Chapter 4
The cabin looks like it’s one gust of wind away from falling apart, the roof is sloped around a large stained-glass window. It’s much bigger than I would have expected. The entryway has a small canopy with a large wooden door to enter. The house has a dark appearance, with wooden beams, moss, and vines covering the cabin giving it an overgrown, enchanted look. Crooked windows are placed all along the front of the cabin. Brick wall sticks out from the side and a chimney almost the size of the cabin points out from the opposite side. Next to the left side are steps leading upwards and round to the back of the cabin.
“Ok, now I really feel like I’m at camp-half blood” Gus says to me.
Eda beckons us to follow her in. We enter what must be the living room/common area of the cabin. A large red sofa to the left with a small rectangular coffee table in front of it, opposite that is a blazing fire inside of an old fireplace with candles littering every surface of the cabin. On top of the fireplace is a giant mirror with an elegant design across its borders. A small bookcase stands next to the fireplace filled with games and books for us.
“Please tell me we have electricity” Willow asked.
“Sorry kiddo” Eda replies “We make do with the candles”
We all share a glance. This is certainly going to be an interesting summer. Posters of random activities and companies are sprayed across the walls. At the end of the common room is a small doorway, to the left is a set of spiral stairs upwards, but to the front is the kitchen.
Into the kitchen there is a large semi-circle glass window on the far-facing wall, it shows the forest behind filled with trees and wood life. In front of the window is a long table filled with enough chairs for all of us to sit at. There is a wooden door against the wall and next to it a pile of logs – probably for the fireplace- stacked up neatly. Against the right wall there is counters and cupboards, we open a few to find some old pans and pots. The fridge is stocked with fresh food and Eda tells us we can replenish it in the dining hall when we need. We are expected to make our own lunches, but they provide breakfast and dinner in the dining hall every day.
We head up the spiral stairs between the common area and the kitchen to our bunks, the first floor has two bedrooms- one for me and willow to share and one for King and Gus to share- Eda runs off to the second floor (where her room is) and tells us to settle in for an hour then we will all head to the dining room.
Me and Willow claim the room to the left and head over to our new room, there is a small window opposite the door allowing a small amount of light into the room, two identical beds are in opposite corners of the room- I take the right, willow takes the left. Fairy lights decorate the ceiling hanging from the beams (after a long search we find they are battery operated from the corner) Random chests are stacked on each side, covered in so much dust that we are coughing as we open them to empty our stuff into them.
Willow gently taps me on the shoulder holding an old polaroid camera.
“Smile” she says putting her arm around me and taking a picture with it.
We hang it on one of the empty walls- first day of camp.
After a hard hour of moving boxes, cleaning off dust and unpacking our stuff our room is finally done. Not the nicest room I’ve ever had by far, but for now its cozy and warm so it will do.
An ear-piercing yell from outside gets our attention. We go into the hall and Eda’s there, she’s got a megaphone to scream at us with now, great!
“Sorry kids, checking its working for activities tomorrow” she laughs “Ready for some food?”
We all agree and head out of the cabin. A long walk past the lake and back to the main area where the dining hall is.
It is a vibrant, bustling space filled with sounds and activity. The air is filled with the clinking of cutlery against plates, the soft scrape of benches being pulled out and pushed in, and the hum of chatter from groups of people talking at once. The sounds of food being served add to the noise—trays clattering as they’re set down, the sizzling of hot food, and the occasional loud thunk of a drink being placed on the table.
We head across the dining hall to grab our trays of food and whilst standing in line I notice Eda wave to another counsellor. They had long, silvery- green hair that flowed smoothly, with some strands falling forward- framing their face. Their hair has a slight gradient, starting darker at the roots and fading into a pale silver towards the ends, their eyes were a deep green and framed with similar glasses to willows. As they saw Eda their face went a bright red, and their eyes suddenly became very interested in looking down at the floor.
Brought back into reality I am handed a tray of food, and I frantically search for were the other three have sat. Willow waves me over so I start walking across and sit at the table with them.
I look over to my right, the green-haired girl is sat with her posse of friends acting like she owned the place. I was so grateful in that moment for who my cabinmates were- even if they did seem a bit strange to begin with.
We continue with our food and once most of the room has finished a man steps up to the front of the room- the hall goes silent.
He has an old, withered face, wearing a bright red hat on his head and holding a cane in his right hand. He introduces himself as Professor Bump.
“Welcome to camp isles, here you will learn to excel in your chosen area whilst hopefully having fun along the way” He starts “You have already met those you will be living with for the next two months. This is mainly an arts and sports camp but lots of other opportunities are available; you will start off with a crash course in all the different opportunities for the next week. Then you will all be expected to choose a certain group to confine yourselves too.”
“For now, finish your meals, rest up and we shall begin explaining in more detail tomorrow” He motions to us to continue chatting and slowly hushed whispers turns back into the chaotic bustling space we walked into earlier.
“What groups are you going to choose?” I ask the others.
“I want to choose the Illusions and magic course!” Gus piped up from across the table.
“I’m not sure yet” Willow stated “I guess we’ll see how this week goes”
“King?” I ask
He stares at me and states “Drawing bugs and animals!”
“How many groups are there?” I ask
“Loads, all different types, you’ll find one that you like!” Gus states.
We finish our meal and head back to our cabin. After a few rounds of an old connect four (the only game on the bookshelf that had something inside of the box) we decide to head to bed.
“I’ll come wake you up at 8 am, for breakfast at 8:30” Eda told us right before we all headed upstairs. I guess there’s not going to be any lie ins this summer!. As I get into bed, I reach for my phone in my back pocket – which I hadn’t touched since the bus ride earlier. One message from my Mum:
“How’s summer camp?”
I look around at my cramped tiny room filled with dust and dirt, but then my mind looks over at Willow and the people I’ve already met after being here a day. It may not be perfect but..
“I think I’m gonna like it here”
I reply.