After the parkour challenge, the camp counselors led us to a bathing area by the river. The cold water was shocking at first, but the mud washed away quickly, leaving our skin refreshed. Laughter echoed as everyone splashed around, teasing one another about the ridiculous way we'd struggled through the obstacles.
I nudged Carm with a grin. "You know, during the parkour, your mouth moved more than your body."
Jela burst out laughing. "Exactly! You complained the whole time but barely climbed anything."
Carm gaped at us, hands on her hips. "Wow. So you two are teaming up against me now? That's not fair!"
Her exaggerated pout only made us laugh harder, and even she cracked a smile before flicking water at Jela in revenge.
By the time we dried off and changed into clean clothes, the sun was beginning to set. We had a hearty lunch, then later dinner as the sky grew dark. The air turned cooler, crickets starting their nightly chorus. Full and drowsy, we headed back to our cabin, ready to wind down.
When we opened the door, though, we froze.
Andrea was in the middle of the room, stacking pillows in a messy circle on the floor. She looked up at us, caught red-handed.
"What are you doing to our pillows?" Carm demanded, her eyes narrowing. She looked genuinely horrified. "That's where I sleep!"
Andrea placed the last pillow down and dusted her hands off. "Relax. I'm building a fort." She smiled proudly. "We should sit together and actually get to know each other better. Right, Mia?"
All eyes turned to Mia, who fiddled with her sleeves before nodding shyly. "Y-Yes… I think it sounds fun."
The tension eased instantly. I smiled, warmth blooming in my chest. "Why didn't you say so earlier? This is perfect."
"See?" Andrea said triumphantly. "Now grab a pillow and sit down."
So we did. One by one, we joined her on the floor. The little circle of pillows didn't look like much, but it felt cozy—like we were making a space just for ourselves. The lantern on the nightstand glowed softly, casting golden light across our faces.
We sat cross-legged, shoulder to shoulder, and for the first time since camp began, the chatter quieted. It wasn't about games or food or teasing each other. It was about… us.
Andrea broke the silence. "Alright, I'll go first. My name's Andrea—you already know that. I live with my grandmother. She raised me after my parents went abroad for work. I joined camp this year because… well, she said I needed to make more friends instead of just training all the time."
Her voice softened, and for a moment I saw the hint of vulnerability behind her confident smile.
Mia spoke next, her voice as soft as the night breeze. "I… I don't really have many friends at school. People say I'm quiet, but I like listening more than talking. I came here because Andrea told me it would be fun. And… it is." She glanced up at us, her cheeks turning pink. "You're all very nice."
Jela leaned back dramatically. "Okay, okay, my turn. I'm Jela, youngest of our trio, future queen of wrestling matches and mud fights." She smirked. "My family's loud, my powers are claws, and my biggest weakness is motion sickness, apparently."
We burst out laughing.
Carm groaned. "Why are we friends again?" But then she sighed and went on. "Fine. I'm Carm. I like books more than people most of the time. My family's… normal, I guess. I don't have powers, but I'm smart enough to make up for it. And… maybe these two idiots—" she pointed at Jela and me—"make my life less boring."
Jela immediately hugged her, nearly toppling the whole pillow fort. "Aww, you love us!"
"I regret everything," Carm muttered, though she was smiling faintly.
Then it was my turn. The air shifted slightly, all eyes settling on me.
I hesitated, fingers twisting the edge of my pillow. The truth pressed hard against my chest—about my real parents, about that night, about the siblings I lost. But no. Not here. Not now.
So instead, I forced a small smile. "Um… I'm Lena. I don't have powers, and honestly, I don't think I'm very interesting." I gave a tiny laugh. "But… I'm glad I'm here. With you guys. It feels… nice to belong."
Jela leaned forward and bumped her shoulder against mine. "See? That wasn't so hard."
Andrea grinned. "Interesting or not, you're part of this group now."
And Carm, in her usual dry tone, muttered, "You're stuck with us, basically."
I laughed with them, relieved. They didn't press for more, and for now, my secret stayed safe.
"Hey," I said quickly, before the moment drifted. "What about powers? Do you all have them?"
Andrea's eyes glimmered with mischief. "I thought you'd never ask. Yes—we both do. I have strength, and Mia…" She looked at her friend expectantly. "Go on, tell them."
