A young man in his early twenties opened the door and saw a dining hall full of people. Two giant chandeliers were attached to the ceiling and fancy candleholders lined the walls. There was even a stage at the end, presumably for plays or shows.

Ben looked around the room, searching for people he might know. Chances were slim though. 'Never thought I'd ever come to a fancy monastery like this.'

A bunch of people had already gathered in groups and started chatting with the people they already knew. Although these people all looked like they came from different families, they all had a common feature. They wore very neat and crisp Sunday clothing.

Ben was attending a religious summer camp as a supervisor. If there was anything he never imagined he'd do, it'd be this. And as a supervisor nonetheless. Especially, because he was an atheïst.

Ben wasn't sure what to do with his life. For the past six months, he stayed in his moms' basement writing application letter after application letter. He had probably sent over 300 letters already. The result was the same for all vacancies. Rejection. The one time he did get invited for an interview, the interviewer even explained that the only reason he was invited was that the owner of the company was a psychology major as well and wanted to give him a chance. Not that it mattered. The result was the same.

He had just finished his bachelor's in psychology but hadn't been able to find a job for the past six months. In hindsight, he could've expected this to happen. Psychologists with just a bachelor's aren't as popular on the job market as he would have liked. Maybe he should've gone into engineering after all, as his sister suggested. Nonetheless, he had no regrets about finishing his psychology degree. He liked it. The problem still stands, though. He wasn't able to find a job.

Maybe he should start a company. Or keep studying for a master's. Or keep looking for a job...

The past few months he had been wracking his brain on what he should do when his mother suggested he attend this summer camp. The camp organizer was supposedly a good friend of his mom's and she'd think it'd help him sort out his thoughts. He initially denied his mom's offer, but maybe this was exactly what he needed. A new perspective. A breath of fresh air. A short period of hanging out with people with entirely different perspectives on the world. Maybe someone at this camp could even help him. So after sorting everything out with his mom, here he was.

Ben sighed, as he looked at the groups of people already familiar with each other chattering about. There must have been at least 40 people here. And he didn't know a single one of them. He didn't even know who the camp organizer was, supposedly his mom's friend. Slight regret started welling up in his stomach.

As Ben was still ruminating about his life, the room started quieting down when a door at the other side of the room near the stage opened.

A brown-haired, middle-aged man walked into the room and stepped on the stage. He looked at the stage and spread his arms out wide.

''Welcome, everyone! It's good to see that everyone could make it in time. As you guys know, this is already the third year of Camp Gray and I never imagined we'd grow to the size we are today.''

''This year the total amounts of applicants to the camp are finalized at 387 children! If you wondered why we're with so many people here, that should answer your question. All the children have been divided into groups of about 30 with 3 group leaders per group. I put the list of the groups on the wall over there.'' He said as he pointed at a wooden board.

A guy was already walking to the board before he stopped.

''One minute, Tom.''

''Before you all storm to the list, I would like to thank every single one of you for making this camp possible. Without you, we wouldn't be here.''

He looked back at Tom again.

''Okay, you can go now,'' He said with a bright smile.

The group of 40-ish people started walking to the board. All eager to find out what group they had been assigned to. As Ben was about to move, the brown-haired man started waving at him.

''Benjamin, can you come for a second? Kara and Nathan as well, come here.'' the man said as he walked up to Ben.

''Nice to meet you, Benjamin, I've heard a lot about you. I am John.'' John said as he offered his hand and greeted him with this bright smile. 'Quite the happy fellow, huh.', Ben thought.

Ben accepted the handshake

''Ah, so you're my mom's friend, nice to meet you as well,'' Ben said.

''I heard from your mom you probably don't know anyone yet. But that's no problem, everyone's really nice over here.'' John said with a beaming smile as he saw someone walk up from the side.

''Ah Nathan, come here,'' John said as he put his arm around the young man's shoulders and started ruffling his hair.

Most distinct about Nathan was his slightly arched nose and extremely neat gray hair. All his hairs were neatly combed back with the grooves of his comb still visible on his scalp. It was almost too neat.

''Benjamin, this is Nathan. Nathan this is Benjamin.''

''Nice to meet you, Benjamin. I've never seen you around here. Which church are you from?'' Nathan said.

''Ah, I'm not religious, that's probably why you've never seen me. And you can call me Ben if you want.''

Nathan's brow twitched. He looked at Ben as if he was an alien. With slight disgust, amazement, and even a hint of curiosity. Nathan turned his head and stared at John.

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''I knew there was something off about him. Why is he-.''

Nathan was cut off by the one accompanying him. It was a girl who looked very similar to Nathan. Ben noticed immediately these two should be related. She hit him in the gut.

''Ouch! Why did you do that?'' Nathan said.

The girl ignored the young man and faced Ben.

''Don't mind my brother, he says stupid things sometimes.'' As she gave her brother a mean glance.

''I'm Kara, nice to meet you.''

''Hi, I'm Ben.''

John looked amused as he watched the group get acquainted with each other.

''Nathan, Kara. I'm sure you've heard that miss Neilson has a son. This is him.'' John said as he looked at Ben.

Nathan looked up surprised.

''What?! How is that possible. Isn't she a council member of the Gray Christian Society? How can her son be a filthy atheist?!'' Nathan said with the most scorn Ben had ever seen in his life.

Kara stomped her brother again.

''Stop it, Nathan, you're being rude. Sorry about that, Ben.'' Kara said.

Ben put his hand behind his head.

''No worries, It's not the first time people are surprised when I tell them.'' 'Although not this surprised.'

''My mom never forced me to go to church and I haven't really crossed paths with Christianity. I'm glad to help at this camp, though.''

