As early evening descended on the camp, shadows grew longer. The camp buzzed with activity, but not all hands were equally busy. The Achievers had been ordered to handle lighter tasks—organizing supplies, prepping campfires, and cleaning up—while the Mavericks, sweating under the weight of their responsibilities, struggled with the heavy lifting of setting up the tents.
“Man, I didn’t know I signed up for army training camp!” A Maverick boy’s voice broke through the cacophony, frustration crackling in his tone as he threw down a tent peg, the force rattling the ground beneath his feet. His shoulders tensed, and his eyes flicked toward the Achievers, daring them to mock him.
An Achiever, strolling by with a light crate in his hands, smirked. “It’s just you guys, not us,” he quipped, his voice dripping with amusement. A few other Achievers nearby chuckled, throwing mocking glances at the Mavericks as they worked.
The Maverick’s fists balled so tightly his knuckles turned white. His chest heaved as his breathing quickened, words threatening to burst from his throat. But then he caught a flicker of movement—the officer’s stern figure approaching—and he swallowed hard, jaw clenching as the tension drained from his body like a deflated balloon.
The Achievers seeing the officer as well, didn’t stop their mocking—if anything, they got quieter, hiding their smirks behind the officer’s back.
“Man, fuck this,” the Maverick muttered, his fists trembling.
Before he could react, Smitty happened to be near his side, patting his shoulder. “Don’t,” Smitty said quietly, his voice calm but firm. “If you make a move now, you’ll just get it worse.”
The Maverick shot him a glare but relented, unclenching his fists and turning back to his work. He could feel the eyes of the Achievers on his back, their snickers barely audible but he knew Smitty was right. Getting into trouble now wouldn’t help.
Smitty gave him one more reassuring pat before moving on to his next tent, leaving the boy standing amidst the clatter of tools. The officer strode past, eyes focused on the distance, his boots crunching on the dry ground, unaware of the silent exchange behind him. The Achievers were still grinning, eventually dispersed, leaving the Mavericks to do their heavy work.
At the edge of the camp, Takoda and Axka worked on one of the last tents. Exhaustion hung in the air, but something about being near the forest ignited a spark in Axka. As they neared the edge of the forest, a strange energy prickled along his spine. The dense smell of pine and damp earth stirred something inside him, and despite the weariness dragging at his limbs, his pulse quickened.
“Well, I think we’re one of the last,” Takoda remarked, his voice thick with fatigue as he pushed the last tent pole into the ground. He swiped his brow, smearing dirt with the sweat.
Axka scoffed playfully, wiping the back of his hand across his brow. “All those hard child laboring days really paid off, huh?” He smirked, trying to lighten the mood. His words carried the faintest hint of irony, though his expression remained cool, as if he were used to it by now. Yet, the invisible scar still lingered somewhere beneath the surface.
Takoda’s hand paused mid-movement, his jaw tightening as if holding back words. His stare flickered briefly to the ground before he forced a half-hearted smile. “No need to bring that up,” he said, his voice lower, carrying the weight of memories he preferred to keep buried.
Axka shrugged, unfazed by Takoda’s reaction. He was used to the discomfort these memories brought, but for him, it wasn’t something worth dwelling on. He was cool with it, though the sting never quite left. “Yeah, you’re right. Let’s just get this done before they call us,” he replied, swiftly changing the subject as he refocused on the task at hand.
“Yeah,” Takoda nodded in agreement.
As Axka knelt to secure the last tent peg, a strange sensation washed over him. Not fear, but a prickling awareness that sent a different kind of tension through his body. His eyes flicked toward the forest, where a stray beam of sunlight pierced through the canopy and shadows stretched deeper, twisting into the encroaching darkness. It was as if something—or someone—was out there, watching him.
But instead of retreating, Axka’s jaw tightened, and a spark of defiance flared inside him. He wasn’t afraid. He felt threatened, like the presence was daring him to react.
In that moment, he spotted something unusual—A flash of violet caught his eye. Two faint dots glowing just beyond the trees—like eyes staring directly at him. Axka was confused and wasn’t about to back down.
What the… fuck?!
“Takoda... Takoda!” Axka’s heart thudded in his chest, each beat drumming a warning. He kept his voice low, steady but his fists clenched, betraying his attempt at calm.
“What?” Takoda’s brows knitted together, his steps quickening when he caught the look in Axka’s eyes—wide, alert, like an animal sensing danger before the hunt.
