A/N: A problem I had with The Curse of Camp Cold Lake was that I found that Sarah Maas wasn't very likable, along with the rest of the characters not being likable either. And I feel that what would've taken the story to the next level was maybe some sympathy and heart. So here's my attempt of fixing that, and maybe even doing my own spin of things while keeping the core story intact.
I'm really in a ghost story mood, aren't I? In The Driver's Seat and Todd's Oddity in the Aftermaths to Give You Goosebumps story collection, Grave Mistake!, and this makes four in a row. Lol
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. This is merely a fan's take on a beloved story. I do not own the characters or write this for any form of profit.
The sun was shining brightly on the early June day, casting its everlasting dazzling ray of light over the green and tan fields down the long byway, as they waved in the gentle gale. The sky was clear, and the brilliant green leaves on the large oak trees along the way sparkled in the glow of the bright yellow sun as the car sped on.
In the car's passenger seat sat an uneasy-looking, bespectacled, tall, and very skinny girl with long-flowing brown hair, wearing a pink t-shirt, and white capri pants with white slip on shoes.
She sighed as she stared out of the window, thinking about her best friend and leaving her behind. She thought about all of her favorite shows she's wouldn't be able to watch now, and new interests put on hold.
Her mother caught her sigh, and spoke first.
"What's the matter, hon?" the mother asked softly.
Sarah slowly turned to her mother, a small spark of fear of the unknown reflecting across her brown eyes.
"Mom, do I really have to go to camp?" the girl sighed now wearily.
"Sarah Elaine Maas, we've been over this multiple times," reminded her mother. "Plus your counselor and I think that this will be good for you! I promise it will be!"
Her counselor was a kind and elderly woman, as Sarah remembered. She was always pushing Sarah to be the best she can be.
"I'm not so sure," replied Sarah flatly. "I'm not that good at camp stuff."
"Nonsense," replied the mom curtly. "You're my child. And you are very knowledgeable and always capable. Always remember that."
"I just - I don't know -" stammered Sarah, trying to find the right words for a rebuttal. It took her a brief moment, but eventually the words came to her. "I'm just really nervous, Mom. You know? Like what if they think I'm weird or a freaky alien?"
The thought now slowly began taking over her mind and she couldn't sit still. She began to slowly squirm in her seat, trying to get comfortable. The car oddly began to feel hotter, and Sarah began to fidgit with her hands, rubbing them together slowly as if she were washing them. A drop of sweat had trickled down the side of Sarah's temple.
"Weird, strange, peculiar, odd, freaky..." a mocking voice in her head taunted as she squirmed and felt uneasy.
Catching her daughter's uneasiness, Mrs. Maas gently grounded the car to a halt, and pulled the car over to the side of the long gravelly road. She then slowly ran her hands through Sarah's brown hair, giving her an easy smile.
"Are you okay?" asked Mrs. Maas sympathetically, her face not reflecting one ounce of concern as she gazed calmly at her daughter.
"Yeah, I'm...trying." replied Sarah shakily.
She was shaking, and had to clasp her sides to settle down.
"Hey the map of Illinois is in the glove compartment," said Mrs. Maas carefully. "Would you like to study it? I know how much you like maps."
"Y-yes." stammered Sarah, pulling the latch and quickly retrieving the map from the glove compartment.
Sarah took a deep breath, and soon her fidgeting stopped, and she could focus. She then unfolded rhe map and began to slowly study it rigorously. And in seconds, Sarah felt at ease. She let out a calm and collected breath. Her mom then gently palmed Sarah's shoulder and spoke.
"Honey, I wouldn't have signed you up for this camp if I didn't think it would help you." her mom assured. "You sell yourself too short, hon. I think you're a very likable, wonderful girl. And once people see that, you'll make some good friends for life. It won't be like school at all."
Sarah who was now calm, looked at her mom. "You really think I can?"
