Chapter: Chapter 67: The TruthChapter 67The rain came early that morning, turning the sky a dull gray and the cabin into a quiet cocoon of sighs and unspoken thoughts. The four girls moved slowly, drained by the night before. No one dared mention Claireâs name, though her absence echoed in every corner in the untouched bed, in the folded blanket, in the silence that had taken her place.Annie sat by the window, chin resting on her knees, watching raindrops race each other down the glass. Every sound seemed to remind her of Claire laughter in the hallway, shoes squeaking on the wet porch, the faint hum of morning music from the mess hall.Nothing felt the same.When the sun dipped low again, pale and uncertain, a soft tap came at the window.Annie froze. The others looked up.âDonât tell meâŚâ Becky muttered, moving toward the window.She pulled the curtain aside and there he was again. Damien. Hood pulled low, soaked from the rain, glancing over his
Last Updated: 2025-10-17
Chapter: Chapter 66- Shadows in the Cabin Chapter 66The cabin felt colder after Claireâs departure, as though she had taken all the warmth with her. Annie stood rooted in the middle of the room, her hands limp at her sides, her mind replaying every second of what had just happened.Sussy sniffled loudly, dragging her blanket over her head like it could hide the hurt. Becky leaned forward on her knees, staring blankly at the floorboards, while Elena sat in silence, her notebook balanced in her lap but unopened. The air was thick with everything unsaid.Finally, Beckyâs voice broke the silence. âWe should go after her.âSussy shot up from her bed, eyes rimmed with tears. âAnd say what? She doesnât want us near her. You heard herâshe canât even look at us!ââBut if she talks to Mr. EmeraldâŚâ Becky swallowed hard. âIf she changes rooms, itâll be permanent. It wonât just be a fight. Itâll mean sheâs really gone.âAnnie finally moved, sinking onto her bed. Her chest
Last Updated: 2025-10-03
Chapter: Chapter 65- Shattered Bonds Chapter 65 Annieâs heart sank as she watched Claire storm out of the dining hall, leaving her food untouched, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. The whispers didnât matter anymoreâthe laughter, the smirks, the phones flashing. None of it cut as deep as the look on Claireâs face before she left.Without thinking, Annie shot up from the table. âClaireâwait!âBecky and Sussy exchanged quick glances, then followed. Even Elena, though slower and clearly unsure what was going on, trailed after them, clutching her notebook to her chest.The four of them hurried across camp, weaving through groups of students who had already heard the rumor and were whispering behind their hands. Annieâs legs moved on instinct, her chest tight. She couldnât let Claire disappear without explainingâexcept she had no idea what she would even say.âClaire!â Annie called again, her voice cracking.But Claire didnât slow. She only walked f
Last Updated: 2025-09-26
Chapter: Chapter 64- The Whispering Table Chapter 64 The sun was high by the time the students trailed back into camp, dusty sneakers crunching over gravel paths. The forestâs cool shade had been left behind, replaced by the hum of cicadas and the warm shimmer of midday heat.Annie walked with Elena at her side, the two of them falling into step with Becky, Sussy, and Claire. Their laughter carried aheadâSussy was dramatically reenacting how sheâd âalmost diedâ tripping over a root, while Claire rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didnât get stuck.To anyone else, it looked like an ordinary return from the hike. But Annieâs chest still buzzed with the secret weight of her meeting with Damien. She held it close, like something fragile. Nobody could know. Not yet.At least, that was what she believed.The dining hall was alive with noise when they entered. Trays clattered, chairs scraped against the floor, and the smell of beans, rice, and grilled chicken fille
Last Updated: 2025-09-26
Chapter: Chapter 63- Moments Stolen Chapter 63 The morning light spilled through the tall cabin window, painting golden stripes across Annieâs bed. Birds chirped outside, and the soft chatter of students waking up drifted through the air. Annie rubbed her eyes, sitting up slowly. For a moment, sheâd almost forgotten about Damienâs message still waiting on her phone. But the cheerful hum of camp life quickly pulled her back. âUp, sleepyhead!â Sussy sang, already dressed in shorts and a bright top. She stood in front of the mirror, braiding her hair like she was preparing for a photoshoot. âToo early,â Annie muttered, though a smile tugged at her lips. Becky was already folding her blanket with military precision. âBreakfast in twenty minutes. If you donât hurry, youâll be last in line.â Claire slipped on her sneakers without a word, earbuds hanging around her neck. Elena,
Last Updated: 2025-09-25
Chapter: Chapter 62- The CampChapter 62 The buses rolled to a stop in front of the camp center just as the afternoon sun dipped lower, painting the sky with streaks of gold and rose. A soft breeze rustled through the tall pine trees that framed the grounds, carrying with it the earthy scent of grass and soil.Students spilled out in waves, dragging bags, laughing, and stretching their legs after the long ride. Teachers stood near the entrance, calling out instructions above the chatter and pointing toward the main hall.The camp spread out beautifully: rows of wooden cabins tucked between trees, gravel paths winding toward a wide dining hall, a fire pit at the center of the grounds, and a game field stretching out to the side. Birds darted through the air, their wings catching the light, and the distant sound of water flowing from a stream added to the sense of peace.Inside the main hall, teachers explained the rules: students were free to pick their roommates, but groups h
Last Updated: 2025-09-21