He forces himself to rise and hobbles as quickly as possible towards the increasingly loud voices from the camp. The trees start to thin and Austin exits the forest at the front of the camp, right next to Mitchell's tent. Mitchell and Austin lock eyes and Mitchell breaks out in a huge grin. All the students are lined up in front of their tents to be counted and Austin is even more humiliated as he has to walk past everyone to his tent, feeling every pair of eyes watching him.
Austin's chaperone questions him as soon as he arrives, but Austin decides it'll be useless to tell the truth and will probably just end up making things worse, so he just mumbles something about falling and getting lost. His chaperone tells him he'll get some ice for his ankle, but rules are rules and he'll have to sit out of the first activity tomorrow as it's too late to be banished for today.
Austin makes a pact with himself that one way or another, he will get Mitchell back for everything he's done to him. But he also smiles as he realizes he'd forgotten to work out an excuse for getting in the water tomorrow, and Mitchell has unknowingly done it for him!
Chapter 14
The previous storm clouds seem to dissipate and the sun is visible as it starts to sink into the horizon, leaving a fiery orange glow in the sky. The chaperones are lighting the numerous grills set up around the camp and before long, the delicious aroma of hamburgers is wafting on the breeze, making everyone's stomachs grumble.
The fire in the center of the campsite has also been lit and it's warm and comforting, watching the flames jump and glow. Dinner is finally served and everyone sits around the fire, contentedly eating and watching the sun melt into the water.
Just as Mr. Thomas promised, Mitchell's tent is as far away from Austin's as possible. But, that doesn't stop students from moving around and mingling during free time. Fortunately, at the moment, Mitchell seems to have satisfied his urge to make Austin's life miserable, and is staying on his side of the camp. So Austin allows himself to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening, and they take turns telling jokes and ghost stories until it's time for bed.
Austin's group are just about to crawl into the tent, when Mitchell ambles over and whispers, "Have a great sleep, naked boy," then he winks and walks away. Austin wonders what the heck he has up his sleeve this time, but he feels too exhausted to worry about it. It's cozy inside the tent and before long everyone is sleeping peacefully.
Austin dreams about Molly, his old Jack Russell dog. When Molly passed away last year, he dreamt about her at least once a week. He was devastated when she died. Molly was his dog - he had found her and cared for her. They had grown up together - she was his best friend. It was just old age, his mom had said, and he was to try to remember what a good, happy life he had given her. But it hadn't been easy.
When Molly was a puppy, she used to play a game where she would nibble Austin's toes. The more he pulled his feet away, the more she would chase after them. It didn't really hurt too badly, and he would usually end up laughing instead of shouting at her.
In his dream, Molly is biting his toes again. It's so real. She's alive again. He must have actually had a horrible nightmare about her dying because she is definitely here, in the tent, biting his toes - just like old times. He keeps pulling his feet up in his sleeping bag but she's still there, chasing and nipping, and he scolds her, but he's laughing at the same time.
Gradually, the haze of sleep fades and Austin realizes he was dreaming. But the biting persists. He blinks a few times in the dark to make sure he's really awake, then he shakes his legs vigorously, but it still doesn't subside. Reaching down, his hand touches something small and hard....and still attached to his foot. He lets out a small shriek and after much tugging, the object finally comes loose and he pulls it out of the sleeping bag to peer at it with a flashlight.
An angry fiddler crab waves its pincers at him wildly in the dim light, and Austin frowns and shakes his head as he realizes what Mitchell meant by his comment to sleep well. He releases the disgruntled crab into the night, and HHjhkljas he slowly drifts back to sleep, his mind is whirring with how to get Mitchell back for everything he has done to him.
Chapter 15
Just after dawn, peace is shattered by the gong of the breakfast bell echoing over the camp. One by one, the boys crawl sleepily out of the tent. The early morning air is cool and crisp, and the grass still damp and shimmering with dew.
