Three Lefts

[Aiden]

For once, Aiden felt like he was getting somewhere. This Lucas guy was much more helpful than any of the others were, he even seemed as if he could be trusted. Had Aiden known the truth, the incantation for an exorcism would be spilling from his lips at that moment, but he didn't, so Lucas was still protected. The camp didn't show signs of demonic activity anyway, and the smell of the trees in the forest would surely somewhat mask the scent of sulfur. As Lucas listened to Aiden, there was just a relief that someone was just as worried about Teagan as they were. Still, no matter how nice the guy seemed, the cabin would still stay their little secret.

He did, however, get a little irked at the next bit of the conversation. Here they were all the way from Oregon to come find this girl, and he was sitting there making jokes. Really? He let the guy talk, though, listening still for double meanings. When he said nothing interesting, Aiden decided that there probably wasn't much more he could get out from Lucas. "Hey, thanks a lot. If we figure anything out, we'll be sure to let you know," he said, of course, the part about the fact she was kidnapped by a supernatural being would be kept secret. "We're just going to do some more looking around," he said, walking away after motioning to Yuki to leave.

He walked back, deeper into the forest, and correcting his course to try and hit the cabin on the first try. He remained silent as he walked, a frown on his face. This was taking too long, she could be dead already. With a sigh, he looked at Yuki. "So, what happens of the shtriga doesn't show, and it feeds on another kid at camp tonight? What if it doesn't check on Teagan, should we find her?" he asked, wanting her input.

[Lucas]

“No problem. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” Lucas offered, nodding toward Aiden. His dark eyes thoughtfully followed them as the two left the clearing. Another unexpected turn of events in the last week he hadn’t counted on. Now he’d have to be slightly more careful as he went about his rounds. No need to unexpectedly get caught in a precautionary demon trap. He started walking to the bulls eye to retrieve his arrows. As he yanked the last one out from the barrel of hay, a faint bell resounded in the distance. That was the dinner call.

He turned the direction the hunters had wandered off, realizing that they hadn’t been heading back to the camp. Foolish mortals must be combing the forest, Lucas realized. While he gave them props for getting started right away, they could easily get lost in the vast forest. Yeah, that was the last thing he needed: three missing Hunters. If everyone one Hunter brought two more in tow, this could be one assignment he regretted taking.

Lucas broke into a quick run, following the scent through the twisting trees. It didn’t take long to catch up to them, although Aiden didn’t look pleased to see him. “The dinner bell just rang and I noticed you were heading the wrong way. It’s painstakingly easy to get lost out here, and well, after Teagan vanished, no one is supposed to be out after sunset. Besides, without flashlights, you’ll never find your way back.” He beckoned to the left and started heading in that direction. After taking three steps, he noticed neither of them had followed. He sighed, and turned back to them. “It’s this way. You can search tomorrow if you want. But now ain’t the time.”

[Aiden]

His hope that Lucas would stay out of it was met, as the staff member simply gave them good luck, and let them be off on their way. The last thing he needed was someone tagging along, someone that would become more of a problem than an asset (oh, how little Aiden knew) which would only endanger them further. He crunched through the dirt and leaves and needles, away from the archery range. They needed a more solid plan, simply hiding in the cabin and just sitting there waiting was foolish--they didn't know if the shtriga had rigged the cabin with any passageways, or means of death for intruders. It was here in his thought process that he paused to ask Yuki, when the leaves continued crunching. Neither of them were moving, so he turned and found Lucas.

No, Aiden wasn't particularly happy to see him, nor did he want to go spend the night with a bunch of blubbering children high on sugar. Don't get him wrong, Aiden would protect the kids with his life, but there was just something about children bouncing off the walls that drove him mad. Lucas also didn't know that Aiden did have a flashlight, it was just attached to his gun, which sat nestled and hidden beneath his two shirts. Maybe if he waited, the guy would just give up...Lucas started walking away, and Aiden remained in his spot, but then frowned when Lucas turned back around.

