The Camp Read online

  THE CAMP

  KARICE BOLTON

  Copyright © 2013 Karice Bolton

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and events either are the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover design: PhatpuppyArt.com

  DEDICATION

  To my incredible husband who knows how to

  make me smile no matter what.

  I love you deeply!

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Thank you, D.L. Dootson for providing all of the ‘extra’ comments during the editing process! I loved reading them along the way.

  And I want to say a simple thank you to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all of the other avenues available for the indie publishing world. It allows the art of storytelling to continue to flourish in unexpected ways

  BOOKS BY KARICE BOLTON

  THE WITCH AVENUE SERIES

  LONELY SOULS

  ALTERED SOULS

  RELEASED SOULS

  SHATTERED SOULS – Coming Soon

  THE WATCHERS TRILOGY

  TAKEN NOVELLA (Watchers Prequel)

  AWAKENING

  LEGIONS

  CATACLYSM

  THE CAMP

  TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR PLEASE VISIT HER WEBSITE AT

  WWW.KARICEBOLTON.COM

  OR

  EMAIL

  [email protected]

  OR

  FOLLOW HER ON FACEBOOK or TWITTER

  @KARICEBOLTON

  ChapterOne

  The Cessna 180 engine rumbled through the small six-seat aircraft cabin, but unfortunately it did little to block out the words of the other passengers. I glared at the back of the Captain who was lucky enough to be wearing a headset.

  “I’d love to see what’s under her jacket.” I heard the guy behind me say to no one in particular.

  “I’ll second that, and I bet we’ll get the chance,” another one said.

  The gnawing in my stomach only grew with every passing minute, but there was nothing I could do. I was stuck in a plane where I could literally touch the pilot. I didn’t need to start something that I couldn’t finish and have the plane crash because I couldn’t handle a little heckling.

  I looked out the small, oval window pressing my head against the cold glass covered in water droplets. I couldn’t really see anything out the window because the weather was so bad. It was like we were trapped in one continuous rain cloud that was sent from the Gods to mess with me.

  Getting tired of seeing nothing but ominous grey, I looked down at the pamphlet hoping the description would magically change, but I wasn’t that lucky. My fingers trembled as I silently read the overview once more.

  The ReBoot program is a juvenile camp for mid-range offenders who have yet to become established criminals. Youth in their mid to late teen years are often responsive to this type of program which includes occupational training and behavior rehabilitation. We’ve found that the potential criminals at our work camp for forestry and conservation in Southeast Alaska never become repeat offenders. We generally only accept less dangerous delinquents but all cases are subject for review.

  I loved the ‘yet to become established criminals’ part, as if the first time around didn’t really count for these misfits. I so didn’t belong here. It wasn’t like I needed to be reminded that my newfound campmates weren’t savory characters. All I had to do was turn around in my tiny airplane seat to see their predator eyes taking me in.

  I couldn’t believe my mom let this happen to me! There’s no way she could have been fooled into thinking this was a conservation-slash-forestry camp… although I was fooled. I actually thought my stepdad was trying to do something nice for me, for once.

  God! I hated my stepfather, and he obviously hated me. This was his last sendoff before I went to college, and it was a doozey. As if living with him since my father’s death wasn’t horrible enough, he just wanted one more way to stick it to me.

  The tin can I was riding in suddenly took a plunge, and all of the instruments went berserk. Gasps and whines filled the air as the high-pitched warning beeps sounded through our tiny capsule. My hands immediately became clammy as my heart raced. There was no calming down in a situation like this, especially when a person was born as jumpy as I was. My fingers gripped the armrest so hard that my nails hurt, and I took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly.

  “It’s okay, everyone. Just a little turbulence,” the pilot told us as the beeps silenced, but the heavy breathing from everyone continued long after his announcement.

  I was tempted to turn around in my seat and gloat at all of the guys who were big and tough only a few minutes ago and suddenly turned to pansies, but the Cessna took another huge dip, sounding the bells and whistles again. Man! I hated small planes. Actually, I don’t even think this would qualify as a small plane, more like a car that could fly.

  As the beads of water continued rolling down the tiny window, I noticed we had begun our descent. Finally!

  “We’ll be landing in approximately fifteen minutes,” the pilot said as he continued adjusting controls.

  Things were looking up. The dampness on my palms began to evaporate, and I looked back out the window as our plane flew barely above the treetops. The conifers looked like a brightly massed green quilt underneath us. Turning my head in any direction gave way to a completely different landscape. Alongside the deep green woodlands, there were rocky peaks, and monstrous cliffs that trees avoided calling home. If I wasn’t so scared to death, I might be able to appreciate the beauty of everything.

  I maneuvered my head so that I could see out the pilot’s window. Directly in front of us there was a grassy field with small ponds surrounding it, or at least I think they were small ponds. I craned my neck as far as possible searching for the airport. Not only did I not see any buildings, I didn’t see any sort of landing strip.

  But I did catch a huge bear. I’m sure it was a bear. There was nothing else that big that walked on all fours.