“Come here, quick!” Axka insisted, glancing back at him briefly. But when he looked at the forest again, the mysterious lights had vanished, leaving only the darkened woods.
Takoda’s pace quickened, his eyes darting between Axka and the treeline. His breath hitched slightly as he reached his friend’s side. “What happened? What did you see?” he asked, his eyes scanning the tree line.
“What... Where the fuck…?” Axka muttered, still reeling from what he had witnessed. “It was there just a second ago—two purple lights, like eyes. But now... they’re gone.” Takoda narrowed his eyes, scanning the darkness as his brow furrowed. After a long, tense moment, he turned back to Axka, blinking hard as if trying to clear a lingering image from his mind. “I don’t see anything, man. What are you talking about?”
“I’m telling you, Takoda. It was there. Two lights, right there.” Axka’s voice dipped to a near-whisper, each word tumbling out in rapid succession. His eyes stayed locked on the dark forest, as if expecting something—anything—to emerge from the shadows. He dragged his hand through his hair, still seeing the glow that no longer existed.
“I’m not doubting you, bro. It’s just… why would something appear when we’re out here drenching in sweat?” Takoda reasoned. “It could be an animal or an exotic bird.”
“There’s a bird like that?” Axka asked, still doubtful.
“Dude, we just learned about it a week ago,” Takoda reminded him, then added with a chuckle, “Never mind. I think you were sleeping at that time.”
“Yeah, I guess. Maybe it’s a bird or something,” Axka conceded, though unease still lingered. “Right, c’mon. We gotta finish this before those officers start shouting at us,” Takoda urged, returning to his earlier position.
Axka went back to work, but the unease remained. Those lights… they didn’t feel like an accident. He stole a glance at the forest, as if half-expecting them to return.
What were they? A bird, maybe—but something about it didn’t feel right.
Axka knelt, yanking a tent peg into the dirt. His fingers tightened around it, but his eyes drifted to the forest again. That glow, those dots—they hovered in his mind like an itch he couldn’t scratch. The more he tried to push them away, the more they gnawed at the edges of his thoughts.
From the dense underbrush, a shape stirred, slipping silently from the shadows. The air thickened with every rustle of leaves, amplifying the figure’s presence. A low mutter drifted on the breeze, barely more than a whisper:
“His Aura’s wrong… no… just ordinary.”
The words seemed to dissolve into the darkness, leaving only the faint stir of the leaves in its wake.
***
As Axka and Takoda finished setting up their tent, they joined the other students at the assembly. Most of them were already there, waiting, with the tension between the Batch still noticeable.
As they walked toward the assembly, Axka’s feet dragged, his eyes darting back over his shoulder every few steps. The lights had burned themselves into his mind, leaving an afterimage he couldn’t blink away.
Axka and Takoda made their way to meet Smitty and Aime.
Axka greeted them casually, “Hey.”
Smitty crossed his arms, his voice snapping with impatience. “What took you guys so long?”
Axka shrugged and said, “I saw something at the edge of the camp. At first, I thought it was a ghost, but Takoda thinks it was just a bird because of its eyes or something.”
Aime’s face lit up with excitement. “Holy Shit! A ghost!?” All three of them gave him a shush, drawing the attention of Officer Ron. The four boys immediately lowered their heads, and Axka gave a quick shush while Smitty whispered urgently, “Keep it down, man. We might get caught being noisy.”
Aime apologized, “Sorry. But yeah, you saying you saw a ghost gets me excited, like maybe they came from the building.”
Smitty rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Interesting, it’s actually a possibility.”
“Well, too bad it’s just a bird,” Takoda replied, dismissing the idea.
Smitty responded with a probing question, “But you never saw it, which means it could be something else.”
Aime quickly agreed, “Yeah.”
Axka then teased him, “Didn’t know you got excited for something you’re scared of.” He stammered, “N-no, I’m not scared of them.”
Axka smirked and said, “Weren’t you the first one to run away when we went to the Ghost House at the end of the year before this?”
Takoda and Axka burst into laughter, while Smitty gave a smirk and Aime tried to hide his embarrassment.
Their laughter caught the attention of Officer Ron, who turned his stern eyes on them. “QUIET!”
They immediately turned their heads down, trying to stifle their laughter. Takoda and Axka still struggled to contain their snorts, their shoulders shaking slightly.
Back in their waiting stance, his friends’ words turning into a muffled hum. Axka’s mind was caught somewhere between the present and that moment in the woods. The purple dots flickered in his memory like a beacon in the dark, teasing him, pulling at him. Voices around him felt distant, warped, as if he were submerged underwater, only the glow of the lights at the forefront of his thoughts.
