Chapter 7: Arriving to Camp Reality Check
"So are you excited, Mija?" Camila Noceda asked her daughter, Luz Noceda, softly as she drove a car down a suburban street next to a forest.
The teen girl wasn't much eager to talk with her mom.
Sure, Luz really appreciate that her mom got the day off from work to drive her to the camp, and even let her have full control of the playlist.
But that didn't change the fact that the purpose of this ride is the Reality Check "reform camp".
"Not really."
"I'm sure that you'll have a great time during camp." Camila said, trying to make Luz feel better.
"What's so fun about summer camp?" Luz groans with a pout. "There's just nothing but hot sun, sweaty old cabins, ever biting bugs, and lots of boring activities!"
"I know it's not how you wanted spend the summer. And this isn't easy for me, but it's for your own good." Camila sighed a bit, "Luz, you can't keep be being called into the principal's office."
"You don't have to send me to reality check camp to change that. I promise that I'll try and do much better!"
"I'm sorry, Mija, but after the incident with snakes your principal insisted, and honestly, I have to agree with him," Camila admitted while looking into her daughter eyes with all the love of the world.
"Luz, you are a very passionate girl. I think it's great that you put all your effort into everything you do. I love you, and I think the things you make are great too, but..."
She sighed. What she's about to say will be hard to hear.
"Mija, your fantasy world is what is holding you back," She said, "Do you have any friends? Real ones?" The last part made Luz looked at friendship bracelet on her wrist, Camila continued, "Not imagined, drawn, or reptilian?"
"Yes."
"Luz, you've met Jett and Katrina… only yesterday. You helped them found the lost dog, and then you all hanged out, for like a total of 9 or 10 hours? How can you say that you think they are your new true friends?" Camila gave Luz a flat look, who refused to meet her eyes.
"It was a very special day for the three of us." Luz said, playing with the knot of friendship bracelet. "And they promised me that they'll visit me as often as they can."
"Sometimes people your age exchanged addresses and phone numbers, but they never contacted each other again."
"They and I aren't like most people my age." Luz said with more honesty than necessary.
Camila sighed. She really want to believe her daughter make real friends. But life has taught her that those who are supposed to be your new best friend are those who fast disappearing.
"I'm sorry mija, but camp is a chance to help make more friends." Camila insisted, "Also, you need to learn to better control your imagination. I'm not telling you that you can't believe in magic, but you have to understand that this is something that exists only in fantasy books."
Luz know how wrong her mom is. But she decided, that it is safer to drop the subject.
They stayed in silence looking at road; the emptiness of silence then slowly gave place to small conversation, mother and daughter talking about nonsense and simple things.
But the kind of tension was sensible among them.
As they listen songs from Luz's favorite playlist, they eventually saw the place in the forest they needed to reach.
Stepping off the car, Luz grabbed her shoulder bag. Her eyes cast down and face bravely tragic.
"Oh, my baby," Camilla said as she got out of the car and hugged Luz. "Now don't worry summer camp is only going to be for 3 months. You'll be so busy balancing checkbooks, and learning to… appreciate public radio, the time will fly by."
Luz looked up at er with hope in her brown eyes, "Mami, is there anything I could say or do that would convince you to let me spend the summer in home?"
"I'm afraid not."
For a moment there was no sound but the wind and the chirping of the birds.
"I only want what's best for you. You'll understand when you have your own children."Camila said and kissed Luz's forehead as a final goodbye, "Text me every day. Cuídate mucho, mija. ¡Qué te vaya bien!"
"Bye Mom," Was the only thing Luz said. It hurt Camila but continued waved at her daughter as the car drove off.
When the car had disappeared, Luz just reached into her bag and grabbed The Good Witch Azura book.
She took it and opened it on the first page, revealing an old drawing she had made when she was much younger.
It showed a her dressed as a witch.
She then started giving herself a pep talk. "This is it, old girl. Your first day on the camp. Whatever happens, you can handle it. You dealt with a monster from another realm, you can handle anything."
Luz took a deep breath, put her book in a bag and then went into the camp.
Though a teen girl have roughed it just a long while back, it was better than she hoped.
This place was truly extraordinary. Peace and quiet, a pristine lake just a few steps away. Birds flew overhead, little furry creatures scattered across the floor and climbed up the trees in little time, even the cabins were made entirely out of wood.
