Alexandria Bennett's Story

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Ari was slowly but surely regaining composure, life ebbing back in to her body, warmth to her cheeks as she took a deep breath as everyone began to introduce themselves. She smiled to herself and her recovery. She could count on one dainty hand the weeks she would have just had a breakdown right then and there.

She didn’t listen during introductions, as per usual. They were just protocol, but she did listen as an unfamiliar voice introduced himself. The boy didn’t look much like red, but who knows, she could have been judging too hard. Maybe he had been sorted wrongly, but how would she know?

The last person concluded introductions, and Adam explained they were walking up Mt. Vuena. Ugh, really? It’s the hardest one!, she placed her face into her palm as he prattled on about safety. She felt Lacey squeeze her hand as it was notified they were in the same group. Her eyes danced and one corner of her mouth perked up.

”I’ll meet you at your cabin,” Lacey spoke, and Ari nodded and waved her off, not speaking a word. She figured she’d used them up for a few minutes, but it didn’t bother her.

Ari made her way to the pink cabin, the nearest to the media room. She brought her suitcase into the room, inhaling sharply as she remembered the mixtape. She’d just have to get through it. The girl placed her belongings on the bed which was hers, and zipped open the black suitcase that shone patent in the sunlight that streamed through the large window beside her bed. She opened the suitcase and brought out leggings and a thick woollen sweater, along with a black bobble hat and her favourite hiking boots. She took out of the drawer under her (bottom bunk) bed, a small backpack adorned with badges and patches from days past. Out of the suitcase she saw a box of cookies that her mom had made. Exactly half were cinnamon (special request from Ari as she knew cinnamon was Lacey’s favourite, and honestly Ariadne herself loved cinnamon) and the other half were classic chocolate chip. Among cookies she brought some medical supplies, water, crackers, and her phone. A few minutes, and she was ready to go. Ari made her way out of the pink cabin, where she saw Lacey.

”I brought something!” Ari smiled, shaking the box of cookies, ”But we’re getting to the totem pole first, I think we’re late” She was always one to fret about being late.

It wasn’t long until they arrived at the totem pole, where Adam was just beginning to talk.

”Okay everyone, I want you to get into your groups” Adam raised his voice so it could be heard throughout the group of kids milling around, and the kids followed, arranging themselves into their groups.

”Each group is getting a map, and you will all be going different ways that are the same difficulty level. I’ll be going up the lets say, easy way, that you don’t need to know about. The first group to the top is the winner, getting a point for their color each. Last one to the top- well, lets say there will be a forfeit. A bad one. So, don’t be last, okay?” He paused, handing out maps to one person in each group.

”Leader of group one is Eddie Andrews. Group one will be going the west route.” He pointed exactly west, to a rather dry, dusty path up the mountain, only rocks and bushes at each side of the path signifying life.

”Leader of group two is Daniel Bailey. You will be going the forest route.” He pointed directly above to a path snaking in between the tall evergreens, wildlife sprouting from every corner of the walk.

”Leader of group three is Emily Willis. You will be going the west route. Adam pointed again to a slightly more mountainous route that stayed next to the roaring waterfall. Everyone knew it lead to rivers and a few lakes that would unfortunately need crossing.

”One. Two. Three- go!”

”Well,” Ari smiled to Lacey while walking next to the rest of the group. ”Do you want a cookie? They’re cinnamon.”

Connor Tanabe sighed as he got into his group, but he laced his arm around his girlfriend’s waist as they walked.

”So, Daniel, do you have any idea where we’re going?” He asked the boy, genuinely of course. (Well, half geninuely) I mean, it wasn’t a secret ol’ Dan wasn’t the most well, sweet of people, so he treaded lightly, making his way up the forest path.


Nate felt a figure collide with his chest. Emily, it was. Emily something.

”Are you really? Sorry, I mean?” He growled, waiting for a response. ”Thought not. Just watch where you're going.” He dismissed the girl, walking off until Adam spoke up and said his share. Apparently, the routes would be the same difficulty level, but how does a bare path compare to a trek up the forest, or even a near gorge-walk through rivers and lakes? He was just lucky he was in group one. Hm, lucky. For once.

He just tried to walk at the back of his group as they began to take the path. Oh, and it was a race. Fuckin’ great.