Camp Little Rock Prologue

“You mean it when you said you come to this spot heaps?” Michelle asked as she tossed another chunk of wood into the small fire. Andrew let a sharp inhale slip between his lips as he brought a carton of beer from his pick up over. “ I mean-” The fiery brunette cut in “What do you mean ‘I mean’ that creep at the gas station was acting like we were stepping on his grandma’s grave when you said we were out here camping!” Andrew turned around, hiding the annoyed look as he grabbed some snacks. “Listen, Chris said this spot was good. They just get all snobbish cause they got that stupid campground for rich boomers round the bend. They must get pissy when people get too close to the property” He huffed and shoved some pretzels into his mouth.

Michelle scrunched her nose at him, this was supposed to be glamping as a way to reconnect with each other, get their romance or love back. And yet, Andrew has found a way to half ass it. No luxury campground, no cell service, no toilet, just a shitty smelly tent and her supposed boyfriend that was teetering on the edge of being dumped here and now if he didn’t have the bloody car keys and can actually drive a manual. Zoning back in and Andrew was in his own bravado, talking about his last conquest at his gym, his personal best and how the other guys are finally stopping with the soy boy shit. She hated the new friends he seemed to be making, didn’t help he also loved to prove how smart he was every time they were out with other people. Her thoughts of pushing him into the lake nearby came to a halt as she heard a twig snap and her mind was soon keenly aware how dark the forest around them was and how….Alone she was.

“Andrew……” Her voice crept up an octave bringing Andrew back to where he was. “Sup peaches? Did a mosquito spook you?” He teased playfully, scooching closer to her and wrapping an arm around her, more as a way to woo rather than comfort her. “No! I heard something…” She hissed in a hushed whisper. Something was out there, the woods now deadly silent. But…..

“The fuck? Is….Is that fucking Old Mac Donald?” Andrew coughed out, having just taken a swig of his beer. The tinkling of the nostalgic tune floated eerily in the air, each word sounding….fuzzy, crackly as if the notes were whelping out from a broken stereo.

“It’s probably some local punks…. Ya know? Trying to freak us out and scare us off their land” Michelle said, standing up and backing slightly towards the truck. Andrew took offense to that. Here he was making some pretty amazing moves on his girlfriend and just when it was starting to settle in his favor, some shits tried to ruin it.

“Hey! Yeah we hear you! Little fucks, come out and face me, or you too pussy and need your baby shows to make you feel brave, ass wipes!!!” Shouting out into the darkness Andrew felt his chest swell with pride as he stood up for himself. And his girlfriend of course. Throwing a rock towards the sound only made him feel better when the music seemed to cut out.

Turning to Michelle with a grin he sauntered over as he guided her to the hood of his ride, squeezing her ass and pulling her hair just how she likes it. “See that baby? I got us covered. Ain’t no way anyone gonna come mess my girl up” he purred and started to kiss her neck.

Taking a breath the brunette had to admit it was hot seeing Andrew scare off whoever was out there.The adrenaline got her hot and fired up and he was pushing all the right buttons for them to get heated. She could dump his brain dead ass later. For now she ran her nails down his back with one hand and wrapped her legs around his body, her hips grinding against him “Fuck yeah, you really did, fuck maybe we can do that thing you like? You know….” She purred between locking lips. She pulled away to look at that stupid crooked grin she fell for, only to have her squint at some light behind him “Wha th-”

WHAM

Andrew fell to the side, red soon pooling down his head as Michelle had fallen with him. The sight of his limp body beside her making her stomach drop. She didn’t have more than a beat before there was movement out the corner of her eye..

WHAM

She rolled out of the way just in time as some thick metal pole crashed right where she was. Something loomed over her. The light was so bright compared to her surroundings it totally blinded her. She could make out some big figure, it smelt of sweat, earth and….Baby powder? She could barely think as she rolled onto her stomach and dug her nails into the ground. Trying desperately to get up and run. She got two steps in before her ankle was ripped from under her and she was upside down. How did she get here? It didn’t make sense. Nor did it make sense as the nursery song started playing loudly, emanating from whatever was holding her. She tried to scratch and beat her fists against it but whatever it was was so thick and sturdy. Heat radiated off it in the cold night. The last thing she remembered was having something shoved onto her nose and mouth. Sweet air filled her mouth, her lungs protesting as the tainted gas pricked and clung to the walls. She screamed and screamed until the world went blurry and she was gone.

Meaty paws fiddled and felt around in the couple’s pockets, looking for keys. Once secured Andrew was tied up first, harsh rope biting into his skin but with the knock to his head he would be out cold for a while. Besides, meat like his was of low value anyway. The figure was more than happy to sling him into the bed of the truck. Michelle was given a much more tender approach. Once the gas mask was fitted in place more securely and the padded locking cuffs on her wrists and ankles kept her bound for now. She was gently laid in the backseat with a blanket carefully laid over her. A rough hand cupped her cheek and traced her eyebrow before tucking some of her curls out of her face. With the cargo now secure, the fire was put out and the truck made its way towards Camp Little Rock.

“NEED SUMMER WORK? BECOME A CAMP COUNSELLOR TODAY!”

Jacey scanned the flyer, mulling it over. Camp work could be good, she would get a bed, food and some cash over the summer break. It would be hard work and she would have some late nights, but it was better than being stuck at some fast food job and smelling like fries all the time. But dealing with kids? That was out of her wheelhouse, she was never great with kids, but she could do the regular camp stuff. Hiking, kayaking, archery. That was fun. She remembered doing that back when she was a kid going to summer camps. And the counsellors back then seemed to get up to their own fun when she was made to go to sleep with her bunkmates.

Jacey looked around the cafe before grabbing the flyer and walking off. Phone in hand and dialling the number.

“Hi, is this Camp Little Rock’s office? Awesome, yeah I’m calling about your job flyer about becoming a counsellor? Yes, my name is Jacey……”