To See Jason?
25: Chapter 25: Where Are We Going for Summer Camp?
To See Jason?
Chapter 25: Where Are We Going for Summer Camp?
To See Jason?
When Carrie’s feet finally touched solid ground again, she remained motionless for several seconds.
The feeling of escaping gravity and floating beneath the open sky still lingered inside her, leaving her almost weightless even though she was standing on the forest floor again.
For someone who had spent most of her life feeling trapped, those few minutes above Derry had felt like discovering an entirely different world.
The last traces of sunset had nearly disappeared behind the trees.
Fading orange light slipped through the dense branches and scattered across the fallen leaves while evening shadows slowly filled the grove.
Dante watched Carrie’s distant expression and could easily tell that her mind was still somewhere above the clouds.
“So?” he asked with an amused smile.
“How was your first flight?” Carrie opened her mouth, but the words refused to come.
There was no simple way to explain the fear, wonder, and overwhelming freedom she had experienced all at once.
In the end, she could only look at Dante with brighter eyes than he had ever seen from her.
“Thank you, Dante.
Really.” Her gratitude was not only for the flight.
Since meeting him, Carrie had slowly discovered things that Margaret White had spent years convincing her did not exist—friendship, confidence, freedom, and the possibility that her future did not have to resemble her past.
Dante had given those feelings room to grow, and for the first time in years, Carrie possessed something that looked remarkably like hope.
Dante understood enough from her expression and did not embarrass her by making the moment more serious.
He simply smiled and started walking toward the road.
Carrie followed beside him while the forest gradually darkened around them.
The trip home was peaceful.
Their footsteps and the occasional bark of a distant dog were almost the only sounds on the quiet streets.
Carrie glanced toward Dante several times and seemed ready to say something, but each time her courage failed before the words reached her lips.
She eventually stopped trying.
Instead, Carrie quietly studied his profile beneath the fading evening light and committed the image to memory.
The strange warmth in her chest had not disappeared since their flight, and she had no idea what to do about it.
By the time they reached the Connor house, the smell of dinner had already filled the entryway.
Warm light spilled from the living room while a cartoon played loudly on the television.
Lily sat on the couch with an enormous stuffed bear squeezed against her chest.
Her legs swung back and forth beneath her while she stared at the animated characters with enough concentration to make her look like any other pampered younger sister enjoying an ordinary evening.
The moment the door opened, she dropped the bear and ran toward them.
“Dante!
You’re home!” Lily wrapped both arms around his waist and looked up with an impossibly sweet smile.
Dante placed one hand on her head and ruffled her hair while privately admiring how frighteningly good Marquis had become at pretending to be an innocent child.
Anyone unfamiliar with the truth would have believed the performance completely.
Nothing about the cheerful girl clinging to his side suggested that she was actually a demon capable of feeding on fear, creating elaborate illusions, and manipulating weak minds.
“Dante, Carrie, wash your hands,” Sarah called from the kitchen.
“Dinner’s almost ready.” They obeyed and soon gathered around the dining table.
John had the evening news playing nearby while Sarah brought over roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and warm rolls.
The comfortable family atmosphere felt almost absurd considering the collection of supernatural problems currently surrounding their lives.
Dante waited until everyone had started eating before bringing up the subject he had been planning since school.
“Dad, Mom, the school is organizing a summer camp this year.
I want to go.” John looked away from the television with immediate interest.
“Summer camp?
Where?” “Camp Crystal Lake.” Sarah paused while serving herself another spoonful of vegetables.
Her eyebrows drew together as the name triggered a vague memory.
“Crystal Lake?
I’ve heard of that place before.
I don’t remember the details, but I’m pretty sure its reputation is terrible.” Dante had expected exactly that reaction.
Camp Crystal Lake had accumulated enough deaths and disappearances over the decades for locals to call it Camp Blood, so convincing Sarah that it was harmless required a little selective presentation of the truth.
“That was years ago, Mom.
The property has been renovated and reopened, and the school wouldn’t send students somewhere unsafe without checking it first.
Besides, it’s a supervised group trip, and apparently these things are supposed to build character.” John nodded as though Dante had just delivered an excellent argument.
“He has a point.
Teenagers should get outside once in a while instead of spending every summer inside.” Sarah gave her husband a suspicious look.
“You’re agreeing awfully quickly.” “I’m encouraging personal growth.” “You’re encouraging him because you would have loved something like this at his age.” John wisely ignored the accusation and turned toward Dante instead.
“How much?” “Three hundred dollars for the week.
That covers transportation, lodging, meals, and activities.” Dante took a drink before casually adding the next detail.
