A.M. Monique
Camp Greens Lake
12/26/2008-10/21/2009
Camp Greens Lake Chapter One: Journey to Camp
After an exhausting four hour and fifteen minute drive from Castleton Vermont to New York City Ellie began to more than annoyed with her twin brother Aaron. Something that is common for any family member to become after a long car ride.
“Well we’re here in New York City Airport.” Announced Ellie’s step father in an excited and relieved tone of voice.
“It’s about time… Do I have to spend an entire week at a para-freak camp with the child of doom?” Asked Ellie in an annoyed tone of voice as she pointed at Aaron and cast a pleading glance towards both her mother and father.
“Oh come on Ellie, It’s not going to be that bad.” Replied Ellie’s step father with a soft chuckle.
“What would you know, you’ve only been around Aaron for two years, not thirteen like my mom and I have.” Thought Ellie silently to herself as she contained the urge to sulk or have a fit.
“Considering all of the fighting that you two have been doing lately, I would consider this trip a blessing, and no matter what you say Ellie you’re going, and that’s final.” Concluded Ellie’s mom as she put an end to Ellie’s argument before it had the chance to begin.
“It’s only a week Ellie, Who knows you might actually have some fun.” Said Ellie’s stepfather in his best attempt to get Ellie to cheer up.
“We’ll be at the Plaza hotel if you need us in room sixteen, here’s your camp voucher’s for the bus ride.” Explained Ellie’s mother as she handed Ellie the camp voucher’s which Ellie tucked inside her back jean pocket.
“I’ll get our stuff, Bye mom, Bye sub-father!” Exclaimed Aaron in an excited tone of voice as he quickly exited their station wagon which was parked at the airport curb, and then unloaded his and Ellie’s hiking backpacks and sleeping bags.
“Take a cab to the train station where a Borace Marks will be awaiting for you two along with two kids at the train station, Look for a sign saying camp Greens Lake New York City group, Do you think that you can remember that?” Asked Ellie’s mom in a concerned tone of voice.
“No problem, cab to train station look for Borace with a Camp Greens Lake sign.” Replied Ellie as she mentally reminded herself of what she and Aaron were supposed to do after their parents dropped them off.
“Do you have enough money for cab fare?” Asked Ellie’s mom as Ellie started to exit out of the vehicle.
“Yes mom, I have enough.” Replied Ellie as she patted her front pocket to make sure that she still had her wallet with her.
“Alright then you’re all set, we’ll see you two in a week.” Said Ellie’s mom as she and Ellie exited out of the car and stepped onto the sidewalk.
Then before Ellie had the chance to react Ellie’s mother gave her a tight hug and whispered “Please make sure that you and Aaron keep out of trouble while you’re at Camp.”
“Mom, don’t smother me.” Protested Ellie as she gently pushed her mother off of her.
“Promise to be good then?” Asked Ellie’s mom in a concerned tone of voice.
“I promise I’ll behave while I’m away at Camp Greens Lake.” Agreed Ellie as her mother sat back down inside of the car.
“Goodbye sweethearts!” Shouted Ellie’s mother then she quickly slammed the car door and buckled her seatbelt. Then Ellie’s stepfather quickly pulled away from the curb and drove away before Ellie, Aaron or anybody else who had overheard them had the chance to say anything back to them.
“I hope nobody saw that or heard that.” Grumbled Ellie as she met up with Aaron who was standing with his hiking backpack secure with his sleeping bag already on with Ellie’s hiking backpack and sleeping bag lying on the grimy sidewalk in front of him.
“Aaron, did you have to put my stuff on the filthy sidewalk, that’s so gross.” Said Ellie in a disgusted tone of voice as she picked up her hiking backpack and sleeping bag and secured them together and then propped her backpack on top of her foot as she looked around for some place to flag down a taxi cab.
“Jueez Ellie, sense when have you been germaphobic.” Teased Aaron as he and Ellie made their way back to the curb where Ellie remarkably flagged down a taxi cab on the first attempt.
The cab driver who turned out to be a dark skinned Arabic man with a stubbly beard and big brown eyes gave Ellie and Aaron a strange look as he peered at them through the passenger cab window.
“You no run from home now, are you?” Asked the Cab driver in a thickly Arabic accented voice.
“No, we’re going to a Camp, that is if you would so kindly drive us to the train station.” Replied Ellie.
“Okay, no problem, no be mad, let me help load things in trunk.” Replied the cab driver as he popped the trunk of his cab and then quickly exited the driver’s side of the cab and then took both Aaron and Ellie’s hiking backpacks and sleeping bags and loaded them into the trunk of his cab which remarkably fit both of them inside of it.
“Thank you.” Said Ellie in a slightly stunned tone of voice then she and Aaron loaded inside of the back of the cab while the cab driver quickly shut the trunk and loaded back into the driver’s side of the cab.
“To the train station please.” Requested Ellie.