"Of course you can!" willed Mrs. Maas, as the Volvo convertible roared into life and The Maas' journey continued. "Plus this place has a cool lake, right? Remember how fascinated you were about swimming?"
That made Sarah perk up a little. In fact, it was the first time she smiled the entire car ride. "I kinda did learn about the proper way to dive."
"Did you now?" asked Mrs. Maas, sounding interested. "How so?"
"You see, your fingers must be eighteen inches in front of your shoulder, at a forty-five degree angle. Your middle fingers on both hands should enter first in the water all together." Sarah explained proudly.
"I take it you're wanting to dive in first by making a statement with that finger, eh?" joked Mrs. Maas merrily.
It took a brief second but Sarah let out a brief snicker. "Mom, come on." she laughed when she finally understood the joke.
"Okay, okay," chortled Mrs. Maas. "But that's why I picked this one out for you. You thought King Jellyjam's Sports Camp sounded too weird and you hate sports. Then that Camp Spirit Moon sounded too creepy for you."
That made Sarah smile again. It there is anyone's judgment she does trust it would be her mother's first and foremost. "Well then maybe - maybe, I can do it." she said, trying to will herself. "Maybe they have some good shells to race in too."
"Shells for racing?" asked Mrs. Maas curiously. "Like really big seashells?"
"No mom!" laughed Sarah again. "It's a type of boat to row in. They're called flat water shells. Professionals use them for row boat racing."
Mrs. Maas looked impressed. "Really now?"
"Oh yes," replied Sarah peoudly and slightly loftily. "I've been practicing my rowing technique. I think we have a great chance of winning with my expertise."
"I think so too, hon." agreed Mrs. Maas. She then had another thought cross her mind as she passed a nearby post office. "Make sure you write me and your dad every day! I want to know how well you're winning at camp."
"I will, mom." replied Sarah as she continued to study the map.
She studied the map carefully and ran her finger up to northern Illinois, along the long pathway to where Camp Cold Lake would be located on the map. Slowly she trekked her finger forward to the camp, and shuddered.
"Does the lake look kinda like a skull to you too?" she murmured nervously.
With a sigh, Mrs. Maas pulled over once again to the side of the road and slowly grounded the car to a halt. Sarah then handed the map to Mrs. Maas, who had to stop herself from nearly letting out a gasp.
On the map, the large lake was round at the top and forming to a narrow rectangular shape at it's bottom close to where the campsite would be. There were two small islands on each side of the massive lake where eyes would be with a narrow passage of water in the middle, and at the bottom were four small rows to indicate docks for rowboats.
"You think er-um," spluttered Mrs. Maas as she struggled to find the words to not cause Sarah's panic. "Maybe you could be seeing things?"
"A pareidolia?" asked Sarah thoughtfully. Her mom looked perplexed at such a word. "I really feel like it looks kinda like a skull, mom."
"If so, your paradoll-thingy could just be a coincidence." suggested Mrs. Maas, handing the map back to Sarah and driving off.
Sarah examined the skull-shaped lake carefully. Sure had seen brochures about the beautiful scenery and the beautiful lake, and read all about the aquatic activities that could be done. But not once read about its odd shape, or eerie look.
Soon Sarah just sighed and continuing to examine the map. "Maybe it is just a coincidence." she thought. "I hope so."
Soon enough Sarah and her mother were pulling into the camp as a camp counselor was awaiting them with three other girls.
"I guess they look kinda friendly," remarked Sarah slightly smiling. "That's a good sign."
"That's the camper's spirit!" willed her mom as they both unbuckled their seatbelts. "That must be Richard, he's going to be the cabin camp counselor of your group."
Sarah surveyed the counselor. Richard seemed and looked friendly, and calm. He was a tall younger man, with short wavy sandy-colored hair. He wore a forest green shirt and tan shorts and hiking boots, while donning a silver sports whistle around his neck on a white lanyard.
The two exited the car where the counselor greeted the two as warmly as he could.