  “Whoa, check it out,” one of the guys behind me said.

  “That thing’s huge,” the guy next to him said. “I could totally take it down.”

  I couldn’t handle it any longer.

  “Why don’t you? I’d love to see it,” I taunted without looking behind me. There was no way I’d undo my seatbelt in transportation like this even if it meant I couldn’t give him my best scowl.

  “She does speak,” he replied sarcastically.

  Gritting my teeth, I watched as we passed by the brown bear with the plane descending at what felt like record speed.

  “Please make sure your seatbelts are fastened. I’ll make the landing as pleasant as possible,” the pilot told us.

  What? Landing? There’s no runway!

  This can’t be possible. I’ve got a bear as an official greeter and our plane was landing on gravel or dirt or something. The only saving grace of this observation was that it kept the other passengers on the plane as silent as me.

  I continued to watch the pilot pulling and pushing on things, and realized I really didn’t want to see how little control he had over the situation. I’m sure he felt he had it handled, but from this viewpoint it was utterly terrifying. I clamped my eyes shut just in time to feel the plane shudder as the wheels began to touch down.

  There was nothing smooth about it as our plane briefly greeted the gravel before pushing back up, only to quickly meet again with the surface below. It felt like a rollercoaster that had no tracks and no intention of stopping. Our plane continued to jump and skip its way down the non-existent runway. I slow
ly peeled open one eye and watched as we whipped by the tall grass and water finally coming to a slow stop.

  The guys’ celebratory hollers were deafening. They began throwing off their seatbelts, but I refused to budge. The pilot turned around and I wanted to hug him, but I restrained myself. Instead I looked out the window at the wilderness wondering if I’d survive.

  “I’ll be around to open the door, and the CLs should be here to greet you any minute. It’s best if you don’t wander off,” the pilot instructed.

  “CLs?” I asked, turning my attention back to him.

  “Camp Leaders,” he responded, his eyes connecting with mine. He opened his door and got out of the plane.

  “Newbie. We’ve got a newbie on our hands,” the guy sitting directly behind me shouted, kicking my seat. What was he, twelve?

  “I wonder if that makes her a newbie in all areas? I can’t wait to find out,” he continued.

  That was it! My seatbelt came flying off, and I leaned over the back of my seat, grabbing the guy’s shirt, surprising him and myself. I was gripping the fabric so tightly I raised him slightly off his seat. He looked to be a year or so younger than me with blond hair that was greased back. His clothing was ten times too big for him, but he was still bigger than me.

  “If you even look in my direction while we’re at this camp—” I began, but the pilot opened the side door interrupting me. I pushed him back on the seat and turned back around in mine.

  “Jeez, chill out,” he mumbled under his breath.

  “Still gonna get some, Luke?” I heard someone whisper.

  Everyone on this plane was so sleazy, except for the poor pilot. I didn’t even want to imagine what everyone else at the camp would be like.

  I was the last to jump out of the plane, as I looked around the land void of civilization. I couldn’t believe my mom fell for allowing my stepdad to send me here.

  “Emma Walton?” A girl asked.

  I turned around and relief spread through me instantly. The girl looked to be a couple years older than me, so probably twentyish. And she looked normal. Her dark brown hair was bundled into a loose ponytail, and she was dressed in green cargo pants, a black T-shirt and rubber boots. Her smile was friendly, and I knew I’d be sticking around her as much as possible.

  “I’m Steph,” she said, smiling as she stuck her hand out for a handshake, “one of the CLs here.”

  Wow! That’s formal. I shook her hand quickly.

  “Nice to meet you.” I grabbed my duffle bag and backpack

  “Got everything?” she asked.

  I nodded, and she waved at the pilot who was already preparing the plane for takeoff. “See ya in a week,” she yelled at him.

  A week! I’ll be eighteen in a week, and then I can get out of here.

  “We’re in bear country out here,” she began as our group followed her and the other CLs through the tall grass.

  “I saw one on the way in.” I adjusted the large strap on my shoulder, hoping we wouldn’t be hiking all that far.

  “It’s all part of being in the backcountry,” she replied. “We’ll go over everything when we get to camp, but it’s nothing to mess with. A ranger went missing a week ago on Baranof Island, and they just found his remains.”

  A shiver ran down my spine.

  “And Baranof Island doesn’t have nearly as many brown bears as we have,” another CL replied from behind.

  Not what I wanted to hear!

  ChapterTwo

  We made it to the edge of the camp fairly quickly. I think we’d only been hiking fifteen minutes or so, and in that time I realized every CL was carrying a rifle. Right! Bear country!

  I smelled wood smoke and then spotted an assortment of tents positioned all over. Some were large and equipped with a deck. I’m sure there was a name for that kind, but I had no idea what it was. Others looked like maybe only one person could fit inside. I hoped I didn’t get one of those.

  “Okay, so the first order of business is to put up your own tent,” the CL standing next to Steph directed. “And my name’s Danny if you need any help in that area. The equipment is spread out around the site, so just find a pile where you’d like to be located and get going. Directions are on top of the equipment.”