“Hey, you okay?” Takoda whispered, snapping Axka back to his reality.
“Yeah, just thinking,” Axka replied, his voice distant.
The assembly continued, but Axka’s mind was elsewhere. The conversations were barely heard as he wondered what those things might be.
As they waited, the remaining Mavericks soon gathered at the assembly point. Before anyone noticed, the Achievers also joined them, as Mr. Lawson had directed them to the assembly area. As evening fell, the sky deepened into shades of blue and orange, and daylight faded, casting long shadows across the forest.
Mr. Lawson walked to the podium, ready to give his speech. “Alright everyone, our officers here have already helped us a lot with this camp,” he began, his voice steady.
“I was about to give them a speech as they are about to depart and get ready for their duty tomorrow. I welcome you, Officer Schmidt,” Mr. Lawson said, stepping aside.
“Hey, the Schmidt cuck boy is about to give his speech,” Axka told his friends. Officer Schmidt stepped forward, clearing his throat. “This announcement is for everyone. As you can see, we have ensured the safety of this camp while maintaining discipline…”
Axka scoffed in disbelief, Discipline, my ass. This is more like punishment. Feels just like school, except we’re stuck in the middle of a damn forest. He shook his head as he heard Officer Schmidt continued, “…we only be here during the day, not after nightfall…”
Aime immediately muttered, “Yes,” under his breath. Officer Schmidt went on, “… so I expect you all to continue maintaining discipline. Is that clear?”
Everyone responded with a unified, “Clear,” but one boy from the back mockingly echoed, “Clear…!”
The officers’ heads snapped in the direction of the voice, some preparing to react as they had earlier that afternoon. However, Schmidt raised a hand, signaling them to hold their positions. With a low, intimidating voice, Officer Schmidt called out, “You, come here, boy,” pointing to the back at the source of the mocking tone.
As the boy walked up to the podium, Axka noticed the Achievers staring at him while some of the Mavericks glanced in his way.
It was Kazimir, one of their friends from another class.
“Shit, it’s Kazimir,” Aime whispered excitedly to Axka. “I wanna see if he throws hands with him or not.”
Smitty, standing nearby, looked worried. “Oh, he better not. I told him to hide the cigarettes near our tent. If he does something stupid, they’ll keep a close watch on him,” he muttered, running a hand over his face.
Kazimir reached the podium, and Officer Schmidt patted him forcefully on the shoulder. “You look so strong saying that, huh?” Officer Schmidt’s sarcastic tone was evident, his hand still gripping Kazimir’s shoulder. Axka could sense that Schmidt wanted to punch Kazimir but was restraining himself.
“I feel strong enough,” Kazimir replied, thumbing his nose. Officer Schmidt let out a haughty laugh. “Is that so? Let’s see then,” he growled, releasing Kazimir’s shoulder roughly. He turned to Mr. Lawson, hands on hips. “Mr. Lawson, what should I do with this ‘strong’ kid?”
“A long plank should break his character,” Mr. Lawson replied from the back of the podium, his voice filled with expectation of his own satisfaction.
“You heard the man,” Schmidt sneered, shoving Kazimir to the ground to begin the exercise. Some of the Achievers batch murmured, “So easy,” or “If he fails, he’s not as strong as he looks.” They all talked big but rarely backed it up.
Kazimir’s expression was serious as he got into position. The boys erupted into cheers. “FUCK YEAH, KAZIMIR!” Aime shouted, throwing his fist in the air. Axka smirked, adding, “If you start to feel tired, just fart in his face!” The Mavericks laughed harder, their taunts sharp, jabbing like knives. Even Kazimir cracked a smile.
“SHUT UP!” Officer Ron bellowed, making The Mavericks batch fall silent, some of them still giggling from the jokes.
“Start,” Officer Schmidt commanded.
Kazimir started his plank, and they watched in tense silence. A minute ticked by. “Give up, you maggot,” Schmidt taunted, but Kazimir didn’t budge. Schmidt kept at it, hurling insults every minute, but Kazimir held on. It felt more like boot camp than some school activity.
Eight minutes in, and Kazimir was still going strong, even impressing Officer Schmidt. Finally, after half an hour, Kazimir collapsed. Most people wouldn’t have lasted that long.
The Achievers stared in shock at Kazimir lying on the ground, exhausted. Their expressions showed how impressed they were with his endurance. “Get up,” Officer Schmidt commanded. Despite his exhaustion, Kazimir stood up.