"You two must totally be The Maas Family," he said with a calm smile. Richard had a carefree and calm way of speaking to Sarah. As if Richard appeared straight out of an episode of Baywatch. "My name is Richard. I guess you can say like I'm the boss-guy or the head-dude. Whatever ever floats ya boat on the Cold Lake. I'm so stoked to meet ya!"
He finished with a chuckle and easy smile, while holding his hand out to shake. Sarah nervously shook the counselor's hand.
"I'm S-S-Sarah," she stammered nervously.
"Well you're gonna have a r-r-righteous time with us," he joked, trying to make Sarah laugh. "I totally promise."
"He-he" chuckled Sarah nervously. "Good one."
"Sweet," said Richard. "Girls, can you come here for a second. Let's like totally introduce ourselves, huh?"
The girls walked over to Sarah, each smiling and trying to ease her feelings. One bunkmate had blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. The other was a short slightly chubby girl with long brown hair past her shoulders. The last girl was tall with dark brown skin and her hair was a mix of light brown and black and in long braids.
Sarah tried to smile, but couldn't help her feelings of shyness and nervousness. In her mind she wanted to express how she felt, and blurt out every apology she could muster for being so nervous, but the words had escaped her.
"Oh they already probably think I'm a weirdo." thought Sarah. "Maybe I can let them know something about camping."
Sarah's mind began to race for what felt like an enternity for something to say. And in a second, then she had it.
"Did you know that camping possibly dates all the way back to 40,000 BC where the first sets of tents were made?" she blurted out, all at once. "But in 1908, Thomas Holding created The Camper's Handbook and is considered the founder of recreational camping."
The girls now sported nervous smiles at Sarah's sudden outburst. Richard continued to sport a calm smile with half-opened eyes. Sarah couldnt tell if they were impressed or thought she was still weird. Mrs. Maas was the first to break the small silence.
"Um er, Rick?" she spluttered.
"Richard." corrected the counselor.
"Sorry. Richard could I speak with ya, just for a moment?" Mrs. Maas asked kindly.
Richard nodded and both adults walked away quietly, as the girl with braids was the first to speak.
"Maybe you can find out our names first before telling us the interesting things that you know, huh?" laughed the girl with long braids, giving Sarah a little nudge.
This girl seemed the most friendly to Sarah. "Sorry, I just wanted - you know what - nevermind. What's your guys' names?"
"I'm Briana," she said friendily.
"I'm Megan, but you can call me Meg." said the slightly chubby girl. She was very much shorter than Briana, Sarah thought. But she had a very friendly disposition to her due to the dimples in her smile.
"My name's Jan. I like that more than Janice." said the third girl with the blonde hair in a pony tail. To Sarah, this girl seems to have rosy red cheeks that made it seem like she was always blushing.
Sarah surveyed her three bunkmates. A mix of confidence and worry washed over her.
"I'm Sarah," she finally replied, trying to sound friendly. "Is it possible I could see where our cabin is?"
The girls all nodded and Briana motioned for Sarah to follow them into the woods to where their cabin is located.
"I'll totally grab your bags for ya!" called Richard excitedly. A part of Sarah thought maybe he was relieved things seemed to be going well.
"Have fun, hon!" called Mrs. Maas with a friendly smile and wave. She then turned her attention back to Richard as the two began to talk.
Sarah looked around and saw all the excited faces and enthusiasm that filled the air. And in the distance, Sarah could see the sparkling Cold Lake. The lake glistened in the sun as if large diamonds were in clear-looking water. Even her three bunkmates seemed to be interested in her.
She had to admit, things were going very well.
"Maybe things will be alright," thought Sarah, trying to ease her nervousness. "Maybe things will go well and this will be an awesome summer."
Oh she hoped, but unfortunately Sarah didn't have a clue or idea that the good times weren't going to last at Camp Cold Lake...
A/N: As usual I hope you truly enjoy my take on The Curse of Camp Cold Lake. I definitely will try to keep some form a familiarity with the original story, while adding my own changes here and there.