“And if you step on it mister I have a nice, crisp fifty dollar bill here for you, something that should be able to cover the fare and give you a tip if you can make it there in say ten minutes.” Said Aaron as an excited grin crept across his face. A grin that to anybody that knew Aaron meant that he was up to no good.
Surprised and confused the cab driver looked back at Aaron to see if he was serious or not.
“Aaron you can’t- -“ Ellie started to protest.
“I’m serious mister and any delays will just have to be deducted from your pay.” Stated Aaron as he purposely interrupted Ellie before she had the chance to finish what she had to say.
Realizing that Aaron was serious the cab driver quickly turned around to face forward in his cab and he speed off into New York City traffic. The cab driver was driving as fast as he could get away with driving and he hurriedly weaved in and out of other cars indicating that he was determined to keep every cent of the fifty dollars that Aaron was offering him.
“Must we go so fast?” Asked Ellie in an attempt to get the cab driver to slow down.
“Faster, okay, no problem.” Replied the cab driver as he misunderstood what Ellie had requested him to do.
“Oh I can’t watch.” Blurted Ellie out loud as she covered her eyes to keep from feeling nauseated as the cab speed past and weaved its way all the way from the airport to the train station in remarkable record time.
It was just under ten minutes that the cab driver arrived with a tire screeching halt at the train station. Something that sealed Aaron’s deal to giving the cab driver an entire fifty dollars for getting them from the airport to the train station.
“Whoa, they weren’t kidding when they said that New York City cab driver’s are fast.” Concluded Aaron in an impressed tone of voice.
“Well Aaron I hope that you are satisfied, you just lost forty extra bucks from our spending money, it would only of cost us about ten dollars from the airport to the train station if you wouldn’t have made that ridiculous bet!” Ranted Ellie as she angrily got out of the cab and held the back door open long enough to yell at Aaron before slamming the cab door closed after herself.
“Hey no get mad now, here I help get things from trunk.” Said the cab driver as he popped open his trunk and got out from the driver’s side of the cab and quickly unloaded Aaron and Ellie’s things and placed them carefully by Ellie on the sidewalk stepping back from her after he did as if he was afraid that Ellie would lash out at him.
“Sorry, Aaron tends to annoy me at times, he’s most likely going to be a handful at camp.” Said Ellie as she started to pull out her wallet to pay for the cab fare.
“No Ellie - -That’s okay, it was my bet, here mister, here’s the fifty I owe you.” Said Aaron as he abruptly opened the cab door that Ellie had shut on him, stumbled out of the cab and over towards the cab driver, and slapped the fifty he had been holding into his hand. Something that Aaron was able to do just before he tripped over his hiking backpack, and luckily regained his footing before he had the chance to fall onto the sidewalk.
“I can see what you met by handful, luck, thank you.” Said the cab driver as he hurriedly shut the back cab door that Aaron had left open and then headed back to the driver’s cab door and closed the door behind himself. Then after fastening his seat belt the cab driver took off before Ellie or Aaron had the chance to say anything more to him.
“Aaron next time please refrain from trying to make a bet with a cab driver, or anyone else for that matter, especially if the odds are that you’re not going to win.” Said Ellie as she picked up her hiking backpack and then put on so that she could keep track of her gear while keeping her hands free to deal with any obstacles that she encountered at the train station.
“Well Ellie I hate to break it to you, but it wasn’t exactly my money that I gave to the cab driver, it was yours.” Said Aaron with a proud smirk as he picked up his hiking backpack and put it on as well.
“Don’t tell me you picked my pocket!” Ranted Ellie.
“Well I didn’t have to, Stanly gave us each an extra fifty bucks for Camp, so technically it was his money that I spent, not yours, jueez, you need to learn to relax Ellie.” Explained Aaron as he followed Ellie as she started to look around the train station to see if she could spot the Borace Marks fellow with the Camp Greens Lake sign that her mom had mentioned.
“I’ll relax when you stop scamming, scheming, and pranking, things that in case you didn’t notice, I’m not too fond of.” Stated Ellie as she avoided losing her temperament with Aaron by focusing her efforts on finding Borace who was standing just a few feet away with a large neon green banner that read in bold dark red letter’s Camp Greens Lake.
At the first glance all that Ellie could see was the big bright neon green sign. But after she and Aaron head closer to him. Ellie noticed that the sign was being held by a short and plump dark hair and bearded man who was wearing a thick red and black flannel shirt with baggy lumberjack blue jeans, and dark brown well broken in construction boots. A look that made Borace look like a cross between a lumberjack and a construction worker.
“Wicked sign! Can’t wait to get to Camp Greens Lake! It’s so wickedly cool!” Greeted Aaron as he enthusiastically shook Borace’s hand as Ellie feeling embarrassed greeted Borace behind her brother.
“Tis goin’ to be wicked excitin’ alright, glad to see ya so enthusiastic, I suppose ya know a couple of the legends ‘bout Camp Greens Lake now don’ ya.” Replied Borace in a thick mixture between a Brooklyn and British accent.
“Legends, oh there’s more to it than that.” Replied Aaron as he started to bubble over with excitement.
