Camping

Even though it's summer, my hands tremble as we walk up the well worn hill to the camp site.

"My mom already has the tents set up for us, so when we get there we can just do whatever we want!" Sakura says gleefully as she peers out from under a large brimmed hat.

"There's a stream nearby right? I want to go swimming!" Nana practically jumps as she says this, her black pigtails joining her in jumping.

"I want to sit down and just listen to the sounds of nature", Keri huffs and she struggles to keep her backpack on her shoulders.

"You can listen while we are in the water," Nana argues jovially.

"Fine, if you carry my bag the rest of the way," Keri says as she slides the backpack off; it makes a loud thunk as it hits the ground.

"What do you have in here! Weights!" Nana laughs as she easily puts the back on the opposite shoulder of her barely full backpack. Nana is a great athlete and could easily carry for two if it meant she would get her way.

"Just my manga," Keri peeps sheepish.

Just then , Sakura steps on a twig that makes a loud "snapping" sound. I scream and instantly fall to the ground and cover my head.

"Scaredy-cat, it was just a twig" Nana teases.

"It's ok, we are here with you," Keri states as she kneels over me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Do you see that tree at the top of that hill over there," Sakura points as she gently speaks. " That is where we are camping. You can see a little smoke from the fire my mom has already started. When we get there, we can just sit and roast some hot dogs together before we make any other decisions, ok? How about you walk between me and Nana?"

Holding my necklace tight, I take a deep breath, steady my nerves, and slowly raise to my feet. "Ok," I reply meekly.

"Can we cut the hot dogs into little octopus before we cook them?" Nana asks.

The sound of our laughter echoes around us as we continue down the trail. As we start to go up the final trail, my foot catches a branch and I fall to the ground.

"Oh my gosh"

"Uh-oh"

" Are you ok?"

My friends ask me with concern.

"I'm fine, just clumsy as always." I laugh as I try to fix my short red hair back behind my ears.

Nana helps me back up, even though she is carrying two bags instead of one.

As we continue up the hill, the sun is blocked by clouds that were not in view a few minutes earlier. The trees, which had been green and full of cheerful chattering took on a more ominous feel; their branches suddenly looking twisted and maniacal. All cheerful animal sounds stopped and all I could hear was the moving of gravel as we continued to clim the hill, the large tree at the top looking farther and farther away at every step.

I reach for my necklace and stop. My heart races as I start to panic. Tears fill my eyes and a cold dread fills my body. My necklace is gone.