Truly Madly Deeply: Volumes 1-4

by Brenda Pandos

  We head to the cabin when the last of Syd’s girls check in. They unload their stuff and take the top bunks, while I’m happy to sleep on the bottom.

  I’m supposed to do an icebreaker exercise, but since the girls already know each other, we skip it, and head to the craft room to make beaded lanyards for their keys.

  “So,” Kara asks me as she collects only pink beads. “What happened when you were attacked?”

  I suck in a startled breath. The tube of clear beads I’m holding skitters across the table, spilling everywhere. I hadn’t looked at the paper to know what I’m supposed to say.

  Syd stiffens. “Oh, the news loves to exaggerate. Doesn’t it, Maddy? The guy didn’t really do anything and Maddy got away.” Syd helps me clean up. “He’d be stupid to come around now with the security guards. Right?”

  “But the article said you were the snack shack coordinator,” Kara says.

  “Yeah,” I say quickly. “But I’m a counselor, too.”

  “We all have dual jobs,” Syd interrupts.

  I force a smile. “Like Syd said, nothing happened. It wasn’t even on the grounds. We’re perfectly safe.”

  Syd hands me the empty tube. “We just need to stick together, that’s all.”

  The girls let out a collective sigh, all but Holly.

  “It’s just spooky,” says Holly. “You know?”

  Bridge leans in. “It’s like all the camp horror movies where there’s a knife wielding serial killer—”

  My eyes widen.

  “Okay, that’s enough,” Syd says. “Look. There are bad people in the world, yes, but they’re going to find this guy, you’ll see. Don’t let it ruin your week.”

  The girls nod and the subject changes, but I can’t help but think we’re making promises we can’t keep. I’m totally in over my head.

  ~|~

  Just before dinner, I have the girls go to their assigned table in the dining room so I can get the incident report over with. My hands shake as I knock on Dirk’s office door.

  “Come in,” he says.

  He rolls his eyes and points to the phone receiver attached to his ear, and motions I sit.

  “Yeah,” he says. “I know… I’ve got it. Don’t worry… Of course.” He hangs up and pushes out a long breath. “You’d think the President was coming to visit.”

  “Rough call?”

  He nods. “Yeah. We’re doing damage control, but more parents have pulled their kids from next week. At this rate, if they don’t catch this guy, we all might be going home early.”

  “Really?” My first thought goes to Logan and that I might not ever see him again.

  “Yeah, let’s see.” Dirk pulls open his desk drawer and pulls out the dreaded orange form. “Alright.”

  I bite on my fingernail. The last incident report Dirk filed was after I fought with Gage, black eye and all. Of course the entire report was a stretch of the truth because frankly none of it is the camp’s business, like this one will be.

  “Where did the incident occur?” he asks.

  I suck in a breath and look away.

  “On that frontage road, the one that dead ends behind camp.”

  “I thought it was at Devil’s Peak?”

  The mention of Devil’s Peak sends a knife through my stomach. “Well, I was on the trail leading there, yes.”

  “You were at Devil’s Peak? By yourself?”

  I swallow. “No. I was going to go, but decided not to, that’s when I ran into… him.”

  He scribbles something on the form. “Go on.”

  My stomach flips, stealing my appetite.

  “You know, I can just fill that out if you want to get to dinner.”

  “Actually, I’m supposed to fill it out.” He doesn’t look up. “So, you ran into Marsden, then what?”

  I hate his name. “He asked me some questions.”

  “Like?”

  His words echo in my head, that he wanted to make me forget my worries. A shudder careens through me.

  “Like… if I wanted some company kind of questions. I’d rather not elaborate.”

  Dirk’s concerned gaze finds me and I look away. I hate talking about it.

  “Can we get this over with?” I ask quickly.

  He looks down at the sheet. “Yeah. Then what?”

  “I screamed and ran. What do you think? Logan was walking by and he disarmed him.”

  Dirk stops writing and looks up. “Disarmed him?”

