Page 5

I stared out the truck windows at the redwoods.

Lightning flashed overhead and I noticed just how far they actually spread.

They seemed to go on as far as the eye could see, maybe even further.

“Nothing really.” After my past, it was hard to believe in anything aside from fear.

“We make our own choices. Our own paths in life. Fate is just this enigma, well, more like a fairytale idea we fabricated to make ourselves feel better about the shitty lives we have. Better to have this false hope and blame some unforeseen force that decided and dealt us our fucked lives. The lie is sweeter than facing the bitter fact that we did it to ourselves. We earn our misfortunes. And we build our own hell.” I leaned my head against the car window.

“Fate can’t exist. Because if it did, it would mean that we, as a species, deserve everything bad that happens to us in our lives.

That our suffering is implicated and decided before we even exist, and no matter what, there is no stopping it.

” My heart ached at the distant memory I could never let go.

At my own misfortune. “If fate did exist, it would mean there is no such thing as freedom or freewill. We would simply be pawns in a pointless game of losing to this overshadowing thing that exists purely to torture our existence and guide us into a veiled afterlife of suffering, never to end. How can anyone want that?”

Thunder rolled through the sky above, and I looked over at the woman.

She was dressed modestly and seemed to be well taken care of.

She had perfectly styled hair, in spite of the weather, manicured nails, and this whole polished aesthetic.

Not how I’d expect someone heading to a summer camp would dress.

She almost reminded me of my mother, once upon a time.

The woman’s lips curled. “What an interestingly morbid way of seeing the world. Your opinion is a nice change of pace.” She lightly chuckled to herself.

“Oh. Fate or not, you should know… There is no such thing as freewill.”

I blinked. “Why do you say that?”

She turned to me and smiled. “Because we are all players in someone else's games. Even if we don’t realize it.” Her head turned back to focus on the road ahead.

That’s a really weird thing to say.

We sat in silence as she drove a good ten minutes or so before speaking up.

“We’re here.” I sat up in my seat as we rolled under the large wooden camp archway.

It was simple and spelled the words Camp Redwood.

The pillars of the sign were carved and painted, depicting numerous redwood trees.

There were other things carved into them, but it was too dark for me to see.

They really lean into the whole redwoods thing here, don’t they?

Just a few feet ahead, old cabins suddenly began to appear in sight. They stretched out a ways before us and scattered in the distance. The camp was bigger than I expected, but it was a pleasant surprise. I wondered why they only needed six counselors. Maybe they already had a full staff?

The woman drove us straight through the camp to a larger cabin-like building.

Lights from within it burned bright and a large camp flag stood atop the roof as it waved violently in the wind.

She parked the truck, cut the engine, and looked up at the flag as lightning flashed.

It was a faded white color with the camp name and logo printed in the center. More redwoods.

“This is the administrative cabin. Head Counselor Willie should be just inside. I’m sure he’s expecting you.

He’s in charge of the camp staff, and more or less, runs the entire camp.

Come on, I’ll introduce you two.” The woman shut the driver’s door and walked to the cabin.

I took a deep breath and stepped from the truck and out into the rain with my bag clutched close.

Remember, your name is Aster.

As I approached the woman, I looked around the camp and noticed just how oddly quiet and empty it seemed. “Where is everyone?” I asked. Thunder rolled above while rain poured from the roof of the cabin. It was a bit eerie.

“The campers won’t arrive for a few days.

Aside from Willie and I, only the staff is here at the moment.

” She looked at her delicate silver watch.

“I must say, it is pretty late. Everyone should be asleep in their cabins. Of course, that doesn’t always seem to be true.

” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Come on, it’s getting late.

” The woman presented a warm smile and opened the cabin door.

It squeaked loudly, and I must’ve made a face because the woman laughed gently.

“Don’t worry. This camp is over sixty years old.

I’m afraid everything is falling apart, but it adds character.

Imagine what these walls could say if they speak! ”

I stepped through the doorway and into the old cabin.

The smell of cigarettes and old dusty paper nearly knocked me over.