“Aaron please don’t start, nobody needs to hear about you paranormal discoveries or findings, and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep those things to yourself, especially considering that I’m more then annoyed by them as it is.” Said Ellie as she realized that Aaron was going off into one of his “paranormal incite moments.”
“Hey no need to fuss, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, is nice to know about the camp legends, legends that I’m sure that the whole lot of ya will know by the end of Camp.” Replied Borace with a soft chuckle as he lead Ellie and Aaron out of the train station towards the curb where a hideous green school bus was parked up in front of it.
“That’s nice.” Said Ellie in a half distracted tone of voice as she allowed Borace and Aaron to continue to talk to each other as she became distracted by the hideous green bus with a matching hitched storage trailer. As Ellie looked over the bus she hoped that it wouldn’t be the bus that would be taking her to Camp Greens Lake.
“This particular camp has a tendency to change people in ways that are different then ya would expect, I’m glad that at least one of ya is knowledgeable about it, for Camp Greens Lake aint exactly a normal camp.” Added Borace as he lead Ellie and Aaron towards the lime green bus that to Ellie’s disappointment was the bus that would be taking her to Camp Greens Lake.
“Normal is over rated.” Commented Aaron as he and Ellie allowed Borace to take their hiking backpacks and sleeping bags so that he could load them into the hitched trailer.
“Some might say that, now go on ya lot, push open the bus door and then go ahead and load onto the bus.” Instructed Borace as he headed towards the back of the bus to load Aaron and Ellie’s things.
As soon as Borace disappeared behind the bus Aaron eagerly pushed open the bus door and headed inside of the bus to see if he could find an empty seat. As for Ellie she hesitated for a moment and stared at the bus not knowing if she wanted to get on it or not. For aside for the fact that Ellie didn’t want to go away to Camp Greens Lake Ellie had the feeling that something about the bus that she was about to load onto registered the bus as unsafe.
“I don’t know about this.” Thought Ellie silently to herself as she continued to stare at the lime green school bus.
“Ellie come on! I’ve found you a seat!” Shouted Aaron through a slightly open window on the bus as he motioned for Ellie to join him inside of the bus.
“Aaron please… Fine, Coming!” Replied Ellie as she realized that the only way that she would get her brother to be quiet was if she got onto the bus with him.
As Ellie loaded onto the bus she realized that it was nearly completely full with campers that ranged from the ages of ten to fifteen years old. Aside from the different age groups the campers were of different nationality and physique as well. Some of the campers even had on multicolored shirts that read: Camp Greens Lake. But the majority of them didn’t.
“Ellie! Back here!” Hollered Aaron loud enough so that he could be heard over the other conversations that were going on the bus. Conversations that Ellie couldn’t help but to hear bits and pieces of as she headed back to meet with Aaron in second to last seat in the back of the bus.
“I hope we get in the same cabin group.” Commented a blonde haired girl to a dark haired girl.
“Love bug Luna’s sister replaced her this year, wonder what she’s like.” Commented a short red haired girl.
“Oh you’re going to have loads of fun at Camp Greens Lake, especially when we have a camp overnight at Earl Greensley’s castle estates.” Commented thirteen year old, plump, short curly red haired boy, who had propped himself over the back of Aaron’s bus seat so that he could talk to him.
“I know I will, I’ve heard that Greensley castle is one of the most haunted castles in the world.” Stated Aaron as his paranormal incite radar started to turn itself on.
“A haunted castle! Oh Aaron you didn’t.” Blurted Ellie as she realized the true reason that Aaron was excited to go to Camp Greens Lake.
“Sorry Ellie, it must have slipped my mind.” Replied Aaron as he tried his best to control the laughter that he felt like letting out upon seeing Ellie becoming so upset with him.
“Sure it did, you did it on purpose, next time I’m picking the camp that we will be sent away to, and please don’t annoy me with your paranormal incites like you did in the two hour car ride from Castleton to New York City.” Concluded Ellie as she made it perfectly clear to Aaron how she felt about the decision he had made to go to Camp Greens Lake.
“You’re going to end up just like the others if you keep that type of attitude up.” Warned the short curly red haired boy.
“And what’s that supposed to mean- -Uh- -What’s your name anyways?” Asked Ellie as she tried not to sound as annoyed as she was feeling.
“I’m Curtis Willis, and it’s best that you take the legends of Camp Greens Lake seriously if you know what’s good for you, the last thing that you want is to end up being cursed, something that tends to happen to people who don’t take the legends of Camp Greens Lake seriously.” Warned Curtis.
Before Ellie had the chance to respond a fourteen year old, tall and slender, long dark brown haired girl who had been sketching something in her sketchpad stopped sketching for a moment and turned to cast a dirty look at Curtis. A look that brought out the green color in her eyes.
“Oh great Curtis you’re back again, please don’t tell me that you’re starting to annoy people already.” Stated the long dark brown haired girl.