“You’re really good at holding out,” Schmidt remarked, genuinely impressed. “What’s your name, young man?”
“Kazimir Lagunov,” he replied, catching his breath.
“Alright, Kazimir. From now on, you will be leading this batch. You will be their king. Mr. Lawson, if you need a representative, seek out this boy,” Schmidt declared. Mr. Lawson nodded in agreement, effectively making Kazimir the batch leader. He deserved it.
Mr. Lawson then approached Schmidt, speaking quietly. He checked his phone and announced, “I’ve received a list of those we need to watch, but I won’t reveal who as a surprise.”
Aime, unable to contain his excitement, whispered, “YES—oh wait, I think that’s us.” Takoda snorted, trying to hold back his laughter as he covered his mouth.
Officer Schmidt shook hands with Mr. Lawson, and the officers began to walk away from the assembly, signaling their departure.
“Alright everyone, now that you’ve been introduced to the authority, it’s clear that following the rules and orders is important,” Mr. Lawson said. “Now, we must prepare our dinner. Everyone MUST participate to help with the process,” he continued.
This is my chance to get home. Axka glanced at Takoda and nodded, signaling their plan. Takoda nodded back, understanding exactly what Axka intended to do.
“Just like we did with lunch earlier, Ms. Keegan will lead the girls in the kitchen. The boys will handle the ingredients and set up the tables, while the extra hands can start a campfire here at the assembly point for our night activities,” Mr. Lawson announced. The students cheered at the news, excited about the evening activities despite the hard work and sweat involved.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Axka, however, was focused on his own plan. The familiar hum of his Anomaly buzzed at the back of his mind, tempting him to use it. His chest tightened—he couldn’t risk being seen, not when Mika needed him. He clenched his fists, steeling himself for the task ahead.
If I use it near the camp, they’ll probably hear it, and things will get noisy... the wind too… I might want to get near the road a bit further; at least then they might think it’s something else.
“Now everyone, time is ticking, let’s do our best to earn our meals,” Mr. Lawson declared, prompting everyone to move to their respective tasks.
As soon as everyone started moving out, Axka made his way over to Takoda. “Hey, I think I’m about to do it,” he whispered quietly.
“Yeah, no worries. I’ll cover it up for you. Just tell them you need to take a big shit in the bathroom. It’s outside our camp, so you can slip over the fence,” Takoda instructed, laying out the plan and guiding him on what to do.
“Alright, thanks, man,” Axka replied, heading over to see Ms. Lyra. He noticed everyone was lively and busy with their work. Meanwhile, he had his own responsibility. But Mika wasn’t a burden; he wasn’t heavy, he was his brother. He was willing to do anything to make him feel better.
“Hi, Ms. Lyra. Can I go to the bathroom? My tummy doesn’t feel so good,” he asked as he approached her.
“Are you okay, Axka? I’ve got my medicine box; I can get you—” she began, but he quickly interrupted.
“It’s okay, Miss. I just want to take a dump, that’s all. You know, nature calling?” He chuckled, “Nice pun you got there. If it starts to hurt, just let me know.”
“Thanks,” he replied, and headed off.
He slipped through the camp, keeping his steps light, glancing over his shoulder with every few strides. The camp was a maze of shadows, and the empty space in front of the bathroom felt too exposed, like he could be caught at any moment.
The old iron fence a few steps forward, almost like current Amethyst High’s iron fence. It was old and untouched by rust enveloped in a thick layer of vegetation. Vines and moss had completely obscured its surface, making the once-prominent structure blend seamlessly with the surrounding greenery.
As he neared the iron fence, he checked to see if anyone was watching. Everyone was still in the camp area, lively and noisy, some singing and all that. He wished he could be like them... He wasn’t joining them now, but he needed to get home to see Mika.
He jumped over the fence, performing a parkour move with ease. Just as he was about to walk off, a calm, raspy voice came from behind him. “Still need to take care of your brother, I see.”
Axka quickly turned his head and saw someone leaning on the wall fence. The figure stepped closer. “Caden!” he exclaimed. Caden softly patted his back.
“It’s a long way to your home, Axka, and the road’s dark. How are you planning to check on your brother?” Caden asked.
“I can manage. I think I’d run from here to there. You know I’m used to it,” Axka replied.
