1 Hiking Part 1, The Deserted Campsite

On September 12, 2018.

Jason with his friends, Damian, Abbey, Thomas, Fredrick, Ashton and Yosef went hiking. The place they went to was a few kilometers from their town.

Every year they would go on a short journey. They had been doing so for the past three years. They first met each other in high school. Having similar tastes is what brought these seven young boys together. Even though they moved to a different town after high school, they kept in touch with each other and would usually gather together during vacations.

That year, during fall, when they met, they planned on going hiking. Jason was the one to suggest the destination.

As they reached the campsite, they noticed that they were the only ones there. Usually that place used to be crowded with people at that time of the year.

"Are we the only people who came?" asked Ashton.

"Maybe we are the first group to come after they opened. Let's not think about that right now. It's good that this place isn't as crowded as it used to be," said Fredrick.

"Don't just stand there. We have to register and set up the camps before it gets dark,' said Jason.

After registering, they chose the spots where they would set up their camps, four tents, smaller in size, for seven people. Two in one and the one left, with the bags in one. Four tents were set up at the four sides centering a campfire.

At night when the food was being cooked, they sat around the campfire while talking with each other.

"Still it feels weird that we are the only ones here," said Ashton.

"Still thinking about it? We should consider ourselves lucky because if it had been like the previous years, we wouldn't even had found such a perfect place for camping," said Fredrick.

"You two are still talking about that? The registry is still there along with the receptionists. It's good that there aren't any people here for camping except us. We will enjoy this trip to the fullest," said Damian.

On the other side, Yosef and Thomas were playing video games while Abbey and Jason were preparing dinner.

While talking, Fredrick suddenly brought up a different topic.

"By the way, lately I have been having strange dreams," said Fredrick.

"Strange how?" asked Ashton.

"I was in Egypt," replied Fredrick.

"And how is that so strange?" asked Ashton.

"At first I dreamt about being in a desert, like it was just sand everywhere. I won't say that it was a bad dream but for the next three days I had the same dream. And last night, I saw a pyramid. That was the first time I saw anything other than sand," said Fredrick.

"If we are talking about dreams then I became an assassin in my recent dreams," said Yosef after he joined the chat finishing his game.

"What's so new about it? You have always been fascinated by assassins from your games. But good for you. Even though that was a dream you got to become what you wanted," said Ashton.

"What about you, Ashton? What have you been dreaming about lately?" asked Yosef.

"Me? I won't say it was a dream. It was more like a nightmare, a series of nightmares to be exact," replied Ashton.

"How so?" asked Fredrick.

"In every dream that I have been having recently, it all ended up with me dying in a fire. Sometimes the house caught up on fire, sometimes the car exploded while I was driving, sometimes some sudden explosion. It was terrifying at first, but after a few times it kinda became predictable," said Ashton.

"What about Damian?" asked Fredrick.

"I was making a vegetable garden in my backyard in my dreams. In the first dream, I planted the seeds and the one yesterday, the vegetables were ready for harvesting," said Damian.

"It would have been good if you could have brought some into reality from your dream," said Jason while cooking.

"Then what about you, Tom?" asked Yosef.

"Kinda like Ashton, but it was water in my case. I don't want to think about it," replied Thomas.

"What about Jason and Abbey?" asked Fredrick.

"Well, nothing unusual like you guys," replied Jason.

"And Abbey?" asked Yosef.

"Nothing in particular. I became a priest in my dreams," replied Abbey.

Abbey's reply made everyone burst into laughter.

"For a playboy like you to be dreaming about being a priest, if it isn't funny then I am not sure what is," said Ashton while laughing.

"At least I didn't burn to death like you,' said Abbey trying to defend his honour.

"The food is ready guys. It's already past 9. Let's not waste anymore time. We have to rise up early tomorrow and reach the first checkpoint by 11 in the morning otherwise we will be behind our schedule," said Jason.

"Alright, MOM," said Ashton.

"I won't be cooking for you guys if you keep on joking," said Jason.

They all went inside their tents after eating. Jason was washing the dishes that night. He was to sleep in the fourth tent with the bags. While rechecking the schedule for the next day, Jason got lost in his thoughts, 'Isn't this a bit too soon?...'

"Jason, you there?"

"What's wrong Yosef?"

"I forgot to take out my powerbank. My phone is out of juice."

"Alright wait for a bit... Is this the one?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

"Are you on guard duty right now?"

"Yes, after me, Tom will be guarding."

"Make sure not to catch a cold, both of you."

"You sleep now. You are probably more tired than any of us."

"I was going to eventually."

Yosef returned with his powerbank and Jason went back in his tent.

'Maybe I am just thinking too much. I need to focus on what I came here for...'