"Fine," Aiden said shortly, following him back. Maybe...maybe they could find the shtriga in camp, kill it, and then get to the cabin unhindered? That might have been the best course of action. "Is there a spare cabin we can sleep in tonight? I want to start as early as I can tomorrow, and driving in and out of town will take that time away from me," he asked.

[Yuki]

Lucas appeared to be absolved from the suspicion of being the shtriga. The conversation between Aiden and the boy had run smoother than it had with Scott. Yuki listened for any subtle remarks or threats, but caught none. He seemed to play an innocent role in the entire situation. And as far as physical evidence was concerned, the blonde hair did not match up to with the hair color of Lucas. Scott had also acted in a suspicious manner, it had been as if he was hiding something. Lucas, on the other hand, spoke as any other normal teenager would, though he seemed to lack a bit of concern over Teagan. Then again, the only people who seemed genuinely concerned about her were the two hunters.

Either way, the conversation between them and the boy was a waste of time if he wasn't going to provide them with any useful information. After bidding a farewell to Lucas, Yuki followed Aiden silently. That interrogation had not revealed anything important, they needed to get to the cabin as quickly as possible to find out what was really going on. If Teagan was in the cabin, they would have to wait for the shtriga, and if she wasn't--

Her thoughts were cut short when Aiden asked her questions concerning the situation. "If Teagan is in the cabin and the shtriga doesn't show, it would be safe to assume that Teagan is not a necessary source of food for the being. If she escaped, while I do believe the being would be angry and more alert, it would still need to feed. From then on, we could take our chances in using Teagan as bait once again, or try and see if there is a pattern to its attacks, as far as cabins and target victims are concerned. The decision would basically come down to whether we want to use the kids or Teagan as--

Again, she was interrupted, this time not by Aiden, but by Lucas. "Mendokusai," Yuki thought to herself when he approached them. He was there to get them to come back to camp, claiming it was unsafe for the to scour the forest at this hour. She hoped he would leave and assume that they would listen to him, but when he motioned for them to follow him, she knew that he was rather intent on keeping them away from the forest. Yuki eyed him wearily. Either he honestly was concerned about them, or he was trying to prevent them from reaching their destination for an alternate reason...but, in either case, the only option they had was to follow him.

Aiden asked if there was a cabin they could stay in for the night, and Yuki knew that any were available, the two hunters would have to be on alert for the shtriga. It was going to be a restless night.

[Lucas]

“Yeah, there’s room here for some extra people,” Lucas answered as he continued guiding them through the forest. “Well, as long as Kisa doesn’t mind taking Teagan’s bed. Since Teagan disappeared, there’s been a lot of confusion over where the kids will sleep. Every night it’s different. I hope you don’t mind. And Aiden, there’s a free bunk in Scott’s cabin.” A slight breeze danced through the trees, signaling an oncoming summer thunderstorm.

“Crap,” Lucas spat, looking toward the darkening sky as they approached the edge of the camp. “That’s not good. Look, I’ve got to go make sure the canoes are all pulled in and everyone made it off of the lake. The mess hall is straight ahead. You two can come with me, or go on ahead.” He glared distastefully at the building, eyes flashing with anger. “I won’t be joining them tonight. I’m sure if I see the Director’s face again anytime soon, it’ll be scarred before I leave. To say I’m not thrilled with his decision to call off the search puts it way too mildly.”

[Aiden]

He fell quickly into step behind Lucas, with Yuki by his side. Well this certainly didn't turn out the way Aiden planned, not to mention he could smell the rain coming on. Then again, perhaps this was one of his male qualities, but his stomach had perked up at the mention of food. He let Lucas talk--best to just please the guy and let him think he was having his way. "No, I meant the same--" Aiden stopped when he heard the rooming assignments. He had wanted the same cabin, just for safety, but staying the night in the same room as Scott would be an opportunity he'd be insane to pass up, and he was sure that Yuki knew that. If he was in the same room, he could watch and follow Scott if he left. Lucas had just made it all the more easy, and mentally he thanked him.