  “He,” I refuse to call him by his first name, “had a knife, so Logan grabbed his wrist, yanked his arm. There was a loud crack and he dropped the knife. I don’t know. I was trying to call 911.”

  “Okay.”

  “And then the cops came.”

  Dirk finishes writing and puts down his pen. “You’ve been through a lot, Maddy.”

  I wipe away a stray tear that’s trickled down my cheek. “I’m fine, honest.”

  “Well… you need to see someone to talk about it.”

  “Talk about what?”

  “About what happened.”

  I blink at him. Though I’m having trouble sleeping, the last thing I want to do is talk to someone about it, not when nothing happened. “That’s okay. It’s over.”

  “Maddy.” He slides over a list of names and phone numbers of local therapists. “Call and make an appointment.”

  I roll my eyes and reluctantly snatch the paper from him, scanning it over. Most of the names read weird, like people I’d never be comfortable with.

  “Okay, thanks.” I stand and head for the door.

  “Logan needs to go, too.”

  “What?” The blood drains from my face. I turn around. “Why?”

  “He was there. You both were affected.” He clips the orange sheet with another and stuffs it into a manila folder. “I promise. It’s part of the process.”

  Process? Should we invite Marsden, too? I smile like he’s won, but there’s no way I’m going with Logan, not when during the time of crisis, I chose to do the worst thing ever: kiss him. Actually, when it comes to that, I want to pretend I don’t remember what happen.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Monday rolls around and everyone, including me, is still on eggshells. Dirk insists on things being normal, but it’s nothing of the sort—more like a prison except we’re watching and waiting for the boogie man to jump out of the bushes.

  I recline on a lounger by the snack shack, eyes closed, available if the rotation counselor in the snack shack has any questions. I’m so tired after another sleepless night haunted me. Every time I closed my eyes, Marsden was there, ready to do God knows what to me. Maybe I should talk to that counselor.

  I open my eyes, hidden under sunglasses, and find Logan. We haven’t spoken since the kiss and it’s impossible to read him. Does he hate me or what? Did Dirk tell him we were to get counseling together?

  I’m still puzzled about his deft disarming skills, and even more curious about his past. He’d mentioned his nerdy years and that he was beat up pretty badly once. Whatever happened, I’m not afraid of him, not like how Kat overacted to him after he was stabbed. The camp owes him a debt of gratitude, actually.

  Though I start to doze, the screaming or the spray from a cannon ball keeps me from sleeping. All around counselors pretend like they haven’t a care in the world, though they eye the perimeter like an attack is imminent. I don’t think camp will ever be the same after having our utopia breached. Logan’s more serious than the rest, his muscles strung tight like a coil ready to spring.

  “There you are.” Dirk’s shadow falls over me. I don’t have to look at him to know he’s scowling.

  “Here I am,” I say sarcastically.

  “I know everything’s been rearranged, but we’re still doing the skit today.”

  I sit up and slap my forehead. Of course we are, and I’m not dressed for it. “I forgot.”

  “I can see that.” His condescending tone prickles my skin.

  The thought of going to
my cabin alone makes my heart race. I watch him and notice there’s something he wants to say to me, but he doesn’t.

  “Just get in costume, okay? You’re on in ten minutes.”

  Dirk takes off just as Syd walks by. She watches him leave with a confused look on her face.

  “What was that about?”

  I shake my head. “Nothing.”

  My hands break out in a sweat. I know I need to pull up my big girl panties and go alone, but I’m terrified, and we both can’t leave our girls unattended. “Can you watch my girls while I get my costume on?”

  “Oh, sure.”

  I head to Camellia, eyes darting left and right. My hands are shaking. Dirk’s edginess makes sense considering what’s at stake, but it’s not my fault. Marsden could have attacked anyone, and taking it out on me isn’t fair.

  After I unlock my door and lock it, I find my pirate tank and tattered shorts. I take a huge breath before I dash outside and lock the door. Standing on the porch, I imagine the night Marsden stalked these cabins and how Kat showed up out of nowhere. I’m just glad she’s not going to be here anymore.

