CHAPTER FOUR

I watch the remaining color drain from his face at my murmured threat, but I also see the spark of stubbornness in his eyes.

I don’t know what his problem with me is, but I have a feeling this one is going to make my life very difficult.

However, I pull him up, and the wiry-looking man tosses a towel his way, barking, “Dry yourself off and stay away from the railing now!”

The boy shoots me a hateful look as he scurries away toward his friends.

“That was a nice thing you did there,” an amused voice spoke up. “Minus the death threat.”

My head whips to the side, and I see a guy standing by the railings. He has reddish, auburn hair and intelligent, blue eyes. He watches me, those eyes dancing with amusement.

“You know he was trying to push you in, right?” He grins.

I shrug. “Failed, didn’t he?”

The ferry is moving faster now, and we are approaching the island closest to us.

“He’ll try again.”

“I know.” My replies are terse. I’m not exactly interested in having a heart-to-heart with this guy, as cute as he may be. It’s too early to make friends with someone when I don’t know their brand of crazy. I don’t know why a lot of these kids are here.

His blue eyes are lazy as they run over me. “So, what are you in for?”

I shrug. “Crazy stepmother. You?”

His laugh is short and strained. “Burnt down my school.”

I stare at him. “No shit?”

He shrugs. “Would you believe me if I told you I didn’t mean to?”

“No.”

He laughs. “Well, at least you’re honest.” He straightens up and offers his hand, “Quill Freeman.”

I hesitate before accepting his hand. “Taylor Night. This is Beth.”

Beth had been silent during our short conversation. She smiles at him. “Nice to meet you.”

However, Quill’s eyes remain on me even after the muttered hello he throws in Beth’s direction, and I feel a little flustered. There’s something incredibly direct about his gaze, and it makes me feel a little strange.

“So,” Quill glances toward the island we are approaching, and I follow his gaze to see a small harbor come into sight, “any idea what’s in there? I mean I know it’s supposed to be secluded, but this looks more like one of those prisons. You think they have an underwater prison where they’re going to cage us and then give us electric shocks to fix our brains? And that this whole camp thing is just a ruse?”

I stare at him for a few seconds before managing to speak, “Aren’t you a bucket of sunshine?”

He grins, broadly. “I’m just saying.”

He folds his hands behind his head. “Either way, I don’t care. Anything is better than that stupid foster home I was in.”

I shake my head at him, but before I can respond, the ferry comes to a rolling stop, and the captain’s voice announces over the speaker, “Once the chain is removed, start walking out in pairs.”

I grab my bag, Quill and Beth next to me as we climb down the shaky-looking, wooden board. We are amongst the first few to get off, and I see a woman waiting for us, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, the word “Counselor” written in a bright, irritating pink across the shirt. She has long, blonde hair tied in a pony, a bright pink lipstick staining her perfect lips, and loud, pink earrings.

“Line up in pairs, please!”

She has a cheery voice, which certainly doesn’t match the weather or anyone’s mood. Wary, we all start to shift toward her. She has a clipboard in hand and starts calling out names. It’s during the process that I discover that my so-called bully’s name is Anderson Grey.

I cast him an amused look. He’s still shivering. When he bares his teeth, my humor fades. His teeth are razor sharp.

I blink, but this time they’re back to normal.

Uneasiness stirs within me.

Maybe I’m just tired and seeing things.

Beth sidles up next to me, and I don’t miss the look of disappointment on Quill’s face.

However, he stands behind Beth as the counselor begins walking. A lot of the kids have small suitcases, and the sounds of the wheels dragging against the ground is annoying. But my attention is drawn to the dense forest which we pass through.

The perky, blonde counselor seems to know exactly where to go, following some random path.

“Shouldn’t there be markers here?” I mutter toward Beth.

I’m quite far behind from the counselor but I see her look in my direction, smiling. “No. It’s to ensure that students don’t try to leave the island by themselves. We strongly encourage our students not to wander into the forest. It’s not safe if you’re interested in staying alive.”

I stare after her.

Students?

And how did she hear me from that distance?

“My name is Annabelle for all those wondering,” she announces. “I hope you’re excited about the challenges that await you at Mistfall Wilderness Camp. I know I am!”

“She sounds like she’s been practicing that line in the mirror for a while now,” Quill whispers in my ear, and I snicker.

This time Annabelle’s smile is sharper when she glances our way.

I hush Quill, not wanting to get in trouble so soon.

I have to admit that I’m a little freaked out by her perfect hearing.

“So, what kind of camp is this?” I finally ask, my voice louder now.

“A survival camp and a reform school,” Annabelle seems pleased at someone having asked a question.

“Survival camp?” I echo, a little on edge. “What does that mean?”

“You’ll soon find out.” Her perky cheerleader voice is starting to get on my nerves.

I don’t know for how long we walked, but my legs started to ache at some point. Quill echoes my sentiments, whispering, his breath tickling my ear, “You think she’s taking us somewhere where she can kill us?”

I gave him a bland look. “Now I know why they sent you here.”

He gives me an insulted look. “We don’t know where she’s taking us.”

I glance at Beth who genuinely looks terrified now, and I hiss, “Stop scaring her. Nobody’s killing us. Especially not Cheerleader Barbie over there.”

I hear a soft laugh, but when I glance at the counselor, she’s looking ahead.

I’m convinced she has abnormal hearing.

Soon enough, we break through the tree line.

At a first glance, it really does look like a summer camp. There is a collection of cabins on one side and a fireplace pit. But looking ahead, I can see some buildings. They’re at quite a distance.

“Our campuses are spread over all five islands,” Cheerleader Barbie announces.

Five islands?!

Even Quill looks taken aback and gives me a wary look.

I can see other counselors moving about in the distance—assuming they are counselors—but none of them approach us.

“All of you will be spread out on the islands according to your skill level.”

That gets my attention.

Skill level?

A lot of the other kids also have the same puzzled expression on their faces.

“Once you go through your assessment, which will be in the form of a team-building exercise, your skill level will be determined, and you will then be assigned to the island accordingly.”

Annabelle’s voice is still droning on, but I feel Beth’s hand curl around mind, and when I glance at her, I see the sharp worry on her face. It takes me a moment to understand the reason behind it.

And when I do, I feel my own concern rise.

I don’t care what kind of assignment or test there’s going to be, but the whole reason I came here was in a fit of impulse to keep Beth safe.

What if we are forced to be separated?!