Part 3: When Camp Becomes a Horror Film

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Everyone scrambled for the door and ran outside around to the back of the house as Epel stopped in front of them, eyes trained down on the ground in front of him.

"OH NO!!!"

There, lying on the ground, were Charlie and Soleil, knocked out and down for the count. They looked beaten and bruised, but not too much.

"Sea Star! Anemone-Chan!!" Floyd, Jamil and Ruggie ran to help Sol while Epel and Jack handled Charlie.

"Charlie say something! Please!!" Epel begged, feeling tears brim his eyes. Just looking at her beaten face hurt his heart. He grabbed her face lightly, whispering for her to awaken.

Her eyes flew open as a gasp left her lips. She coughed and wheezed, trying to get air into her lungs as Jack kept a firm hand on her lower back for support.

"E-Epel....Jack..." she croaked.

"It's alright. Here, you need this more than we do." Epel smiled sadly as he gave her his water bottle. She ripped it open and chugged the liquid like her life depended on it. She gasped as she finished drinking, "Sol! Is she-"

"She's coming to!" Jamil said as he pockets a small pack of remedial herbs into his pants. He had them on hand in case anyone had fainted due to heat exhaustion or high altitude sickness. Sol moaned in pain as Floyd helped her up carefully.

"Charlie...thank goodness you're still okay..." she sighed, seeing her sister taken care for.

"But what about you?!" Charlie bit her lip in worry. "You took the most blows for me!"

"What are you talking about?" Epel looked between them, confused.

"You guys are too late! We thought it was all over!" Grim, who had taken cover behind one of the tree trunks, wailed as he leapt into Charlie's arms.

"haha, Sealy~! You look so cute with those big teary eyes~!" Floyd sang.

"THIS IS NO TIME FOR JOKES, YOU EELY IDIOTA!!" Charlie screeched. "WE NEARLY GOT BEATEN TO DEATH!!"

"Judging by the girl's conditions and Grim's petrified face, something must've gone down..." Ruggie murmurs to himself.

"What was it that happened?" Epel asked.

The girls look at one another and then back to the guys. "It started later today, when the meeting was over." Sol began. "Charlie pulled me aside after Vargas had left with Grim. She wanted to speak to me in private....."

-flashback-

Charlie looked over her shoulder one last time and made firm sureness that Vargas was out of earshot. Then she turned to Sol.

"Sol...I think Vargas knows more than he cares to admit...."

"What?"

"I think he knows something about Ace vanishing than he's letting on. He's completely sus!"

"Uh...okay...."

"I'm going to confront him."

"What?! Charlie, you can't!" Sol begged. "This is Ace we're talking about, he's probably pulling our legs and making a joke to spook us into thinking he got eaten by a rabid animal or something."

"Ace may be a reckless idiot, but he's not THAT reckless."

"Why can't you just accept Vargas' word?"

"Because I didn't trust him fully since we arrived here!" Charlie snapped. "I knew he was hiding something the first night we stayed here. My eye sensed it, but I just couldn't put my finger on it! But now I have a chance to confront him, and I won't take no for an answer! Either you're with me or against me, Sol!"

Sol sighed, feeling like Luna for a second. "Okay...but we're going there for answers and nothing else."

"Good." Charlie nods and storms towards the cottage, Sol following behind her with worry.

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"Okay, we're here." Charlie nods seeing the familiar small house up ahead. Both girls walked up the cobblestone path and towards the front door when they heard the sound of glass shattering.

"Charlie! Get down!" Sol whispered fiercely, tugging Charlie towards the wall of the house and hiding in the bushes.

"Hey, what is that thing?! G-Get away from me!! No, no! NOOOOOO!!!" Wild snarling and wood splintering sounded as the girls covered their mouths to prevent screams from leaving their lips. The ransacked noises continued for quite some time and then it was silent.

"WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?!" Charlie whisper-screamed.

"I'm not sure...." Sol whispered, but tensed again when she heard the back door unlock. "Move, go!" she pushed Charlie forward. With their backs to the wall, the girls slid carefully along the side, tiptoeing carefully until reaching the corner. Charlie pressed her back to the wall to stay out of sight of whatever may have attacked Vargas. She heard the chain rattle and the door was kicked open. She clenched her eyes shut as she heard the sounds of grunting of a wild animal make itself known. She felt the creature turn it's head to either side of the woods before scampering away, footbeats falling on the soft earth. They waited for a minute to make sure the creature was gone.