  Something crunches in the leaves behind me. I freeze and my eyes drift to the right. A man dressed in dark clothing moves through the brush behind Syd’s cabin.

  A scream bounds out of my throat, and I turn and bolt for the pool. Once I clear the trees, I yell, “He’s here!”

  Logan is the first one up from his lounge chair and runs toward me. “Where?”

  I point to the trees. “There. I just saw him.”

  “Logan!” I hear Dirk yell. “Wait!”

  Logan doesn’t listen and runs toward where I pointed. I work to catch my breath and scan the pool area for backup. A few of my campers are staring at me, but for the most part, everyone acts like nothing’s happened. Why isn’t anyone calling 911?

  “Don’t panic,” Dirk says calmly as he approaches. “Let’s just go back to the pool.”

  “He was there.” Anxiety washes through me and I cling to him. I feel tears filling my lids. I was so close to being attacked again and in broad daylight, too.

  “It’ll be okay. Let’s just walk back like nothing has happened.”

  “But he’s here. Aren’t you going to call the cops?” My voice borders on hysteria, but I don’t care.

  “Already got someone on it. Just take some deep breaths.”

  I can’t take deep breaths. There isn’t enough air.

  Someone runs through the brush to my left, but I can’t see who. I dig my fingers into Dirk’s side, but all I want is for Logan to come back and protect me.

  “The security guards have been alerted. There’s nothing more we can do. Let’s go.” Dirk unhooks my hands from his shirt and leads me to the pool.

  “You haven’t called the cops?” I pull away. “What about Logan?”

  “Maddy.” He says my name through his teeth. “You can’t overreact like this. We need to return to the pool and start the skit.”

  The admonishment stings and my eyes widen. “The skit? Are you freaking kidding me? Logan is hunting the perp down and you’re wanting to go on status quo?”

  I scan the trees for him as terror spreads through me. What if the guy stabs Logan, but it’s fatal this time?

  Dirk moves forward to take my arm again. “Logan can handle himself.”

  I move out of his grasp. “Handle himself? He’s not a freaking cop!”

  Dirk’s eyes narrow and he shakes his head.

  “Fine. Stay.”

  He leaves me there and walks calmly to the pool. Within seconds I hear his annoying voice on the bullhorn, announcing something about upcoming pool games. I pace at a safe distance and wait for the helicopter to show. What’s taking them so long?

  No matter how much I want to, I can’t move any closer to the tree line. My heart pounds. “Logan?”

  My imagination plays tricks on me as every horror movie I’ve watched flickers through my thoughts. Where is he?

  “Maddy! Over here.”

  My eyes pan to the left, zeroing in on his shock of brown hair. He waves at me while he talks to someone. Was he the guy I just saw in the trees? I gasp, then realize they’re being friendly with one another. The guy shakes Logan’s hand and leaves in the opposite direction.

  Logan jogs toward me. “It’s okay. False alarm.”

  I blink at him, my body feeling suddenly faint from the evaporating adrenaline. “Who was that?”

  Logan smiles. “It’s an undercover cop. He thought when you screamed, you saw someone.”

  “A cop?” The blood drains from my face at my mistake. “I thought they had dogs.”

  “They do, well, not all of them.”

  I swallow down my embarrassment and close my gaping jaw. Logan pulls me to his body. I collapse against him, feeling his heart race against my cheek.

  “It’s okay. You didn’t know.” I feel his body relax against mine. His nose brushes my neck. An electric current flashes across my skin.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he whispers as he squeezes me.

  For the small moment, I forget our insane situation and pretend he’s mine. A secret wish that he’d take me somewhere safe so we could be together all afternoon, blooms inside me. I know with him next to me, I’d finally be able to sleep.

  I avoid looking up into his warm brown eyes. If I do, I know he’ll hypnotize me and I’ll confess all my secrets. I’m supposed to stay focused on… Hell, I have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing.

  “If that guy touches one foot on this property, they’ll know. They’re determined to catch him. Even still, I’d never let him hurt you.”

  “Okay.” I remain pressed against his chest. His heart is still pounding. It makes my head rush.