Aiden grinned at Lucas, crossing his arms as they parted ways. "Let me just say that the Director only got part of what I want to say to him earlier, and he wasn't very happy. Maybe dinner won't be so bad after all," he said, trying to joke around. "We'll just go on to the mess hall, right Kisa?" he asked, looking at her, knowing of course that she'd go along with it; they had planning to do, after all. "Good luck down at the lake," he said, and then continued walking on. When they were a safe distance away, Aiden glanced over at Yuki, and sighed. "Alright, this is taking way to long. But we need to plan," he said in a low voice as they entered the mess hall, which was abuzz with chatter. Apparently the kids were excited at the prospect of a storm, whereas others were freaking out.

Grabbing an empty table, and two trays of the food, Aiden slid one over to Yuki. "So obviously I'll be keeping an eye on Scott. It'll be a sleepless night for me, but it's needed. I'll text you if anything happens...but what do you plan on doing? Maybe...keep an eye on the kids? I don't know how you can watch all of them, though, because...wait." A mischievous grin broke out on Aiden's face. "Teagan inspired me...don't ever let me say that again. Finish your food, we've got some heaters to break." By messing with the heaters on all the buildings but Scott's cabin, and the one Teagan had been staying in, they would have to funnel all the kids into those two, making things much easier.

[Yuki]

A cabin with Scott? Yuki subtly gave Aiden a pointed look, but she had a feeling he wouldn't catch it, he was too engrossed into the conversation. Luckily, before he continued, Aiden caught himself. She knew he had had the same thought she had. If he was in the same cabin as Scott, Aiden could observe him, make sure he didn't leave the room, and if he did, follow him to see where he went. The downside of the offer was that Yuki would not be able to participate in that part of the hunt.

As they bid farewell to Lucas, Yuki followed Aiden, waiting to close the distance between him and them so that he wouldn't hear their conversation. She smelled the oncoming rain, and sensed the chill in the air that accompanied it. How had she not picked it up earlier? She must've been too focused on other matters to notice the weather. After a moment, Aiden sighed, looking frustrated at the fact that they couldn't go investiage the cabin. Yuki was annoyed as well. Atleast they had an alternative plan that could lead to the same result.

As they made their way into the mess hall, which was crowded with energetic children, the two hunters sat down at a table. Aiden passed her one of the trays with food, and Yuki looked down at the plate hesitantly. The meal didn't look terrible. It was just...like being back at school all over again. Without removing her lock on the tray, she listened to Aiden's words. Wrinkling her nose at the food, she turned to Aiden. "Of course I'll keep watch over the children. Do you expect me to stand by idly and do nothing?" she said, half sarcastic, half offended. But it was true she couldn't keep an eye on them all.

Ah, he had a Teagan-inspired plan. She had actually praised Teagan earlier, so Yuki wouldn't attack him for the source of his inspiration. So they were going to break heaters? Yuki saw the logic in the manuever, but she knew that meant she would have to watch all the girls at the camp, and Aiden would have to watch the boys, while simultaneously keeping an eye on Scott. It would be a little difficult, but nothing she couldn't handle. Yuki ate a couple bites from her meal, then pushed the tray aside. "I do not really have an appetite at the moment, there are more important matters to attend to" she told Aiden, and then got up from her seat. "Let's go."

[Lucas]

“Woah, basketball is an outside game only guys,” Lucas intercepted a darkened orange ball before it slammed against the window. He turned to the boys who were responsible for throwing it, and sent them a cheerful glare. “Stick with soccer, got it?” He sighed as they darted out of the room and back to the common area of the cabin. The whole “broken heater in nearly every cabin” had seemed comical at first, until Lucas had realized that his own cabin was included in that, meaning all of the guys had to bundle into Scott’s for the night. Each camper had experienced an adrenaline high when the decision was announced which resulted in chaos upon grouping each one in the same building.

Gritting his teeth through a forced smile, Lucas returned back to the main room. If he didn’t know any better, he would blame Teagan for this stunt. Unfortunately, she was missing and couldn’t have done this. That narrowed it down to the other Hunter within the campsite and whatever it was that took Teagan. Regardless, Lucas was sure that the circus this place had erupted into was no coincidence.