“Oh if it isn’t Claire Welsch, of all the people that have returned to Camp Greens Lake I hadn’t expected you to be one of them, especially considering what happened to you and Oz at Earl Greensley’s castle last year.” Retorted Curtis.
At first when Curtis said this Claire let out an involuntary shudder. Then regaining her composure she began to tell Curtis off again.
“That is something that I don’t care to be reminded of Curtis, besides correct me if I’m wrong you were one of the people who got spooked at Earl Greensley’s castle last year too, something which made your scavenger hunt group lose the contest.”
“Your group might have won the contest, but they won’t win this time.” Countered Curtis then a smile crept across his lips indicating that he had an idea.
“I bet that this year I’ll last longer then you will inside Earl Greensley’s castle, then we’ll see just how much of a chicken you really are.”
“Oh puh-leeze Curtis, I don’t have to prove anything to anyone, especially you.” Stated Claire as she calmly defended herself without paying attention to Curtis’ insult.
Before Curtis had the chance to make a response Borace entered the bus and blew a shrill whistle by placing two fingers on his lips. A whistle that silenced all of the conversations that were going on in the bus causing everyone to focus their attention on him.
“Thank ya, now if ya lot would kindly take ya seats then we can get movin’ and on the way to camp!” Instructed Borace loud enough so that everyone on the bus could hear him.
“Um Ellie, if you’d like to you can take the empty seat next to me, that way Aaron and Curtis can talk amongst themselves.” Suggested Claire as she patted the empty seat next to her.
“Thanks.” Replied Ellie as she gratefully accepted Claire’s offer.
“And thank you Ellie.” Remarked Curtis as he headed up from the seat behind Aaron and sat in the empty seat that Ellie had made beside him.
“You’re welcome… I think.” Replied Ellie absent mindedly as she allowed Curtis to join Aaron as she moved over to sit next to Claire.
“Considering that you’ve been to Camp Greens Lake before perhaps you can tell me what it is like.” Prodded Ellie as she started to make a conversation with Claire.
“It’s an adventure, and as much as I hate to admit it the paranormal theme that is associated with it isn’t as bad as I thought it was.” Explained Claire as Borace started up the bus and then they started to travel out of New York City towards the out skirted area of Mount Vernon where Camp Greens Lake was.
“It has a paranormal theme to it, oh that’s just great.” Replied Ellie in a falsely enthusiastic tone of voice.
“Actually Ellie it’s really not that bad, especially if you consider all the beautiful things that Camp Greens Lake has to offer.” Explained Claire as she started to tell Ellie about the good things about going to Camp Greens Lake.
“That’s good to know, maybe it will help me to block out all of the paranormal hype that will be going on while we’re at camp.” Replied Ellie.
“Paranormal hype… careful not to call it that while you’re at Camp.” Warned Claire.
“Why?” Asked Ellie in a confused tone of voice.
“Because it’s considered being disrespectful, and if there’s one thing that I’ve learned in my four years at Camp Greens Lake it’s that you must not disrespect the legends, curses, or supernatural elements that go along with it… I’m not saying that you have to believe that they are true Ellie, it’s just best not to let yourself be annoyed by it, that way it won’t take the fun out of camp, fun that Curtis and I’m sure that your brother Aaron will be more than thrilled about.” Explained Claire.
Deep down Ellie knew that Claire was right. There was no use in getting upset just because something had a supernatural theme to it.
“Well it definitely will help to keep Aaron busy while I’m at camp, and then maybe for once he’ll stop bugging me.”
“I take it Aaron’s your brother, I should have figured that.” Commented Claire as she took a quick glance at Aaron and then looked back at Ellie.
“We’re fraternal twins, aside from gender people say that we look a lot alike, but that doesn’t mean that we act alike, for Aaron and I are almost complete opposites in personality traits and personal interests.” Explained Ellie.
“Hey Ellie! Think fast!” Shouted Aaron as he threw something in a brown paper bag towards where Ellie and Claire were sitting. Something which Ellie intercepted and caught before it had a chance to hit Claire or anything around them.
“Aaron do you mind- -“ Started Ellie but then she cut herself short as she felt something slimy and sticky seeping its way through the paper bag and onto her hand.
“- -Ew gross.” Replied Ellie as she dropped the paper bag to the floor of the bus where it landed with a splat on top of her shoe instantly covering it in a sticky green slime.
“Aaron you promised!” Snapped Ellie as her cheeks began to turn red with both anger and embarrassment.
“I know that, but that prank was actually unintentional, I was just trying to give you the rest of the gelatin molds that mom made for us to have for lunch, sorry about that.” Said Aaron as he started to laugh in response to Ellie’s reaction.
“Oh I’ll show you sorry.” Started Ellie as she started to get up from her seat to give Aaron a quick slap.
“Ellie don’t.” Interjected Claire as she gently pulled Ellie back down into her bus seat.
“Don’t let your brother get to you, accident or not, what’s done is done, and that’s just try not to get to upset about it, okay.”
As embarrassed as Ellie was by Aaron she was even more embarrassed by being caught losing her temper with her brother. Something which reminded Ellie that she had to work on not losing her temper in public, Especially with Aaron.
