Chapter Eleven

“Raven!!”

Raven gets stunned and folds the paper that Trystan had slipped inside her pocket as she hears someone call her name.

“Everyone gather here fast!!” It was Tim, he called out everyone’s name as loud as he could.

Raven rushes in the direction of Tim, her hands still inside her pockets, with other campers of the group following her steps.

“What is it? What happened?” Raven asks Tim while panting from all the running while she quickly manages to catch a small breath.

“It’s...it’s Jasper!” Tim stutters and pants while Jasper lays next to him unconscious.

“I found him like this, his pulse is still there but it seems like he fainted maybe”, he adds as he tries to get a hold of Jasper's head.

“Jasper, Jasper” Raven calls out his name in a hope that he might wake up while shaking him by shoulder and slightly slapping his cheeks.

“Wait, what is that?” Raven questions perplexed; looking at what seemed to be a wound on Jasper’s forehead.

It was sort of a mark as if someone had hit him with something protruded and sharp. It made her think of Trystan’s staff immediately but then she didn’t want to believe or think for a split second that it could be him. It didn’t make sense that Trystan could hurt anyone and on top of that a camper.

Jasper soon came back to his senses as he groaned in pain and Raven asked someone to bring water for him. Lyla rushed to get a bottle for him (this was very unlikely of her but hey she is trying to help right?) as Tim helped him sit up.

They managed to sprinkle some water on his face and then let him drink some before taking him back to the campsite. He was still a little fuzzy and his vision was a little blurry, so Tim gave him a shoulder to walk with.

They return to the campsite and make Jasper sit next to the bonfire Sharon & Valerie started earlier, in order for Jasper's cold body to regain some warmth. He was totally pale because of all the blood he lost from his wound on forehead, he was in need of urgent medical attention.

The in-charge had already left the campsite, he was nowhere to be seen. It was nightfall and it started to get even more chilly. They gathered around the bonfire and ate what was already packed for each one of them, which was handed to them before starting the hike. It was nothing compared to a full course meal but it still served its purpose.

Tim manages to sit next to Raven who was already there warming up her cold hands. To her right was Jasper, still shivering and slightly lost. It seems like he hit his head very hard.

“Hello there, campers!” Trystan interrupts as he places one of his hands on Jasper's shoulder and the other on Raven’s back.

Raven felt a shiver run down her spine. Before anyone could say anything, Trystan took the liberty of filling the gap between Raven and Jasper. He sat down occupying the space as he folded his hands.

"Jaspee is Bauck wit aus” Valerie Responds breaking the silence.

"Glad, nothing happened to him" Trystan replies in a sarcastic tone, being completely oblivious to the very apparent wound . It sounded creepy in a way.

“As soon as dawn hits I will head down the mountain and treat Jasper as soon as possible, of course you people don’t need to get your sleep disturbed hah!” He added. Finally paying some attention as he should being the instructor.

“Okay kids, feel free to do whatever you like to as today you are allowed,” Trystan announces to cheer up the campers.

“Why don’t we play Truth or Dare?” Lyla dives into the conversation.

"How do we decide who starts?" Sharon questions them all.

"We can use our birth dates" Tim suggests in a nerdy voice while he adjusts his glasses.

“Okay...so umm... mine is the 3rd of May” Lyla initiated with all the enthusiasm.

“Mine is 9th August” Tim followed.

"4th June" Valerie declares.

"August 7" Jasper followed right after Valerie.

"2nd of April" Sharon says next.

"Does that make me first to go, unless of course there is no one else before me. heh." She adds.

"Um, well mine is the 13th of December, " Raven tells them in a very unmotivated tone.

"What about you Trystan..Sir?" Tim asked, looking at Trystan.

"I rather not say and also rather not be a part of your silly game" Trystan says in a rudely killing the fun out of it. He appeared unfriendly when it came to this, maybe he was against the idea of having fun but he seemed rather secretive than offended,

"oh c'mon!" Lyla is pissed seeing Trystan rain on the parade.

"Fine don't tell us, but you have to play, everyone should cooperate, we are trying to lighten up the mood here for goodness sake" she yelled in exasperation.

“I suggest why don't you go before Raven as you always interrupt her turn, fair enough?" She adds cunningly.

"Ah, do I have a choice here, I don’t right?" Trystan questions himself.

"Okay let’s get started shall we, so as per the birthdates... you're up first, Sharon!" Lyla initiates the game.

“Truth or dare Sharon?” Lyla asks with exhilaration

"Truth”

Raven jumps-in to ask the question, “What do you think of Lyla?” as she slouches forward and raises one of her eyebrows

“She is my best friend and I wouldn't hide anything from her” it was honestly hinting at the fact that Valerie and Raven didn't have as good of a friendship as Lyla and Sharon.

"What a bitch" Raven curses under her breath.

To break the awkward silence again,

Lyla announces “I'm next”

“I choose, dare” continues in a slutty tone and crosses her legs in a more slutty way.