Caden’s breath hitched as he placed a firm hand on Axka’s shoulder. “You’ve got a lot on your shoulder, Axka,” he muttered, his eyes softening with concern. “But don’t push yourself too hard.” The smell of pine and distant campfire smoke lingered in the air, wrapping their conversation in the chill of the evening.
“I must. He’s all I’ve got. There’s no one else but him,” Axka confessed, his voice low.
“I know,” Caden replied, his tone a mix of assurance and worry. “How about this? I’ll let you ride my baby Jade to your home. How’s that sound?” His warm smirk made Axka smile.
“Really?” Axka voiced his excitement. It had been so long since he’d ridden Caden’s bike. “But of course, I’m gonna have to sit on your back. Don’t want anything to happen to her,” Caden chuckled.
“You still remember how to ride a bike like I taught you, yes?” he asked.
“Yeah, though I don’t have a bike to ride. Unless you—” Axka hinted, turning his head to Caden’s cruiser bike, Jade.
“Hey, you’re riding her to your home only,” Caden quickly added, showing how much he loved his bike.
Axka laughed, and Caden chuckled as they walked to the bike.
Caden handed Axka a helmet. “Here, your helmet,” he offered.
Axka quipped, “Is this the part where I say, ‘How about you?’ and you reply, ‘It’s fine, I’m used to it?’” He smiled at Caden, who chuckled.
“Well, you know it. Loving it just like back in my day,” Caden added with a grin, referring to his ‘not-so-glorious days,’ as he called them. “Let’s go.”
Axka nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and determination. This was his chance to get home to Mika, and with Caden's help, he knew he could make it without relying on his troublesome Anomaly.
They arrived below Axka's house. “That didn’t take as long as I expected,” Axka said as soon as they stopped. Caden got off his seat and stretched. “Yeah, well, you all took an autobus. Of course, it’s slow. If only I was the driver of the bus—”
“Oh no, you don’t,” Axka interrupted. “You always take a drift when there's a turn.” Caden burst out laughing.
Axka turned off the engine and took off his helmet. “Alright, let’s go to your house. Come to think of it, it’s been months since I saw him. Pretty sure it was at the end of last year,” Caden said as they walked to the stairs.
“Yeah, because the last time you came to see us was on New Year’s Eve,” Axka replied.
“This is gonna surprise him. I wonder what he’s doing right now,” Caden mused as they reached the door. As Axka opened the door, the warm, inviting aroma of food wafted out. Alongside it, a slight worry washed over him.
“Smells like dinner’s ready,” Caden said with a grin.
“Mika?” Axka’s voice searched for him as he entered. Mika was already at the table, having cooked something. Caden followed Axka inside, and Mika’s eyes widened in surprise. “Big Brother Caden!”
“Hello, Mika! It’s been months since we’ve seen each other,” Caden gave a warm smile. “How’s your leg? Is it getting better?” Caden leaned closer to his leg, checking the bandage wrapped around Mika’s leg.
“I’m okay. I can walk without a walking stick now,” Mika raised his leg a bit higher. But Axka’s face etched with concerns, his mind raced with the scenario of Mika’s efforts to cook.
If his condition gets worse…
Axka glanced at Mika. “Is this why you’re cooking on your own?” His voice was rough, filled with concerns.
“I’m sorry, Axka. I know you’re worried, but it’s fine now,” Mika’s voice filled heavy with guilt. Axka couldn’t shake his own feeling of guilt that pierced through his chest. “I know you’re trying to help, but—”
Caden cut in, “Now, now. You guys don’t want to argue in front of good food, right?” Axka paused for a second, then scoffed softly through his nose. “Yeah, you’re right.” Caden tried to lighten the mood. “So, what are we having now, lil master chef?” he asked, rubbing his hands and smirking at Mika. Mika slowly brightened up.
Mika’s face brightened as he pointed to the pan on the stove. “I diced some potatoes and a bit of carrot, then I added egg…” his voice bubbling with pride. He lifted the spoon, showing off the scramble with a grin.
Mika explained how he cooked the dish as Axka approached the table. He saw on the plate what Mika had made—scrambled eggs mixed with the ingredients he mentioned.
“… and finally, I added some salt to taste. So, here’s the food I made!” Mika announced proudly.
Caden clapped enthusiastically. “Yeah! Great job, Mika!” he cheered, and Axka joined in, laughing at Caden’s goofiness.
“Okay, now let’s dig in!” Caden took a bite of the food. After swallowing, he smacked his palm on the table, slightly shaking the table. “So good! Delicious as always.”
