Lawrence's mum was disturbed when she learned her child was going to a camp, she was afraid her son might face the same terrible experience she had that make her dreadful in the dark. Lawrence was 11 and has a dark spot on the nape of his neck; a feature he took after her.
"I wouldn't be in the dark all alone," he said, trying to convince her he would be fine.
She nodded without saying a word. Lawrence had always been restricted to play with his peers and here was an opportunity for him to explore his fantasies.
Tuesday Morning, June 14, 2020, the date and time read on Lawrence's wristwatch. "Something was wrong about this place" he mumbled. No one seems to have noticed the changes in the atmosphere except Lawrence who have stayed awake the night through the journey. The path through the forest was dark but his time read it was morning and worst, it was two years ahead of time, immediately his feet grew cold, trying to recap his mom's word but remembered she did not exactly tell him what she had experienced. He started to sweat profusely but his fingers shook vigorously.
"Where are we," he asked the driver who seems indifferent to the change in the atmosphere.
"Badagry" he replied.
"My time is reading two years back"
"Yeah, that's what you see but mine is different"
Before Lawrence could ask him further questions, Dare the class teacher tapped Lawrence on the shoulder
"Get some sleep"
Lawrence reluctantly rests his head on the car seat. shortly they arrived at the camp and started offloading their luggage and setting camps. The camp activities started few hours with guidelines to adhere to while on the camping ground and the daily routines to do by the students.
Greetings, @dwixer
A story that seems to be starting. Lawrence's perceptions are different from the rest of his fellow campers. Even his watch refers him to a time in the past. A sense of mystery fills the writing. Summer camp is commenting.
Going to summer camp is like any new experience. Anticipation can alter perception. Adjusting to new routines and new people can lead to apprehension. This child learned how to deal with the challenge quickly. Lucky boy.
Thank you for writing this story in response to the camp prompt. This was a novel interpretation, a little psychological, and a little philosophical. And thank you for commenting on the stories of you fellow authors.
Hello @dixer my friend,
A most interesting approach to the camp challenge. The child learns a basic lesson from the bus driver. If we don't watch the clock and obsess about time, then time won't matter.
At first this seems counter-logical, but then it makes perfect sense. What difference does the reading on the clock make in his experience of reality? It is the setting and rising of the sun that may determine the time in his day. When he is in tune with that, he is at peace.
I like the end a lot:
I enjoyed the psychological tension in this story. The struggle against one's own perception of time vs reality.
🌞🌟
The suspense and intrigue of trying to understand why Lawrence's time sets back two years and no one noticed, got to me. Haha!
I was like okay, something mysterious is about to happen and the bus driver and teacher are in on it. Lawrence get ready to run! 😅
I try not to predict a story's ending before I get there but I loved the way you ended yours. Nicely done. 🙂
Time can even be one's enemy even when he is not in camp.
Lovely ending.
This was an interesting story. I liked the way you played with Lawrence's perception and I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. I thought it was a horror story, something about diverting time lines and darkness taking over, but near the end, I realized that it was all about new experiences, about pressure and tension.
A very interesting approach and enjoyed your choice of words!