After a quick breakfast of granola bars and milk cartons, they are instructed they will be visiting the main island for a lesson on marine life in the area. Austin is informed that he has to participate in the lesson, but because he was late back yesterday he's not allowed to join the group snorkeling afterwards. He pretends to be upset, but of course this is just fine with him!
Everyone piles onto the pontoon boats, and they make their way across the short stretch of water, where they are ushered into a huge aquarium. The girls have also arrived, and Austin spots Mia and waves. She turns to say something to her friend and then starts walking towards Austin. As she does, Austin notices Mitchell watching her. He is scowling fiercely in her direction and Austin is pleasantly surprised - quite sure their romance must be over.
Mia and Austin explore all the touch tanks together, and she is impressed with his knowledge of the different creatures. He secretly thanks his dad for teaching him so much during their many fishing trips.
Just like on the bus, Austin finds Mia fun and relaxing company, and wishes they could spend longer together. Too soon though, it's time to go their separate ways and head back to their islands.
Austin's group prepares for the snorkeling expedition but he's instructed to sit on the beach and watch. As he sits there, his mind keeps drifting to Mia. He imagines asking her out, and keeps quoting in his head what he should say. He becomes more and more determined to ask her when they return from the field trip.
After a while he starts to get restless and decides to ask to use the restroom. It's cool and quiet inside the wooden shed and his eyes take a while to become accustomed to the dark. He locks himself inside one of the stalls and is just about to come out when he hears voices. He freezes, listening intently. There are two boys inside the shed and one of them is Mitchell, for sure.
"No way man - I'm not just gonna let her get away with it. I would be mad if she dumped me for anyone, but for that creep - naked boy - she has to pay."
"But, what are you gonna do?" Austin hears the other boy ask.
He is suddenly acutely aware of the consequences of them finding him listening to this obviously private conversation, and he sucks in his breath in an attempt to stifle any sound. His heart starts to pound so hard he's sure they will hear it.
"Ha! I have a plan!" he hears Mitchell whisper maliciously. "Tonight, when everyone is sleeping, you and I are going for a ride. We're going to take one of those rowboats over to the girls' island. Mia's tent is right by the water. I know because I did my homework and casually asked her friend who's in the same tent."
Mitchell's voice gets louder and faster as he excitedly tells his plan. "I have a bucket of fire ants that we're gonna throw in their tent. Then, we hide in the bushes and wait for them to come out, screaming and tearing their clothes off. Then, we take pictures and slip away into the night without them even noticing. When we get back to school we put the photos up on the notice board for everyone to see!" He gives an evil chuckle. "Am I a genius, or what?"
There is a long silence and Austin prays he can hold back the sneeze he feels coming on. If they found him now he'd be dead. Finally, the other boy sighs deeply and says, "Look dude, if I get suspended again I have to go to boarding school, and I just can't risk it. Sorry, but you're on your own this time."
Austin hears the unmistakable sound of someone kicking the wall and an exasperated, "UGGHHH!!! Okay, but be my backup. If someone notices I'm gone, say I had stomach cramps and am in the restroom or something, alright?"
He hears the door swing shut behind them as they leave the building, and he's finally able to
let out his breath. He runs his hands through his hair and leans against the wall, trying to get his heart to beat at a normal pace.
His mind is whirling with what he just overheard and he knows instantly that he absolutely cannot let that happen to Mia. He thinks for a moment that the only thing to do is tell a teacher of Mitchell's plan.
But, on the other hand, maybe this would be his chance to get even with Mitchell. If he could manage to catch Mitchell in the act, the thug would probably be suspended, or maybe even expelled. That would be a dream come true - and, he would be a hero in Mia's eyes because he would have saved her.
Austin is imagining arriving on the girls' island in the middle of the night, Mitchell totally unaware he's being followed. He would have the mega bright flashlight with him that the chaperones use, and the whistle his mom makes him carry around in case of emergencies.
