[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/yoBkm3v.png[/img][/center]

[color=#DCD9D0]The voice was loud and carried from the dock up to the pathway where Piper and Matt were standing. 

“Sit down! Both of you! Now!" 

The counsellor wasn’t big, but her voice was commanding. Matt turned a little and watched as the campers continued duelling with paddles. Sparring with their makeshift wooden swords, the two boys were laughing, having the time of their lives. The pony-tailed counsellor blew her whistle again and began to move closer to the edge of the water. When Matt saw the scowl on her face, he shook his head, [color=00aeef]“Oh those guys are in trouble.”[/color]

He laughed out loud, when Piper added, [color=39b54a]"Yep... Somebody's about to lose canoe privileges."[/color]

Not wanting to miss the action, Matt looked back to the docks. Almost every camper had their eyes on the two boys standing in their canoes, wobbling as they tried to maintain their balance. Kids in the lake froze at the sound of the whistle, and most stood waist-deep in the water, waiting to see what would happen.

[color=39b54a]"You can go watch if you want."[/color] Piper added.

[color=00aeef]“You coming too?”[/color] he asked.

When he didn’t hear a reply, he turned back to Piper but the red-haired girl had already pivoted away and started to walk toward the shoreline, leaving him on his own. For a second or two, he looked at her and wondered why she had left. Had he said something wrong, laughed when he should have been quiet. 

Unsure what to do, Matt glanced back to the dock.  The counsellor had moved into the water and was now standing knee deep in the lake. Although the two canoe combatants had fallen back into their seats, most of the kids had their eyes fixed on the lake. It seemed like everyone was waiting for the arrival of their counsellor and probably wondering what punishment would face the boys.

Sensing the drama was coming to an end, he looked back to Piper, but the girl had wandered farther away and hadn’t even glanced back. Not knowing anyone down at the lake, Matt felt alone. He looked back to the recreation cabin but the path was empty. Even Brody hadn’t shown up yet and he was probably still taking care of the injured kids or cleaning up their blood.

Looking towards the forest, Matt felt its pull. All the best stories happen under the canopy of trees, Bridge to Terabithia, the Hobbit, even Redwall. If Matt was ever going to write a story, or maybe have a real adventure, maybe the forest was the best place to start. 

[/color]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/p4KvVjC.png[/img]