The Mysterious Trail
I sat at my desk biting the end of my pencil, I was staring straight at the clock. It was 2:56. In 4 minutes, school would be out for summer! Honestly, normally I wasn’t excited for this. Normally I wasn’t excited for anything. The only reason today was different is because tomorrow, I’d be off to Camp Cedar Point. 8 weeks free of my parents, 8 weeks free of this school that I hated, and 8 weeks free... Just free. My teacher, Mrs. Gibson was droning on and on. Did she know that nobody was even paying attention? She was a nice teacher, but her biggest mistake of all was thinking the students actually pay attention. I do sometimes. Whenever I’m not doodling, or writing short stories. I enjoy writing. I always have. I just get lost in the words on the page. I feel as if I’m right there, as it’s happening. Things happen, those things turn into stories. Stories were meant to be written.
2:58, two minutes to go. “And that’s how I spent the summer of 1979!” Mrs. Gibson cried. I looked up, startled out of my day dream. “This summer, I’d like you all to write a report on what you did this summer.” She said peering at us through her glasses. I would enjoy that, this summer I would actually have something exciting to write about. Or at least, I hoped. I waited with baited breath, and then, the moment I’d been waiting for since 8:00. The final bell rang. Goodbye 5th grade. I jumped up, hurriedly stuffed my papers and books in my backpack and ran out of the classroom, I was halfway to the door when I tripped. I groaned, and looked up. It was none other then Jeremy Fenton. Jeremy had been bullying me since 1st grade when I brought a barbie doll to show and tell. He had said boys don’t play with barbies, I told him that was dumb. He beat me up in the bathroom and tore the head of my barbie. He had never let me live it down either.
I shrunk down on the ground, preparing myself for the beating he would inevitably give me. “Where ya going in such a hurry?” He said sneering at me. “Home.” I muttered, he burst out laughing. To give you some background, Jeremy was not very smart. “Home.” He repeated back in a mocking tone. I glared at him, as I started to get up, but he pushed me back down. He grabbed the water bottle that was hanging outside my backpack and dumped it all over my head. Anger seared through me, but I knew better then to speak on it. I glared at him, as he walked away laughing. “One day... I’m gonna stand up to him.” I said to myself, as I stood back up and went outside. I hopped on my bike, and rode as fast as I could back home.
We live in Cornville, Indiana, it’s a small town. Population was about 3,000 people. I rode past the post office, rounded the corner, rode through town square, and went to Pine street. That’s where my house was. It was a 10 minute ride from my school. I parked my bike and quietly entered the house. My dad was watching TV, and my mom was reading. They never really payed much attention to me, unless it was to yell at me about my grades, not being good at sports, or for being a waste of space. I was used to it. I just try really hard to stay out of their way. I had gotten used to being alone at a young age. I don’t really know why my parents hate me. Sometimes, it really sucks and makes me sad. That’s why I spend so much time writing and drawing.
I went into the kitchen and grabbed a twinkie out of the cupboard. I opened it and ate it in 2 bites. I had not eaten lunch today because Jeremy had dumped milk on my tray. I know what you are probably thinking, why do I take his crap? The simple answer... I’m scared. I’m always scared. I’m scared of my parents, I’m scared of Jeremy, I’ve never had the courage to stand up for myself. I just write my life away. I’m only 12, and I spend most of my life in fear and alone. I mean being an introvert has it’s perks. I’m less likely to run into conflicts of interests. As I was throwing away my twinkie wrapper, my dad came into the kitchen. “You all packed up boy?” I nodded, “Good, get your crap and get your ass in the car.” I was shocked, camp wasn’t supposed to start until tomorrow.
“Uh, camp doesn’t start till tomorrow.” I said anxiously. He shot daggers at me, “I said get your stuff and get your butt in that car! I’m dropping you off tonight, your mother and I have plans tomorrow.” I thought about arguing, but decided I wouldn’t. It was not worth the energy. “O-okay.” I stuttered as I walked back to my room and grabbed my suitcase and my duffle bag. I lugged it outside, slowly. My dad was already waiting in the car. I put the bag and suitcase in the backseat and got in next to it. My dad started the car and we set off. “How far is it?” I asked slightly anxious.
He looked like he was in a bad mood. “About 4 and a half hours. You’re lucky I’m even taking you.” He grumbled crankily. I thought about retorting, this was HIS idea, to get rid of me. I wasn’t the one who suggested this, but I was all for it. I sat back and got out my mp3 player, I put on some Against the Current. I don’t really care if people think that’s lame for a boy to be listening too. I like it. We drove past the big cities, past the small towns, past the farms, and kids just a little younger then me playing on the sidewalk.
