The Camp Read Online Free PDF Page B

but my head was pounding with pain trying to hold everything in.
    “You’re outnumbered.”
    "It was night, and the rain fell; and falling, it was rain, but, having fallen, it was blood," he groaned, reciting Edgar Allen Poe.
    My marrow froze as I realized whoever this was had been through my things, knowing I’d recognize that quote from the poet.
    "It was night, and the rain fell; and falling, it was rain, but, having fallen, it was blood," he whispered once more, tapping on the tent wall. “Good night for now.”
     

 
     
     
    C hapte r F ive
     
     
     
     
     
    “Good news and bad news,” Liam’s voice hit me from outside the door.
    “He was here again,” I hissed to Liam, frantically trying to untie the lace I had just knotted between the zippers. I freed the zipper and flipped on the lantern again.
    “What?” he asked, flapping the door wide open and stepping inside.
    He was completely drenched. His hair was plastered t o his head, his shirt stuck to his chest, and he was breathing heavily. Droplets trailed down his face, and I threw a shirt at him to wipe off. I realized my hands were shaking and so did he. It wasn’t anything I could hide. But having him here made me feel a million times safer.
    “Can I have the good news first?” I asked, watching him rub the shirt over his hair quickly.
    “The good news is that it probably wasn’t anyone in the camp.” He tossed the shirt over where the others were piled.
    “And that’s also the bad news, isn’t it?”
    He nodded.
    I sat down on the sleeping bag and raised my knees into me.
    “It’s not like there are houses anywhere around. This place is only accessible by plane or boat. The nearest town is definitely not reachable by foot.” He shook his head and sat in front of me. “It’s weird.”
    “Well , whoever it was didn’t really leave the area. They were pressing their hands against the tent, trying to freak me out I guess.” I glanced to where I last saw the handprints. “He’s also been through my things.”
    “What? Why didn’t you tell me that first thing?”
    I shrugged. “He recited a line from Poe’s Silence – A Fable. Told me he’d be back.” My words were shaky, and I hoped I could get a grip on my nerves.
    “Shit,” Liam mumbled more to himself than to me.
    I dropped my eyes to the floor. “Believe it or not my cool exterior is just a façade. I’m panicking inside.”
    He smiled and moved his gaze to the door.
    The wind seemed to be lessening, and I could actually hear Liam without straining.
    “Yeah. You completely have me fooled.” He flashed a smile that completely warmed my insides. “But I’ll put an end to it.”
    “ He said he was going to take care of you,” I told him.
    “Not gonna happen.” Liam’s confidence was calming and something I needed.
    “I wonder why it’s me,” I whispered under my breath.
    “Maybe it’s as simple as your tent being closest to the woods.”
    I nodded. “I’ll go with that.”
    “We’ll get it figured out,” he promised and reach ed over to touch my hand. A spark ran through me as I tried to fight the reaction that his touch brought, but my skin gave it away. My face reddened and I pulled back.
    “I hope so,” I muttered.
    For some odd reason, I believed him. It’s not like I thought he had Superman powers or something, but he was so self-assured that I couldn’t help but go along. Anyone who grew up around here was on an entirely different level.
    “In the morning, thin gs will be different, and I guarantee whatever is going on will be stopped.” His eyes hardened and he shoved his hands through his damp hair. “It’s probably a prank or something.”
    “It’s not very funny.” I nodded and let out a deep breath as I pulled a pillow to my lap. Liam leaned back and rested on his elbows. I noticed a wide black handle sticking out of the waistband of his jeans. The handle was at least six inches long. I couldn’t imagine how long the blade might be.