“Carrie signed up too.” Sarah immediately looked toward the quiet girl seated with them.
“You’re going to Crystal Lake too?” Carrie lowered her fork and nodded.
“I’d like to.
If that’s okay.” Sarah’s expression softened.
She understood enough about Carrie’s situation with Margaret to know that asking her mother for permission or support was far more complicated than it would be for most students.
“Do you have enough for the registration?” Carrie hesitated, but Dante answered before the question could become uncomfortable.
“She has some money available from home.
The camp fee is covered.” Sarah studied Carrie for another moment before relaxing.
“All right.
I think getting away from Derry for a week might actually be good for both of you.” She reached into the wallet she kept in her apron pocket and counted out five hundred-dollar bills.
Dante accepted the money with obvious surprise.
“The fee is only three hundred.” “The rest is spending money and emergency cash,” Sarah said.
“You’re going somewhere with a bad reputation, so I’d rather you have more than you need.” Dante immediately gave her his brightest smile.
“Mom, have I ever told you that you’re the greatest mother in America?” Sarah tried to remain serious but failed.
“You usually remember when you need money.” John watched the exchange with amusement before clearing his throat.
“Since we’re discussing travel, your mother and I have something to tell you too.” Dante looked between his parents.
“You’re going somewhere?” Sarah nodded.
“I have a case in the city that should take about a week.
There are several meetings and court-related matters I need to handle in person.” John leaned back in his chair with a satisfied smile.
“And since my schedule is clear, I’m going with her.” He gave Sarah an exaggeratedly charming look.
“Think of it as our second honeymoon.” Sarah rolled her eyes, though the faint blush on her cheeks ruined the effect.
“We’ve been married far too long to call anything a honeymoon.” “That doesn’t mean I can’t try.” Dante watched their exchange before remembering one important problem.
“What about Lily?” Sarah’s expression became more practical.
“That’s exactly what we’ve been discussing.
You’ll be at summer camp and we’ll both be gone, so leaving Lily here alone obviously isn’t an option.” Dante slowly looked toward his supposed younger sister.
“We’re going to hire a temporary babysitter for the week,” Sarah continued.
“Someone responsible who can stay here and make sure she eats properly, gets to bed on time, and doesn’t get into trouble.” Dante’s expression became difficult to control.
A babysitter.
For Marquis.
He looked across the table at Lily, who was enthusiastically shoveling mashed potatoes into her mouth with all the innocence of a child who had never harmed anything in her life.
Behind that harmless expression was a literal demon who could create nightmares, consume fear, and reduce weak-minded people to obedient servants.
Dante was no longer certain who needed protection from whom.
Sarah noticed his strange expression.
“What’s wrong?” “Nothing.” Dante forced his face back to normal.
“I think hiring a babysitter is a wonderful idea.” Sarah remained unconvinced.
“You looked worried.” “I was imagining how well Lily and the babysitter are going to get along.” Dante glanced toward Marquis.
“I’m sure they’ll have a completely unforgettable week together.” Lily slowly raised her head.
Mashed potatoes covered one side of her face while her wide eyes looked painfully innocent.
She gave Dante a sweet smile, but he caught the tiny spark of amusement hidden beneath it.
That expression immediately confirmed his suspicions.
The babysitter was doomed.
Dante lowered his gaze and returned to dinner.
Whatever happened during that week would be between Marquis, the unfortunate employee, and possibly whichever therapist the babysitter needed afterward.
Once dinner ended, night had completely settled over Derry.
Dante decided to take Carrie out for another round of telekinesis training while the streets were quiet enough to avoid unwanted attention.
Carrie changed into comfortable athletic clothes before meeting him downstairs.
Lily appeared a few minutes later wearing a jacket and sneakers, clearly intending to follow them.
Carrie looked between the two siblings as they stepped outside.
“Lily is coming with us?” “Yeah.
She needs some fresh air.” Dante glanced down at Marquis.
“And I’d rather know what she’s doing.” Lily gave him another innocent smile.
“I’m always well behaved.” Dante nearly laughed.
“Of course you are.” Carrie did not understand the exchange, but she had grown accustomed to the strange relationship between Dante and his sister.
She simply followed them down the street while Lily walked a few steps behind.
The three left the neighborhood and headed toward the wooded hills outside Derry.
Moonlight slipped through thin clouds and covered the forest trail in pale silver while insects chirped beneath the trees.
By the time they reached the familiar clearing, the town lights had nearly disappeared behind them.
The surrounding forest was quiet enough that the only sounds came from the wind moving through the leaves and their footsteps crossing the damp ground.
Dante stepped into the center of the clearing with Carrie and Marquis beside him, already thinking about what they would test next.