Aaron and Curtis continued to snicker and point at Ellie as they murmured amongst themselves.
“I can’t believe you did that.” Murmured Curtis.
“I know, I wasn’t even trying to get Ellie like that, told you she’s an easy target.” Murmured Aaron.
“She’ll be just as much fun to scare at camp as Claire was last year.” Murmured back Curtis.
“Ellie you don’t have to be embarrassed, especially around me, for all the pranks that they most likely will pull at camp one of them is bound to backfire on them sooner or later.” Reassured Claire as she tried her best to comfort Ellie without making her feel even more embarrassed then she already was.
“Your probably right Claire, and when that time comes I hope that you and I will be there to see it happen.” Agreed Ellie as a relieved smile crept across her face.
“Glad to see your feeling better Ellie, as annoying as Curtis and Aaron might be I just hope that “spy Malloy” doesn’t bust them.” Remarked Claire.
“Huh, “spy Malloy,” Who’s that?” Asked Ellie in a confused tone of voice.
“Oh she’s the head tribesperson- -er- - Coordinator at Camp Greens Lake, her real names Tai Malloy, but she’s so sneaky and quick at catching misbehaving campers that we call her “spy” Malloy as a nick name.” Explained Claire.
“Glad to hear that it’s an actual person and not one of those legends that you said were associated with Camp Greens Lake.” Said Ellie in a relieved tone of voice.
“Legends right, well I’m sure that you don’t want to hear about those, it’s easier just to keep track of the tribes people, and trail blazers that will be with you at Camp Greens Lake, no need to go into legendary figures of the deceased Greensley family.” Concluded Claire as she started to become slightly jittery.
“That’s alright Claire, I don’t need to know about the legends of the Greensley family, if I wanted to know that then I’d just ask Aaron about them, I’d rather hear about the tribes people and trail blazers that you met at Camp Greens Lake.” Stated Ellie as she purposely avoided the paranormal subject matter and lead back to the normal subject matter that Claire was discussing with her.
“That’s right, you’ve never been to Camp Greens Lake before, well when we arrive at camp I’m sure that “spy” Malloy will fill us all in on that information as she usually does, after a quick supper in the mournful mess hall she’ll lead us out front back to the skull rock flag pole that’s just outside of the haunting lodge… here it will be easier to explain with the map that I drew.” Explained Claire as she pulled out a folded and laminated piece of paper that she had tucked inside of her sketchpad. A map that looked like an extremely detailed sketch pad drawing.
“Wow Camp Greens Lake looks huge, what do the red markings on your map mean?” Asked Ellie as she noticed some odd red markings on Claire’s detailed sketch pad map.
“Oh they represent the areas of Camp Greens Lake that are off limits, they along with some trails near the howling stable, and trails beyond the haunted hedge maze are off limits to all campers.” Explained Claire.
“Then that means- - According to your map Claire- - That Earl Greensley’s castle is off limits- - Although I don’t see it anywhere on the map.” Concluded Ellie as she realized that Claire hadn’t sketched in Earl Greensley’s castle on her map.
“Oh I have another map for that place Ellie, it was to big to fit on the Camp Greensley map.” Explained Claire as she pulled out another piece of laminated paper from her sketch pad.
As Ellie looked over the other laminated map that Claire had she instantly recognized what place the map was.
“This is Earl Greensley Estates… Wow I wonder if it’s as massive as Aaron claimed it to be.” Commented Ellie.
“It’s definitely massive Ellie, so massive that someone could easily get lost inside of it.” Explained Claire with an involuntary shudder. A shudder that to Ellie indicated that Claire had been lost inside of Earl Greensley’s castle.
“Lost, that’s the last thing that I need to experience at Camp, but with you around Claire I have the feeling that getting lost is the last thing that I will have to worry about while I’m at camp.” Replied Ellie.
“As long as you don’t wonder off like some of the tribes people-- uh camp counselors or haunting people--campers did I’m sure that you won’t disappear like they did.” Explained Claire with another involuntary shudder.
“Disappear--you mean people have actually disappeared from Camp Greens Lake, I thought Aaron was just making that stuff up.” Replied Ellie as she realized that Claire was serious about what she was telling her.
“Some of the disappearances were made up, others well I wish they were.” Explained Claire as she started to become slightly nervous.
“What do you mean?” Asked Ellie as she began to let her curiosity get the best of her.
“I guess Curtis didn’t tell you the whole story about what happened with Oz Wilson and me when we got separated from “love bug” Luna and “slick” Rick in Earl Greensley’s lavatory last year.” Replied Claire in a tone of voice that indicated that she didn’t like being reminded of what happened with her and Oz in Greensley Castle.
“Claire you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Replied Ellie as she realized how uncomfortable Claire was becoming with their conversation.
“Thanks for caring Ellie, but I might as well tell you what happened before somebody else misinforms you about what happened.” Replied Claire as she took a deep breath before she encouraged herself to continue to explain to Ellie what had happened to her and Oz.
