p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"Chapter Two/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"It isn't long before the last kid has been ushered through the doors and my shift is done. And I'm grateful. Ever since the incident with Leilan, I've had this nagging feeling that I'm doing something wrong. It's a relief to get away from all the commotion, too. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But everything has its pros and cons./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I am to spend this week at work to keep "camp activities" running smoothly. Josh assures me that it isn't as dull as it sounds./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""There's parties, food, and TV," he explains. "You'll even have your own bunk mate posse. It's like real camp, Squirt. With the addition of watching lil' kiddos meet their ends in creative ways."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I admit, it does sound like a good time. But I can't shake this icky feeling./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"By this point you may be wondering, "Don't the parents notice that their kids are missing?" And the answer is, no. See, while the parents (and/or grandparents, siblings, etc.) are inside the building to drop off their kids, we release a gas that slowly erases all memories of their children. Oh, and the amnesia is contagious. It will linger for weeks, years even, so it will be as if the children never existed. The only drawback is that people wonder why they have extra, unused rooms in their homes./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I am given one hour to settle into my little room. It doesn't take long, so I spend the rest of my time getting to know my bunk mates. They have all worked here for years. I feel like the odd one out until one more girl drops in. I am appalled at her tardiness but happy that she is as new as I am. Her name is Catherine and we become fast friends./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""I was looking for a summer job," she tells me. "Then I heard about Stonewall. I found 'the secret' a little off-putting, but it is exhilarating. Don't you think?"/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I nod. "One hundred percent."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""So how'd you get here? Young girl like you, must be a prodigy." Catherine inquires./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I hesitate. The only ones who know how I was hired are Josh and the Camp /spanOwner. I consider the matter strictly confidential. So, I fib a little. "I was just an intern, but they thought I should stay," I bluff./p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"And Catherine buys it hook, line and sinker. "Noooiicee." she says, drawing the word out long and loud. "An intern, huh. How was it, doing work without getting paid?"/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""Um. Well, it was okay, because this job is fun. But now that I'm getting paid, it's a lot better." Phew! Lying is difficult. I've never been an intern. I barely know what an intern is! I'm lucky Catherine is so gullible. I'm lucky everyone is so gullible. Or else I'd be toast./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"That night there is a staff meeting. All the trap designers sit around a table and brainstorm "activities" for next year. My mind is blank. I am hungry and tired, and it feels like there is a dark cloud above me. Why can't I think of any good traps? It's really all I'm good at. Catherine and the others are all scribbling away and all I have is "Penelope Auchwitz, facilitator" written in the corner of my paper. I doodle some flames, so if I run out of time and haven't thought of anything, I can use the general concept of fire. It should be convincing enough. And, yep. No ideas. The Camp Owner takes my paper and frowns./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""I was thinking we could do something with fire, but I wasn't sure," I explain./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"The Camp Owner makes a sour face. "I can see that." He grunts. "I expect more from you, Auchwitz. You are dismissed."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I hate to dampen the mood of Josh's party, but I sulk the entire time. I don't even dance to my favorite song. Josh notices./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""Why don't you have fun, Squirt? What's on your mind?"/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I wince at the word "fun". And I don't feel like talking. But Josh is persistent, so I spill my guts. "I feel crummy about designing traps," I say. "And on top of that, the Camp Owner is disappointed in me."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""You're probably just tired. Go on to bed. Little Squirts need lots of rest."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I give him a look, but still head to my bunk. I fall asleep quickly. Turns out I'm awfully lucky today./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"It isn't long before the last kid has been ushered through the doors and my shift is done. And I'm grateful. Ever since the incident with Leilan, I've had this nagging feeling that I'm doing something wrong. It's a relief to get away from all the commotion, too. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But everything has its pros and cons./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I am to spend this week at work to keep "camp activities" running smoothly. Josh assures me that it isn't as dull as it sounds./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""There's parties, food, and TV," he explains. "You'll even have your own bunk mate posse. It's like real camp, Squirt. With the addition of watching lil' kiddos meet their ends in creative ways."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I admit, it does sound like a good time. But I can't shake this icky feeling./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"By this point you may be wondering, "Don't the parents notice that their kids are missing?" And the answer is, no. See, while the parents (and/or grandparents, siblings, etc.) are inside the building to drop off their kids, we release a gas that slowly erases all memories of their children. Oh, and the amnesia is contagious. It will linger for weeks, years even, so it will be as if the children never existed. The only drawback is that people wonder why they have extra, unused rooms in their homes./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I am given one hour to settle into my little room. It doesn't take long, so I spend the rest of my time getting to know my bunk mates. They have all worked here for years. I feel like the odd one out until one more girl drops in. I am appalled at her tardiness but happy that she is as new as I am. Her name is Catherine and we become fast friends./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""I was looking for a summer job," she tells me. "Then I heard about Stonewall. I found 'the secret' a little off-putting, but it is exhilarating. Don't you think?"/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I nod. "One hundred percent."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""So how'd you get here? Young girl like you, must be a prodigy." Catherine inquires./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I hesitate. The only ones who know how I was hired are Josh and the Camp /spanOwner. I consider the matter strictly confidential. So, I fib a little. "I was just an intern, but they thought I should stay," I bluff./p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"And Catherine buys it hook, line and sinker. "Noooiicee." she says, drawing the word out long and loud. "An intern, huh. How was it, doing work without getting paid?"/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""Um. Well, it was okay, because this job is fun. But now that I'm getting paid, it's a lot better." Phew! Lying is difficult. I've never been an intern. I barely know what an intern is! I'm lucky Catherine is so gullible. I'm lucky everyone is so gullible. Or else I'd be toast./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"That night there is a staff meeting. All the trap designers sit around a table and brainstorm "activities" for next year. My mind is blank. I am hungry and tired, and it feels like there is a dark cloud above me. Why can't I think of any good traps? It's really all I'm good at. Catherine and the others are all scribbling away and all I have is "Penelope Auchwitz, facilitator" written in the corner of my paper. I doodle some flames, so if I run out of time and haven't thought of anything, I can use the general concept of fire. It should be convincing enough. And, yep. No ideas. The Camp Owner takes my paper and frowns./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""I was thinking we could do something with fire, but I wasn't sure," I explain./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"The Camp Owner makes a sour face. "I can see that." He grunts. "I expect more from you, Auchwitz. You are dismissed."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;" /p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I hate to dampen the mood of Josh's party, but I sulk the entire time. I don't even dance to my favorite song. Josh notices./span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""Why don't you have fun, Squirt? What's on your mind?"/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I wince at the word "fun". And I don't feel like talking. But Josh is persistent, so I spill my guts. "I feel crummy about designing traps," I say. "And on top of that, the Camp Owner is disappointed in me."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none""You're probably just tired. Go on to bed. Little Squirts need lots of rest."/span/p
p class="_04xlpA direction-ltr align-start para-style-body" style="font-family: 'YADmhDODAgY 0', _fb_, auto; -font-size: 40.9603px; -line-height: 1.4; line-height: 57px;"span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"I give him a look, but still head to my bunk. I fall asleep quickly. Turns out I'm awfully lucky today./span/p