Axka took a bite too, realizing why Caden reacted that way—it was delicious, though it was a very simple dish. They ate in comfortable silence at first, the sound of clinking utensils filling the room. Caden broke the quiet with a laugh, smacking the table after his first bite. “Mika, you’re a damn good cook.” Axka nodded, swallowing another mouthful while Mika beamed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Ah man, that was delicious. You really are natural, Mika,” Caden complimented, praising Mika, who chuckled. “Thanks.” His voice filled with gratitude and pride.
This wasn’t Mika’s first-time cooking. Axka usually handled the meals, but Mika had a talent for tossing ingredients together and somehow making something amazing. While it took Axka almost a year of struggling to learn from recipes he found in the school’s library.
Caden then coughed. “Well, I’m gonna take a smoke outside. Thanks again, Mika. I’ll come by again tomorrow with your brother, okay?” he gave a widened grin, flashing Mika a thumbs up. “Okay!” Mika mirrored the thumbs up.
As Caden left their home, Mika was about to stand up. His hand was on the table and gripped the seat with another, stabilizing himself with a leg. “How about you sleep first? I’ll clean all this up and see Caden off,” Axka stacking their plates.
“Okay, goodnight Axka,” Mika’s voice softened as he turned toward his room, his hand lingering on the doorframe. “Goodnight, Mika,” Axka replied, but before Mika could step through,
Axka spoke up, his voice catching. “Mika, wait.”
Mika paused, his eyes flicking to his brother’s face.
“I’m sorry... about earlier.” Axka’s face softened, mix of guilt and concern for his brother's feelings.
Mika’s lips curved into a small, understanding smile. “It’s fine, Axka,” he murmured, the weight of their earlier conversation melting away. The tension in Axka’s shoulders finally eased.
After cleaning up, Axka quietly checked on Mika, his steady breathing confirming he’d fallen asleep. “Goodnight, Mika,” he whispered, easing the door shut.
The night air greeted him as he stepped outside, finding Caden leaning against the stair rail, cigarette smoke curling into the cold air. Caden glanced over and crushed his cigarette in his portable ashtray. “All done?” He waved around to disperse the smoke from his cigarettes, his voice low. “Yep,” Axka nodded, a faint chill biting at his skin. “I’m riding Jade this time.” He smirked, already feeling the familiar rush of excitement.
As they made their way down the steps, Axka recalling Caden found him outside the camp. He couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer. “How’d you even spot me earlier?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“At the camp? I came out of the forest just by the gate,” Caden shrugged, as if it was the most casual thing in the world.
Axka’s eyebrow inched higher. “The forest?” he echoed, suspicion creeping into his tone.
“You’re not planning another one of your pranks, are you?” Axka asked, narrowing his eyes at Caden. Caden chuckled, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh. “Nah, no pranks this time.”
Axka shot him in a playful side-eye. “Uh-huh, sure you’re not.” Caden let out a louder laugh, thrusting the helmet into Axka’s hands. “What?! I’m serious!” He started the engine, ready to ride once again through the evening.
The hum of Jade’s engine thrummed beneath them as they sped through the quiet streets. The orange glow of streetlights flickered past, growing dimmer with each turn until the city gave way to the still, looming trees. The cool night air bit their faces, and the forest swallowed them, the only sound the steady purr of the bike echoing in the silence.
The road grew dimmer, with the thick canopy of trees blocking out the remaining light, casting long, creeping shadows that stretched across the path. An eerie atmosphere settled over them, the hum of the bike’s engine the only sound cutting through the stillness of the night.
The temperature dropped slightly, adding a chill to the air that made both Axka and Caden shiver. The shift in ambiance was palpable, heightening their senses as they ventured deeper into the forest. The quiet was almost oppressive, the darkness wrapping around them like a cloak.
As Axka and Caden arrived at the camp’s drop point, an unsettling silence greeted them. The usual bustle of activity was conspicuously absent, replaced by a tense, focused atmosphere. Mr. Lawson stood waiting, his arms crossed, and an expectant look on his face.
“Where have you been, Axka?” Mr. Lawson’s voice cut through the quiet night as they dismounted from Jade.
Axka, momentarily caught off guard, rubbed the back of his neck, his mind scrambling. “Me? Uh... I took a dump. I told Ms. Lyra already.”
Mr. Lawson’s brow arched, clearly unimpressed. His stare swept over them, lingering on Caden’s bike. “And why exactly are you on Mr. Caden’s bike?”