  You’ve got to be kidding! In shock, I dropped my duffle bag to the woodland floor with a thud and everyone looked at me. Oops!

  “Sorry,” I waved to everyone, picking it back up.

  “All the CLs wear a green bracelet. Just ask if you need anything.” Danny held up his wrists and sure enough he had the same bracelet that Steph wore.

  “It’s unusual for us to get many females. There are only three of us total,” Steph whispered. “So it’d probably be best if you chose a tent over by us.”

  I saw her point to the north side of the grounds and agreed wholeheartedly. After the plane experience, strength in numbers sounded good to me! As my eyes scanned along all the tents, my vision did a backup and reverse as I saw a guy pounding in a tent stake. His fingers were gripping the stake so firmly it was impossible to miss how muscular his forearm was, but he was missing a green bracelet. His shoulders were broad, and if only he’d look up I could gauge the rest of him. He certainly wasn’t on the plane ride here, but he was here, and that wasn’t a good thing. If I’d met him say at a Starbucks I’d feel a lot better about it, but this wasn’t ideal. Definitely not ideal! Although, it would be fun to bring one of them home to meet my stepdad.

  “Emma?” Steph prodded, tapping me on the shoulder and getting me out of my fog. “Right this way.”

  I looked away from the hot-totally-off-limits guy and followed Steph as the rest of the new arrivals thankfully went the other direction.

  “That’s the CLs’ yurt.” She pointed to one of the round tents that had a deck around it. “If you ever need anything, head there. It’s kind of like our break room. That’s where the meds are dispensed too.”

  I nodded and continued following her through the maze of tents.

  “How many people are here?” I asked.

  “There are five CLs and thirteen campers.”

  “That’s a nice way of putting it,” I muttered.

  “What’s a nice way of putting it?” she asked, turning to me.

  “Campers,” I replied.

  “We try to give everyone a chance here.” She smiled kindly at me, and I felt guilty before remembering Luke back on the plane.

  We stopped in front of a pile of nylon, stakes, and poles, and my internal sigh accidentally escaped causing Steph to laugh.

  I dropped my duffle and backpack off and grabbed the instructions.

  “We get a file on every camper, and you didn’t have one,” Steph said quietly.

  “You mean like a criminal file?” I asked, arching my brow.

  She nodded. “We usually get things we need to work on, psych evals, mandates from the courts…” her voice trailed off.

  “I don’t come with any of those things.” I smiled grimly. “That’s why you didn’t get them. I’m not on meds either, but I might want some by the end of this ordeal.”

  I bent over and grabbed the tent instructions when I heard a deep voice coming from behind. “Anything I can help with?”

  I spun around and saw him. He was even more gorgeous up close, and this time he had a face! I glanced at Steph who was doing a horrible job of hiding her amusement as I was violently nodding my head and taking him in. A warmth tingled through my body as my eyes connected with his. This took dating a bad boy to a whole new level.

  “That’s usually against the rules,” Steph chimed in. “But I’ll let it slide.”

  “Thank you,” I mumbled, my gaze falling to my backpack.

  Whoa! I wasn’t expecting him to look that good up close.

  “Have you done this before?” he asked in a rumbling voice, his cool fingers touching mine as he took the instructions from me.

  My lower belly contracted, and I completely wanted to reprimand myself for doing the w
hole lust on first glance thing, but there was something really commanding about this guy. He seemed so…capable.

  I looked up through my lashes and the most amazing caramel eyes locked on mine, waiting for my answer. Up close he had chiseled features, and his lips looked so full and soft complimenting one another nicely. His strong jaw line only accentuated how perfectly proportioned his features were. His dark hair was ruffled enough from the wind that it created an unkemptness about him that I liked.

  The corner of his mouth began to curl slightly, and I realized it was because I was staring at him completely dazed and unable to speak. Great! The juvie thinks I’ve fallen for him…except he looked too old to be one.

  “You okay over there?” he asked, with a twinkle in his eye that meant only one thing. He was fully aware of himself and what he was doing to me. I was going to make sure that stopped.

  “Of course I’m okay,” I sputtered.

  “Thought I lost there you for a second.” His voice, now smooth, coated me from the outside in. “So have you put up a tent before?”

  “I used to help my dad back when we went camping,” I nodded. “But it was mostly me handing him whatever he needed. I was like twelve.”

  My mind quickly flashed to our last camping trip together. It was right before my dad got diagnosed. We had so much fun. I never knew how much I’d treasure those moments.

  “Looks like you two have it handled. I’m going to go check on the rest of the group. Chelsea’s sleeping in her tent, but I’ll introduce you once she’s up,” Steph said.

  “Okay.” I waved as she took off, and I glanced back at the mystery camper who was looking over the instructions, but I knew full well he didn’t need them.

  “You’re not missing anything,” he muttered.

  “Excuse me?” I asked, tilting my head slightly.

  “I mean with Chelsea. She’s not a real people person.” He bit his lip as he waited for my reaction, and all I could do was focus on his lips.