"Okay, I think he's gone." Charlie nods and pushed away from the wall. "Hey, Sol, you don't think-"

(start at 0:51, end at 3:04)

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"Charlie, look out!" She didn't have time to react as she felt Sol push her away and stumbling to the ground. She landed on the dirt just as she heard the creature roar. The creature was approaching her menacingly. Charlie gasped as she scooted backwards on all fours, but as it reached down to grab her, Charlie had locked her hands around the creature's arms and kicked it up and over off her. She turned and got to her knees as she saw it trying to get back up. She tried to make out what it was in the dark but her eyesight was still obscured by the shadows and spots at the corners of her eyes.

"Charlie!" Sol has somersaulted over her and landed between her and the beast. Pushing the girl far back to safety, Sol began to fight the beast on her own. Kicks and blows were thrown, so Sol decided to lure it far away for Charlie's safety. The beast has gained the upper hand and was grappling with Sol, as she furiously kicked at it.

"Charlie!" Grim had thrown himself towards her and she caught him.

"Grim! Where have you been?" she asked.

"Long story! Just protect me from that thing!!" he shook in her arms. Sol had managed to get away but was pinned to the trunk of a tree and the creature had raised one if its arms to strike her.

"Leave her alone!!" Charlie screams and fires her Lunar Charge attack at the creature, blinding it and it screams in agony. "I think I got it!" but it had shook off her attack and continued to attack Sol. "Okay, maybe not."

"We gotta hide from that thing!!" Grim bolted from her arms and starts for a tree. But just as Charlie has gotten to her feet-

"Charlie! Up there!" Sol shouts, pointing to the roof of the cottage, the figure standing on top. It lets out a roar as it leers down at her. Knowing what it was about to do, Charlie runs for cover as she turned to see the beast jump down towards her.

Sol, using her magic, kicked off the ground with a wind pressure jump and flew high enough to tackle the creature, pinning it to the ground. But it's strength was too much for her as it pushed her off with brute force. Sol hissed in pain, barley dodging the fist it swung at her but the second knocked her off balance and the third pushed her to the ground, leaving her cornered against the monster.

But Charlie had jumped on it's back, tugging furiously at it's head, but it smacked her off and turned its attention to her. Fighting hand to hand combat, the beast and Charlie faced down one another, expertly blocking the punches, while landing a few on one another, but just as Charlie had planned her next attack, the creature swept her feet out under her, making her hit the ground. She felt her head smack harsh against the dirt as the monster stood over her, hands locking at her throat. She tried to push him away, but she felt her windpipe getting crushed and she was losing air. Fast.

"Get off her!!!" Sol screamed and from a side holster under her jacket, she unsheathed a dagger, jumping to her feet and latched herself onto the monster, raising the dagger high over her head and plunging it into its back. It shrieked in inhumanely pain and backhands her across the face and to the ground as she yelled from the pain. Charlie watches as the monster screams, crimson liquid running down its back, staining its hands as it tries to stop the bleeding in the wound, running into the forest as she felt her head fall to the ground and her eyes slip shut, mind losing consciousness.

-end flashback-

"And that's why you found us like this..." the girls finished. Epel was hugging Charlie as he sniffled, Floyd looked about ready to tear something to pieces and Jamil, Ruggie and Jack looked between one another with grim expressions.

"We couldn't even see what it looked it...it was so fast and too powerful..."

"...Well, what do we do now?" Jack asked. "Even Vargas got beaten by that thing!"

"Let's take the girls back to base." Jamil nods. "We'll heal them there and explain what's going on to the others. The thing may come back and finish them off, so we have to leave."

"He's right. We've still got the fire as our source of light and there's people to protect them. We'll be safe there." Ruggie agreed. Jack lifted Charlie in his arms, his arms supporting her legs and back, while Floyd carried Sol on his back, careful not to drop her. Epel decided to carry Grim and the group silently made their way back to base.