Mia's hands tightened on her knees. "I… I can look into someone's dreams."
Our jaws dropped. "Wait, what?" Carm asked flatly.
Mia's face turned red. "Not like… not without permission! I would never do that! I promise!"
The tension cracked, and laughter burst from us all.
Jela wiped tears from her eyes. "You can see dreams? That's amazing! Here—check mine out right now!"
Mia hesitated. "I can also project them, so everyone can see. But are you sure?"
"Yes!" Jela grinned wide. "Do it!"
With a deep breath, Mia touched Jela's hand. Her eyes glowed faintly, and suddenly, above us, a shimmering vision appeared—like a movie painted on the night sky.
There was Jela, riding a horse at full speed through the city streets, spinning in circles as if the horse were a bicycle. Her hair whipped wildly in the wind as she shouted victory cries.
We laughed so hard we could barely breathe, clutching our stomachs. Even Mia giggled behind her hand.
As the image faded, I glanced around the circle. The pillow fort wasn't just a silly game anymore. It was a bond, a promise. Something fragile but real.
For the first time in months, I felt my heart ease. I wasn't alone.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the cabin window, spilling across our messy pillow fort. For a moment, I just lay there, listening to the soft breathing of my friends. Jela was sprawled out like a starfish, Carm had one arm over her face as if trying to block the light, and Andrea and Mia were curled up side by side.
For the first time in a while, I had actually slept without nightmares. Maybe it was the laughter last night, or maybe it was the warmth of knowing I wasn't alone. Either way, I wanted to hold onto the feeling.
"Rise and shine!" The cheerful voice of a camper outside jolted everyone awake. Jela groaned, Carm threw her pillow at the door, and Andrea stretched with a yawn.
We suited up for the day. I wore simple shorts and a t-shirt with my trusty jacket tied around my waist. Carm went for her usual practical look, while Jela dressed as if she was about to climb a mountain. Andrea tied her hair neatly, and Mia… well, Mia looked like she had just stepped out of a dream, her hair messy but her smile gentle.
Breakfast was porridge with fruit and a side of eggs. The camp buzzed with energy, students chattering about what activities awaited us. After we washed our plates, the counselors gathered us in the clearing.
"Today," one announced, "we'll be heading into the woods for survival training. You'll learn how to build a fire, find clean water, and work as a team. Remember—powers are still off-limits. This is about skill and cooperation."
Excited murmurs ran through the crowd. Jela practically bounced on her toes, Carm muttered something about bugs, and I felt a mix of excitement and nerves.
We were split into small groups again, but this time, Carm, Jela, Andrea, Mia, and I were all together—with Chris joining us too.
"Survival training, huh?" Chris smirked. "Guess I'll have to show off my genius."
Carm rolled her eyes. "Please. You'll trip over a stick before you impress anyone."
The banter followed us as we hiked deeper into the forest. Towering trees blocked the sunlight, their branches swaying gently. Birds sang above, and the forest floor crunched under our shoes. The air smelled of earth and pine.
Our first task was fire-building. We were handed flint and dry twigs. Andrea immediately took charge, her natural leadership shining through. Jela tried to strike the flint so hard she nearly broke it, while Carm sighed and showed her the correct way. Chris made jokes until Mia quietly knelt down, struck the flint once, and the sparks caught.
The fire crackled to life, warm and golden. We cheered, and Mia blushed at the praise.
Next came water-finding. The counselors taught us how to identify safe streams. We followed the sound of trickling until we found a clear brook. Jela cupped water in her hands, drinking greedily, while Carm warned her about drinking too fast. I crouched down and let the cool water run over my fingers. It felt refreshing, grounding.
By the time we returned to camp, we were tired but proud. Our group had worked well together, and even Chris admitted we made a good team.
As night fell, we sat around a bonfire with the other campers. Flames licked the sky, sparks rising like tiny stars. Songs were sung, stories told. I laughed, I smiled, I pretended like I had no shadows.
But when the laughter died down and I glanced at the dark line of the trees, I felt something. A chill. Like the forest itself was watching us.
And for a second, I thought I saw movement between the trees—shadows shifting where no one stood.
I blinked. It was gone.
Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was my nightmares creeping into the waking world.
Still, I pulled my jacket tighter around me.
Just in case.