Recognizing they had to get all of the energy out of the boys before someone got hurt, Scott had cleared the bottom floor to make room for a soccer match. All of the couches and tables had been pushed to the walls, as well as any spare bunks, and duct tape had been spread upon the floor to identify boundaries and the goal. Each team had more players than standard, but with little else to do in the cabin beside sleep (which was impossible with the shouting boys), many had joined the intense game. Scott played referee, using his bursts of energy to keep a close eye on every play and enthusiastically keep the game going.

Ah the little bundles of joy made his day. And, at some point tonight, he would consume a soul, adding a pleasant bonus. He was still working on how lure one away from the group, but a quick trip to the restroom could fix that rather easily. Excited by the possibilities, he turned back to the group. “Hey! No hands Roger!”

0000000000

Mindy put her hands on her hips as countless shouts, glares, and protests flew across the room. Never had she imagined that asking what movie she should put on would generate this reaction. A dozen girls cried for Hannah Montana, half of the room for something to do with the Jonas Brothers, and the rest protested anything Disney related. “KNOCK IT OFF!” she finally yelled out, the noise level in the room fading to whispers. “We’re going to watch The Parent Trap. An appropriate movie for the possibilities camp hold. Stay seated and quiet, and maybe we’ll make it through the night peacefully.”

With that, she threw the movie in the DVD player while another counselor named Sarah turned on the projector. Mindy stepped over a dozen girls before she reached the light switch in the back of the room. When the lights fell, the noise lowered to hushed whispers and she signed in relief. Turning to Aiden’s friend beside her, she smiled. “I’m glad you’re here tonight Kisa, we’re going to need all of the help we can get.”

[Aiden]

Project Sabotage-the-Shtriga had been a success. No one had noticed the two newcomers slip out into the darkening camp and into the rain as they munched on their food in the mess hall. The heaters had broken without a hitch, and most of the damage simply looked like it had come from the storm. The reasoning behind Aiden and Yuki being soaked upon their discovery? Retrieving belongings from the car, of course. It wasn't too long after that until the kids were all funneled into their respective cabins, and the night began. The boys became a raging house of testosterone, and once the soccer game started, it became easier for Aiden to keep an eye on Scott.

The guy was acting as the referee, while Aiden sat up on one of the bunks, his feet dangling down in front of the lower on while he toweled off his dripping hair. He appeared to be watching the game, but in reality, his eyes were following Scott's every movement. He had found out that the cell phones didn't work up at the camp, so his signal to Yuki would be flicking the lights on and off a couple times if something happened. It was hard to carry his weapon with him now, though, since he had changed out of his original clothing. If nothing happened overnight, he still needed to look like he was sleeping, so he was now outfitted in some gym shorts and a light tee shirt.

Looking to Lucas nearby, Aiden decided to roll with something. "So I heard that most of the counselors at camps like these have stories of their own. What's Scott's?" he asked, letting the towel sit around his neck.

[Lucas]

Lucas glanced up at the Hunter, who was idly sitting on the top bunk a few feet away. Half of the night he had tried to find a balance between staying far away enough from him to be safe, and close enough to try to figure out what he knew. "Scott? Divorced parents, stuck with a Doctor-dad that didn't have time for him but was certain that his friends were bad influences." Lucas crossed his arms as he sent a glare toward two boys trying to sneak out the door to their right. "Don't even think about it, guys."

"So his dad cracked down on him, becoming borderline abusive at home. Scott comes here to give kids the support and encouragement he never received at home. He does a pretty good job of it too." Lucas shrugged. "Alot of the counselors have similar stories."

[Aiden]

Lucas hit it exactly on the head; they all have similar stories. Which meant that he really didn’t come from a divorced family and a doctor-dad, but rather that he was a shtriga in disguise. His eyes drifted over to Scott again, watching him referee the game. Several more boys tried to sneak out on the other side of the bunk Aiden was sitting atop, so he glanced down at them, and nodded his head towards Lucas. “What he said. Not on your side, sorry guys,” he said, and then glanced back over to Lucas.