However, a giant grayish banner "Reality Check Camp Welcome" was a reminder that, this place is all about sucking the creativity and individual characteristics from people.
Luz sighed, looking down at the friendship bracelet on her wrist. She will spend the whole summer here, learning to appreciate public radio and similar things.
And just yesterday, she had quite an adventure in the Magic Realm.
Only thing that made it better was knowing Jett and Katrina promised to visit her.
Three of them can go on another great adventure.
But until then...
Survive in here is her quest.
Luz took another deep breath and she signed in at the registration table. The owner's name was Suzi and she was not a nice person and neither was her assistant Jordan.
They told her she was in the cabin 7. Apparently a group of people stayed in each cabin and every cabin have the number instead of name.
Luz went to the area where the kids waiting for the counselor who will show them the camp and make with the camp rules and regulations.
She decided to stand next to a blonde girl with a cute pink heart stickers on her cheeks.
Luz wanted to say hello, but the young blond was totaly absorbed in reading "Unicorn Universty" book.
So, Luz began to look at other campers.
Two guys were sitting on ground and they were playing Wild Tic-Tac-Toe. The boy on the left was a skinny boy with white hair, striking blue eyes, and pale skin.
The one on the right was a couple years older then most of campers, and his features were similar to a rabbit or maybe Australian kangaroo.
The pre-teen asian-american girl was playing one of those phones that has a little speaker. She was tall, with long black straight hair which almost reaches her waist, complimented by a pink wisp running down the rest of her hair from the left side of where her hairline starts.
Almost 18-year-old African-American had finished playing his guitar and girl with pastel pink hair clapped her hands.
All the other campers were talking in groups of 2 or 3. And they all looked as an average teenagers.
Luz was just getting ready to try to talk with the nearest group, when Jordan came blowing his whistle.
"Campers. Welcome to Reality Check Camp." He announced and then he pointed at the twins about a two years younger then Luz.
"Except for you two. Your parent's check bounced. You can sleep by the front gate. Your Grunkle'll pick you up in the morning. Probably." He shrugged. Then a two guys picked the twin siblings up and carried them away.
Then he clapped her hands and a green eyes woman with grayish skinn appeared out of nowhere. That almost gave a few campers a heart attack.
"Okay, everyone, this is Rocky. And she'll tell you everything you need to know. Remember to pick up your trash." He said annoyed and left.
After that, all eyes were on the young adult, who just looked at them emotionless.
Rocky took a card from her pocket and began reading what was written on it.
"Welcome to Reality Check Camp," she said in her most wooden voice. "Where you'll learn how to be perfect normal person that a society needs. We'll show you all the miracles of safe and normal life. All aboard the reality train." She imitates pulling a chain. "Toot-toot. Whee!"
She gave campers a flat look, who refused to meet her eyes.
"For those who has already met with their cabin supervisor I'll be giving you the orientation tour on this perfect morning. All others, please wait here for Camp Counselor. After accommodation and reviewing the rules, head to the cafeteria."
Rocky then just turned and walked away. Half of the campers followed her to the other side of camp.
A minute hasn't passed before footsteps come rushing behind Luz and campers.
"Is this a Camp Counselor?" asked a girl with heterochromatic eyes, pointing to the person walking towards the group.
Everybody turned round to look at new person.
It was a thin woman with pale skin dressed in... Luz suppose it would best be described as the fashion apocalypse. A Russian red star hat, heart shaped sunglasses a brown leather jacket over a black "100 % Dad" shirt, blue fish oven mitts while holding a golf club, a pink shirt, and zigzag stockings.
"Now, listen carefully, all of you." The woman said, once within speaking distance. "Everyone except Luz Noceda, take a giant step back."
Each campers did as they were told and stepped back, some even take a few steps more - looking at this mystery woman.
Luz wasn't sure what to say or do. The woman stared at the girl a long time regarding her.
"So, you are Luz." It sounded more like a observation that a statement.
"...yes?"
"You will come with me." She said and hoists Luz over her shoulder. "The rest of you can either stay in this Drone Hive, or you get out of here as fast as you can. Choose wisely, and beat feet out of here."
With those words, she turned and and began to walk, knowing exactly where to go.
"Where are we going?" Luz questioned curiously and confusion.
"Questions later."
"That was disturbing. Should we tell someone about it? Or call the police?" The youngest of campers asked when Luz and the mystery woman disappeared from sight.