Mitchell would be standing in front of the girls' tent, bucket of fire ants in hand, when Austin would turn the flashlight on and shine it directly in Mitchell's face. Then, Austin would blow the whistle as loudly as possible and everyone would come running out to see what was happening. HAH! Caught in the act! Austin grins as he has a priceless image of Mitchell's face.
Coming back to reality, he realizes he's been gone for a long time and he had better get back to the beach. He'll have to think about this a lot more later.
Chapter 16
If one more person asks Austin what's wrong, he'll scream. He's trying desperately to act normally, but with so much going on inside his head, he's being unusually quiet. He has to keep saying, "Nothing - honestly, I'm fine!" but it must be obvious he's lying.
He's gone through every scenario a dozen times. What if he gets caught? What if Mitchell sees him? What if somehow he can't manage to sneak away in the first place? He pushes all these negative thoughts aside and thinks again of Mitchell's face, illuminated by his flashlight when he catches him.
The time has come for Austin to stand up for himself; to prove to Mitchell, to himself, and to everyone else, that he is not afraid and he is not going to let Mitchell get away with this anymore. It's payback time.
This afternoon's activity is to canoe over to the girls' island and back - the perfect opportunity to see how long it takes and check out the water on the way.
It's a beautiful, calm day, similar to his last fishing trip with his dad. But, he pushes thoughts of his family far from his mind, knowing they would totally disapprove of what he's planning.
Two groups combine for the canoeing activity, and Austin is thankful that Mr. Thomas is still sticking to his word, and Mitchell's group is going later. About ten brightly colored canoes set out across the crystal clear water, and Austin soon gets the hang of maneuvering his smoothly. He is trying to act normally and enjoy the activity, but his mind is constantly whirling with tonight's plan - surveying his surroundings and trying to imagine how it will be hiding in the rowboat.
He notices that every time he dips his oar into the water, tiny silver bait fish dart away in the ripples. When they are about half way across, the rowing becomes more strenuous, and Austin can see little bits of seaweed drifting past him quite quickly, indicating a strong current. The water is probably about eight to ten feet here and he is no longer able to see the bottom. But the group, all decked in their orange life-vests, manage to stick together and make it to the girls' island roughly twenty minutes after leaving theirs.
They stop to rest on the beach for about ten minutes before heading back. Perfect - apart from the strong current in the middle, it was a piece of cake and tonight's plan should work well.
All afternoon Austin plans and re-plans. During free time before dinner, he sneaks away to check out the rowboats. There are two rows of seats, and four orange life-vests underneath them. Austin figures he will have to hide underneath the life-vests in the stern. The seat will also cover him and it will be dark, of course, so he should be quite well hidden.
He is quite sure which boat Mitchell will take, because they are all tied up in a row, and only the one on the outside is easily accessible.
Later that evening, while they are sitting round the fire, Austin watches Mitchell from a distance. He definitely looks a little more nervous than normal - as though he has a lot on his mind. His friend, who Austin presumes is the one Mitchell was talking to in the restrooms, is talking to him intently and frowning. Austin thinks he's probably trying to talk Mitchell out of it, but Mitchell is determinedly shaking his head and he decides the game must be on.
Chapter 17
Anticipation is building so intensely inside him, Austin feels as though he might explode. He barely touches his dinner as his stomach feels as though it's full of butterflies. The thought of backing out keeps flitting through his mind, but he quickly pushes it away. He knows he has to go through with this now.
The evening seems to drag on forever and he has never wanted bedtime to come so quickly. Finally, the chaperone tells them it's time to turn in. Austin dresses for bed in black sweatpants and a long sleeved black tee-shirt. The others regard him curiously and he explains he feels chilled, like he may be coming down with something, and they seem to accept this explanation.
His fingers clutch the cold metal of the whistle in his pocket, but he knows he'll have to wait for the chaperone to fall asleep before retrieving the flashlight. Jack and Ian are still whispering to each other, and the chaperone tells them to be quiet. Then, for a while it's too quiet. He has to wait for steady breathing or snoring to know everyone is actually asleep.