“How long has he been here?” he asked, and then tried to make it sound more convincing. “Sorry, it’s just that…I mean, I hear these people are so giving, and yet something happened to Teagan, and I’m not saying it’s one of you, not at all, but I’ve never been around a camp like this, so I wondered about peoples’ stories, and I only know you, Scott, and Keith,” he said, though he didn’t believe that his cover was solid enough. Time to shut up.

The game carried on for a few more minutes, with one side scoring a goal finally, and the respective side of the room erupting in cheers. He pulled the towel from his neck, and placed it on the bed, glancing around the room. Now he was trying to find a way out, one that wouldn’t wake anyone. Aiden had taken the bed by the door, right next to it, so if Scott tried to walk out the front door, Aiden would know. There was the window, but if that was opened, then the wind and rain would enter the room. His gaze then followed a counselor and a kid out of the room, saying something about a bathroom run. “How long have you been here? Anything strange ever happen before?”

[Lucas]

Lucas smugly watched as the two kids dejectedly retreated back into the game. He got a major kick out of listening to a hunter not only agree with him, but support an order from him. If Aiden and Kisa failed to find Teagan, maybe this meat bag would be a decent replacement.

But what was the boy's motives for questioning Scott? Lucas didn't buy the innocent "just curious" act at all. Did he suspect something was amiss with Scott? Sure, Lucas found him barely tolerable at times, but...well, he would just have to keep that option open. After all, dismissing a hunter's intuition could prove disastrous.

"It's his second or third year, I believe," Lucas shrugged, his patience growing thin for the conversation. Too much feigned sincerity. How to get out of it? "It's my first year, so I'm not sure about anybody else either."

He turned his attention away, trying to indicate an end to the conversation. His blood started churning as the boy, moments later, asked another question. "I haven't heard anything strange about the camp. Except to stay away from the meatloaf on Fridays." He threw a mischievous grin, attempting to hide his annoyance. "It's a relatively safe place."

When demons, hunters, and whatever it was that took Teagan didn't hang around, that was.

[Aiden]

Aiden wouldn't just sit there and bum off these people, and he also knew that aside from doing the right thing (even though he would've snuck out had it been him in that situation) there was also a supernatural creature about feeding on children, so he couldn't have them waltzing about out of sight--of course the last part Lucas didn't know. The only lead was that blonde hair, and it pretty much matched Scott's. As for becoming a replacement for the demon inside of Lucas' body...over Aiden's dead body it would. He never thought about getting the tattoo that would prevent him from being possessed, and he didn't always carry around an anti-possession charm, so that would definitely be a fight.

Being human, Aiden didn't know whether supernatural creatures could sense one another, or if it was limited to only others of the same species. It seemed they couldn't, if Lucas didn't know that his 'friend' was a shtriga. That made sense for the furtive look that crossed Lucas' face briefly, before the questions were turned to him personally.

"Nothing strange, huh?" So this was the first time that something like this happened...and Teagan just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. The rain that spattered against the windows reminded him that Teagan was still out there somewhere, and he knew that she was alive, she wouldn't give up that easily. His eyes drifted back to Scott, the one he knew was responsible for all of this...he could just feel it, was all. But...that referee wasn't Scott. And he wasn't on the sidelines, or on the beds. Aiden tried to keep his looks subtle, but it might have been evident that he was freaking out slightly because he let the enemy slip past him. Where could he have...his insides sank as he recalled exactly what happened.

Jumping down from the bunk, Aiden grabbed his jacket--which had his gun tucked inside--and looked at Lucas. "Forgot something in my car, I'll be back," he said, and then disappeared into the crowd. Before leaving the room, he crouched out of sight of Lucas, and whispered to a kid. After paying him the five dollars, the lights flicked on and off a few times before a counselor began yelling, but Aiden was long gone. He was already in the hall, jacket on and gun drawn though hidden inside of his jacket. He glanced at the doors, trying to decide which one was the bathrooms.

