Camp Wars

Alana and Marc jumped in the car to head up to Marc’s camp. Damn that COVID, the place was not opening for the season.

Marc’s section was closed since 1988. The two were planning to QT themselves for some time. Alana told Marc about seeing Anat when she took out the lady who was arrested for pulling her kid out of child protective services. They were aware of the NYPD’s bolo for the dad, who hopefully didn’t hurt the kid, Jerry. All hoped he was safe.

They encountered no traffic. Marc insisted they play camp music — “Baba O ‘Riley,” “Pulling Mussels from the Shell” and “Rock Lobster.” U2 was played. The Clash, Beatles, Kinks, Mojo Nixon, Rolling Stones and Talking Heads were blasted. They played non-Roger Waters Pink Floyd and wouldn’t play Elvis Costello.

They pulled into camp. As usual, the gate was open. It looked broken. Sadly, much of the place was broken. As they drove past a certain site, “Sheena is a Punk Rocker” started to play. “Teenage Lobotomy” followed the tune. Marc looked at the site. For some reason in his disheveled mind, he saw Joey, Tommy, Johnny and Dee Dee at the campfire council ring.

They pulled up to Marc’s site and climbed up the steps with their equipment. They went way into the higher section of the site. They walked into leanto (a sleeping structure) and fell through the floor. They climbed up and check out the rest of it. All was well. Marc built a fire. Alana ran down to the lake to go for a swim. She was humming, R.E.M’s “Nightswimming.”

The two were settled. The fire embers were glowing. They were singing camp songs, like “Smokey the Bear” and acting out skits where they made fun of people. They toasted marshmallows and sipped Genny Cream Ale.

The two got ready for bed when they heard screams further up. They sounded human. They didn’t think anyone else was in camp. According to the state and local rules only the rangers who lived on the property were permitted to be there. And no ranger has been to this section in decades. Who could be there?

Marc grabbed his lantern. Alana followed. They walked for a few minutes they arrived at the site of the throne. The site was used for camp induction rituals. Tied to it was Jerry.

Blood was pouring out of his tiny arms and legs. It looked like he’d been cut with broken glass. The two tried to dial 911. But knew no ambulance was gonna get to this site. Perhaps a medevac could land on the open space on the trail nearby. Years ago, yes. But these days it was too grown in. Regardless they could not get a signal.

Marc’s camp first aid training flashed in his head. Alana ran over to Jerry. She took out her nail clipper. Even she used one. She tried to untie him.

Then they heard other screams.