"Well, this pale lady didn't look like a serial killer or cannibal." replied a boy with a tiny scar across his chin.
"That doesn't answer my question."
"I can go by myself."
"I know."
"Can you put me down then?" Luz asked as they passed the cabins. "People are staring like I'm from another planet."
She don't expect she will find lifelong friends here. Well, she doubt make friend's with anyone. Yet, she didn't want make the bad first impression on other campers.
"And we're there." the woman declared with a smirk as she put Luz down on the porch of small cabin, just on the very edge of the wood.
The house was about everything every person expected from some old witch cabin.
It was two stories, most of it appearing rundown and falling apart. The roof from what Luz could see was covered in multiple holes. She wondered if the holes in the walls ever had glass for windows, or did they use shutters? If they did, they had long since rotted away. The grounds of the house were overgrown with trees and shrubbery all the way to the house itself. Only door of the cabin be in good condition and still look new.
Luz was tempted to ask why they're here, but the woman reached into her hair and pulled out a key with eye on the handle to open door, and strolled into cabin. Luz followed her, mostly because she were still too stunned to do otherwise, and she not even had time to consider the consequences.
"Wow."
The moment Luz passed through the doorway the entire house changed. Whereas before it was a ruined mess, now it looked brand new. The walls and ceiling were freshly repaired, candles burned in nearby holders bathing the room in their warm glow.
In the main part of the room was antique but well kept furniture. The dark wood coupled with the soft carpet made the place appear cozy, prestigious even, in the soft light of the fireplace.
Luz noticed also masterfully crafted grapevines on the walls that worked perfectly in tandem with a few painting and dark emerald-purple walls color.
Yet.
What drew her attention the most, was a window... or rather a view outside the window.
A large black bear with eight heads and twelve limbs climbed and explored a tree. He noticed Luz and waved.
A glance out another window revealed a landscape with red grass and zombie-like trees.
Luz felt her own mouth move involuntarily and couldn't stop it before she spoke. "I returned to the Boiling Isles."
"You're brighter than you look, kiddo."
The woman snapped her fingers. A gold ring appeared around her. The ring separated into two rings, one going up the other down, and as they traveled up and down her body, her clothes turned from this chaotic style, to a ripped knee-length dress and boots.
Luz's eyes travelled up and down the woman, her new look was so intimidating.
She was tall and very pale person with an impressive wild mane of silver hair. A golden fang that may or may not have been fake poked past her lip, and the deep gold of her eyes matched a yellowish gem on her thorax perfectly. The pointy ears confirmed what Luz was thinking.
"You are a witch!"
"I'm not just any witch." the woman took up a heroic pose. "I'm Eda the Owl Lady! The most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles! I am respected, feared- "
"Late," Another voice came in followed by a sound of the steps making Luz turning her head. And got a good look at the stranger.
Tall, muscular, though she wouldn't call him handsome. Black tattooed markings on his face. He had pale lavender skin, blueish eyes, and shoulder-length white hair.
Hooded coat over some sort of dark blue jumpsuit with silver colored platings covered the base of his neck, shoulders and wrists. A belt of the same color surrounded his waist and tambourine with bear-like motifs attached to this belt.
"You should have been here at least an hour ago."
"Chillax, Whiskers." Eda waved a dismissive hand. "I just had stuff to do, but I'm back now. And the girl is with me."
"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" His voice was clipped.
"I lost track after triple digits, Whiskers." She answered, sending him a teasing glance.
"Called me 'Whiskers' is highly inappropriate, I'm a leader of the-"
"Oh calm down. You know that leader crap doesn't work on me."
"Just stop calling me that, please." A man's tone was calm. The only outward sign of emotion was the constant twitching of his left ear.
"Let me think..." Eda said, pulling out the same key from before pressing it's eye making the door that brought her and Luz there, now a suitcase that flew into a witch's hair. "Nope!"
And with that, the witch exited the room, cheeky grin branded in man's mind.
"I still can't believe this woman and Dell share blood." His brief comment was directed to himself, lost in his own mind as he shut the door after Eda.
Then he turned to Luz, who was standing in the back and hadn't said a word this whole time. The girl went stiff as he stared at her.
"Ummmmm...Hi... I'm Luz."
Author's Notes: Feel free to comment on it, and let me know if you liked this Au.