  “Maddy,” he says softly.

  He hooks his finger under my chin and lifts. My eyes lock on his and the way he looks at me unravels something inside me. And I’m right. He does mesmerize me, and the desire to come clean about Friday night burns on my tongue.

  “I’m so sorry,” I blurt out. “About Friday...”

  He peers deeper into my eyes, searching the depth of my soul, and I can’t speak. Desire crosses his face, and I swallow as the temptation to lean in and kiss him rolls through me, when Dirk yells, “Charge,” on the bullhorn. I turn. A group of counselors dressed as pirates run down the trail toward us.

  I step away from Logan and we’re quickly surrounded.

  “Argh.” Dirk’s voice blares through the bullhorn. “Unhand the prisoner, Captain Mack. There’s no escape. Her treasure is mine.”

  I look over at Logan and his lips are pulled in a straight line, and then his eyes widen. I follow where he’s looking at. Kat is standing next to Dirk and she’s pissed.

  ~|~

  Fifteen minutes later, I’m standing just outside the door of the snack shack, dripping wet and shaking because I forgot my towel. Logan, who wasn’t able to be doused alongside me due to his healing injuries, had disappeared along with Kat. During the skit, my rescue was forgotten, and I was forced to remain in the freezing cold water, even after every last bit of candy had been looted from the pool.

  Syd, the darling, hands me her towel.

  “Thanks,” I say.

  “Your mascara’s running,” she whispers.

  My cheeks burn, and I dab under my eyes with my towel.

  “Why is Kat here?”

  “Beats me.”

  I dart to the snack shack so I can clean up. Dirk cuts in front of me, scowling. “You swore you saw him.”

  My smile fades. “I thought I did.”

  “It was our own security.”

  “How was I to know?” I try to get around him.

  “The kids are freaked.”

  My mouth falls open, and I scan the pool deck. “Which kids?”

  “The ones sitting in the counselor lounge requesting to go home.”

  I swallow hard. “There was a guy in the bushes watching me. What did you expect me to do? Calmly ask wh
y he’s here? Ask for his badge while he jumps me?”

  I didn’t want to tell Dirk that every time I close my eyes, I see Marsden, and that even walking alone terrifies me.

  He grits his teeth. “You could have gone inside your cabin, locked the door and called 911.”

  “Oh.” I smirk. “Well, if I had cell service in my cabin maybe. I’ll remember that for next time.”

  He steps closer, voice hushed. “Have you made an appointment for counseling yet?”

  I keep my jaw from gaping open. “I’ve been a little busy.”

  “I don’t think you understand what’s at stake here.” The implication behind his words is not lost on me, but he can’t possibly blame me for being jumpy.

  “I do, Dirk. I’m sorry,” I say slowly. “It was a mistake. It’s over now.”

  “You need to be more responsible. Maybe we should have Kat—”

  Kat? Oh, hell no. She of all people is not taking my place, not because of this. I step forward.

  “Responsible like when your phone was off the first time Marsden showed?”

  Dirk’s head pulls back and his nostrils flare.

  “I betcha that didn’t make it in your incident report,” I finish.

  “Hey, uh.” Syd walks between us. She nudges her chin over her shoulder at the line forming at the window, at the eyes and ears trained on us. “Let’s get the snack shack open, shall we?”

  Dirk turns and gives the kids a smile. “That’s a good idea. Maddy?”

  Though it’s not my responsibility this week, I say nothing and follow Syd inside while Dirk walks in the opposite direction. How he’s treating me is more than appalling, but at the moment, I can’t stop thinking about Kat. Why is she here? If he has her here to replace me, I’ll tell the owners what I know about him and Kat.

  “That was a little harsh,” Syd says while gesturing to Dirk.

  “Yeah.” I’m fuming, but my anger quickly subsides.

  Logan and I almost had a breakthrough just now. But with Kat here, that’s all it will be. Damn it.

  I scan the pool, unable to find them. Dirk should be livid, considering Logan left his kids unattended, but he’s not off yelling at him.

  I’m so frustrated, I want to scream.