“First of all Oz Wilson wasn’t a camper from Camp Greens Lake he and Serena Niles were two campers that joined our group from Camp Knox, sense a lot of my cabin group decided to remain in the “chicken” coup or Luke’s cabin, Jessie Nelson and I were the only campers from our cabin group who hadn’t got disqualified or to scared to continue the scavenger search that “jittery” Gen- -another head tribesperson would lead us on through Greensley Castle, all of us managed to stick together through the entire castle until we came the dungeon area, the last room that we had to gather our remaining scavenger clue from.”
“Then what happened?” Asked Ellie as she prompted Claire to continue with her story.
“At this point of the contest Aaron, Zek, and a couple of other girls along with “slick” Rick and “love bug” Luna came in the dungeon area to try to search for the last scavenger clue, caught up in competition someone managed to trigger a switch that flipped the wall that “love bug” Luna, “slick” Rick, Oz, and I were searching near…which is how we all unintentionally managed to end up in Earl Greensley’s lab area of the dungeon, an area that was strictly off limits , but that wasn’t the part that freaks me out the most about the whole thing.”
“Whoa… Claire are you sure you want to continue your story, if you don’t want to then you don’t have to.” Interjected Ellie as she realized that Claire was starting to have some trouble with finishing the rest of her story that she was telling her.
“I sort of have to Ellie, if I tell you then I don’t have to worry about someone else at Camp telling you otherwise… It wasn’t the fact that Oz and I were separated from the rest of the group that freaks me out, nor was I completely freaked out when “love bug” Luna, and “slick Rick” mysteriously disappeared after they crawled out of the lavatory window to get us someone to help us… what really freaked me out was that both Oz and I saw deformed white rats with beady red eyes, and lumpy tarantula spiders… I can handle them separately, but together it freaked me out, I guess like Earl Greensley’s son Luke I’m afraid of deformed things, whatever phobia that might be.”
Ellie was about to say something back to Claire when she was interrupted as Curtis threw another brown paper sack towards where she and Claire were sitting. A paper bag that a tall and slender long blond haired girl who was wearing a backwards camp hat caught and intercepted.
“Curtis try for once not to be a creep!” Shouted the long blond haired girl with the backwards cap. After saying this the long blond haired girl with the backwards cap crumpled up the brown paper sack unintentionally spilling something that looked like brown pudding out of the top of it. Brown pudding that somehow ended up on the glasses lens of a long brown frizzy haired girl who had been silently reading in the bus seat beside her.
“Jessie… You ignoramus- - I mean, please be more considerate Jessie, oi.” Replied the long brown frizzy haired girl as she pulled out a blue pocket handkerchief which she used to wipe off her glasses lens.
“Oops, sorry Crissy, thought I was helping, guess I wasn’t.” Apologized Jessie as she let off a nervous snicker.
After Jessie said this she sat back down next to Crissy and tried her best to contain her nervous laughter.
“Talk about a small world.” Commented Claire out loud to herself.
“You must know them from camp last year too.” Commented Ellie as she realized what Claire’s comment was referring to.
“I guess that is obvious to you, Crissy was in my cabin group two years ago when she first came to camp, and Jessie was in my cabin group last year, the only thing that Crissy and Jessie have in common is that the states that they are from are in the Midwest, if you don’t mind me asking, where are you from?” Asked Claire as she politely transitioned from one subject to another.
“I’m from Castleton Vermont, where are you from?” Asked Ellie as she continued the conversation that Claire was having with her.
“If I tell you that promise me that you won’t let Curtis know, because if you do then he might go supernatural obsessive about it.” Replied Claire.
“I promise not to go supernatural obsessive and don’t worry I won’t tell Curtis nor Aaron for that matter.” Agreed Ellie.
“I’m from Salem Massachusetts.” Replied Claire.
“Really, that’s not that far away from where I live, if we get bunked by location then most likely I’ll end up in the same cabin group as you.” Responded Ellie as she hoped that she would get bunked with Claire. Against all the odds Ellie hoped that she would get to know at least one person while she was at camp. A person who Ellie thought Claire would be the perfect candidate for.
About three hours later…
Somehow during the conversation that Ellie was having with Claire explaining how Camp Greens Lake was Ellie had somehow managed to fall asleep. Something that Ellie hoped that Claire wouldn’t think that she was rude for doing.
“Did you have a good powernap?” Asked Claire with a friendly smile as she flipped the sketchpad that she had been drawing in back closed again.
“I guess you can say that I did, sorry about that.” Apologized Ellie as she let out an unintentional yawn.
In response to Ellie’s yawn Claire yawned in return. “Stop that it’s contagious.” Joked Claire with a smile.
“Sorry, it’s been kind of a long day, especially after the three hour drive with Aaron to New York City, and then our little cab excursion in New York City.” Replied Ellie as she started to wake fully up again.
“What type of a cab excursion?” Asked Claire in a curious tone of voice.
“A fast and nauseating cab excursion that ended up costing me fifty bucks of spending money.” Informed Ellie with a scowl.
