The Exception
Chapter XII
Covert
My nerves were on end the entire journey back to camp, where I'd be spending the rest of my time in B-tent. I held back a shudder as I tossed my shovel back towards the Library and continued on my way.
I paused, inhaling before I entered B-tent. It was eerily quiet, and for a moment I thought perhaps they knew of my arrival and were determined to give me an appropriate welcoming. But when I peeled open the tent's flap, no one was there. Releasing a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, I swiftly entered, grabbed some tokens, and exited once more.
I didn't want to be in that place—not even if there's no one else there.
Thankfully I had my swimsuit on. Hurriedly I made my way to the showers. I recognized a few B-tenters, but they were no one important, even though they gave me that 'all-knowing' smug look. Keep it up. Your face'll be in the dirt so fast you wouldn't be able to cry for Fang or Black.
I didn't vocalize this. I simply went in my little cubicle, peeled of the ugly orange jumpsuit, and put my little token in the slot.
The freezing water felt good. Quickly I soaped up my arms and legs, being careful with my face. In no time the water was stopped with an awkward grinding noise. While drying off, I made my way out of the cubicle. I lifted the towel off my face and ran full-on into a…really tall…guy.
It registered almost immediately that he was from B-tent. If I hadn't recognized the smirk plastered on his face as if permanent, or the eyes that sparkled with a sinister mischief, I could have gone by the way he stood—arms folded, his body leaning against the cold shower wall like he owned the place.
I released a soft grunt at the impact, but the boy didn't move out of the way. I cleared my throat. "Excuse me," I managed to make the request sound as nice as possible, "you're in the doorway." And there's plenty of other places to stand, I wanted to add.
He chuckled, shoulders shifting with the action. Apparently I wasn't the only one thoroughly convinced of the kindness in my words. "Man, Fang and Black are going to enjoy their time with you. Maybe you shouldn't have reacted quite like you did."
My eyebrows furrowed. "B-tent knows?" Keep the surprise out of your voice. Just act natural. He can't make you mad if you just…
"Of course we do. Mr. Sir let us know pronto. A good man, Mr. Sir is."
Just don't let them get to you. What bull.
I gritted my teeth. Don't punch. No punching, no hitting. Not here. Not until everyone in B-tent can see. "I bet," I stated shortly, making a move to pass him.
"My name's Scar." As if I needed an explanation, he turned his head so I could clearly see the obvious scar lining his right cheek.
Yet another original nickname chocked up to B-tent.
"I figured I should introduce myself, since we'll be seeing much more of each other."
I managed a tiny, sarcastic smile. "Pleasure. I'm Pr—Kaden." Admitting my nickname that D-tent had given me seemed inappropriate. As if I would reveal something strictly D-tent property. It felt almost blasphemous. I took another step towards the doorway. Scar still hadn't moved to allow me to pass. Clearing my throat, I continued as if nothing out of the ordinary occurred. "Do you…know where the rest of B-tent is?"
"Probably at the Wreck room," he replied simply; and if it was possible, his smirk grew wider. "Why, you afraid we'll all corner you when you least expect it?"
Another move toward the door as I gave him another small smile. "Excuse me," I repeated, more forcefully. With a final smirk, he pulled aside. Quickly I exited, fully intending to stay as far away from B-tent as possible.
I considered for a moment returning to D-tent to possibly hang out. But that would seem almost desperate. And I wasn't about to have D-tent thoroughly convinced that I was some weak chick who was thrown into Camp Green Lake. I was just as tough as these guys.
Even though hours ago I was crying. Leave it, I'm still a girl.
Without much more thinking, I stalked to the tent. Each step scuffled the ground, dirt splashing away from my tennis shoes. Just step, step, step, until I reached the tent and peeled in quickly.
I stopped at the entrance. There were four guys sitting down nonchalantly. My temper flared instantly at noticing how smoothly Scar had lied to me. Wreck room, my ass.
Black stood up, his stature very intimidating as he approached me. "Welcome to B-tent. We've been expecting you," he sneered. I glared, which was all I could do that didn't consist of physically hurting the boy. "Oh, girlie. Don't act so angry. B-tent's happy with the change, and you should be, too." Black's hand went to my hip, and immediately I hissed at the touch. My own hand flung his forcefully away from my body. It was too easy to see the furious look on Black's face as his hands instead went to my neck.
