Chapter 17
610words
Laughter—not much, just a sliver—curled around the campers like morning fog. Bags were packed, blankets rolled tight, toothbrushes shoved into kits with hasty joy. Chatter filled the narrow hallways. The killer hadn't struck during the night. For once, there were no blood trails, no gutted bodies left like torn-up dolls.
Hope, the dangerous liar, began to slither back into everyone's hearts.
Alex zipped up his duffel bag and stretched, letting out a sigh of relief. Ben, standing behind him, slid his arms around his waist and pulled him close.
"Maybe we're really done with this nightmare," Ben murmured against his ear.
Alex didn’t answer. He just leaned into the warmth, pressing his cheek against Ben’s shoulder.
Across the room, Lucas gently tugged Zee into him. His lips brushed her temple.
"We’re leaving today, princess," he whispered. "Just hold on a little longer."
Zee smiled faintly, resting her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. For once, it wasn’t pounding with fear.
Downstairs, the main hall buzzed like a hive. Campers stood in small groups, hugging, whispering, even smiling. Some sat on their luggage by the exit, eyes fixed on the locked iron gates as though their gaze alone could pry them open. The camp director, Ms. Aida, appeared more human again. Her face had color, her hair less tangled, her eyes holding a fragile steadiness.
She stepped up to the front, her voice carrying over the sea of students. "Good morning, everyone. I know it's been... a lot. But you made it. Just a few more hours and you’ll be reunited with your families. The gates will open by noon, so stay packed and stay in your groups. We’ll call for your transport when the buses arrive."
A loud cheer erupted. Relief washed over the crowd. Some kids even cried from joy.
Alex, Zee, Lucas, and Ben stood together, still wary but trying to share the optimism spreading like wildfire.
But the fire didn’t burn for long.
A little over an hour later, Ms. Aida rushed back into the hall, her face pale again, panic overtaking the brief calm.
"Has anyone seen Mr. Holloway? Or any of the counselors?"
The buzz dimmed. Campers turned, confused. A strange silence rippled across the room.
"They weren’t at breakfast..." someone muttered.
"Wait..." another camper piped up. "I didn’t see any of them last night either."
Zee's stomach twisted. Her eyes locked with Ben’s. Alex stepped closer, his expression darkening.
Ms. Aida looked around, voice cracking. "Please don’t panic. Maybe they’re just... maybe they overslept. Let’s stay calm. I’ll need some volunteers to search. Please stay in groups. No one goes alone. We just need Mr. Holloway to open the gate."
But dread had already begun to bloom like black mold. Murmurs rolled through the hall, heavy and breathless.
"What if they’re dead too?"
"What if the killer’s one of them?"
"I knew it was too quiet last night..."
The illusion of safety shattered. Campers clutched their bags tighter. Some backed toward corners. Others started crying. Lucas took Zee’s hand, his jaw tight.
Ben whispered to Alex, "This isn’t over."
Zee nodded slowly, her mind racing. The killer was still here. Watching. Waiting. Smiling, perhaps.
The sun outside shone a little too brightly, mocking the shadows that lingered in their hearts.
No one was leaving this camp... not yet.
