Inexperienced

When I finally found Aloisyus, most of Camp had already started to stir. He came walking out of the forest and I ran towards him (at this point I was really anxious) and immediately asked him for his phone, not even considering whether he even had one.

When he started to protest, I said,'You're either going to give it to me so I can call my parents or I will go to them myself.' He obliged, and I turned away from him while dialing my parent's number with shaking fingers.

My mum picked up on the first ring,'Hello, who is this?' She sounded a little stressful, and I immediately felt guilty. 'Um, hi, mum, it's me, Anne.' 'Oh sweetie we've been so worried! Where are you?' I hesitated. I realised I could not tell them the truth, as they would never believe me. My parents had always been very down-to-earth, and they never understood why I read fantasy books either. 'I'm fine. I'm safe, I'm somewhere safe.' Not very convincing. 'It's kinda like a summer camp, I guess.' 'Anne, that is not enough information. Tell me where it is, so I can come get you.' She sounded annoyed. 'Um, I don't really know? I'll-I'll give you to my- my friend.'

I gave the phone to Aloisyus, hoping that he would be able to convince her that I could stay here. It really wasn't a good idea if my parents came here...

'Yes, I understand, ma'am.' I heard him say. 'No... no. No, Mrs Hudson, it's not a good idea for you to come here. Yes... No, wait!' He sighed, put his phone in his again an cursed loudly. 'Your mother is coming to get you! I couldn't stop her, she just hang up on me!' He was angry, and he was a bit frightening. 'Sorry...' I whispered, cringing a little.

Suddenly his face fell. 'She-she did not ask where it is. She does not know where to go. She's going to get lost, and then she'll call again, and then she'll lead the monsters here.' He buried his hands in his hair and mumbled something incomprehensible, while I was still staring at nothing, trying to get what I'd done.

I'd put the safety of my mother and the camp to risk.

I hadn't realised that I'd started to cry until Aloisyus said, 'Oh, Anne. I shouldn't have yelled at you.' And gave me a hug. 'It's gonna be allright. The campers know how to defend themselves.' I said nothing, just sobbed into his sweater.

Once I'd slightly regained my composure, I whispered, 'What about my mum?' He smiled down at me and said, 'From how she talked on the phone, I'm sure she can handle herself.'

I didn't quite believe him, especially because then he rushed off, probably to tell Chiron or the other campers. I mean, I did think my mum could handle herself, but, monsters?! I also thought I could handle myself, until I stood face to face to a manticore.

All I could do was to hope she got here safely, without any monsters on her tail.

Notes