The Cabin

The group awoke to the smell of cooked bacon, eggs, and potatoes. Sofia and Autumn had gotten up early to make breakfast. They all sat around the table and ate together. Erick was the first time get up and when he walked outside he noticed they were surrounded by a swamp on three sides. The wetland still had some moring fog lifting. Erick turned back inside, "I thought your uncle lived in a forest not a swamp." Some of the group smiled as Reid replied, "No the driveway comes through the swamp. A creek flows south from the swamp and into a small lake​. The forest surrounds it all. Around the lake is the thickest part of the forest." Erick was fine with this but slowly moved for some bug spray.

After everyone was done eating, Reid lead the group down to the creek. They followed the creek down to the lake. A small sandy beach with a fire pit near the water was the only opening. Large logs were around the fire pit to sit on. The lake was more like a large pond but it was large enough to have a raft at its center. The swimming area was clean and open, most of the group went swimming while Ira stayed behind to set up a few tents. After he was done setting up camp he swam out to the raft.

Near sunset Quinn and Mara were on the beach listening to music. Autumn and Sofia were starting a fire and preparing food. The others had gone into the woods. At the lake there was much laughter until they heard the breaking of branches. Not long after Reid came running out of the woods and splashed into the water. He began swimming out to the raft alone and it appeared to the other at the camp that he was dragging something with him. He got on the raft and attached something to it. He yelled out into the woods at Ira and Erick, "OK it's set, pull it tight!" From the water rose a thick line. For awhile nothing happened and no replie came, until the line began to move up and down. Out of the woods came Ira out of the tree line. They had made a zipline. Some feet away from the raft Ira let go and splashed into the water. When he resurfaced and was clear he yelled into the woods, "It's all good, the old line still works." Reid and Ira swam back to shore as Erick came down the line and splashed into the water. Mara and Quinn joined in on the ​zipline as Ira dried off by the fire. At last light the group saw countless small silhouettes take to the sky. A few shouts came from those in or around the water. Ira got up and moved all the torches closer to the fire and started more. The small figures formed thin clouds. The others came running into the light. Erick, "Are you seeing this they forming clouds." Quinn, "I never know they could do that." Reid said with a grin, "Mosquitoes, their going to be bad this year." Erick jumped into his tent for safety and hundreds of little bugs hit his tents window. He took out his bug spray and shot a mist out of the window. He came out and shared it with everyone. After Quinn took it and used a match to create a flame thrower for a few minutes.

Once the battle with the mosquitoes was over and everyone got into thick clothes they told funny and scary stories. All the while they ate hotdogs, hamburgers, and ​s'mores. Later that night when they had all fallen asleep something began to walk around their tents. The full moon was out and it's cold light reflected off the lake. All the tree tops could be seen along with everything around the camp. Erick was the first to wake up when he heard something hitting the side of his tent. He yelled for the others as it circled his tent and the zipper moved. Ira was the first out of his tent followed by Reid. Ira could see what it was and dropped his guard. Ira looked back at Reid who had a flashlight. He turned it on to make sure it was what Ira thought. They both smiled, "Erick, I think your safe to come out now." The flashlight revealed a large fat raccoon. Erick unzipped the tent and saw the raccoon run awkwardly back into the forest. "Well their goes your girlfriend, Erick." Mara said sarcastically. She also looked at the others, "Well I guess we know who left those claw and bit marks on the door." Most of them agreed, however Ira was still unsure. Erick had a smile over his face as he zipped back up his tent. Everyone else went back to sleep, except for Ira who stayed up to put more wood on the fire. He stayed up for another hour listening to the lake and animals until he too fell asleep.