''Yes, it's great you're here Ben. We've had a ton of extra applicants for the camp we didn't expect and we had to find a lot of extra staff at the last minute. That's actually also why I called Nathan and Kara over. Ben, Kara, Nathan. You three will be responsible for group 3.'' John said.

''I refuse. I'm not working together with this... with Ben. I'll take care of his responsibilities, that's no problem. He can leave. We don't need someone like him at this camp.'' Nathan said.

''Nathan, come on. Don't be like this. You're following the teachings of Christ right?'' John said.

''That's exactly why I refuse,'' Nathan said as he walked off into a door on the other side of the room with John following him.

This left Kara and Ben by themselves. Ben was more confused than he was offended. He didn't even know what to think.

''Where are they going?'' Ben asked to break the awkward silence.

''He's probably already going to the room assigned to us. Probably to prepare it before the children arrive.'' Kara said as she sighed.

''I'm sorry for my brother, Ben. He'll come around. Ever since our dad adopted us, Nathan's been extremely...devoted.''

Ben looked surprised at Kara. He wasn't surprised that they were adopted, he was surprised that they were adopted by John of all people. He knew John was a pastor and he knew through his mom that pastors in the Gray Community were not allowed to have children in any shape, way, or form. He remembered there was some controversy a few years ago which left their community rather split. Maybe this was it.

''No problem, I can take it. This is not the first time something like this has happened. Probably won't be the last time either. By the way, isn't your dad a pastor?'' Ben asked.

''Oh yeah, you're Miss Neilson's son so you must have heard about it. Our dad had already adopted us before he became a pastor. Like our family, his family had also died in a car crash. Hit by a bus. That's probably why he adopted us as well.''

''I'm sorry,'' Ben said.

''Thanks, it's all good now though,'' Kara said.

''Anyway, one thing led to another and dad found his way to christ and strived to become a pastor. However, none of the local communities would allow a pastor who had children.''

Kara looked at Ben.

''That's when your mom came in,'' Kara said as she pointed at Ben.

''Your mom invited my dad to join as a pastor. She convinced the council and my dad joined. So we moved, and now we're here.'' Kara said.

''My mom never told me about that before, I'm glad it worked out for you guys.''

''Yeah same here. Anyways, don't worry about Nathan, he'll come around if dad asks him. Nathan actually just wants to please dad as best as he can. And his devotion is one way of showing that. Dad adopted us when we were at rock-bottom and provided a warm and loving home for the both of us. We're really grateful for that. Nathan even more so. And we're also really grateful for what your mom has done for us, Ben.''

''I'll be sure to tell her,'' Ben said, leaving a smile on Kara's face.

''Nathan will come around, no worries. And if he doesn't, just tell me and I'll just give him some extra hits in the gut.'' Kara said with a smile as bright as John's. He wasn't sure if she smiled because Nathan will come around or if she just likes hitting her brother.

''Thanks, Kara, I'll take you up on that,'' Ben said as they both laughed.

''Anyways, let's go as well. We have a little over an hour before the kids show up, we better prepare.'' Kara said as she led Ben through the same door John and Nathan went.

They walked through the corridors of this strangely melancholic place. The dining hall of this monastery wasn't the only atmospheric place this building had to offer. The corridors were lined with candleholders and antique furniture. Apparently, this monastery was one of the biggest monasteries in the country but it had been abandoned after the second world war. An investor took interest in it and saw it as a great place to rent out for camps like these. 'Must be an eccentric guy.' Ben thought.

They arrived at the entrance of a room with the number '3' taped on it as the door opened up and John walked out.

''Ah, there you are Ben. Don't mind what Nathan said. I talked with him and he'll be nice, no more negative talk about your beliefs. He even said he'll mentor you if you want.''

'I doubt that.' Ben thought. But he'd have to see it for himself.

''If he does act up again, just give me or Kara a heads up alright? We can always talk about it.'' John said as he gave Kara a pleading glance.

''Alright, I won't take up more of your time. I'll see you guys at the opening ceremony.'' John said with his trademark bright smile as he tapped Ben on the shoulder and walked off.

Ben sighed.

How many times had he already sighed today? 'I guess this'll be a tiring day.' Ben thought as he entered the opened door.

Nathan faced him as they made eye contact.

''You stu-...'' Nathan cut himself off as Kara looked at him angrily with her fist raised. Nathan fake coughed.

''Benjamin, I would like to say I'm sorry for earlier...'' Nathan said as Ben tilted his head to the side questioningly and glanced back at Nathan.

''But I'm not. Normally I wouldn't work together with someone like you... But, because you're Miss Neilson's son, I'll make an exception for you. This is how it'll work, I'll be the group leader of group 3. If you have any questions you can come to me. Alright?'' Nathan said. Ben sighed again.

''Yes, boss,'' Ben said as sarcastically as he possibly could. Nathan didn't really react to it though. Either he didn't get it, or he was really good at ignoring comments like that. Ben had a feeling it was probably the latter.

''Good. For now, we need to prepare a game for after the opening ceremony. Can you move those chairs out of the way for me?'' Nathan said as he pointed at the scattered chairs in the room.

Ben answered by walking to the chairs. On the way to the chairs, he heard another squelch of Nathan as it looked like Kara hit him again. 'Karma', Ben thought.

Ben grabbed a stack of three chairs and carried them to a corner of the room filled with ornamental candles. As he put them down, he heard Nathan.

''Tsk, that's the praying corner, don't you know that? Put them over there.'' Nathan said as he pointed at the other corner of the room.

Ben gave him an angry glance and walked to the other side of the room. 'This is going to be a long day, isn't it?'. As he put the chairs down for a second time, he sighed again. However, this time he stopped mid-sigh. He couldn't move anymore and it felt like everything came to an immediate stop. Even the air that was leaving his nostrils just a second ago, came to a complete standstill. Until he heard a notification.

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