Leo, and Xavier

19 Jul, 2024

Today, I was a camper at a camp I did not want to be at. Two, in fact.

My name was Leo, the Old Timer at St Jude's summer wilderness camp, where we were taught to Keep the Faith. I could not protect my friends, especially not Sam, and I tried to cheat one too many times. When the others returned to the real world, they all find themselves back inside the tent; Sam, dead on the ground where they once sat, and where Leo was, all that is left is a single red rose, and a well worn friendship bracelet.

My name was also Xavier, and I was a lot more messianic, and the camp a lot more horrific. I used my teeth to cheat, and I used the body of one of my fallen friends for my own means. The camp was shut down, eventually, but not for long.

“Your comrade dreams within a pale tower.
Enchained and locked by scattered keys of gold.
To break the spell, and shatter Vile’s power,
You must retrieve them through adventure bold.
And if the die you carry, well portends;
Cruel Courtiers shall come to violent ends.”¹

It's June, July and August 2024. This is where the Vile Things Are.