Sindel hated the camping season. It was during this time each year that she had to basically share her “yard” with nearly thirty other families. Her parents were the proud owners of a camp site nestled peacefully in the heart of the woods. Peacefully during the winter, that is. When summer came, so came the pop-up campers and cheap tents. So came the bon fires, singing, and the constant rumble of all the people surrounding her family’s trailor.

Sindel wasn’t really a bitter person. For years she had tolerated the annoyances quietly, wearing head phones to keep out the noise and pulling her window shade down to the bottom (placing tape around the edges at night to keep out the light). But two years ago was when she decided to voice her opinion to her parents. It was two years ago that she met Leddie Cole.

Leddie Cole’s family came to the camp site that year, and Sindel began by treating them as she treated all campers: just like family. She greeted them in a friendly manner, leading them to their reserved spot and going over some of the rules. She showed them where the campers’ bathrooms were, and told them to feel free to come to the trailor with any questions or concerns they may have.

By then next day, Sindel had began to dislike the daughter of the family, Leddie. Leddie was particularly cold as she sat perched on the steps of their pop-up camper, glaring wickedly at everything that passed her by. It was very obvious that she did not want to be there. Sindel found this somewhat offensive. Here she was sacrificing her privacy, time, and peace for these families to have a good vacation, and this girl didn’t appreciate any of it.

The two of them clashed several times over the week, as Leddie snapped at Sindel each time she came toward the camper. She even had the audacity to complain that Sindel was disrupting them by walking on the dried leaves as she passed them! Sindel thanked God that they were only staying a week.

Imagine Sindel’s horror when they returned the next year, their sullen daughter with them. Sindel wondered why Leddie didn’t just stay at home if she hated camping so badly. The Coles apparently loved the site, and announced that they would be returning regularly. Sindel tried her best to avoid Leddie that summer, but it seemed that they kept running into each other.

Once, Sindel was carrying a pot of water to another family’s tent and Leddie bumped into her, causing her to drop the pot and the water to spill out. Leddie just looked over her shoulder and said “Be careful next time” as she walked away. Sindel felt like tackling her right then, but she composed herself. Her father would be so angry if she ran off a potentially loyal customer.

This year, Sindel vowed that she wouldn’t even go near the Cole family camper. She told her father about Leddie, and he promised to tend to the family instead of her. So when the Coles rolled into the campsite, Sindel retreated quickly into her home and shut the door, not wanting to even make eye contact with Leddie.

She watched the other side of the campsite from her bedroom window. A new family was setting up their camper. It was a nice one too. While being shiny and white, it had apparently been used several times, and the woman who was spreading out supplies on the ground and looking them over seemed like a skilled camper. Her two daughters were helping her. She could see them talking, but couldn’t hear what they were saying. The oldest daughter looked about her age of sixteen. Her hair was dark brown and pulled back into a long, low-riding braid. She was wearing a pair of really cute glasses. Sindel thought it was funny that the girl was wearing a floral cloth skirt that hung to her knees.

The younger girl was very close in age to the other. Her hair was the color of fresh-cut wood, nearly blonde, and hung in unkept layers across her shoulders. She was dressed like any other girl around the campsite, in a pair of jean shorts and a tank top. The two girls looked very friendly, and Sindel immediately thought that she’d like to befriend them. Maybe they could even back her up if Leddie started trouble.

Without much thought, Sindel got up from her bed beside the window and walked to the front door. She opened it up wide, fully intending to walk straight over to the new family and offer assistance. Instead, she found herself face-to-face with Leddie Cole. Sindel swallowed. “Can I help you?” she asked, trying her best to sound friendly.

Leddie’s hateful expression didn’t change. “I need some ice.” She said flatly.

Sindel frowned. Usually, the campers were nice enough to ask for ice, not demand ice. “Just a second.” She said as she walked into the kitchen. She took a large plastic container from a cabinet and filled it with ice. She returned and handed the container to Leddie.

Leddie looked at her for a moment before turning to walk away without bothering to thank her for the ice.

“You’re welcome!” Sindel called after her and folded her arms across her chest. “Ungrateful brat.” She muttered. Then she remembered what it was she came outside to do. She walked around to the other side of the trailor and approached the new family. “Hi, there!” she said cheerfully.

The oldest daughter turned to look at her. “Hi!” she said back with an equally cheerful voice.

“Do you guys need any help getting set up?” Sindel asked them.

The woman smiled, wiping her forehead. “That’s quite alright, but thanks for the offer. I think we’ve about finished, right girls?” The two girls nodded.

“That’s great. My name is Sindel. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask me or my parents for help.”

The younger girl ran up and held out her hand. “I’m Mendy. Nice to meet you!”

Sindel looked a bit surprised, but took Mendy’s hand and shook.

The older girl approached her too. “I’m Mendy’s big sister, Marlena. This is a very nice campsite you have. I bet it’s very interesting to live here. You must meet all sorts of cool people.”

Sindel’s mind drifted to Leddie. “Um, right. So how long will you be staying?”

“Two weeks.” Marlena said.

“If dad doesn’t call and beg us to come back earlier.” Mendy added.

“So it’s just the three of you?” Sindel asked.

“Yep! Dad is a housecat. He doesn’t like being outdoors.” Mendy laughed.

Their mother gave them a look and Mendy stopped laughing. “But he’s a real hard worker. He’s a good man.” She said, as if trying to make up for her earlier comment.

Sindel was so busy chatting with Mendy and Marlena that she didn’t notice another camper pulling into the site. It wasn’t until a boy with dark brown, ruffled hair stepped out that she turned to look. “Oh, it’s Toby.” She said happily.

“Toby?” Marlena asked.

“He’s a friend of mine. He’s been coming here every year since we were both really small. Come on, I’ll introduce you.” Sindel took Marlena’s hand and motioned for Mendy to follow. She lead them straight over to Toby.

Toby smiled warmly at Sindel. “How’s it going, Sin? Make new friends?” he asked, looking over her head at the two other girls.

“This is Marlena and that’s Mendy. They’re new here, so be real nice to them, ok?”

“Sure thing. So, did you-know-who come back this year?” he asked, lowering his voice.

Sindel frowned. “I’d forgotten all about her until you said that. But yes, she’s here. I’ve decided to just completely ignore her this year. If I do that, maybe I won’t even realize that she’s here.”

Marlena looked curious. “Who are you talking about? If it’s someone bad, I’ll know to avoid them myself.”

Sindel pointed across the site to the Cole family camper. “That family’s daughter. She’s pure evil. I don’t recommend trying to befriend her.”

Marlena blinked as she studied the camper. “It looks familiar.” She said.

Mendy agreed. “Yeah, wasn’t that same camper at Camp Moon Lake a few years ago?”