Caden stepped in smoothly, leaning slightly forward. “Oh, he took a dump. Just happened to see me by the gate on his way back. We got to chatting, and well... time slipped away.” He shot Axka a quick glance, his smile barely restrained. “Right, Axka?” Axka, eager for backup, nodded quickly.
Mr. Lawson’s eyes narrowed as he studied them, his lips pressing into a thin line. “I heard your bike a while ago. Then it went silent.”
Caden raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. “Well, of course, I turned the engine off. And her name is Jade.” His voice was light, but the emphasis on the bike’s name carried a hint of pride.
Mr. Lawson waved a hand dismissively, already turning on his heel. “Whatever. Let’s go. The lecture camp’s still waiting, and we don’t have time for excuses.”
With that, he turned and led them back toward the camp, the tension in the air palpable as Axka and Caden followed.
As they walked, Caden scanned the surroundings, his curiosity getting the better of him. “The lecture camp, huh?” he asked, quickening his pace to catch up.
“Yes, and we’re talking about—” Mr. Lawson began, but his explanation was cut short as the students noticed Caden’s arrival. Excited shouts filled the air, and the students quickly surrounded him.
“Mr. Caden!” they repeated, their voices a mix of excitement and relief.
Caden got a bit overwhelmed by the sudden attention, he furrowed his brows but his warm smiles never faded. “Hey guys, what’s going on?”
A desperate voice from the campers called out, “Mr. Caden, save us from this torture!” This was followed by a chorus of agreement from the others. “Okay, calm down, everyone. Have a seat and let me get a handle on things first, okay?” Caden urged, his voice firm but reassuring as he raised his hands to calm the crowd. Slowly, the restless students settled, their chattering dying down as Caden stepped forward.
With the crowd settling down, Axka rejoined his batch. His friends came into his view, Axka leaned toward Takoda, his brow furrowed, voice low with frustration. “Man, what’s going on?”
Takoda sighed, rubbing his temples as if warding off a headache. “Mr. Lawson’s been going on and on since you left. Non-stop lectures, man.”
Aime groaned, his voice dripping with exasperation. “It was just getting interesting, and then boom—Mr. Lawson shows up talking about lectures. I swear, my ears were about to fall off. Smitty was this close to passing out.”
Axka glanced over at Caden, who was engaged in a serious conversation with Mr. Lawson. He trusted Caden could handle whatever was happening.
“We’ve got a schedule to keep, Mr. Lawson,” Caden said, his voice sharp, hands synced to his words, his voice in frustration. “They’re worn out, and you really think they’re up for more of your babbling right now?”
“This is the ‘Camp of Guidance,’ Caden,” Mr. Lawson snapped, his tone stiff with authority. “How else do you expect me to guide them, if not through discipline and instruction?”
“I was a student like them too, and I know how—” Caden started, his voice rising slightly, but Mr. Lawson cut him off before he could finish.
“Same old excuse, Stoddard,” Mr. Lawson said, his voice cold. “I’ve heard it before. Until you understand what it means to be a real teacher, you’ll keep making the same mistakes.”
Caden let out a long sigh, his patience wearing thin. “Look, the schedule’s set. You’ve had your turn. Now it’s my time to handle things.”
“Fair point,” Mr. Lawson crossed his arms, an annoyed face flashed on his face. “And you only have two hours to spend. Two hours, Mr. Caden. And you will guide them to sleep as scheduled.”
“Fine,” Caden walked past Mr. Lawson, making his way to the podium.
The students, who had been watching the exchange intently, now turned their attention fully to Caden as he took his place at the front. He paused, looking over the campers, and then began to speak, ready to make the most of the limited time he had with them.
Caden walked to the podium and announced, “Lecture’s off, guys! Y’all wanna hear a ghost story tonight?” The students erupted in cheers. “Finally! Some entertainment!” Aime shouted near Axka.
Caden’s voice dropped to a whisper as he described the abandoned halls of the school. The students leaned in, eyes wide, breaths held, as if afraid to blink and miss the next twist. A shiver ran through the campers as he described the final scream of the bullied student, her voice echoing off the decaying walls. Someone’s leg shifted, knocking over a cup, and the sharp sound made a few of the younger kids jump.
An hour later, Caden was nearing the climax of his story. “...and then, they saw something rolling down the stairs like a coconut…” he whispered into the microphone. “...they turned their flashlight to it…” he continued slowly. Axka scanned the surroundings; everyone was focused on Caden. Some girls had their ears covered and eyes shut tight.