“Ouch, that’s expensive, perhaps next time you should take the subway, it won’t stop the fast and nauseating sensation, but at least that way you’d know how much it was going to cost you beforehand.” Suggested Claire.
“Good idea Claire, but the creep still owes me fifty bucks, oh well I guess it’s not that big of a deal considering that it was actually some extra money that our step father—ur Stanley gave us for camp, how far away from camp are we anyways?” Asked Ellie as she purposely transitioned from one subject to the next.
“We’re very close.” Replied Claire.
“So close that you can feel the presence of the Greensley spirits.” Said Curtis in a mocking tone of voice as he unexpectantly popped up from the seat behind Claire and Ellie which caused both Claire and Ellie to give a start.
“Oh please Curtis don’t start.” Replied Claire as she managed to regain her composure.
“Careful Claire you don’t want to a repeat of what happened last year now do you.” Stated Curtis as a mischievous smile crept across his lips.
After Curtis said this Claire paled slightly for a brief moment before she regained her composure and turned back to her natural skin color.
“Curtis! Sit back in your own seat and stop annoying people!” Bellowed Jessie as she quickly turned around in her seat briefly enough to cast a glare towards Curtis before Crissy politely tugged a strand of Jessie’s hair to tell her that she needed to remain seated.
At first Curtis looked as if he was going to make a response. But after Jessie glared at him he turned red and then returned to his seat to sit next to Aaron.
“Don’t tell me that you actually believe in those Camp Greens Lake ghost stories Claire, for if you do you shouldn’t because there’s no such things as ghosts.” Remarked Ellie.
After Ellie said this there was a loud metallic clang followed by a popping sound from somewhere outside of the bus. Something that indicated that the bus had popped a tire by running over something.
“What the--“Exclaimed Jessie.
“--Jessie don’t even think of finishing that derogatory statement.” Interjected Crissy as she closed the book that she had been reading and intentionally interrupted Jessie.
“Told you it was bad luck to say bad things about Camp Greens Lake Ellie.” Remarked Curtis as he and Aaron along with some of the other students on their side of the bus tried to see if they could see what had caused their bus’ tire to pop.
“It’s not exactly bad luck when we happen to land right in front of Camp Greens Lake.” Remarked Claire as she pointed out a bright green banner with red lettering that was draped over two twenty foot tall wooden posts that read in big bold lettering: WELCOME TO CAMP GREENS LAKE. THIS IS GREENSLEY TERRIORITY.
“Greensley territory, that’s not what the camp sign has said before.” Remarked Crissy.
“Perhaps that Giles Greensley added that part this year, either him or “spy” Malloy, you know how they love to take the fun out of certain things.” Commented Jessie.
“Well then we’ll just have to create our own fun then.” Suggested Curtis as he threw a fake play spider towards Claire and Ellie which Jessie managed to catch and snatch away.
“Hey that was mine!” Protested Aaron as he realized that Jessie had taken the play spider that Curtis had taken away from him.
“Not any more it aint!” Retorted Jessie just as Borace let out a shrill whistle from the front of the bus which once again managed to get everyone’s attention.
“Alright settle down the lot of ya, I jus’ got off da phone with some of da trail blazers, they will loot your stuff into the designated piles, all that ya are required to do is to report to the central flag pole--a.k.a. skull rock, Tai will be waitin’ for ya there.” Explained Borace just loud enough for everyone to hear him.
“You don’t have to tell me twice come on, if we hurry we might be able to see what the bus ran over.” Remarked Curtis as he turned to Aaron for a response.
“Cool, that’s go.” Agreed Aaron as he and Curtis quickly gathered their things remarkably fast and quickly exited the bus.
“Oh boy, Aaron’s doing it again, I better go talk to him before he does something stupid.” Remarked Ellie as she quickly gathered her things and then rushed after Aaron and Curtis whom she happened to catch up to as they and a couple kids had stopped to stare at something that had a shiny head and a long wooden handle that was sticking out of the right rear bus’ tire.
“Oh my gosh I can’t believe it, it’s, it’s--” Started Curtis in an overenthusiastic tone of voice.
“--It’s Bonnie Greensley’s ax Curtis, and don’t touch it, it’s cursed.” Remarked Aaron.
“How’d you know that?” Asked Curtis in a curious tone of voice as Jessie and Borace arrived to the back of bus to discover what the bus had ran over.
“Bonnie Greensley is carved in the handle of the ax, and anybody who knows the Greensley legend knows that you can’t touch certain things that they own, especially things that have a curse associated with them.” Explained Aaron.
“Aaron could you be any more of a bigger freak, I told you not to start.” Interjected Ellie as she started to get annoyed with Aaron again.
“I’m just as big of a freak as you are.” Countered Aaron.
“Nobody’s a freak here, now ya lot better scat, don’ want to be late for camp.” Remarked Borace as he took out a red handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around the handle of the ax which he pulled out with one quick and hard jerk and then unintentionally threw sent it soaring sideways off into the woods which it landed with a ka-plunk. A ka-plunk that indicated that it had landed in water of some sort.
