adam leads the pack holding the flash light.
The closer we get we are still unable to determine where the glow ia coming from. The drums stopped as mysteriously as they'd started as Adam shines the light on a small wood plaque and reads the message out loud.
"This dream catcher can show you a glimpse into your future, simply leave it a gift from the earth, and your dreams will be visited."
We all look confused, but are all intreaged. "Anyone have an offering?" Adam asks. Anya pulls the rock from her pocket and gives it a kiss before having me place it on the ground. One by one everyone pulls out something interesting they found while out on our hike. Feathers, rocks, leaves, everyone but me. I was too engrossed in watching Anya than picking up trinkets. "Owen, don't you have anything? " Bianca questions. "No." I answer. "Yes, you do!" Anya says pointing to my wrist. While we stopped to rest before the anow started, Anya braided together 3 cat tail reeds, and placed it on my wrist as a sort of friendship bracelet. "Are you sure you don't mind?" I ask. She smiles and unties it. I kiss it for luck just as she did with her rock before I lie it down. She smiles, and we all head back to the cabins.
I helped Anya in to bed and got her pajamas from the drawer. I start the fire while she changed, desperately wanting to take a peek. I somehow was able to control the urge, knowing I was finally earning her trust.
"I'm done you can turn around." she says in a shy voice. I turn to see sitting on the bed in a tight purple tank top that barely covers her breasts, and pair of purple and white striped shorty shorts that show off every curve of her hips and booty. I hade to control every urge I had not to rush over and rip what little clothes she had on off of her. She was so sexy, and probably had no idea what she was doing to me.
"I'll turn around so you can change into your pajamas."she tells me. I smile abd say thank you. I slip on a pair of black sweats, and opt to go without a shirt. "Done" I say as she turns around. I see a smile on her face as she looks my muscles up and down.
I go over and sit on the edge of her bed. I carefully pick up her ankle to examine it. "How's it feeling ?" I question. "Sore, but better. Thank you for eveything you've done for me today Owen, you've been amazing. You read are a good guy." she tells me leaning her head on my shoulder. "You are so wonderful, you bring out the good in others." I reply as I lace our fingers together.
We sit there for a while peacefully, Anya snuggled into my arms. The fire light flickering over her skin made it glow even more beautify. I was truly happy at this moment. I'd been in love with Anya for years, and I never thought she'd give me the time of day, but here she is in my arms. I'm not sure how she feels or if this is just because she's scared, but I decide to cherish every second of our time together.
"Owen." she says knocking me out of my trance. "Yes?" I answer. "Do you believe the dream catcher will show us our future? " she questioned. I had honestly forgot about that, holding Anya in my arms made me forget about all the creepy things that had happened today. Then it hit me as she snuggled in closer. "Maybe, this is our future." I say expecting her to pull away, but instead she mumbles, "then I'd be happy." as she drifts off to sleep. I kiss the top of her head, and drift off tp sleep myself.
A/N chapter 3 will be within the next 2 weeks. It will start off with dream sequence. Then into creepy camp experiences, and a background on the camps past.
As always reviews are welcomed.
Xoxo,
The SparKiller