“And there it was...” Caden paused, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make the students squirm.
“A decapitated head!” he suddenly shouted, his voice sharp and piercing.
The scream that followed was instant—girls scrambling closer to one another, while even a few boys fell back onto their hands, wide-eyed, the cold earth pressing against their palms.
“The eyes bulged out and the group ran away from the building, never to step in again!” he continued. “The ghost then whispered, ‘Anyone who desecrates this place will face my horror!’”
“Ahhhh, I got you guys, right?” he exclaimed with a grin. Everyone started clapping, the students burst into applause, some clapping so hard that they are standing. A few boys slapped each other on the back, while others wiped away tears of the thriller. The Mavericks shouting, “It was good, Mr. Caden!” He chuckled at the compliments, then murmured loud enough for them to hear, “I can’t wait for tomorrow night.”
Everyone began murmuring, “Huh?” and “What’s that supposed to mean, Mr. Caden…?” someone asked from afar. “Ah? Oh, that. Can’t spoil everything,” he responded, chuckling.
Aime started pulling on Smitty’s shirt. “What does he mean, man? What does it mean?” Aime asked, almost panicked. “Get off, man!” Smitty snapped, yanking his shirt back. “Maybe he’s planning to prank us, or Test of Courage or something. We’ll find out tomorrow.”
“Alright everyone, time to get some sleep. It’s getting late. Have a good rest, y’all,” Caden announced, directing the students back to their tents according to their registration numbers. The Slingers, including Axka and Takoda, were near the field and bathroom at the edge of the camp area.
As Takoda and Axka made their way to the tent, they saw Kazimir, Smitty, Aime, and a few others heading toward the bathroom. Axka glanced at them. “Where you guys going?”
Kazimir paused, glancing at Axka while the rest of the boys kept trudging to their little secret moment. “We’re about to get some smoke and talk shit. Wanna come?”
Takoda stretched his arms. “You guys go ahead,” he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. He glanced at the tent, his body leaning toward it. “I need some sleep.” Axka nodded, his eeys following Takoda's slow movements.
“I’ll join you guys then,” he glanced back to Kazimir, his voice low but firm. Takoda gave a lazy wave, already halfway inside the tent, stifling a yawn as he disappeared behind the flap.
Behind the bathroom, Smitty called out, “Hey, pass me one,” and the others began smoking while Axka stayed out of it.
“Man, Today’s kinda fucked up,” Someone’s muttered, dragging his smoke. Another chimed in, exhaling a plume of smoke from his mouth. “Yeah, Thank the God-King, Caden saved us by the last minute.”
As the conversation flowed around him, Axka laughed with the others but his thoughts drifted. The lights from earlier flickered at the edges of his mind like an itch that wouldn’t fade. His eyes wandered to the forest’s edge, where shadows stretched impossibly long in the fading light. Something—or someone—was out there, guarding, watching… but he pushed it aside. There would be time to figure it out later.
Then Caden emerged from the forest behind them. “Who mentioned me?” he asked, appearing from the dark. Most of them jumped, then relaxed when they realized it was him. “Sheesh, Mr. Caden, I thought you were another teacher,” Kazimir exclaimed.
“If you don’t want me to punish all of you, you better give me one,” Caden said with a chuckle, which made Axka laugh along. They passed Caden a smoke, he lit and immediately dragged it.
“Y’all better not smoking too often, or I’ll smack the heck out of you.” He released a stream of smoke, curling out of his mouth. Everyone gave an embarrassing chuckle to shrug it off.
Smitty glanced behind Caden’s path. “What are you doing in the forest at a time like this?” His tone filled with curiosity.
“Nothing much, just checking around to see if anything’s happening.” Caden dragged another one from his smoke.
Aime pressed his lips, teasing Caden as he glanced at him. “You’re not about to start a prank again, right?” Axka chimed in, a smirked played on his lips when he saw Caden. “I know, right? I just said that to him.”
Caden laughed, the sound light, but his eyes held a flicker of something unreadable. “Relax, I’m not planning anything… tonight,” he said, his smirk widening. The boys chuckled, easing slightly the tension of the day, Caden exhaled another stream of smoke into the cold night.
From a distance, Mr. Lawson glared at the group, his face hardened. The frustration boiled beneath his skin, but it was laced with a sense of grim satisfaction. Tomorrow, they’d get what was coming to them.
“Just you wait,” he hissed under his breath, his lips curling into a sharp smile.
There will be discipline—they’d learn the hard way.