Lost and found
A cave. A single, stupid cave saved Neil's life. The boy nervously tried to light a small fire using sticks, for this he collected dried branches and piled them. Slowly a barely visible light appeared between his hands, it was fire. The warm slowly took over his body and the small science expert stopped shaking so much. The exit from the cave was half covered with snow, and icicles hung from above his head. Still it was much safer than being outside.
"What am I gonna do now?" He asked himself quietly.
There was no way he could contact anyone, seek help or find some food for himself. He was completely alone. Alone with his thoughts.
Where are they? Did anyone even notice that I'm gone? Are they looking for me? I wanna go back-
Neil tucked his legs under him, trying to take as little space as possible. It would take a long time for anyone to find him. The boy rubbed his hands repeatedly to warm himself. He hoped that the dried sticks would be enough to keep the fire burning in the cave. It had to. Neil wasn't doing well emotionally right now, though not like he did ever. He just didn't show it. Campers knew that he was nervous, he got easily irritated and probably was one of the most sane kids in this camp. But that was only a mask. A facade. Everybody was hiding something, not just Max. 'I wonder, how's Max doing? '
Little did he know, Max was going pretty much nuts without his friend.
" Nikki, I swear, one more word and I'll start tearing every part of this damn camp apart. "
" But Max! What if he's in trouble? What if he was attacked by a bunch of bears and ended up like Jas-"
"Shhh! Stop being so god damn loud! David might hear you..."
The camper searched the area near them, but apparently the camp counselor was too busy talking with Gwen on the other side of the Mess Hall. They've been sitting here for about 2 hours, but the weather still wasn't good enough for the adults to go search for the missing boy. Max was sick of it. Sitting and doing nothing, but hoping that Neil wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead. He wouldn't survive it.
" David? Oh c'mon Max! He's too busy to notice anything right now "
" Anything you say? " The camper smiled smugly and a new plan was born in his head. A plan on getting Neil back by himself. Nikki looked at him questioningly, but he didn't say a thing.
" Max? "
" Nikki I have a mission for you " The girl's eyes turned into stars and she squealed in excitement.
" What is it?! Tell me!"
" I want you to protect Mr. Honeynuts, while I go search for Neil. Do not tell anyone about this, got it? It's a secret mission. "
"Of course! I won't tell a soul!"
" Good. " Max hugged his bear one last time before slowly handing him to Nikki, she gently took him, looking at Mr. Honeynuts like a precious gem and put him in her small pocket. The girl smiled proudly.
" Alright, I'm gonna get going. You stay here. " He spoke quietly while checking if anyone overheard their conversation. No one seemed to notice. Max put on he's navy blue jacket and hoodie, just before sneaking out of the Mess Hell. The wind wasn't as strong as earlier, but it still sometimes made him shiver. The camper slowly made his way trough the snow and mud in the forest, while occasionally yelling into the wild.
" Neil! C'mon man, it's not funny! You can get out now! "
'Damnit- where is he?' Max inhaled the cold air, it was so calm outside. No yelling. No more crying. No more whining. Just pure silence. The kid wouldn't admit it, but he missed his best friend. It was dull without him and his scientific monologue. He didn't want Neil to end up like the ghost kid. Like Jasper. Max got so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice the huge pile of snow before him. The camper cursed under his breath when suddenly cold and wet sand got under his clothes.
"Fucking shit-"
The kid threw the snow off himself and finally noticed something. He was no longer in the forest. He was in a cave
-and he wasn't alone.
"Neil?"
Suddenly the 2nd camper slowly opened his eyes, his eyelashes were covered in little snowflakes. His cheeks and ears were quite red from the cold, but he was alive. More than alive at this very moment.
"Holy shit Max you're-"
"Shut the fuck up. I am really pissed off at you."
"I- what? I'm sorry?" The science camper blinked, thinking that he perhaps misheard something. For what?
"You idiot! What the fuck gave you the idea to scare us like that?! I was so fucking worried- Everyone was!" He yelled frustrated and before he noticed, small wet tears started falling down his face. He was scared. Absolutely afraid of losing Neil. It wasn't like him to lose his cool like that, but then again... it was Neil after all that had gone missing.
"Max... I'm not leaving you... or the others." He spoke calmly, making his way closer to the shorter kid. He could see him shaking slightly.
"Alright? I'm gonna stay with you as long as I can and I can scientifically prove it." Neil said jokingly the last part, trying to lighten up the suddenly intense atmosphere.
"You better not. I'm having my damn eyes on you. Got it?"
"Yup. I got it." Max exhaled carefully and slowly relaxed. Suddenly he felt getting himself stuck in a warm embrace, that gave off vibes of happiness. He just got hugged. By Neil. In a cave. In the middle of fucking winter. Wow. The Science Kid realized what he had done and quickly let go of him, but for some reason he couldn't. Because Max gave up on his tough image and hugged back. Neil smiled gratefully that he wasn't pushed away. He finally felt safe.
"Mention this to anyone and I'll murder you in your sleep!"
"Of course..."
They were together and that was the only thing that mattered right now.