I gasped, mostly from shock. No way would he dare. But his hands stayed, and the gasp quickly turned into an attempt at air. I choked on spit as his body throttled me around, so I was facing the tent's flap.
"The first thing you'll learn here, girlie, isn't benevolence." His grip slackened so his hands only grazed my neck. My breath came in hoarse puffs as he continued, his face inches away from mine. "You're first lesson is definitely going to be holding back that attitude of yours." His callous remarks caused me to snort, which I immediately regretted—Black gave my entire body a yank. He scoffed, flinging my body onto the dirty ground.
Air was barely making it through my lungs. Breathing wasn't very easy when your throat was quickly bruising, and each breath felt like fire was singing down my throat instead of clean air.
"I don't know. Maybe we should give her a general overview of what B-tent is all about," Black announced for his tent. Stupid, no-good…
Many of them jeered. I felt appalled at the sound. And maybe the fact that I felt entirely weak there on the floor as four boys towered over my body. A cough somehow managed to escape my lips, allowing the burning sensation all the way up my throat. Shakily my hand groped at the sand below me.
Suddenly, Black was turning me over, leaving me on my back and able to see all four boys as they snidely smirked in my direction. I sat up carefully, my gaze shifting to the floor.
"The first thing you're going to have to cope with, girlie, is that we don't put up with D-tent." I sniffed. Well that was an understatement. As if sensing my sudden fire, Black squatted to my level, his cold eyes stopping my thoughts. "We don't talk to D-tent. We don't "hang out" with D-tent. We don't even look at D-tent."
"Then what do you call those snide looks you've been giving me?" I asked bitterly.
A chuckle. Black shook his head. "Well, I think we can all agree, girlie, that you're an exception to that circumstance." My hands curled into fists.
"You're sick."
"You've mentioned that already, thanks. But, as I was saying," Black continued, his sardonic smile never faltering, "since we don't associate with D-tent, you won't associate with them. Got it?" Agreeing was not an option. "And, if I happen to catch you near them, you'll be punished. I don't think I need to go into details. And if punishing you fails, then me and my boys'll have to move on to your lover-boy." He moved even closer. "And I don't think you want Squiddly-poo hurt."
"Of course not," I replied evenly, ignoring the sick feeling I received as four boys nodded their heads in approval.
"Excellent. And lastly, it's important to know that B-tent is the meanest, toughest tent at Camp Green Lake. It's also important that we live up to this."
"Cocky, are we?" I muttered under my breath. Fang, on my right, kicked me none-too-gently. I grunted in an effort to hide the pain.
"We're cocky because it's true," Fang replied. Black nodded, then using his hands to pull me up. I swayed in his grasp.
"You're going to want your sleep." In a single push I was hurled towards the empty cot, landing with another grunt. I was too exhausted to care that I was thrown around like a doll. Without a glance I curled into the cot and shut my eyes.
The morning came all too soon. Two thoughts entered my mind: I was in B-tent, and I hadn't had a dream about Myra in far too long.
I had actually hoped for a dream concerning the foreign woman—it was perhaps the only concept that remained constant throughout my stay at the camp, as strange as the dreams were.
So I didn't wake up in a good mood. My throat was sore from the night before, and it took most of my strength to roll out of bed at the sound of the trumpet. B-tent silently got ready, disregarding me as they changed and dressed. I didn't dare make eye contact or attempt to change my jumpsuit. Then Black and Fang were in my face. "Let's go. We're gonna keep an eye on you today."
Naturally. Hands wrapped, I walked between Black and Fang, being sure my arms didn't touch theirs or my feet didn't trip on a rock. One wrong move could have me seriously hurt.
Living in fear infuriated me—oh, no, I wasn't afraid of what these stupid boys would hurt me. But they weren't only threatening me. B-tent was completely capable of hurting those around me. Especially Squid.
Squid would do the same for me. He wouldn't let me get hurt because of him. And even though I knew Squid and the rest of D-tent was fully capable of handling themselves, I wouldn't allow B-tent to even attempt to take advantage of any of my stupid mistakes.
But at some point, B-tent would get what was coming to them. If they crossed the line in any shape or form, I was completely ready to take them myself. B-tent may think they're watching me, but if they weren't careful, it could easily be the other way around.
