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A stack of letters lay on Serena's desk. Dahlia and Aria had promised to stay in touch despite the distance between them, and they had kept their word. They were co-owners of a summer camp, after all. Serena picked up the latest letter from Dahlia and settled into her comfy chair by the window.
"Dear Serena,
Can you believe it's been five years since we met? Time truly flies, doesn't it? I hope you're doing well and enjoying college. I've been excited and nervous about reuniting at Camp Effigy this summer. My senior year is almost over, and I would love to invite you and Aria to my graduation in May. Will you come? Check yes or no:
YES!!! :D
No... :(
Love,
Dahlia"
Dahlia's bubbly cursive made Serena give a half-smile as she reread it again. It was comforting to know that some things never changed.
The next letter was from Aria, and Serena couldn't help but notice the difference in tone.
"Serena,
I've been delving further into Dr. de Roux's research, and I'm positive we'll be able to continue her work this summer. I truly believe we are on the cusp of something groundbreaking. I can't wait to see you and Dahlia back here at Camp Effigy for the grand reopening. I have so much to tell you about.
See you soon,
Aria"
The day finally arrived when Serena, Aria, and Dahlia stood side by side at Camp Effigy once more, and it felt like no time had passed at all since their last visit.
"OH MY GOD!" Aria screamed, her hazel-flecked eyes sparkling with exhilaration. "You're a BLONDE?" She grabbed Serena around the shoulders and hugged her.
"Yeah, I kinda let the natural color grow out," replied Serena, ruffling her pixie cut.
"I like it," said Dahlia with a grin. She was taller than Serena now and stood confidently, so different from the shy 13-year-old she had been the day she first arrived at Camp Effigy, "Crazy, it's been so long."
"Time does have a way of sneaking up on us," Serena agreed, brushing a strand of her blond waves behind her ear, "Speaking of, Aria, show us what's new!"
The sun warmed the campground's cabins, deep woods, and lush green meadows. Excited chatter filled the air as the new group of campers disembarked from their buses with wide eyes. Serena watched them from the front porch of the main lodge, feeling a mixture of pride and nostalgia wash over her.
"Look at them," she thought, taking in the fresh faces of the young campers. "They have no idea what they're in for."
"Alright, everyone!" Aria called out, clapping her hands to gather the campers' attention. "Welcome to Camp Effigy! We're so glad you could join us this summer. My name's Aria, and these are my fellow camp counselors, Serena and Dahlia."
"Hi there!" Dahlia waved enthusiastically, her dark curls bouncing as she beamed at the crowd of young faces. Serena simply nodded, her blue eyes scanning the group with a hint of a smile.
"Over the next few weeks, you'll learn about teamwork, friendship, and maybe even a little about yourselves." Aria continued, grinning broadly. "But first, let's get you all settled into your cabins. Follow us, please!"
As the campers eagerly trailed behind the trio of counselors, a young girl with freckles and a mass of red curls approached Serena. "Um, excuse me," she stammered, clutching her backpack nervously. "Are the stories true? About the ghosts, I mean?"
Serena locked eyes with the girl, considering her response for a moment before smirking playfully. "Keep your eyes open," she teased. The girl's expression turned panic-stricken, and Serena winked conspiratorially. "Trust me, you're in good hands."
As they led the campers through the familiar grounds of Camp Effigy, Aria, Dahlia, and Serena couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with these young, eager faces.
"Ready for another adventure?" Aria whispered to her friends as they ushered the last campers into their cabins.
"Bring it on," Serena agreed. She long since had outgrown her old attempts to be cool and aloof. It was so freeing to be herself, unabashedly silly and all.
Later that day, the girls gathered in the library, their minds shifting from camp activities to the research Aria had conducted since their encounter with Dr. de Roux. Surrounded by stacks of books and scribbled notes, Aria began, her brow furrowed in concentration as she flipped through the pages of a delicate and ancient tome. "According to this text, the valves we've been studying are part of a larger system that exists within the spirit world. It's like... A network of pathways that connect different dimensions and planes of existence."
"Interesting..." Serena mused, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "So, by manipulating these valves, we could potentially control access to other dimensions?"
"It's not very exact yet," Aria confirmed, her excitement growing. "But I think I've found a technique that will allow us to do just that."
"Wow, Aria," Dahlia breathed, her mind racing with the possibilities this new information presented. "This could change everything. Just imagine what we could learn, the secrets we could uncover."
"No kidding," Aria replied, "But we must be careful not to push too far too fast. There's still so much we don't understand about these valves and the forces they control. We don't even have full control of our own abilities yet."
"One day at a time," said Dahlia. "Together."
Serena, Aria, and Dahlia returned to the main camp area. Laughter and excited conversation filled the air as the new campers gathered around a crackling bonfire, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames.
"Serena!" Marcella called out, waving her arms to get their attention. "Gather 'round, everyone! It's almost time for the official camp welcome!"
Serena exchanged excited glances with Aria and Dahlia, anticipation bubbling in her chest like champagne. They joined the campers, faces aglow with firelight and fingers sticky with s'mores.
"We're so glad you've chosen to spend your summer with us!" Lucy declared, her voice carrying over the crackle of the fire, and she sat down beside the fire to work on a crochet project with thick, black yarn. Shadow rested with his chin on the ground at her feet, eyes on the new campers, ready for pets and affection.
"Over the next few weeks, you'll learn amazing new skills, form lasting friendships, and maybe even discover something extraordinary about yourselves and the world around you," Marcella added, giving Serena, Aria, and Dahlia a knowing smile.
"Yes! Let's make some memories!" Aria cheered, clapping her hands. As the campers applauded, Serena found herself grinning.
As the sky above them began to darken, spattered with the first stars of the evening, Serena knew with absolute certainty that the upcoming summer would be one these girls would never forget.
"But first! It's a tradition to start," Serena said in a conspiratorial tone. Her twinkling, firelit gaze met Aria's and Dahlia's and then scanned very seriously across the campers sitting in a circle, staring back at her in anticipation, "with a ghost story..."
about the author
Hailing from a serene, small town, I A M Watson unveils a unique perspective, honed through experiences as a stylist, librarian, death investigator, and nurse. In the quiet corners of the library, she delights in stories that transport readers to new worlds and introduce the lifelong love of reading to young minds. As a death investigator and nurse, Watson is intimately familiar with the delicate balance of life and death, infusing her horror narratives with a profound understanding of mortality. As a stylist, she likes to look cool doing it all. Amidst the mysteries and terrors of the living realm, she finds solace in the companionship of her husband Nolan, daughter Artemis, ornery striped cat named Coco, and the galumphing Yuki, her Great Pyrenees. Through her work, Watson invites readers on an engaging expedition into the secrets that lurk within the shadows and to the core of us that casts the light of grace.
Dear reader,
As you close the pages of "Camp Effigy: A Ghost Story," I invite you to continue your journey with our next installment, "Life of Shadow: A Ghost Story" which tells the story of the time that Shadow, the shaggy companion of Lucia Montenegro, leaped through a valve and explored the land of the dead.
You're cordially invited to join the Camp Effigy community on Facebook and subscribe to the email newsletter for some extra ghost stories, interactive polls, and opportunities to contribute to the next book by I A M Watson.
Links to all this and more at www.authoriamwatson.com.
I value your thoughts and would deeply appreciate your review on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads. Even just a sentence or two helps new readers find this series.
As I anticipate your insights, I content myself to brewing up the next chapter. Stay tuned for the upcoming third installment in the Camp Effigy series: "Ol' Bloodthirsty: A Ghost Story."
Eternally yours,
I A M Watson