My throat dried out instantly, and I fought back a mouthful of coughs.

As I tried to control my breathing and adjust to the unforgettable smell, I noticed just how old the camp must’ve been.

There was barely any working electricity, and they seemed to rely on a lot of old lanterns.

The walls and floors were obviously aged and worn, covered in water stains.

Rain dripped from the roof and onto the floor, adding a new stain to its overwhelming collection.

The woman cleared her throat and made a face. “I know it’s a bit… Well… Much. But instead of looking at these as flaws, consider them quirks. Every place has its own charm.”

There’s charm, and then there’s neglect. And if the rest of this place is anything like this, then it should be condemned.

I looked around the cabin some more and noticed the worn furniture and cracked windows. There were so many screaming repairs. It was baffling. “Does Willie not have someone to maintain the camp?” I asked.

The woman shook her head. “No. I mean, well, we all chip in during the summer.” She sighed.

“I’m afraid the camp hasn’t exactly been the most profitable these last few years.

Camper attendance has dropped drastically, and we’re barely filling cabins like we used to.

Most of the camp is boarded up due to the lack of care.

With the lower attendance and rise in the costs of living, we can’t really afford any more extra hands at the moment. ”

“Why is attendance low?” I probably shouldn’t be asking, but I was genuinely curious. Yes, this place needed some major fucking help, but it was just like she said, it was oddly charming. As a kid, I wouldn’t have let leaky roofs or squeaky doors stop me from wanting to go camping.

The woman looked down and picked at her nails.

“Parents don’t want to send their kids away with how scary the world has become.

Too much evil hidden in the shadows and cracks of society.

Things just aren’t the way they used to be.

And kids don’t care to spend their summers outdoors anymore.

They’d rather sit inside and play video games or watch movies than stare into a fire.

I guess parents prefer them closer to home, even if it means rotting their little brains away.

” She hesitated and walked towards the front cabin window.

The moonlight peaked through the dark clouds from the storm and highlighted her features.

She might have been older, but she was beautiful.

Terrifyingly beautiful. Like a poisonous flower that pulls you in to trap you for dinner.

It was a bit unnerving. The woman sighed, and her voice fell low with a hint of warning in her tone.

“Not to mention the mysterious history and constant rumors surrounding these old and ancient redwoods. They always seem to drive people away.”

“I’m sorry?” I turned to face her. “What rumors?” Was she talking about the same stuff the semi truck driver was?

We both turned as the sound of heavy feet.

A man, probably in his mid-thirties, entered the room carrying a small bucket and look of annoyance.

“About time you returned, Thisbe.” He hustled over to the roof leak and placed the bucket beneath it.

“There.” I watched as he placed his hands on his hips and grinned as if collecting the rain water was some grand accomplishment.

His hair was a light golden brown color and consisted of wild curls.

He seemed extremely athletic by the looks of his toned muscles constricted by the tight t-shirt and jeans he wore.

A typical man you’d see trotting out in one of these old towns.

The only unique thing about him were his powder blue eyes that popped against his sun damaged skin and thick mustache.

He wore a silver whistle around his neck and I noticed an old tattoo.

It peeked from the short sleeve of his t-shirt, but I couldn’t tell what it was.

The woman, presumably named Thisbe, stepped forward. She gently scooted me closer, and the man’s pale eyes fell down to me. I could tell he was taken aback from my appearance. “Willie, I believe you were expecting someone?”

So, he was the head counselor. Willie.

Willie sucked his teeth and looked me up and down. It made me a little uncomfortable. “Yeah. You’re the one who called this morning about the ad in the paper. Asher?”

“Aster,” I corrected him.

He nodded. “Right. Thanks for helping her in, Thisbe.”

Thisbe nodded. “I’m going to head back to my cabin. See you in the morning Willie. Oh, and it was a pleasure meeting you, Aster.” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke my name. “I do hope you can stay with us this summer. It’ll be an experience like no other.”

Me too.

And just like that, the woman left the cabin.