Camp Mortala

The Arrival

Aliya

Monday morning. My head was a broken track while I mindlessly glance at the bus window, spinning and playing on the same questions; why does it seem like something was dangerously wrong?

It was like all the noises and reckless riot in this place became a mere blur; my sense of hearing almost completely gone. The once vibrant and warm sapphire sky from outside my window was turning ash gray, slowly and fearfully being hidden away by the dark pine trees. I was not one of the people who were made to be in the wild, I thought.

“Hey, what’s your reason to be invited?” I heard a girl said from across my seat. I glanced at her for a second before sinking back into my seat and into my thoughts once more.

Sometimes, I would wonder how was I considered being worthy of participating in this camp. My physique was not made for the concept of challenges, games, and adapting to a place other than the cities. Well, they said different types of students…maybe they knew I have a liking for scrabble and chess. Tricky strategies would be some help, I guess.

“…strategies? I don’t even know myself.”

Not very long, the bus started to shake and bounce along the trail, large stones and pieces of wood were on the mud-covered path. My colleagues were beginning to complain, I stayed quiet but shivers ran down my spine. Why was this place so isolated? Camp venues were normally not this scary. The road isn’t even that well made. Branches and wild plants brushed against the windows.

It was very suspicious.

“Here we are, folks! Off the vehicle, you go.”

I haven’t got my thoughts straight when we got off the bus, my mind still in a complicated daze. The earth still felt soft and damp underneath the heels of my Timberlands. A cold wind blew against my skin, making me shiver and clutch my peach-colored jacket.

Where were we?

Looking up, I could see nothing else but the gigantic, deep forestry that was surrounding the small empty ground we were in. The sky above clouded over, the wind blowing harshly against us. I turned around to see the bus leaving and going down the muddied path.

“H-Hey! Sir-“

“Don’t be stupid! He won’t hear you…”

“Well, what are we going to do now? This isn’t the camp.”

My legs jolted to run after the bus, but I knew it was going to be pointless. I froze in my spot while the others attempted to chase it and some were like me; standing here as some child who lost their parent in a busy and crowded street. A shaky sigh escaped my lips while I looked around again, my eyes narrowed to see a small trail past some wild bushes. Glancing at my helpless colleagues, I knew would have to find some way to find the actual site…not like them who don’t do anything useful.

My eyes turned towards a small tree against the ground, it was dried up and was obviously dead. I snapped one of its branches off and went back to the direction of the trail, striking the bushes with it. I was able to clear some of them, and soon enough I was able to see a narrow, rocky path leading deep into the woods. Small thoughts of hope ran into my head.

“Hey…I found this path.”

Soon enough, eyes were looking towards me. I went down the trail, cautiously walking and looking down my steps then back at the deep forest. I could hear some of the other students following, still mumbling things like complaints and hesitant questions. We continued to walk through the dark trail between the tall trees, the ground jelly, and our feet sank into it in every step. The light was slowly fading from the gigantic roof of leaves and vines above us.

“You all should stop being so whiny.” I looked to my left as I heard a boy say with a monotone voice.

The journey through the trail continued until another group of people appeared through the forest, catching my attention. They were almost the same number, maybe too little, but I was too dazed to figure out how many were they. But there was this man that was very much ahead of them, giving short yet bold and clear warnings.

We were around 6 meters apart, but I could see his oddly unreadable expression while he looked at my direction. His charcoal eyes narrowed, dark and mysterious as onyx, with his midnight-colored hair draped down his forehead. Intimidated by his appearance, I bit my lip…but was immediately extinguished when his gaze turned in the other direction. I couldn’t turn away unlike him, he seemed very questionable.

 A small feeling of discontent overwhelmed me as our path turned, navigating away from his group. I looked back towards the deep woods ahead, faint noises from the other group finally becoming nothing. For almost an entire hour, we were dead silent.

“Welcome, my dear students! You are almost there!”

We heard the voice of Miss Smith from the far end of the trail, making my head jolt up in surprise. I guess this is the actual campsite; we were just on our way there. Soon, we were in a rush to get to the end of the trail, eager to finally finish this damned forest tour and be in the comfort of our own site’s safety.

But our expectations plummeted down as all we could find was an old-fashioned concrete building, its walls are worn out with moss and vines while painted pale grey. The roof was made of glass, forming a gigantic half-sphere with small metal frames.

Only two large doors of painted wood were at the front, engraved with two different symbols; an owl with its wings wide open… and the other was a wolf with its teeth bared. I assume it’s the other group’s emblem. I’m not sure.

Making a loud creak, the door with our symbol opened before us. We entered the dark and hollow room, even the faintest of footsteps echoed through the empty space. Attention towards the empty concrete seats, I sat. The cold and hard feeling of the stone-like chair made me shiver.

“Greetings, students of Saint Elizabeth’s Integrated College! I am more than pleased to see you all participate and join my little annual camp game…No time to waste!

I am Madelyn Torres. The Head Gamemaster…” I look towards the woman in the balcony above, she looked like she was in her late 50’s, a vibrant shade of red painted across her lips. Large blue eyes narrowed as a wide smile formed in her pale white face. What was she saying?

“Wait…game? I thought this was an acquaintance camp-“ My colleague asked but she interrupted, holding up her microphone closer. Her face was austere and stern as her chestnut locks fell

“Oh, ahaha…you THOUGHT this was some childish acquaintance camp? Well sorry to burst your tiny joyful bubble.

Don’t worry. I have been setting this up for several years. With the consent of Miss Andraste Smith and Sire Jeremiah Diaz, you have been registered to be part of my little experiment for the glory of your campus.”

Lights were on, revealing the other group. But my eyes turned towards the familiar man I encountered, his face cold and ruthless, but his eyes showed fear. Like everyone else.

“Five days, my little sweethearts. You will play along with my rules, and dare to see the light of the Friday sunrise~

Children of Saint Elizabeth’s Integrated College and Saint Corentin’s Academy! Survive the camp long as you fight for yourself, and for your campus’s dignity and glory! We’ll see who shall be my last ones standing...”

I watched while Miss Madelyn snapped her fingers, the lights went off once more. My heart dropped in pure terror of what’s ahead. We were tricked.

I should’ve listened to that senior.

“Welcome to Camp Mortala, sweeties.”