Chapter 1
At the edge of the wood, deep in the heart of Camp Eagle, stands a large oak tree. The oak’s long limbs stretch out, as if to reach for the heavens. Hidden on a large branch, crouched just beneath a leafy bunch, is a figure. Beneath them, a group of humanoid things reached and grasped, trying to get to them. The figure, a teenage girl, was poised to jump, knees bent, hands balancing herself on the branch. With a final look down at the growing hoard below her, she pushed off, leaping from the tree.
Kitty hit the ground running, pushing herself as fast as she could. Risking a glance over her shoulder, she realized that the creatures had yet to notice her escape. They continued to grasp at the tree, unaware of the girl running quickly away from them. She slowed her pace slightly, but continued forward, staying just behind the treeline, out of sight from whatever may be tracking her.
Snap.
Behind her, the first sounds of an approaching figure grew closer. Kitty hesitated at the edge of the trees. She found herself at the edge of a large, open field, filled with row after row of small bushes full of delicate purple flowers. Leaves crunched beneath the feet of the creatures, who were slowly growing nearer to her. She bolted, starting out across the field, the long limbs of the bushes raking against her bare legs. As she picked up speed, the creatures fell behind. Unable to keep up, they lost interest, and disappeared back into the woods, retreating to their next victim.
Kitty continued forward at a steady jog. Nightfall was coming, and she knew better than to be caught out after dark. Her foot caught on a large object and she tumbled to the ground, her fingers digging into the soil as she caught herself.
A small “oof” emitted from the thing that had caused her fall. Kitty’s brow furrowed and she turned to find the source. Sprawled out on the ground behind her was a dark haired girl, close to her age. The girl sat up slowly, her eyes dazed as she took in her surroundings.
“Who are you?” both girls said in unison. Neither answered. Instead, Kitty shook her head.
“You shouldn’t be here,” she stated, standing up and brushing herself off. The sun was close to disappearing behind the western side of the camp. Kitty turned back to the girl, offering her a hand. The girl allowed Kitty to pull her to her feet.
“What do you mean, I shouldn’t be here?” she asked, fidgeting with one of her dark curls. Kitty started to walk, continuing in the direction she had originally been going. The girl scrambled to catch up.
“Out here, by yourself. It’s almost dark. Not exactly the best time to be taking a nap,”
“I wasn’t!” she exclaimed. Kitty looked at her, raising her eyebrow questioningly. “Sleeping, I mean. I don’t- I’m not quite sure how I got here. Where is here, exactly?” Kitty stopped and stared at her.
“You mean you don’t-?” her eyes widened in realization. “Oh. Oh. We need to get you to Dynamite. Now.” She turned and started off again, the other girl following close behind her.
↣・↢
As darkness swept over the camp, the two girls approached a row of cabins. Several of the small buildings had collapsed, and the others were beginning to fall apart. All of the cabins were dark except one. Near the end of the row stood a cabin in far better shape than the others. Light glowed warmly from inside, and the sound of voices carried out to the duo. Kitty approached the cabin, knocking loudly on the door. Inside, the voices fell silent.
“I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with wind. What am I?” a voice said from the other side of the door. Kitty paused for a moment, chewing her lip.
“An echo,” she said finally. The girl stood nervously beside her as the door swung open. Standing in the doorway was a tall girl with skin the color of roasted coffee. She leaned against the doorway, a grin lighting up her gentle face. Light seeped out from behind her. She turned her head to yell into the bustling cabin.
“Guys, Kitty’s back!” she stepped aside, allowing them to come in. The girl hovered at the door, taking in the chaos. A tall girl with a halo of dark curls handed Kitty a soda. Kitty smiled at her.
“Thanks, V. Is Dynamite here?” Kitty gestured for the girl, and she came to stand next to her. “Found this rook in the woods. She seemed pretty confused. Thought maybe Dynamite might have some ideas,” Venus nodded her head towards the back of the room.
“She’s back there,” Kitty grabbed the girl’s hand and pulled her to the back of the room. In the back of the room, someone had set up a card table. A petite asian girl was arm wrestling a tall, athletic looking boy. As they approached, the girl pushed his arm down, banging it against the table. The few bystanders cheered as the boy rubbed his sore wrist.
“Better luck next time, Vix,” she grinned at him, running a hand through her short, choppy hair. She looked up, catching Kitty’s eye. “Hey, Kit Kat. Long time no see,” Kitty’s cheeks flushed slightly.
“Hey, Big D. Got someone here that might interest you,” Dynamite raised an eyebrow and gestured for them to sit down at the table across from her. The boy had slunk off into the crowd in search of some ice. Kitty sat, pulling up the chair next to her for the girl. As Dynamite surveyed the newcomer, her other eyebrow rose to meet it’s friend.
“Alright. I’ll bite. Who is she?” Dynamite leaned forward, studying her.
“I was hoping you knew. Found her in the middle of a field. Didn’t seem to know where she was.”
“Interesting,” she looked at the girl. “What’s your name, rook?” the girl furrowed her eyebrows. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, thinking.
“I’m not sure. I don’t remember,” Around them, people were preparing for dinner.
“Okay then. What do you remember?” The girl thought for a moment. Dynamite and Kitty watched her, waiting for an answer.
“Well,” she took a deep breath. “I was in a taxi. It was taking me to camp. The driver, he was weirdly quiet. And he wore a mask the whole time, and wouldn’t look me in the eye. It was very unsettling,” Kitty and Dynamite exchanged a look. “And then, well, I must have fallen asleep, because I don’t remember anything else. That is, not until you.” She looked pointedly at Kitty.
“I found her in the lilac field.” Kitty supplied. Another girl, the one who had opened the door for them earlier, came up to them.
“Food’s ready, if you’re done here. Joss saved your plates, if you want them,” Everyone else in the room was sitting around the big table in the center of the room, or on the faded couch, talking and eating. Dynamite nodded.
“Thanks, ’Manda,” she turned to the girl. “C’mon, rook, let’s get you some food.”