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The guys had made it back to camp with the girls and Grim safely. Everyone wondered what had happened to them looking at their condition, but Ruggie claimed that everything will be explained after the girls have had first aid. With the ghosts assisting, Jamil and Riddle had healed the girls within five minutes. Several health potions were used, bandages, ointment, ad hydrogen peroxide later, they were good. Riddle had stayed by Charlie's side, Sol on her opposite, as Ruggie explained what went down from Ace missing to the girls getting ambushed by the creature.

"...And that's what's going on." the hyena finished. Hushed whispers swept the crowd as everyone looked between one another with worry.

"Four people have gone missing, one being Coach Vargas." Sebek muttered. "Unbelievable that something like this would occur during camp..."

"Ruggie! What do we do now?!" someone from the magift team asked. "Do you have any clue what the creature looked like?! We may get a lead on what took down Leona and Vargas!"

"Well, that's the thing...."

"And Ace, too!" the basketball team perked up. "Where could he have gone?!"

"and Deuce as well!" track and field argue. "He got kidnapped by the same shadow Charlie got overpowered by!"

"ENOUGH!" Ruggie snapped. "JUST CALM DOWN!"

"W-What'll become of us?! Is it even safe here?!"

"Maybe we can leave camp! It's probably safer!"

"That's the worst idea ever!" Sebek shook his head. "It's dark out now, and you can't see two feet in front of you! And the shadow that attacked the girls may be hiding in the forest as we speak! You would've thought things through if you clearly used your heads, imbeciles!!"

"You rat bastard-!"

"Enough." Ridde's cold voice shot out, stopping the fight. "Sebek, I'd choose your next words carefully if you speak again."

"I didn't say anything offensive, I'm merely speaking the truth!" the half-fae defends himself.

"Then you're obviously the kind of person to put yourself in a life-threatening situation just to teach others to follow your example." Riddle soured.

"And the important part is we can't be fighting now." Silver reminds. "We have to wait until morning."

"He's got a point." Ruggie agreed. "When morning comes, the headmaster will be at the cottage."

"And he will understand the situation when he notices Vargas isn't with us." Silver finished.

"Yea, I wouldn't be so sure of that..." Floyd butts in. "That shadow's gonna be lookin at us like a pack of sardines in the same spot~!" He gnashes his teeth together for emphasis. "Swallow us all in one bite~!"

"So you say. But it's better than all of us being separated." Silver countered.

"Eh, whatever..."

"Ch-Charlie, will we be okay?" Grim shook. The seer looked among the faces of worried students and then at Sol, who tried to embrace the pain, but found it hard to. She looked up and stared hard at the skies, answering gravely,

"The only thing we can do is pray we survive..."

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-time skip-

After a brief meeting, it was decided that some people would still pick up their job of watching the fire and others would patrol the campgrounds, in groups of five, on lookout for the creature. Sol and Charlie were resting together, to regain their strength as Grim clung to Epel for warmth.

"Epel...what time is it?" he asked. The first year was silent for a moment and then spoke,

"It's probably 2am..."

"Ugh, there's so much time before birdbrain gets here~!" Grim shivered as a gust of wind breezed through his fur. "The campfire isn't doing me justice for warmth! Isn't there a blanket or jacket?!"

"He's right." Jamil nods. "The temperature's dropping rapidly...I think we've got some blankets in our tent..."

"How many?! Do I need to grab one before anyone else does?! Lemme grab em!!"

"I don't think that's wise..." Ruggie put down. "Going alone. We need to move as a group, as Charlie planned it."

"The tent's just a few steps away...." Grim shivered again at another larger gust of wind. "I can't bear it anymore!!I It's freezing!!I may get a cold!! And Jamil's shivering as we speak!!"

"Can't be helped...." Jamil sighed, knowing how Charlie feels taking care of the annoying tanuki. "Okay, anyone wanna tag with? We'll get blankets together."

"I can come with you." Charlie stands, tolerating the pain.

"Me too!" Epel stands at the ready, and to protect Charlie as well. "Lemme grab one for you too, Ruggie!"

"Me too! The Horseback club could use them!"

"We appreciate it." Silver nods.