They looked happy. They had friends. I smiled sheepishly, I took out my notebook and wrote down what I say. Trees swaying in the breeze, kids running up and down the sidewalk laughing and yelling; cars driving by with people who wouldn’t remember this exact moment in time. Soon after my notetaking, I fell asleep. I woke up to my dad saying, “Wake up, kid. We’re here.” I yawned and stretched. The sun had began to go down over the trees. We had just passed a big sign that said welcome to camp cedar point. We drove down this path for probably 5 minutes, the forest slowly going to sleep all around us as the sun set. Soon, we ended up in the main area of the camp.
There was a few games set up in the front of what appeared to be a mess hall, foosball, table tennis, and air hockey. There were several other buildings in the center of the camp. I smiled, this would be a good summer after all.
My dad stopped the car and we got out, there was a table set up that appeared to be for checking in. We were here a day early though. “Come on.” My dad said irritably, I followed him into the mess hall. There was a small group of whom I assumed to be camp counselors in there at a table. They all had a Camp Cedar Point Shirt on. “Uh, hi.” Said one of the camp counselors, he was a tall, lanky boy. He had shaggy blond hair, and a suntan. He stood up, “Check in doesn’t start till tomorrow morning.” He said, looking back and forth between me and my dad. “Well, I’m dropping my kid off now.” My dad spat back impatiently. “So either take him and my money now, or he’ll just have to sleep outside till tomorrow.” My eyes went wide, was he serious?
“Okay, okay.” The boy said, “Let me go get the camp director.” He left the hall and went into a little cabin right next to it. He came back 5 minutes later with an older man. The man wore a fishing hat, and an old Camp Cedar Point shirt, and some shorts. “This is the camp director, Director Ted.” The lanky boy said, before sitting back down. “What can I do for you?” The man said, he looked kind of irritated. I couldn’t really blame him. “Right.” My dad said. “Here’s a check. He’s all yours.” My dad said and strode out of the mess hall without even looking at me. I sighed.
“Um.. I’m really sorry.” I said awkwardly. I wished all these people would stop looking at me. Director Ted looked almost as irritable as my dad but he didn’t take that out on me fortunately.
“Not a problem. We just ordered pizza, after that Jake here will show you to your cabin.” I nodded, thankful that these people weren’t going to make me sleep outside of the camp. I only ate 1 slice of pizza and sat awkwardly waiting for Jake to finish talking to the other counselors. It was an all boys camp, and apparently across the lake was the sister camp.
As Jake finished he stood and gestured me to follow him. I quickly scampered behind him. He led me down a well lit trail past bushes and trees to a group of 8 cabins all in a giant circle, there was a bigger 9th cabin in the center, and a large building to The side. “These are the cabins. There’s 3 boys to a cabin. That big one in the middle is for us counselors. And the other building is the outhouse. Why don’t you go put your things up and I’ll give you the full tour. You’re in cabin 3.” He said helping me put my things into cabin 3.
It was rather spacious. There was bunk beds on one side and a single bed on the other. I sat my things down on the single bed. “You can decorate your area however you want, with things you’ve brought from home or things you make in arts and crafts.” Jake explained. He was really nice honestly. “Thanks.” I said, he gestured me to follow him, we went back down the path leading to the main area. He showed me the arts and crafts cabin, the theater building, the amphitheater that was right in front of the lake. The trees foreshadowed it in the night. “Every week we have bon fires out at the amphitheater and play music, tell stories, eat s’mores. You know, all the fun camp things.” He said, glancing over at me. I actually didn’t know, I’d never been to camp before.
“Down at the lake, there’s canoes, a swimming area, a fishing area, and a giant slide! That’s everyone’s favorite.” He said grinning. I grinned back. He showed me the basketball court, the tennis court, the baseball field, and the football field. Honestly, there was so much to do at this camp. There was also a canteen for snacks. It was a pretty big place.
As we were walking back from the football field I couldn’t help but notice a trail that had a “Do Not Enter” sign. “What’s that?” I said, pointing at the trail. He followed my finger, “Oh, that’s the Forbidden Trail. It’s been off limits since literally forever.” He said, slightly uneasy. I noticed, but decided to not question it. “How long have you been a camper here?” I asked curiously. He smiled, “Since I was in 6th grade.” He said, he looked like he was reminiscing. “I’ve made so many good memories here.” I wanted to make good memories too.
He noticed my expression go from happy to kind of sad, “You will too, Tommy. I’m sure of it.” He said quickly. I nodded, we went back to the cabins. I laid down in my bed and stared up at the ceiling. I thought about all the fun things I could do, I thought about the friends I might make. I mean.. What if I don’t make friends though? My mind wandered into dark places, as I went to sleep. I hoped that tomorrow would be a good day.
