Camping Trip
by David Fu
Hey Cole
Hey dad
How’s my favorite camper? Everything there all right?
We’re all about to turn in for the night
How’d you like your first day?
I hated it
What? How could you hate it? I had so much fun when I was there at your age!
It’s not fun at all
Not fun? Why?
The food is crap, my legs are sore, and all the older campers are assholes
Watch your language
The older campers keep saying it
Well, you know your mother wouldn’t like that language so don’t use it once you’re back in the house
OK
Is that creepy old cabin on the other side of the lake still there?
Yeah we passed by it as we were canoeing to the campsite
You wouldn’t believe the stories about that thing
The counselors mentioned some of them I think
The lake is a bit creepier though I think
What do you mean? Why?
One of the campers drowned there four summers ago
He was out there swimming by himself when no counselors were around
The weird part is they never found a body even though they searched the whole lake
Oh darn
Sounds like a spooky campfire story
We already told those and they were dumb
True stories are scarier to me
Well you stay safe there, okay buddy?
I will dad, don’t worry
I’ll talk to you in the morning okay?
Sounds good
We love and miss you Cole, we’ll see you in two weeks
Night dad
Night Cole
Dad are you awake?
Dad???
What is it? Are you okay???
Something really messed up just happened
What??
All of the camp counselors are gone
And their beds are bloody
Like someone dumped a bucket of blood onto the blankets
Cole you need to call the police right now. This is serious
Do you hear me? What’s happening there?
Everyone’s freaking out
Has anyone called the police??
Yeah someone already did
They told us to stay put and that they’ll be here soon
The nearest police station is an hour away
From what I remember
Some of the kids are talking about grabbing the flashlights and running into the woods
Don’t leave the campsite Cole
Stay exactly where you are until the police arrive, OK?
Do you hear me?
They’re leaving right now
Stay put. Don’t follow them
I’m serious Cole
OK dad
What do you think happened to those counselors??
Do you think it could’ve been an animal or something?
It’s just weird that their bodies are nowhere to be found
I don’t know Cole but just remain calm. The police will be there soon
I’m really freaked out dad
I know son. Keep your head down and breathe in and out
There’s screaming coming from the woods
Don’t go in there
It sounds like they’re being hurt or something
Like they’re being attacked
Cole listen to me
The number one priority right now is for you to remain safe
Tell me everything that’s going on around you right now
We’re all huddled together
People are crying and really scared
Some kids are running away
Dad am I going to die?
No son, you’re not going to die
Nothing’s going to happen to you
Something’s coming out of the woods
Find someplace to hide and stay there
I repeat, stay there and do not move at all
OK
I just crawled underneath a bed
There’s screaming coming from the campsite, I think whatever it is that came out of the woods is here now
Oh my God dad it’s about to come into my tent
I can hear it
Don’t make a peep
Whatever you do, stay as silent and still as possible
Cole?
Cole Is it gone?
Dad I think I’m going to be sick
What was it?
I don’t know
Its feet looked human
But it was making this noise that didn’t sound like anything I’ve ever heard
Like a death rattle
I need to get out of here
Stay underneath that bed Cole
I want to get out of here
You’re going to endanger yourself
Please just be patient
NO DAD I DON’T WANT TO STAY HERE FOR ONE MORE MINUTE
I feel so sick
Where are you going to go?
I’m gonna find my way back to the town and find help
Cole please stay underneath that bed
Please
No
I’m already in the woods
I’m getting out the way we came in
What about that thing you saw
Whatever it was
You don’t see it anywhere?
It’s just me right now
OK please keep texting me so I know you’re alive
OK
The branches keep getting in my eyes
It’s weirdly quiet in here
I’m at the lake now
I hope you’re not thinking of crossing it
I’m a good swimmer
NO COLE
I need to cross it dad
It’s the only way I can get help
Cole do you hear me? Don’t you dare swim across that lake
COLE??? ANSWER ME IF YOU’RE THERE
Oh God
Cole please be okay
Dad I’m fine
Thank God
You scared the living daylights out of me
Sorry
I’m about to pass by that cabin
Wait
What?
There’s a death rattle coming from the woods
Death rattle?
Cole?
COLE??
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