“This sucks!” I moaned, as we pulled up to the entrance. “It looks like prison.”

“It isn’t that bad, Violet,” my mother said.

“That sign literally says, ‘electric fence,’” I protested. “Whose stupid idea was this again?”

My mother tsked. “Lots of children go to camp. It’s educational and fun.”

Annoyed and dejected, I grabbed my bags and left the car. My parents followed me, offering to help with the luggage but I refused. I was sulking. Once we reached the drop-off zone, my father made me promise to be good and stay away from trouble. I told him I’d try. With a teary goodbye from my mother, I went on alone. As I stepped in through the gates, the cabins reminded me of giant treehouses.

A bunch of people were standing about, chatting excitedly. I marched up to the older guy holding a clipboard.

“Where’s my room?” I asked.

He raised an eyebrow then smiled. “Hello to you too. My name’s Kasper. With a K.”

“Great, Kasper with a K. Where’s my room?”

He gave me a once-over and understanding spread over his face. “Ah, you must be Violet Khumalo.”

“The one and only.”

He signalled one of the girls and she came over.

“Maya, meet Violet. And vice versa,” he said. “You two are sharing room 5.”

“Sharing?” I echoed. “I don’t want to share.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Maya said sweetly. “I’m tidy and organised. Curfews and rules govern my life.”

I disliked her already.

“So, I’m sharing with Little Miss Goodie-Two-Shoes over here?”

“Well, you could always sleep outside if you want to be alone,” she huffed.

Maybe I shouldn’t have been so rude to her, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t meant to be here, out in the middle of nowhere with strangers. And in my school holidays, no less.

I knew I didn’t have a choice so I gave a tight-lipped grin. “I’ll share.”

***

Kasper introduced some grownups who would be our guides. One particularly young chaperon was Siya, Kasper’s brother, who he said was the “go to guy” for any issues we had.

The inside of the camp was nothing special. A fireplace, a few couches, and haunting portraits on the walls.

“This camp is notorious for being scary.” A short, spiky-haired boy appeared beside me. I remembered his name being John or Joel or something. “Witches, big bad wolves, and bears… but don’t worry, the legend of dangerous creatures roaming around this camp is a myth. Anyway, you’re Violet, right? I’m Joel.”

“Cool.”

“Hmm,” he said. “I see you aren’t much of a talker. Do you have any siblings?”

I ignored him and continued browsing the place.

“Listen,” he said, when I didn’t answer, “we’re all stuck here for the next four weeks. Might as well get to know one another.”

I stayed silent for a few moments before saying, “A younger sister. She’s every bit as snooty as I am but she’s the golden girl. I got sent here instead of her.”

Joel and I made small talk before retreating to our assigned cabins to offload our stuff. Maya and I raced for the bigger bed, but I got there first. I stuck my tongue out at her, and she feigned throwing her ugly yellow boots at me. This was going to be hell.

***

We had a bonfire that night. The mosquitoes kept finding my blood more appetising than any of the others’ and I was so done with this place.

“I heard it’ll electrocute anyone who tries to go over,” someone nearby was saying. I listened in and realised they were talking about the fence.

“That’s illegal,” Maya piped. “We’re kids. Who would want to escape?”

“The fences are for our safety,” Joel said. “Not to keep us in, but to keep something else out.”

“I wish the fences had kept Maya out,” I said out loud by mistake.

Maya’s nostrils flared and she stomped off. Not even one day and I’d made an enemy of my roommate.

***

It was almost midnight when I decided I couldn’t take being here one more minute. I packed a bag and headed for the nearest exit, ready to climb the fence.

“Alright,” I said to myself. “Let’s see if you really can electrocute me.”

“You’re not going to get far.”

The voice startled me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

Siya, the youngest of the guides, stood in the shadows like a ghost and watched me with amusement.

I clicked my tongue. “I’d like to see you try and stop me.”

Siya had the audacity to laugh.

“OK, I won’t stop you,” he said. “Go on.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Is this a trick?”

“No,” he stated plainly. “If you think you can skip the electric fence and find your way out of the woods in the dark, which will lead to a dirt road where you’ll have to hitchhike, then by all means, go ahead.”

I often did things on impulse.

“I’m not scared, if that was your aim—”

“I know,” he said. “But you don’t seem like the type to quit…and right now, that’s what you’re doing.”

He had me and he knew it. “Fine,” I conceded. “I’ll give this place one more chance.”

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