He hears the hoot of an owl in the distance, and the methodical lapping of the waves on the shore. Gradually, he starts to hear the rhythmic breathing he's been waiting for. The boys are definitely sleeping, but he's not sure about the chaperone yet. He doesn't want to rush things and go too soon, but then he doesn't want to be too long and miss Mitchell either.
Finally, he hears a low rumble coming from the chaperone's direction and he sits up slowly. The moons yellow glow is illuminating the tent slightly and he studies each body's steady up and down movement before deciding it's time.
He tells his body to go, but his mind seems to be telling him differently and for a while he feels paralyzed. Then, an image of Mia's photo on the notice board comes into his mind, and he feels a surge of anger that fills him with strength. He also thinks of all the awful things Mitchell has done to him and the thoughts push him into action. He squirms quietly out of his sleeping bag, gropes for the flashlight, and cringes as he slowly opens the tent's zipper. It seems louder than usual and he stops halfway to make sure the rhythmic breathing is still there. It is, and he squeezes through the gap and into the night.
He quickly surveys his surroundings to make sure he's alone. The orange embers of the fire are still glowing, and he can just make out the dark shapes of the tents, but there is no movement.
Within seconds, Austin has sprinted across the camp and is climbing silently into the rowboat as it rocks unsteadily in the water. He wedges himself behind the seat and covers himself quickly with the life-vests, wishing he was smaller. Curling up in a ball, he tries to get comfortable but with no success. Now....he waits.
He finds a gap in the life-vests above him, and is relieved he can see the patterns of the stars. He has always found studying the stars has had a calming effect on him; the vastness of the universe making him feel inferior, and whatever problems he may have, minor. But, just as he identifies the Big Dipper, some of the stars disappear in darkness, and as Austin watches it is obliterated completely. He shudders, hoping this is not a bad omen. Just as he's thinking this, a sudden gust of wind comes from nowhere, making the boat rock and bang against the dock.
He's almost hoping now that Mitchell has changed his mind and he can creep back to his tent and forget the whole thing, when he hears the unmistakable sound of a tent zipper. Quickly pulling the life-vest further over his face, he freezes, listening intently. In next to no time, he feels the boat dip to one side as Mitchell steps on, and he cri
nges as his enemy reaches right over him to untether the boat. Then, he feels a steady forward motion as Mitchell rows into deeper water.
The only sound for a while is of the oars gently pushing back and forth. But suddenly a new sound erupts, causing Austin to break out in goose bumps. A low rumble of thunder starts in the distance and gradually becomes louder. Almost as soon as it's over, he sees the outline of the clouds illuminated by lightning. The inevitable explosion of sound comes soon after, indicating the storm is coming this way, and fast.
Then, the rain starts. Austin can't feel it yet through his covers, but he can definitely hear it splashing into the water. It's gentle at first, but before long the boat starts rocking as wind gusts pick up, and the rain quickly starts to fall harder. He hears Mitchell curse as there is another vivid flash and a loud crack, and he senses Mitchell is paddling as fast as he can, trying to outrun the storm. But the rain is torrential now, and Austin can tell the surf is getting rougher by the small boats violent up and down motion.
Austin remembers from the canoeing trip earlier how strong the current was in the center, and that was in the bright sunshine, on calm water, and he's convinced they are being swept off course.
He is suddenly aware that he's getting wet.....very wet - not just from the rain above, but from the water below. The rain and waves are filling up in the little rowboat, and the more it fills up, the lower it goes. This is not good, he thinks frantically. This was not part of the plan.
Chapter 18
Mitchell curses again loudly, and Austin can hear him frantically trying to push water out of the boat; his attempt is in vain though, and they are getting lower.
It all happens at once. There is a violent flash of lighting, a simultaneous, deafening crack of thunder, and a powerful gust of wind. The boat is sinking. Austin feels the hard surface beneath him being pulled quickly downwards as it slips away into the depths. He quickly lunges for a life-vest before they float away. Another bright flash illuminates the foaming water and in a split second the enemies' eyes lock together in fear and shock.