Realizing that there was nothing more to see Ellie, Aaron, Curtis, and Jessie along with a couple other kids started to head back towards camp. Realizing that neither Crissy or Claire had gotten off of the bus yet Ellie paused for a moment in front of the bus. Something which Ellie realized she shouldn’t have done so abruptly as Jessie nearly plowed her over in an effort to head out to camp.
“What’s the matter--uh what’s your name anyways?” Asked Jessie in a slightly concerned tone of voice.
“It’s Ellie, and I’m fine, I just don’t like that all the paranormal hype of Camp Greens Lake seems to have already started already, I don’t want to jinx it again by saying anything bad about it, I’d just rather be at another camp, away from Aaron and all of his paranormal obsessions.” Explained Ellie as she introduced herself to Jessie just as Claire and Crissy headed stepped off of the bus and joined them.
“Jessie, call me surprised but I hadn’t expected you of all people to wait for us, I thought you’d be at Camp already.” Said Claire in a surprised tone of voice.
“Well there was an unexpected delay, you guys won’t believe what we discovered in the bus’ tires.” Replied Jessie in an excited tone of voice.
“Uh Bonnie Greensley’s cursed ax.” Replied Crissy.
“Yeah, how’d you know?” Asked Jessie in a surprised tone of voice.
“Both Claire and I overheard from inside of the bus, and considering that Curtis knows about the ax I’m sure that almost the entire camp will be informed about our unexpected inconvience.” Replied Crissy.
“Great that’s just what we need.” Responded Claire in a falsely enthusiastic tone of voice.
“Oh come on Claire it’s not that bad, at least now Curtis has something else to talk about besides what happened at Earl Greensley’s castle estates last year.” Said Jessie in an attempt to try to make Claire feel better.
“That’s true… Come on you guys, that’s head to camp before we are late and “spy” Malloy gives us her “don’t be late” lecture.” Replied Claire as she politely changed the subject and began to head towards skull rock in the front entryway of Camp Greens Lake.
“Claire’s right, we better get to skull rock, the last thing that I need to hear at camp is another one of “spy” Malloy’s lectures.” Agreed Jessie as she followed Claire back to skull rock.
“Punctuality is important, see you around.” Agreed Crissy as she followed Jessie and Claire to skull rock.
Normally Ellie would have followed Claire, Jessie, and Crissy but instead she hesitated for a brief moment to sort out the half a dozen questions that floated from the back of her mind to the front of her mind. Questions like “Why would Bonnie Greensley’s ax be cursed? How did Bonnie Greensley’s ax end up in the middle of the road? Had someone thrown it at the bus or had it been dropped in the middle of the road by accident?” These questions were only a few of the questions that Ellie had on her mind. Questions that Ellie wasn’t sure she really wanted to know the answer to.
“It was probably just a prank, or something, that’s not jump to conclusions Ellie, that’s just head into camp and see what happens next.” Ellie silently told herself as she started to head back to skull rock to catch up with wither Claire, Crissy, or Jessie.
Ellie was about halfway to skull rock when she stopped as she heard a twig snap from somewhere in the wooded area behind her. As Ellie turned around to see what it was she thought that she saw a silhouette of a person duck behind a tree that was about ten feet away.
“Is someone actually following me?” Ellie silently asked herself as she continued to scan the wooded area behind herself to see if she could see who was following her.
After spending a few seconds looking Ellie decided that she was being silly and that she was probably seeing things. Something that Ellie considered was a possible considering all the times she had spent a lot of time traveling in a moving vehicle.
“There’s no need to over react Ellie, that’s just head to skull rock, like Claire said the last thing that I need is to be late.” Stated Ellie out loud to herself as she continued to walk the rest of the way to skull rock with the distinct feeling that she was being watched by someone. A feeling that managed to go away the moment that she arrived at skull rock to join the rest of the campers at Camp Green Lake for a camping experience that she nobody was likely to forget.
Andria Marie Monique
Camp Greens Lake
12/26/2008-10/21/2009
Chapter Two: Cabin Groups
The moment that Ellie arrived at skull rock she realized that there were a lot of campers and camp counselors. So many that she wasn’t able to find Claire, Jessie, Crissy, Aaron, or Curtis.
“Are you lost or something?” Asked a tall boy with short and spiky dirty blond hair and dark brown eyes.
“Lost- - I don’t think so, I just sort of feel lost.” Replied Ellie as she felt her cheeks go warm with embarrassment.
“You must be new to Camp Greens Lake… I’m Todd Green, don’t worry after a while I’m sure that you’ll get used to it.” Reassured Todd as he properly introduced himself to Ellie and extended his hand in a handshake gesture towards Ellie.
“Thanks, I’m sure that I will, and my name is Ellie Anderson.” Replied Ellie as she politely shook Todd’s hand as he gave her hand a firm handshake and then politely dropped it.
“Anderson… Oh I see,
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