Goldenrod Tamarack Campgrounds, 13 Years Ago
*Alli*
Charles doesn't know how to not be a rule follower. I always try to change it. Never works though.
"Come on, please?"
"But we'll get caught!"
I sigh and turn back to Charles. "But the counselors are asleep and nobody will see! It's the only chance we'll get! Don't you want to have some fun?" Normal line. "Alli, your definition of 'fun' is breaking the law. And trying to get both of us killed."
"Taking one of the canoes out for a spin isn't going to kill us." I protest and peak my head out of our tent. "I promise I won't make you help me try to climb the oak tree again." Charles hates heights. They do say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? But Charles says that it just makes you more afraid.
"Deal." He mumbles and crawls out of the tent. "If we die, I'm gonna kill you." He says before standing up and walking down towards the lakeside. "Fair enough."
"So, what's your brilliant plan?" He asks as soon as we reach the first canoe. "Hm." I mumble and look at the boat. "Make it look like it's still there for starters. That's an easy trick of the light." I walk to other side. "Do the thing and see if anyone's awake." Charles shakes his head. He hates doing it. "Come on, not like anyone's looking." He hesitates for a moment before sighing and pressing his index finger and middle finger on his temple.
"Everyone's asleep. One of the kids is dreaming about..." he frowns. "Making out with Marilyn Monroe?" I laugh. Charles has a mortified look on his face. "How does an eight year old kid know about sex?" I shake my head. "Just don't think about it."
Charles shakes himself. "Okay." He thinks about things way too much. "Can you hand me that thing?" I point at the pile of rope. "Alli, you're making me feel like we're going to rob a bank!" I grin and his face falls. "Alli! If we get caught, I'll never get into Oxford!"
"Just a quick spin. C'mon, do you really think I'd do something like that?" I pause, then add "Don't answer that." I untie the rope and toss it Charles. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Nope." I smile and hop onto the boat. "Well come on!" I say before rooting around for the paddles. The boat bobs as Charles climbs in. "If we get caught-"
"I dive into the water, leave you with the boat and paddles, and yell 'PADDLE KID PADDLE!'" I smile. "Easy. Now help me find the damn paddles." He roots around and I concentrate on the light filtering through the trees. "Mooney, when you're done with that, I'll need some help."
He's always called me Mooney, apparently absorbing light is the same thing as staring at the moon and slowly losing it.
"Found it." He says. "So, what do we do know?" I grab the paddle and get out of the boat. "See that lighthouse? I heard some of the older campers talking about a curse on that place. We go out, touch the thing, then come back. Anne won't be calling me weak anymore!" Charles sighs. "Alli, I think it would be a better idea to... you know..."
"Take that girl's bullshit? Nah, I'm good." I start to push the boat into the water and hop back in on Charles lap. "What are you doing?" He manages to say. "You said that if we get caught, you won't get into Oxford. If no one sees you, then you won't get caught." I give him a quick grin before dipping the paddle into the water. "Get off of me." He says and I scoot off his lap and onto the bench.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmfvQ7KRyT
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"Well, come on! Help me paddle!" Charles gives me a look. "I swear, Alli-" He stops and mumbles before grabbing the other paddle.
~.::.~
Judging by the moon, it must be midnight by the time we get to the lighthouse. There's a cool breeze. I think Charles is scared. "'fraid of a little wind?" I joke and see the look on his face. The either-you-shut-up-right-now-or-I-swear-to-God-I-will-kill-you-and-trust-me-I'm-not-afraid-to-do-it look.
We stop the boat at the foot of the lighthouse. " Here we are. " I say and climb out of the boat. Charles stumbles out and starts panting, bending over. I flick on the flashlight and stretch myself. "Well, come on! We're burning moonlight! " Charles freezes. "No, no, no way I'm going in there! You said we were just going to touch it!"
I grin. "Did I leave that out? Oops." I laugh and grab his wrist, dragging him with me.
The door gives away easily, I can tell it hasn't been opened in years. I shine the light through the room. "Alli, we shouldn't be here." He says, giving a nervous look around. "Isn't this so cool? Look at all the cobwebs." I nod towards the stairs. Come on, we won't get a good view from here." The stairs creak under my feet, like they'll give way at any moment. "Careful!" Charles says as I step on a really squeaky stair.
I snort and shine the light out one of the windows. "The view will be better from the top." I turn back to Charles. He looks terrified. "Aw, you need me to hold your hand?" I mock and see that he's really scared. "Honestly, Charles. I should be the scared one." I say and take his hand, surprised at how sweaty it is.
The top of the lighthouse is high up. But it's got a beautiful view. "Worth it, eh?" I elbow him. "I guess..." Charles admits. I below his side. "C'mon, it's amazing." A cool wind blows and Charles shivers. "Can we go back down?" I sigh. "Fine, but we're coming back here tomorrow." He gives a sigh of relief and we start back towards the stairs.
"Alli!"
The floor breaks under my feet and Charles races towards me, grabbing my hand just as I fall. He gives a loud grunt and here we are: dangling over a large drop, with only a pole to keep us from falling.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3nMGaQUIr
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"Damn you, Alli!" He yells and I stare at him in surprise. He almost never swears. "I thought you never swore." I try to joke. "Only when my sister tries to bloody kill us!" I roll my eyes. "Oh pullese. You nearly got us killed once."
"Yeah, once! You try to kill us every single day! I don't want you to always drag me into this stuff!"
"Then why do you still do it?" I shoot back at him. He sighs and looks up. "Because you're my sister. And if nobody's gonna have your back, then I have to." I frown. "Did you just say you have my back?" I ask.
"Um... yeah." I grin. "If I promise to always have your back, will you too?" I don't wait for him to respond before saying "I've got your back, I promise."
"I promise I got yours." Charles says and grunts. "I can't hold on for much longer!" I scan the walls around us. There's a loose nail, would probably give away if we try grabbing it. A window, too small for both of us to fit in the frame. A rafter shaft, close enough for us both to be able to stand. Looks steady enough. And close enough to the hole for us to climb back up.295Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp8z7ZFusD
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"Swing over to that rafter!" I say. "Have you lost your mind?" Charles grunts out. "Trust me, if that thing isn't stable, we're going to die either way. Now swing your ass over there!" Charles mutters something and swings the arm holding me toward the rafter. "Not to make this worse, but HARDER!"
"Alli, you don't shut up right now, I swear I'm gonna kill you!" He yells and I let go, closing my eyes, praying to god I don't die. I feel cold stone on my hands and let out a laugh of relief. "Come on, jump." Charles has a mortified look on his face. "No way."
"Come on! I just promised I have your back!" He mutters something and shuts his eyes before jumping towards the rafter.
Note to self: If I'm ever trapped in a lighthouse again. Don't bring Charles. Number two: don't tell Charles that you'll catch him.
"Oof!" I grunt as Charles lands on me. His eyes are shut tightly and his face is scrunched up. "Are we dead?" He whispers and I laugh. "No!" We both start laughing. "Okay, so, how do we get out of here?" I look up, moonlight still filtering through the window. "Give me a boost." I say.
By the time we get back to camp, everyone's up. The counselors are standing on the shore with their arms crossed. I give Charles an oh-shit look. "Allienna! Charles!" The head counselor yells. "Kitchen duty for the rest of the week!" Charles moans and I smile. Mission Get-Charles-To-Finally-Get-Off-His-Ass-And-Live Complete.
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