Camp Creepy

“What a way to spend my birthday,” Kelly said to herself. She and her dad were at Camp Crossroads for fall cleanup. Evan Lange should be helping her, but he was nowhere in sight. She kicked bright orange leaves and walked to cabin number four. She opened the door and the cabin smelled like stale sneakers and old gum wrappers. “Might as well get busy,” she mumbled.

Camp Crossroads was one of her favorite places – in the summer. Now it seemed deserted and lonely. She finished quickly and walked to the next cabin, but it was shuttered. Probably some other volunteers had cleaned it so she headed into ever-deeper woods to the next cabin. She spotted someone in the distance holding a bag.

“Hello!” she hollered. Was it Evan? The person’s head popped up. Then they darted behind the cabin!

Kelly’s heart did a quick- thump. Who was that? She stood stock still—listening. It was eerily quiet.

“Kelly.”

“AAHHH!!” Kelly whirled and swung. Evan Lange ducked.

“Hey!”

“What do you think you’re doing?” she yelled.

“Trying to catch up with you,” he said. “You sure walk fast!”

“You snuck up on me!” She was shaking.

Evan grinned.

“I’m sorry I swung at you,” she said, still puffing a little. “I was trying to see who dashed behind that cabin.”

“Really? Any ideas?” asked Evan, looking around.

“Nope, I only saw him for a few seconds.”

“Lets find out! Two against one,” said Evan. His voice was full of fun and challenge. He charged ahead.

Kelly scowled and followed him into the dusk. As they approached the cabin they noticed it was shuttered too. What was going on?

Thunk! Thunk!

“What was that!” cried Kelly.

“Uh…I didn’t hear anything Kel,” said Evan.

“It was a huge thud!”

“Ooooo . . . gonna getcha!” He swirled his hands in front of her face.

“This is creeping me out! I’m outta here!” She looked back to see if he followed.

“Well,” she said, “are you coming with me?”

“Nope.”

“Evan!”

“Let’s see what’s going on. Somebody’s up to something.” Evan ran ahead and Kelly crashed through the leaves behind him, too scared to go back alone.

Something black with wings swooped low, barely missing her head.

“Ahhhhh!” she screamed, punching the air with her fists.

“It’s a little brown bat,” said Evan.

“Ack! I hate bats! ”

“Boy, you’re such a chicken.” He took her hand. “Come on. We’ll walk around the cabin and if everything looks okay we’ll leave. Okay?”

They marched up to the cabin and climbed the three wooden steps. The door creaked open as Evan peeked inside.

“You’re going in?” asked Kelly. Looking down, she noticed plops of something red trailing up the steps. “Look,” she gasped, pointing at the plops.

Evan leaned down to examine them. He touched one and licked his finger. “It’s not blood,” he said.

“Ewww . . . How do you know?”

“I watch a lot of crime shows,” he said smugly. “Aw . . . now what?”

Kelly’s eyes filled with tears. She was really scared and wanted her dad.

Evan touched her arm and smiled. “Who made the darkness Kel?”

She wiped her eyes and thought of her favorite camp song. “He’s got the whole world in His hands …” she sang softly.

“He’s got the little brown bats in His hands,” Evan sang, grinning a goofy grin that made her laugh. ” I’ll look real quick inside, lock the door and then we’ll go. Okay?”

Gosh, thought Kelly, he’s so nice. She nodded and knew Evan was right. God had everything, even bats and the darkness, in His hands. She shouldn’t be so scared.

Evan jumped the stairs and went into the cabin. Kelly took a deep breath and watched the beautiful autumn sunset.

Thud!

It was from inside the cabin. Now what? She froze.

“Kel!” yelled Evan.

Kelly flew up the steps and jerked the door open. Light poured out and when she staggered back, her dads’ arm caught her.

“SURPRISE!!”

There stood all of her friends from camp with her dad and Evan.

“Happy birthday Kelly!” they yelled.

“Oh!” she said, stunned.

“We trusted Evan to get you here Kelly,” said her dad, laughing.

Everyone crowded around and chattered at once.

Her bunk buddy, Casey, told her about the cranberry punch on the steps. Jim Buncie had thrown stones when he got bored waiting for everybody, making thuds in the leaves. Brandon ducked behind the cabin with presents in a big trash bag when he saw her coming up the trail.

“You guys!” cried Kelly. She bounced to the chair decorated with bright balloons and held up her hand.

“Who wants a ghost story?” she asked. “We’ll each add a part as we go along.”

Everyone sat down with some punch and she began.

“Once, this place was called Camp Creepy. Right here an ancient treasure was buried under these floorboards …” She paused to catch Evan’s eye. He grinned his goofy grin. I’ll get you for this, Evan, she thought, but she couldn’t help smiling back.