I grabbed my shovel and breakfast. B-tent was constantly breathing down my back now that I was considered their 'property.' The thought alone made me shudder. "We travel as one unit," Black stated, his shovel nonchalantly resting on his shoulder. "Today, after shoveling, we meet in the Wreck room. No shower in between, girlie."
I nodded, keeping my eyes down as we walked to the digging site. Almost immediately I sensed D-tent's presence awfully close—with one glance I realized my old friends were to our right finding a spot to dig. Black didn't think just being near my old tent was torture enough—he pulled me closer, telling me to dig extremely close to Squid's own hole.
I would have rather been days away from Squid and not be able to talk to him, than so close to him with the same problem. As I began to dig, every muscle in my body was concentrated on not screaming. Each dip of my shovel was harder, until my knuckled burned with intensity. I didn't even chance a look Squid's way, but I did wonder if he felt the same way as I did.
D-tent must have understood the seriousness of the situation—no one attempted to contact me, let alone glance my way.
After everyone in B-tent had finished digging their holes (they must have been programmed to finish around the same time), we traveled to the Wreck room, where I sat down on the couch and didn't respond to anyone around me. I was scared to even cross my legs.
Black and Fang sat on my either side. Is there ever a chance at being alone? I clenched my fists to suppress my anger. I had punched Black in the face before. I wasn't afraid to do it again except for D-tent's sake.
I needed to see Squid. If I couldn't soon, I would go absolutely crazy. He was the only thing keeping me sane to begin with at this camp. If it was possible, I could sneak out and see him…but I'd have to do it at night. The day was out of the question if Black and Fang were going to keep this tight of a leash on me every day.
Soon I'd get to Squid. Tonight, if possible.
The rest of the time spent at the Wreck room, I spent contemplating my slip. I didn't have too long of a time slot to sneak out, talk to Squid, and get back inside. It would have to be as soon as everyone fell asleep.
"Girlie!" Black's voice snapped me out of my reverie. "We're moving out. Let's go." For emphasis, his hand dug into my arm and I was yanked up.
"Don't touch me!" I snapped, again slapping his hand off of my body. For a moment Black's eyes flashed with rage, and his hand tensed as if hew as ready to slap me. But he must have remembered where we were, even though it had really never stopped him before. Thankfully, his arm dropped to his side.
"You wait until we're alone," he threatened in a low whisper. "'Don't touch me' isn't going to be your only demand that goes ignored."
"Don't threaten me," I whispered so the rest of B-tent couldn't hear. "Or have you already forgotten that just yesterday I created that pretty purple splotch on your face?" Pretty, not so much. But the bruise painting Black's cheek was definitely a nice blotch. Black turned his head as if it would hide the bruise from me. "I'm going to do what you say, Black, for the sake of my friends. But I swear, if you touch me again, I'll be sure you regret it."
Black smirked. "Feisty as always, girlie. That's how I like it." His hand grazed my waist, his arm wrapping around my hips. "Let's go, B-tent." I attempted to get out of Black's grasp, to no avail. I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself.
We arrived at the tent, and Black didn't waste any time. As soon as we entered through the door, I was reeled around and his hand landed a heavy slap across my face. I winced as my scabs from the Warden were ripped open. I felt the red liquid begin to drip from my cheek once again. "Would you like to talk back again?" Black asked, his hands gripping my shoulders. I looked away, his fingernails digging into my skin.
"You don't own me," I muttered. "Hit me again, but the fact remains that I could kick your ass if I wanted to."
Furious, Black brought his fist back and was ready to deal a heavy blow to me when a few members of B-tent held him back. "Man, Black, that's enough. You've gotten your message across, now cut it out before you kill her," Scar advised. His height was enough to act as a persuasion. Black nodded, then backing away as if burnt.
"Fine, fine. Just get her outta my sight."
Scar took my shoulders, more gently than Black had. "You should shower. C'mon." Scar silently escorted me out of the tent, to the showers that were now empty. The sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon. "Hurry. The lizards'll be out soon, no doubt."
I nodded, trying to ignore the hint of kindness coming from Scar. He was the one who had lied to me, after all. And it was just us two—exactly what was he up to?
Suddenly, I was very aware of our close proximity. My eyes were open for any hint of his eagerness. What if he touches me? What if I'm raped?
I sniffed. Rape. Ridiculous. If anyone was capable of getting away from a teenaged criminal, it was me. At least, I hoped.
