Believe

The Legend

The three campers made their way to the clearing, their arms filled with camping gear. The eldest one dropped his baggage onto the ground and sighed.

"See Steven? That's how you carry a load." he told the youngest.

"Wow, Uncle Andy." Steven replied, putting his bag down. "You're pretty strong."

"I've been doin' this for years, kid." Andy boasted. "It's second nature by now. Greg, did you bring the bug light?"

The third camper, Greg, made his way towards the other two holding another large bag. "Don't worry, I got this."

"I'm so excited!" Steven exclaimed. "My first camping trip!" He jumped up and down. "We're gonna roast marshmellows, tell scary stories, sleep in sleeping bags! It's gonna be great!"

"Calm down, shtuball," Greg said. "We still gotta set everything up."

"Your father's right." Andy added, putting his hand on Steven's shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll get this all set up in no time."

Steven simply nodded as they got started.

——————

"So, what should we do now?" Greg asked, the campfire crackling as they sat down after a long day.

"I know!" Steven exclaimed. "Let's tell scary stories!"

Andy chuckled, leaning back on a tree. "Sure, you got any?"

"Lars told me the best one when I told him we were gonna go camping here." Steven explained. "He told me there was a legend to these woods."

"Legend, huh?" Andy commented. "The only thing legendary here is Greg's firebuilding skills."

"Aw, stop." the younger cousin replied sheepishly. "Go ahead and continue your story, Steven."

"Anyway, it's called the legend of the Holly Blue Witch."  Steven paused dramatically. "A mysterious woman who lives in these very woods, with strange powers."

"A witch?" Greg muttered.

"Yeah!" Steven continued. "No one knows whether she's good or evil, but it would be unwise to mess with her, or so I'm told."

"Hah!" Andy shouted. "That's a good one."

"No, Uncle Andy," Steven responded. "This is a true story! Lars said that he knew a guy who's brother's boyfriend's sister saw a glimpse of her once."

"Probably fake. Don't let those stories get to ya, Steven." Andy told him. "They're just a bunch of tall tales to scare sissies away from camping here like real men."

"Don't say that!" the boy warned. "She might hear you! It's said she hunts down those who don't believe in her."

"Can't hear if you ain't real." Andy countered. "Besides, what could she possibly-" He was interrupted when a large gust of cold wind swept through the campsite, blowing Andy's hat off his head and knocking down a few objects that happened to be sitting on the picnic table.

"What on Earth was that?" Greg murmured.

Andy rolled his eyes. "Probably this weather." he replied. "It's getting late, I think we should all hit the hay."

"I guess you're right." Greg admitted.

"But Dad!"

"Come on, Steven. We've done a lot today." he told his son. "We all need to rest. Besides, we can all go hiking up the mountain tomorrow."

"Alright..." he said, still worried about Andy.

Greg put out the fire as Steven and Andy made their way into the tent and into their respective sleeping bags. Pretty soon, all three of them were out like a light, peaceful as a soft wind.