"Me as well!" three more joined in and traveled towards the tent.

"Well, there in a group so no worries there." Ruggie nodded.

"Hmph. Humans are such weak beings, they can't even brace the cold." Sebek sneered.

Riddle breathed into his hands to try and warm them up as he watched Charlie go. Just seeing her in this condition was breaking his heart. He sighed as he closed his eyes sadly. He hoped that she will be alright. He was so worried over Charlie, he didn't notice Floyd leaning down to his ear level. "Goldfishy~. You're lips are turning blue! You're shivering as well. Maybe if your hair turns blue, I can call you something else~!"

That made Riddle''s face extremely mad as he leered up at Floyd, face burning. "Will you stop teasing me when it's a life or death situation here...?!"

"AHA~! Your face is turning red! Glad to see you keeping yourself warm~! I think Sea Star would say the same~!"

"Hey, Floyd, Sebek. You guys look pretty okay in this kind of weather..." Ruggie noticed.

"Well, yea. I've lived in the ocean."

"And I'm not like other humans."

"And Jack? Don't you live up in the north?"

"Yep. You get used to living in places with cold temperature like this."

"Sweet. But it's getting pretty cold now..." Ruggie shivers as he hovers closer to the fire.

"Jamil and the others are sure taking their time..." Silver sighs.

"They must have trouble carrying al of them into us.."

"If that's the case, then we can go and help them." Silver gets up.

"Yea, but nobody wants to leave."

"Very Well, I'll go." the knight nods and turns to the direction of where the others went.

"Man he's dedicated.....Sebek, don't you want to go with him?"

"Why ask me?"

"Well, for one, you're always seen together."

"NO, WE'RE NOT!!!" Sebek boomed. "The reason we stay together is to protect Malleus-Sama! He's more useful than you weak humans!

"So basically, you acknowledge his strength is what you're saying~? Hold on...Silver should've been back by now...It's only been five minutes since they went to get blankets!"

"You're right. And there hasn't been any word of them."

"..D-Did the shadow-"

"Riddle!!! AAAAAAAHHH!!!" the redhead jumps at the sound of the familiar female's voice as did Soleil, fear writhing on their faces.

"CHARLOTTE!!!" "PRINCESS!!"

"Guys! Turns your backs to the fire and be on guard!! The shadow may be lurking now!!" Ruggie commands. Everyone leapt to their feet and faced the shadowy forest, fear and concentration etching their faces.

But the sound of being something thrown made confusion etch their eyes.

"What was that?!" Jack whipped his head around.

"Something went flying! Take cover!!!" Ruggie screamed as everyone bolted.

A giant smash sound was heard as darkness engulfed the area and Ruggie looked over to see what it was. "A boulder....it put out the fire! SHIT!! Everyone stay down and be on guard!"

"AGH!" "Lemme go!!!" two students screamed as they were suddenly snatched

"Wait, he's using the darkness as an advantage to ambush us?!"

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"No! I'm too young to die!!!"

"We'll get killed if we stay here! Run for your life!!!" At once, everyone began to run like their lives depended up it, smacking into one another, screaming for mercy as they desperately tried a safe haven.

"No! Stop moving! The creature'll get us easier in the dark if we keep running blindly!!" Ruggie tried to stop them desperately.

"All of you, stop panicking! You're making me claustrophobic!!" Sebek yelled. "Crap, they're smacking into me, I can't stop them by force!"

"Sebek, watch out!!" Riddle yelled and with every ounce of his strength, shoved the taller boy away. Sebek hit the ground as he looked up in confusion.

"Huh?!"

"NOOOOOOO!!!"

"Riddle?! Riddle, no!!!" Ruggie's scream was drowned out by other students as they were snatched one by one like chickens by a fox in the henhouse.

"Ugh, this is getting annoying..." Floyd, the only one not running or panicking, growled as he shoved the boulder off and snapped his fingers, using a fire spell to relight the pyre, flooding the area with light. Ruggie looks back to see the fire picked up burning and sighed. "Looks like the shadow stopped it's attack when the fire was relit. Floyd, thanks! I'm surprised you actually managed to use fire magic aimed at the wood pile...hold on! what about the blot?!"