Episode 3: Shadows Beneath the Stars

[ sports Hills Base Camp – Evening Arrival]
[Buses screech to a halt. Students tumble out, buzzing with excitement.]
Neha😆:
Neha😆:
Omg this place looks like a movie set!! We better get a good tent view 🌲⛺✨
Riya📸:
Riya📸:
Calling dibs on the tent not near the washroom 😭
Instructor🎖️
Instructor🎖️
(shouting): SILENCE! Line up according to your groups! Tent allocations now!
[Sakshi moves through the crowd confidently, clipboard in hand.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(to a group): Group B—move left. Boys to Tent 3, girls to Tent 4.
[Vikram stands back, arms folded, just watching.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(mutters): Ugh. Why is he even here if he won’t help?
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
(excuse me?) What was that?
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(sighs) Just wondering if you’ll ever act like a leader.
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
I lead, not babysit. And from what I see, your clipboard’s running the camp just fine.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
At least one of us is taking this seriously.
Instructor🎖️
Instructor🎖️
Team leads—your tents are at the far end. Tents 6 and 7. Coordination area.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Wait, what? We’re… side by side?!
Instructor🎖️
Instructor🎖️
Standard layout. Leaders stay at the perimeter.
[Sakshi glances toward the shadowy edge of the woods.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(whispers): I hate this.
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
(smirking): You think I’m enjoying it?
---
[Later – Far End of Camp | Dim lights, rustling trees]
[Sakshi approaches her tent with a backpack, looking uneasy.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(thinking): So dark. So quiet. This feels like the beginning of a horror movie.
[She kneels to unzip her tent—TWIG SNAPS behind her.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(startled) Who’s there?!
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
(gentle): Whoa—just me. Sorry.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(sighs): You scared me, Vinit.
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Didn’t mean to. It’s super dark out here. You okay?
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
I just… didn’t think our tents would be this far. I kind of hate dark places.
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
(smiling): Here. I’ll keep my flashlight on till you settle in.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
That’s really sweet. Thanks.
[He helps her with a few things. They laugh softly while setting up.]
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
So… Are you always this organized or is it just for camps? 😄
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Honestly? I was born with a clipboard 😆
[Their laughter is soft. Easy. Natural.]
---
[Nearby – Behind the Trees]
[Vikram walks back from the instructor’s tent, stops abruptly.]
[His eyes narrow. He sees Sakshi laughing. Vinit handing her a water bottle.]
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
(thinking): Why is she always with someone? Why does it… bother me?
[He steps into view, sharp and cold.]
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Oh—hey, Vikram. Need something?
[Vikram ignores him. His eyes stay on Sakshi.]
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
Lights out in ten. Maybe cut your flirting session short?
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(freezes): Excuse me?
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
You’re the camp lead, right? Maybe act like it.
[He walks past them, into his tent without another word.]
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
(concerned): Does he… always talk to you like that?
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(forcing a laugh): Only when he needs to feel important.
[But her smile fades. His words sting more than she wants to admit.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(thinking): Why did that feel personal?
---
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RinSantorski

RinSantorski

Don't leave me hanging, Author! Update soon!

2025-08-02

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