I saw white fill my vision, followed by complete darkness, almost equally blinding. Then I saw little stars amongst the darkness. They grew larger and larger until it was completely white again. I could feel them running all through my body, washing over me, bathing me in cold, clear starlight.

I didn't feel panicked as I expected. I felt calm and peace wash over me. I felt more at peace than I had ever been at camp, spreading through my entire body. It only lasted for a little while, though. Soon, it was replaced not with panic, but emptiness. I felt as if my liveliness was being sucked out of my body, replaced with the false feeling of peace. It was slowly taken from me until I was numb and empty.

When I opened my eyes, the sky didn't look any different. It looked completely normal, like the starry night sky back at home. I didn't feel any different either, aside from the empty feeling. I glanced down at myself, half expecting to be shrouded in silver or dimly transparent, but I looked the same as before. But I knew that I'd never be the same.

"Adelaide..." I turned my gaze to my brother. There were tears in his eyes. Everyone else started cheering and screaming, stomping on the field as if there really was a baseball game going on, but I barely heard them.

I heard a few of them thank me as they ran past, almost knocking me over. Their deafening cheers rang in my ears, but I felt hollow inside. Soon, the only one remaining was David.

I stared around camp. The fields and cabins looked lifeless and empty now, even the woods seeming hollow. Even the light of the stars couldn't shine any life onto them. This was where I'd stay.

Tears trickled down David's cheeks. He walked over to me and touched me tentatively, as if worried he wouldn't be able to. When his hand connected with me, I jumped, thinking he felt completely different. He wrapped his arms around me. I held onto him tightly, thinking it was the last time I'd see him.

"David... go," I managed to choke out, breaking away from him quickly. I didn't want to forget him, but I also didn't want to get too attached. I felt all the memories flash before my eyes in an instant. Me putting spiders in his bed as revenge for him breaking Mom's vase and blaming it on me, squeezing maple syrup into his eyes at breakfast, scaring him with ghost stories at night, comforting him during a thunderstorm, sharing my toys with him...

"I'm not leaving you," David insisted.

I stepped away from him. "You have to leave. Maybe you can tell Mom and Dad—"

"And then what?" David cried. "I won't even remember where the camp is. They probably won't even believe me. Think I'm making up stories—"

"They'll have to issue a search party," I insisted. "I'm sure they'd care if I suddenly went missing." I tried to joke. "Look on the bright side. You won't have to deal with me teasing you for being a wimp or putting bugs in your clothes anymore."

It didn't help one bit. To my alarm, he suddenly burst into tears. I knew I shouldn't get too attached, but I couldn't help it. I strode forward and pulled him into my arms. I was relieved to feel his tears stain my shirt. It meant I could still feel.

"Go," I insisted, giving him a shove. "Better me than you. You didn't want to camp in the first place, remember? If you were the one stuck here, you'd spend the entire time complaining about how much you hated it and wanted to go home. At least I'm not a whiner like you. I can handle being stuck here."

"But I don't want you to be," David wailed. He started tugging on my arm. "Come with me, Adelaide. Let's leave together."

"You know that's not possible," I insisted. "I can't even cross the woods."

"Come on!" David insisted. He tugged my arm so hard I felt it was about to tear out of the socket. I was happy to feel things. "You have to come with me, Adelaide! You have to!"

More tears rolled down his cheeks, and I found myself following him, even though I was sure I'd burst into tears as well the moment I found out I couldn't leave. I didn't ever want to try leaving, knowing the immense disappointment I'd feel at what I already knew being confirmed for real. But if it comforted David in some way, I'd do it.

The closer I walked up to the woods, the more I felt dread in the pit of my stomach. The woods weren't frightening-looking anymore. They were just dull, hollow. I thought I'd prefer the creepy look they had. When we were right in front of him, I stopped right in my tracks, almost making David fall. The trees loomed ahead of me, like a wall. I had a horrible, sour taste in my mouth.

"Come on, Adelaide," David pleaded tearfully. As he tugged my arm, I pulled it out of his grip, so forcibly he stared at me in surprise. I closed my eyes and took a step forward.

The familiar earthy scent enveloped me. I felt prickly brambles brush against me on all sides. The ground under my sneakers became rougher. I almost didn't want to open my eyes. It was too good to be true.

"Adelaide!" David's voice was surprised and elated. I opened my eyes, almost weeping with relief as I spotted the familiar sight surrounding me. I reached my hands out and touched the trees, pricking my hands on purpose. I could've stayed in the woods forever. I was too overjoyed to question it.

"I... I don't understand..." David spoke up. "I thought you couldn't pass to the woods."

"Don't get your hopes up," I warned, even though there were already tears of relief in my eyes. "Remember how they could only cross to the campfire? I probably won't be able to leave."

"Come on!" David urged, throwing his arms around my waist. "Let's get through the woods!"

The journey through the woods was both tense and incredible. I had never been so happy to wander through the woods. I wouldn't even complain if we ran into a snake again, which we thankfully didn't. I pricked myself on the branches and thorns on purpose, occasionally dropping to the ground to feel the rough dirt and fallen leaves. I was relieved I could still feel things. David seemed to still be scared of encountering a snake, as he stayed right behind me.

When I could spot light again, I froze, feeling David bump into me. I knew I'd be able to pass to the campfire, but I still had a feeling it was too good to be true.

I jumped as David ran right past me. I watched him disappear out into the open night air. For a moment, I thought about returning to the camp, or staying right where I was. David was free. I had achieved what I wanted. But I did want to see the campfire one last time.

I forced my legs forward, towards the open night. When I was so close that I could touch it, I reached my hand out, feeling the night air caress it. It was such a change from the dense woods. I threw myself out, falling hard onto the ground. I glanced forward to see David staring at me in disbelief and ecstasy.

"Adelaide, you made it!" He dropped to the ground as well and tried to lift my head up. I brushed him off and got to my feet. I scanned the logs and rocks forming the fire, the far further away trees, the stream trickling between them. I closed my eyes and breathed in the night air. It was much fresher here.

I watched David run forward, hesitating before stepping onto the rocky dirt road. I remembered the bus driving down it. He turned around and pleaded to me silently.

I stood where I was. I didn't want to disappoint myself even more. I had just gotten lucky by making it here. No wonder the campers had been so excited. I couldn't blame them now.

"Adelaide..." David ran back to the camp and grabbed my arm. I could've brushed him off if I wanted, but I let him drag me up to the road leading away from the camp. As he tugged my arm, my foot raised and started to step outside of the camp, closing my eyes and expecting the feeling of disappointment to seep in at any moment.