[Lucas]

"Nope. Nothing strange at all." Lucas felt a trickle of laughter rising up, mocking the hopes of the hunter. Keep trying, weak one. It felt good to shoot down the hopes of the naive. Always good for morale in his future pawns. Easier to mold when they were dejected and hopeless.

A look passed over Aiden's face that Lucas found completely comical. Forgot something in his car? Yeah, right. Lucas had seen Scott slip out to take some kids to the restroom. Chances were the puppy wanted to follow the fox. As the boy slipped out the door, he couldn't help but let the smile slip on his face.

After a moment, Lucas sat himself on the now empty bunk, deep in thought. One of the reasons he had made it high within demon ranks had been his willingness to take chances and follow obscure leads. If the hunter was right about Scott...something had to be done. Immediately.

And he didn't really object to hurting Scott in the process. The blonde was way too happy for his own good.

[Teagan]

When little Roger had tugged on his shirt, begging with big blue eyes for a restroom break, Scott couldn't help but offer to take him. After all, it was almost dinnertime.

"Anyone else need to go?" he called out to the group, smiling cheerfully. Tonight's hunt would be slightly more difficult. With all of the children in two central locations, his absence would be noted as during the same time the child fell ill. Not that anyone would make the conclusion that it was his doing, but covering his tracks was rule number one. Scott enjoyed the game. Rarely did he ever get caught. Until that hunter girl...

But she was locked away in a distant cabin and of no concern to him now. Taking Roger's hand, he led the group of three out into the cold rain. The bathrooms were, unbeknown to Aiden, outside, and a minute's walk away. Scott took no notice of the chill of the night; he himself probably wasn't the normal temperature of a human. Several degrees below it, actually. But his overall enthusiasm for the evening overshadowed everything else.

They arrived at the bathrooms, a double-sided building. The boys headed to the left, and the girls to the right. Scott, in good measure, took the boys to the appropriate side. "Alright guys, you know how to do this yourselves, right?"

Two nods.

"Good. I'll be waiting right outside for you." Scott shot them a big smile, his hair soaking wet. "Hurry so we can get into dry clothes, alright?" The children both raced to the stalls, needing no further nudging. Well, when nature called, Scott mused.

Speaking of a calling, Scott's attention turned to the other side of the building, where the sound of running water and a giggling voice could be distantly heard. Bingo.

Yahtzee.

And uno.

Scott's damp blonde locks dripped over his eyes as he peered into the ladies' restroom. Perverted? No. Just another aisle in the grocery store for him. "Chloe? Aren't you supposed to be back in the girl's cabin?"

The red-head jumped and whipped her head around to him. Curious...he must have caught her doing something she shouldn't have been doing. Glancing at the sink, he noticed there soap dispenser had been taken apart and was in the process of being reassembled. The little runt!

It was almost a public service for him to do his job. "Chloe, Chloe, Chloe. That looks like something Teagan would do." He bent down on his knees until he reached her level, his face softening. "You miss her, don't you?"

The child's large, dark eyes followed him down, and then turned away at his question. "Yes," she whispered. "I didn't get to tell her she was my favorite, even though I wasn't nice to her." Her bottom lip began to tremble.

Wasn't nice to her was right. Scott had heard Teagan's rant about this child. And...well, he didn't have that much longer available to spend on this conversation. It needed to be wrapped up before his boys finished. "You want to know a secret? I know what happened to Teagan. And I can show you. Would you like that?"

Her attention immediately snapped back to him, focused solely on his face. "What happened?"

If only everything in life was this easy.

-----------------------------

Ten minutes later, Scott and two boys were back in the cabin waiting for the current soccer match to end. Having changed into a dry set of clothes, Scott took a seat next to Lucas on a spare bunk. His body felt re-freshened: heart racing, muscles active, and energy coursed through his veins. There was nothing like the soul of a child to stimulate oneself.

And the best part? No one in the cabin would guess it was him. All they would know is that the mysterious "sickness" had taken hold of the girl after she had sneaked out of her cabin to use the bathroom.

Oh well.

"Are you going to join the game, Lucas?" Scott asked, pleasantly throwing his fellow counselor a wide grin.