“Woah this is going to be interesting, Lyla I dare you to make out with Tim” Jasper says it in an evil tone. He was hoping that it would spark up some fight between Lyla and Raven and of course he didn’t like Tim

“Hold up Jasper, did you even ask me if I wanted to? I’ll only kiss someone who I truly like, I’m sorry” Tim apologises in an annoyed tone indicating he didn’t like Lyla at all.

“Oh! That is sad, sorry Lyla, better luck next time” Jasper laughs away as he finds it can temper Lyla's attitude

“Careful Jasper, you don’t wanna be hit again, only this time it’ll be me but with heels and I’ll make sure you don’t breathe anymore” Lyla threatens Jasper in a mean tone and gives him the eyes.

“Alright moving forward..” Raven jumps in.

“Valerie you’re up”

“Daee” Valerie struggles to say it clearly.

“Why don’t you kiss Raven hmm?” Sharon suggests.

( Between you and me, it turns out Valerie always had feelings for Raven but she couldn't make her ruin her friendship with her as Raven has done so much for her. Although Raven has always perceived Valerie as her friend and a sister, she couldn’t risk the bond they had )

She kisses Sharon instead for the sake of not ruining the friendship any further.

“I’d atha kiss yuu my Shayyyyy!!” Valerie says in a romantic tone and proceeds to intertwine her lips with hers.

“Whoooohh! Way to go girl” Tim was cheering for them.

“Okay okay, that’s enough, I say.. truth” Jasper interrupts the romantic scene going on between Sharon and Valerie.

“What is it that you regret the most after coming here?” Tim puts up the questions in front of him in a serious tone.

“Honestly, I wish I had never bullied Chuck. Now he is gone because of me. I wish I didn't act like an asshole to him. If only I could take it all back” Jasper says in remorse.

Trystan almost let out a chuckle after hearing this. It seemed discourteous considering the situation was a serious one. Also it added more to the suspicions that the other campers had on him. (I mean who is retarded enough to be laughing in such a serious situation?)

While everyone had their eyes on Trystan, Tim decided to break off the awkwardness.

“Hey it’s alright man, I’m sure he’ll understand if you apologise.” Tim tries to comfort him by putting his hand on Jasper’s shoulder.

There was a minute silence as Jasper mourned. It was clear that he regretted everything he did to Chuck.

“Okay My turn, I choose - truth” Tim continues and breaks the silence.

“Can I ask him the question this time?” Raven interrupted.

“Who did you connect with the most?” Raven questions him.

“Actually you know what, I choose - dare” Tim flips.

“Oh cmon, don’t be like that, it’s no fun, answer her cmon!!” Trystan forces him to answer.

“I skip!! I am not playing this stupid game anymore” Tim snaps.

“What?? Are you kidding me?” Lyla sounds pissed yet again.

“Okay why don’t you do a lap dance for Trystan then, eh?” Raven suggests in a sly tone with a smirk on her face, ofcourse she was enjoying it.

“Hah, not happening” Trystan replies.

“God you awful lot,” Lyla is clearly annoyed and rolls her eyes.

“You’re up next” Lyla looks at Trystan and gives him a heads up.

“I choose.. truth” Trystan says in a jolly manner.

“So What are you hiding? What's your biggest secret?” Jasper questions him.

“Yeah tell us, you seem so secretive about everything we ask you” Tim encourages.

“Heh, if I spill the beans to you kids will it be a secret anymore?” Trystan dodges the question cunningly.

“Dude, why are you people so boring?” Lyla gets extremely annoyed and tries to sit next to Tim.

“Raven, what do you choose?” Sharon cuts in.

“Umm truth??” Raven shrugs.

“What hurt you the most?” Lyla intentionally questions her.

Raven pauses for a moment before answering.

“You Sharon. You. Stealing. Valerie.” Raven says in a hurt tone as she chokes on her tears.

Trystan sees this and notices the hurt in Raven’s eyes, he tries to be there for her. He wished that he could hug her and comfort her but with everyone present in there it was far from possible.

“Okay that’s enough for tonight, you and truth and dare must bid each other goodbye” Trystan interrupts as he could not bear seeing tears in Raven’s eyes while giving the evil eyes to Sharon. His tone was surprisingly calm and cold.

“Now why don’t we all head back to our tents, it’s getting cold and the fire is almost out too” Trystan suggests.

“Wrap yourselves up like cute little burritos in your sleeping bags now would you? It’s pretty late anyway” he adds it with bitterness disguised as sweet..

Everyone was dumbstruck as they could not believe that this side of Trystan existed as well.

Trystan was very much worried about Raven after what had happened during the truth or dare game. He tries his best to comfort her.

“Are you gonna be okay?” he shows his concern as he helps put on the shawl that Raven had on.

“I’ll be fine, yeah” Raven answers in a gloomy tone.

“Let me know if you need anything at all, I’m just a tent away” Trystan offers.

To be continued…