The action starts heating up in this chapter!

Chapter Eight

That night, there was a campfire in the amphitheater, and everyone had to attend. Marshmallows were passed around, and the campers made good use of the fire to roast them, along with some chocolate that had been pilfered from the mess hall by some teenager that looked like Shinichi.

The camp director told of the history of the region, and then announced that the high ropes course would be opened starting the following morning. Everyone was excited at this, as the area in question had not only several high ropes courses, but a climbing wall and a zip line as well.

Then the director announced that on the next Friday night, there was going to be an awesome campfire complete with skits. People that wanted to participate in a skit had to sign up in the main office.

Walking back, Kenta said, "This is going to be sweet! Maybe we can do another murder mystery!"

Sonoko said, "I disagree! It should be something romantic. She didn't notice the identical looks of disgust on the faces of Shinichi and Shiho. "I can write up a script, and we can practice every day!"

Shiho walked up to Shinichi and said, "If we can't talk them out of doing a skit, Friday night is going to dreadful."

"I know. Knowing Sonoko, it'll be something mushy or otherwise nasty. We've got to find a way to bail!"

They soon found out that was impossible. Sonoko branched off from the group to go sign up on the way to bed, so they were all screwed.

The next day, Sonoko took them all aside to work on the script. "If we're doing a romance, then the two main characters are so obvious!" exclaimed Sonoko.

Shiho rolled her eyes, bored. "So, Suzuki-san, where do the rest of us come in?"

"Well, in order to spice up the play a little, I came up with a wonderful solution! Kudo-kun has more than one lover! He has three lovers: the girl he loves, his faithful partner, and his cute assistant."

Shinichi looked at Sonoko in horror. He knew exactly where this was going, and he wasn't liking it at all. Ran felt the same way.

"Sonoko, why do we have to do something like this, anyways?"

"Because it'll be fun! And it'll be so romantic to watch! Of course I'll be director, so I won't be in the skit. Kudo-kun will be the popular guy, and the girl he loves will be Ran. The other two will be Miyano-san and Mayumi-chan."

Mikihiko and Kenta were very ticked off by this. "What about us, then?" asked Kenta loudly.

"Hmm…" said Sonoko thoughtfully, "Mikihiko-kun will be the jilted lover of Miyano-san, while Kenta-kun will be the jilted lover of Mayumi-chan."

Ran said suddenly, "But what'll we do about names? If we use our real names, people might take it seriously!"

Sonoko thought about it before saying, "How about we use the names of those kids you hang out with?"

"You mean Conan-kun and his friends?" asked Ran questioningly.

"Of course! Their names are already somewhat similar so…"

"Then what about me?" asked Ran hotly. "There are five of them and six of us!"

Sonoko thought about it, but then Shinichi said, "Why don't you use Mauri Rin? It kind of sounds the same." He had chimed in because he realized he wasn't getting out of it. The other four had realized this, too.

"I love it!" said Ran happily. "You'll have to get used to calling me 'Rin-chan' Shinichi!"

Shinichi grumbled, but said nothing. But then Ran said, "But if we use Conan-kun's name, he might get mad if he doesn't know. I'd better call and ask."

She turned away and went into the woods nearby to do so, and Shinichi panicked internally. He knew if Ran couldn't reach Conan, she'd be too worried to do anything.

"If you all will excuse me," said Shinichi suddenly, "I need to head to the restroom." He ran off a ways away, and turned on his Conan phone. He took out his bowtie in preparation for the call.

It soon came. When the phone rang, Shinichi picked it up, and spoke to Ran through the bowtie.

"Conan-kun?"

"Ah, Ran-neechan! How are you doing?"

"Pretty well. I miss you a lot. Actually I had a question to ask of you."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Well, the summer camp I'm at is letting us do skits Friday night, and Sonoko has an idea for one. But she wants to use different names, and she suggested we use the names of you and your friends."

"If it's just for a skit, then I don't mind. I doubt any of the others will mind, either. Who's going to be me, then?"

"Shinichi, I think."

"EH? Shinichi-niichan is there? Does that mean he's back for good?"

"…I…I don't know. He never really said."

"…Did I make you sad again, Ran-neechan?"

"No, Conan-kun. You just reminded me of something I really didn't want to think abo…MPH!"

She was suddenly cut off. There was a loud noise on the other end, and then a new voice came through. "Whoever this is, know this: I've taken the girl hostage. If you want to see her alive again, come to the lookout tower by the lake at midnight." With that, the line went dead.

For everyone complaining about short chapters, I made this chapter longer. Plus, the case at the end! Look forward to how it'll be solved, and guess at who's behind it!