We got to the showers, where Scar actually waited in the doorway while I searched for a stall. In two minutes I was finished, the last remnants of my facial scar intact as I peeled the detached parts off. Silently, Scar led me back.
Apparently I judged too soon, for we arrived back at the camp without an ounce of trouble. Everyone was already in bed—some sitting, some actually snoozing. Black was pouting on his cot and made sure I received an awful glare as I walked towards my cot.
I laid down softly, the cot making a small creak as I did so. I made a mental note—I wouldn't want my plan of escape ruined because of a faulty spring.
And so I laid there motionless, waiting for the rest of B-tent to sleep. By now the sun was completely disappeared, and slowly I could hear more snoring and steady breathing. Finally, it seemed like everything was fit into place—I glanced behind me towards Black's bunk, where he was face down and seemingly facing the tent's wall.
It was difficult to discern anything in the dark. I relied on the silence as I crept out of my bunk, being sure to bunch up my blankets. It was a good substitute for me.
My nerves were on overdrive as I stalked across the desert ground. So many things were against me—the nighttime was full of Yellow Spotted Lizards that I didn't wish to greet, the Warden has cameras that were hopefully sensitive to darkness, and there was always a chance that someone from B-tent wasn't asleep or would notice me missing.
But it wouldn't matter—I was almost there. And once I saw Squid and the rest of D-tent, everything would be worth it.
Upon seeing D-tent, I pranced the rest of the way—which was a sort of combination between stealth running and stalking.
Carefully I peeled upon the tent's flap, being sure not to startle anyone. Suddenly I felt very badass—like a secret spy on a covert mission. I contemplated waking the entire tent, but the noise could cause a huge commotion throughout the entire camp. Instead, I stalked to Squid's cot, where he slept peacefully without a shirt.
I bit my lip, then deciding to give him a nudge. "Squid," I whispered, so quiet I barely heard myself. Another nudge as he stirred awake. He blinked once, then twice as he realized who I was.
"Kaden?" He shot up, suddenly very alert. I smiled. "What the hell are you doing here?" he whispered. I placed a finger on my mouth, then grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the tent. We walked around the tent, towards the back. He rubbed his eyes.
"I had to see you," I explained. Squid sighed, whether he was still waking up or irritated. "What?" I asked, sensing the irritability.
"You shouldn't be here. Not with B-tent threatening you."
"Threatening me?" I gasped. "D-tent heard?"
Squid shook his head. "D-tent was told. By Black himself. Princess, if they catch you out here, you're in serious trouble. I can't have that."
"But I needed to see you!" I repeated. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
"Of course I am! But if it gets you hurt, I wouldn't be so happy, would I?"
"He can't hurt me much more than he already has," I began. "Squid, you've kept me going these past few days. How can I go without you for more than 24 hours?" I folded my arms impatiently, and Squid pulled me into a soft embrace.
"Promise me you won't do this again. It's dangerous."
"It's worth it!" I retorted, the words muffled in his shirt. He stroked my hair as if was the last time we'd see each other.
"You're going to get hurt if you keep this up…"
"I'm going to be hurt if I don't see you. Squid, I feel like…I don't know, like I need you. I need to be around you. There's this…force…that keeps telling me that I need to be near you."
"And we're torn apart."
"And we always will be." I looked up. "You feel it too, then?"
"Of course I do, but that doesn't mean we're going to be defying fate when you sneak out! I won't have it!" He sighed at seeing my pitiful look. "It's great to see your beautiful face again," he sighed absent-mindedly. I rested my head on his rising chest. "We cant' tell anyone about this," Squid muttered. "Not even D-tent. Somehow it would leak to B-tent, I know it."
I nodded, trying to imprint within my mind how Squid's arms felt around me. Sighing, I barely noticed the shuffling coming from C-tent's area. Squid cursed. "Kaden, you have to go." I pulled away, my tears attempted to fall. I nodded instead.
"I'll see you next week, then? Same time."
Squid inhaled. "Fine, a week. That shouldn't be too often. But if you get caught, so help me…"
"I won't, okay? I just need to see you."
"I know. One week. No less." I nodded. Then Squid landed a soft kiss on my lips that made me melt, then trapping me in another hug. "Stay safe."
"As always." I grinned, giving Squid a peck on the cheek before prancing away.
Totally worth it.
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