Chapter 5: In the Misty Moonlight

I do not own ‘The Sound of Silence’ song. That is property of Simon and Garfunkel.

Chapter 5: In the Misty Moonlight

Once the initial routine of camp had set its pace a peace unique to Neekaunis settled over everything like fresh dew. Roxanna, Stevie and Alesha were great campers, always making plans to sneak out and falling asleep before the plans could be put into motion. Since the spirit of plants and growth had accepted her she’d kept her lily of the valley in a glass by the largest cabin window. Stirred by curiosity as a result of Maggie’s logical question when Kat wasn’t chasing campers or arranging program she tried to brainstorm various spirits she might have yet to face. A little preparation certainly couldn’t do any harm.

Four days into the camp the Survival game was sorted and set-up by the irreproachable threesome; Maggie, Kat and Jasmine. Otherwise known as the “food chain game” there were herbivores, omnivores, carnivores, the challenge of locating food and water coupled with plenty of running through the wild bush. It was a wonderful method of tiring out the campers so they’d actually sleep at night.

Kat had generally sat out such games when she was a camper, weak in confidence and preferring to learn rather than participate. Her role as counsellor was to encourage and create enthusiasm however, this game was so ingrained in camp heritage there was very little she needed to do. As she handed out the purple ribbons for the omnivores she watched Maggie slip on an orange and yellow vest. Maggie was going to be woman with the power to instantly kill whomever she saw. Such power was to be marvelled at and shamed into submission. Whispers on the wind told her that it was humans she would be facing in the future, not monsters or aliens. Perhaps she was a sacrifice, her humanity for peace once more. Would those who actually cared be forgiven and spared? Would Maggie have to die? Icy shivers slithered across her skin like slugs but she let herself forget such possibilities in the excitement of age-old Survival.

The herbivores set out first making use of the one minute head start. Kat pulled out a song book she’d brought so she and Maggie could pick a tune for Talent Night. As the omnivores went running in the wake of their prey the friends came across ‘The Sound of Silence”. The remaining carnivores found themselves being serenaded by an alto and soft soprano before taking off to catch after-dinner snacks. Despite her shy nature Kat had always participated in the festivity on the final night. One of the key aspects that made Camp Neekaunis was Talent Night. Over the ten days spent together each person became familiar and often chummy with the rest of the inhabitants. Talent Night was a celebration of each individual’s talents, a commemoration of new friendships and a contribution to Neekaunis history.

“Hello darkness my old friend.

I’ve come to talk with you again.

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seed while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains, within the sound of silence.

In restless dreams I walk alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone

‘Neath the hallow of a street lamp

I turn my collar to the cold and damp

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light

That split the night, and touched the sound of silence.”

A thin trickle of mist drifted along the ground, spurred by the gentle bay breeze. Kat let her voice carry her, losing herself in the web of music with a magic all its own….

“And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people maybe more

People talking without speaking

People hearing without listening

People writing songs that voices never share

No one dared, disturb the sound of silence.

‘Fools’ said I you do not know

Silence like a cancer grows

Hear my words that I might teach you

Take my arms that I may reach you

But my words like silent raindrops fell”

Twilight collapsed over the camp, a quarter moon glowing blue over the water, the mist carpeting the wet earth like a thick blanket.

“And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

And the sign said the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls, and tenement halls.

And whispered in the Sound of Silence.”

Smiling at one another Kat and Maggie went back to preparing the introduction of natural disaster, disease and woman.

“You two sounded beautiful!” Aysha, a fellow counsellor commented making no effort to hide her awe.

Maggie and Kat laughed good-naturedly, thanking their friend. Natural disaster started his rampage to a whistle blow. The mist had risen and become a dense fog engulfing them from the waist down.

“Do you think we should ring the bell?” Jasmine asked, squinting towards them through the murk.

“This looks like it’s only going to get worse.” Kat replied, ears straining to hear the campers’ voices.

“I’ll go ring the bell.” Maggie took off toward Nelson Hall at a run, Ayesha, Kat and Jasmine exchanging concerned glances. The ringing of the bell broke the eerie silence and soon teens were streaming from all directions muttering about the fog and how their game had been cut short. The staff strolled into Nelson Hall with the campers, shivering as the damp fog chilled them through their clothes.

“Is everyone accounted for?” Georgette called over the babble. “Cabin leaders?”

Kat took a head count. Thankfully her girls generally hung out together. Yep, they were all here.

“Two of mine are missing,” Maggie responded, sharing a worried expression with Kat.

“I’m missing Steven.”

“Brittany and Luke aren’t here either.”

Kat saw the panic that flashed across Georgette’s face. “Ring the bell again please Kat.”

Dashing through the swinging doors Kat put every ounce of her weight into the bell, trying to make out figures in the soup. Taylor and Luke trickled into Nelson Hall. There were still three missing. Georgette organized the staff into search parties. Kat and Ayesha set out to check the bush behind the Meeting Centre. Ayesha had a firm hold on Kat’s arm as they took turns calling the names of the missing campers.

“Do you think something’s gotten them?”

“I doubt it, not even bears would come out in this.” A voice caught Kat’s attention and she strained to make it out.

A heavy silence dragged on as Ayesha shone her flashlight from side-to-side. Taking a few steps forward the voices echoed louder than before.

“DO you recognise them?” Kat asked Ayesha.

“They’re too….. surreal.” Ayesha shivered. A bolt of fear shot through Kat. She’d left her totems in the cabin! Feelings of vulnerability and nakedness filled her with an overwhelming sense of dread. And then she recognised the haunting voices.

In restless dreams I walk alone….

Narrow streets of cobblestone….

‘Neath the hallow of a street lamp….

“That’s you and Maggie only…..eerier.” Ayesha clung tighter. “Do you believe in ghosts Kat?”

“Yes, I do.” Cold shivers racked her body. “But most are harmless.”

“Most.” Ayesha restated.

Reluctantly following the voices Ayesha and Kat nearly tripped over two of the missing campers.

“Brittany, Lindsey?” Kat exclaimed gratefully.

“Have your souls been eaten?” Ayesha demanded nervously.

“I don’t think so.” Lindsey answered fearfully.

“Come on guys, we’ll get you to Nelson Hall. Georgette’s got the buzzer on.” Taking each other’s hand the four made their way back through the woods, the fog deepening further still.

“What is it with this weather?!” Brittany cried.

“That’s what I’d like to know!” Ayesha told them.

People hearing without listening

People writing songs that voices never share

No one dared, disturb the sound of silence….

“There they are again!” Ayesha screamed, dragging Brittany faster.

“Hang on guys; I’m going to check it out.” Kat knew this strange weather wouldn’t let up until she confronted the spirit.

“You’ll be eaten!” Ayesha shouted.

“Or zombified!” Lindsey joined in

“I won’t go far and I’ll keep calling out to you guys. Kat let go of Lindsey’s hand and plunged into the stifling fog.

“KAT!” The girls screamed desperately.

Kneeling on the damp earth Kat extended her arms and let the ghostly remnants of her and Maggie’s voices engulf her.

And whispered in the sound of silence…

“I’ve come to be judged.”

Take my arms that I may reach you…

“Open my heart so I may be taught.”

Silence like a cancer grows…

“Hear my words so I may teach you.”

The neon lights…

A small grey stone with an imprint resembling a wisp of smoke landed in her left hand as the echoes died away. Getting quickly to her feet Kat tucked the stone in her breast pocket and followed the harried shouts of Ayesha and the girls.

“Don’t EVER do that again or I will have to hurt you!” Ayesha wiped her eyes hurriedly and Kat embraced her. If only saving the world was a well-known past time…