Chapter 19 - Trouble

"I think I'll use the hammer, it says a hammer should be used to hammer it to the ground," Mira said taking a look at the paper.

"Yeah, do whatever you want," Matthew said nonchalantly as he did the top side of the tent, it was already rising and just the last part needed to be done.

Mira shook her head as her hand took the hammer from the tool bag and then she began to hammer the nail.

"Be careful with that, I don't want a sulking person crying here."

"I thought you do not have any concern for me. So what's the"

Mira faced Matthew forgetting the hammer as she sent the hammer towards her hand about hitting. She screamed for the incoming pain realizing it with tightly shut eyes.

Her heart pondered to feel the pain of her hand nailed against a nail but then, she felt nothing for a moment, opening her eyes she looked in awe to Justin had held the hand with the hammer.

"You should be careful while doing things like this, can't you do something first before doing another?" Justin scolded as Mira stayed speechless.

"I think is a mistake you were mingled up with Matthew." He added.

"Hey boy, how we're able to run so fast and catch the hammer before it hit her?" Matthew asked stunned by the movement, it felt as though he had teleported instead.

"Listen now, is not about how I had gotten here, she recently got her arm treated and who knows, if that hammer hand landed on her hand then everything would have ended up on Maddie."

Mira pursed her lips with words cracked in her throat, she had thought he was so concerned and came immediately to save her because he was concerned about her but then, it seems he only cares about Maddie.

"I still need to do the rest, my arm is fine. As you can see, I only have the bandage around my arm, not around my neck." Mira spoke softly standing up to leave but then Justin held her hand.

"Stop, you're not going to do it, let Matthew do it," Justin suggested but then Mira smirked.

"Why? Maddie is still waiting for you, go complete your tent, we have ours to do so whether or not, I want to do it, I don't think is your decision to make, besides I'm not going to make trouble for her, I'll be careful next time. Please go back and do your tent with your girlfriend, I don't want her to blame me for taking attention." Mira said softly and then she removed her hand from Justin as she began to hammer the other nails.

Before afternoon, most of the campers were done with the tent and then they were assembled at the gathering area as the workers secretly placed cameras in their tents.

"So welcome to the beginning of the 2023 camping event." The head camper said as they all returned with an applause.

"So as you may all know, you would have guessed the training had already, from the time you entered the camp collaborating with your partner you all know. I'll like to inform you, the partner that is with you is the partner you would collaborate with to do activities for this event also, this camping event is going to be different, winning a couple of this event will be getting a surprising reward that is going to different from the normal. We wouldn't tell what the prize is going to be but is going to be an exciting one."

The campers applaud and then the assistants came in as they handed each team a slip containing a map.

"The reason for not letting you guys use your phone is because we know you guys will find the location straightforward, so with this map, both you and your partner are going to find seven flags which you have to place at seven places tagged with an X mark. You will find seven flags with the help of the maps and mind you, if you're able to find any flag, write your signature using the marker handed to you. You all have an hour to go. Good luck to each of you." The head camper said and then the camper began their mission after hearing the sound of a horn.

Mira looked at the map as she tried to reason taking a good look at the diagram labeled on the map.

"So do you know all this?" Matthew asked as Mira raised her head adjusting the cap she wore to take a look at Matthew.

"I'm not quite such-"

"It seems we have to first get to the first junction, we'll probably end up at a lake, we could check around, we might find the X mark. Though we have to walk straight to get there."

"But what if you're wrong?"

"Oh really? You're saying so, do you have another opinion? I want to hear it, c'mon," Mira looked at him for a while fluttering her lashes in disrespect and then she walked away silently.

"C'mon, let me hear!!" Matthew said walking in the direction Matthew had suggested.

"So what should we do?" Maddie asked blindly staring at the map.

"Everyone is going in a different direction, it seems they have another from us. I suggest we take this side, it seems to be a shortcut on the map. Do you agree or should we take the long run?" Justin asked.

"Maybe we should take the shortcut, it looks simpler."

Justin nodded and then they moved their feet walking in direction.

Walking in a crowded forest, Mira took glances at the map as they continued moving, it has been fifteen minutes and still, they haven't seen a lake.

"Are you sure this is the right place? We've been walking for some minutes now," Mira complained but Matthew didn't speak a word passing her like she was a ghost.

"I think you're wrong, why did you say this place? I'm regretting following your suggestion."

"Hey, did I drag your legs to follow me?"

"You are-" she stopped hearing the sound of a creepy sound behind her.

"Who's that?" She questioned with panic and then Matthew turned.

"What are you-"

"Shhh!!" Mira cut him then he kept quiet. They both listened to the sound from the unknown area.

"Can you hear that sound?" Mira questioned whispering as Matthew nodded.

"What do you think is there?" Matthew questioned back in a whisper.

"Why are you asking me, aren't ycou the man?"

"So what? Do you think I'm ready to die with someone like you being around? I want to die on the basketball court maybe after returning from the hospital at an old age."

"Do you always talk this much? Go check what's there."

"Maybe you should go, it may be the rest or one of them making out."

"You're so stupid, who will follow us in the same direction? C'mon, go check." Mira pushed Matthew forward as he took his steps hesitated.

"Who's there?" Mattew asked stuttering as he looked a bit panicked and then, what was hidden behind the tree came out running in a flash towards them looking ugly, its face full of scars and the body was discomposed.

Matthew yelled seeing the creature as it got ready to attack Matthew using its claws to cut him in the arm.

"Mummy!!" Matthew screamed.