Training Camp Day 2: Movement in the undergrowth

 They drove from the Lodgepole parking lot to Jennie Lakes Wilderness. It was two hours back to the campsite. Kiden and Mai-Neng planned a four-day backcountry camping trip. Jayden parked the car, locked the doors, and everyone gathered their backpacks. They hiked to Rowell Meadow, and the sun was going down.

"We camp here," said Kiden, taking off her backpack. "I will prepare the meals."

Mai-Neng took off her backpack and set up a tent. Jayden and Mainhia followed Mai-Neng's example and put up a tent. Afterward, Jayden and Mainhia helped set up the fire, and Mai-Neng dug up a hole to dispose of leftover food at least fifty yards from the campsite. Kiden brought a Dutch pot, added water, and set it up over the fire.

"Jayden, slice the yellow onions and garlic," said Kiden. Next, she poured oil into the Dutch pot and added beef stew. She stirred the beef until brown. "Add the onions and garlic," commanded Kiden. Jayden came over with one big mixing bowl of onions and garlic and dumped all into the pot. Kiden resumed stirring the pot and requested salt and pepper. Jayden added the seasoning.

Meanwhile, Mai-Neng and Mainhia explored their surroundings.

"Mother, this place is so beautiful," I said, admiring the scenery.

"Reminds me of home," replied Mai-Neng

"Was your home like this too?" I asked, "Full of wilderness?"

"I didn't grow up in the countryside," said Mai-Neng, "I lived in a small town surrounded by wilderness. There is a nearby forest to forage for herbs and a river that everyone loves to swim in."

"I would love to visit your hometown," I said

"I wish we could," said Mai-Neng with a sorrowful smile, "Anyhow, we came out here to cast a spell." I stood by and listened to my mother. She muttered a spell, and her clothes changed into a white dress with a square top. The dress had slits on the sides up to her kneecap. She had blue grip gloves. Her hair was pulled back into a single bun. A white bolero jacket with a blue outline.

"Now, then, our first spell is Charpeal," said Mai-Neng, facing me. She summons an energy ball with a four-leaf clover inside of it and shoots it at me. I step back in shock. My body absorbs the energy ball. I look at my hands and arms and notice the faint green glow around me. I'm okay and not injured. "Charpeal temporarily boosts your agility and luck," said Mai-Neng

"So, am I able to use this on myself?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Do I say Charpeal?"

"Yes, go ahead and try."

I focused on my mother and shouted, "Charpeal!" A green energy ball blossomed to the size of a soccer ball, and inside was a four-leaf clover. As earlier, I imitated my mother's action and aimed at her. Her body absorbed the energy ball, and a faint green aura surrounded her body. Next, my head was pounding, and everything became a bit blurry.

I said, "I feel dizzy." My mother rushed to me.

"You did perfect," she said and helped me to my feet. "This is all for tonight." We returned to camp. Kiden and Jayden had our beef stew in a bowl waiting for us.

"You girls are back," said Jayden. "What's up with your mother's change of clothes?"

"She transformed to use her magic," said Kiden. "So, how was it?"

"Fantastic," said Mai-Neng, "she successfully cast one spell."

"Good job, Mainhia," said Jayden. "Sucks I missed it."

"Tomorrow, you will see it," I said

"I will be ready for it," she said.

We took our bowls and ate the hearty beef stew. We cleaned out our bowls, washed them with biodegradable soap, and dried them with cloths. Next, Jayden and I walked away with a bucket of water and a washcloth far into the wilderness. We found a good spot for us and hung two towels to start a bucket shower.

After a good shower, we came back to camp and went to bed. The next day, my mother and I prepared breakfast for everyone.

"What's today's plan?" I asked, eager to cast spells.

"Today, I'm going to be at Lodgepole food court to complete my homework assignments," said Jayden.

Kiden said, "We all go back to Lodgepole."

Everyone packed up and cleared the space. Before we left, Kiden cast a spell. A purple energy with a trident symbol appeared, and a mist filled our area.

"What did you do?" I asked

"I purified our space," she said the symbol remains active.

"Would anyone see the spell?"

"They would see the mist but be unable to enter our space."

Afterward, we hiked to the SUV, and Kiden drove us to Lodgepole Visitor Center. Kiden dropped us off and went to park the car. Jayden found a peaceful spot and opened her laptop. My mother and I went to the restroom, then waited for Kiden. Jayden was immersed in her homework assignments. Kiden approached us.

"Are the two of you ready to go?" she asked

"Where to?" I said

"There is a nearby trail," said Kiden, pointing, "Lodgepole and Sherman trail."

"Great," said Mai-Neng, "We have our snacks and water bottles with us."

"Jayden, we will be back for you," said Kiden

"Sure, Mom, I will be here," replied Jayden

We walked across the parking lot and entered the forest trail. It was a dirt trail, well maintained by employees. Several fallen trees were scattered across the field. We walked together, no words exchanged, and listened to the peaceful noise of the forest.

At present, a beautiful dirty-blonde female park ranger and her boyfriend walk a trail.

"Babe, I love you," she said, holding his hand.

"I love you too," he said, pulling her in for a kiss. They kissed passionately under the golden glow of sunlight. They pulled apart and resumed on the trail. They came upon exposed tree roots belonging to the lone tree above and loosened soil everywhere that made a small hill. Under it was a crevice big enough to fit an adult bear. They walked past the crevice.

Suddenly, a pair of pincers came from the crevice and gripped her at the waist.

"AAAaahhhh!!! Help me!!" She shouted. The boyfriend held her hand tightly and pulled on the clothes. A curved tail with a stinger jabbed into the woman. Her face distorted with pain and suffering. She went limp in seconds. Her strong grip faded instantly, and her head dropped low. The creature in the crevice used another pincer to grip the meal into the dark.

*Ploph*

Her cellphone dropped to the ground, and he picked it up. Next, he logged into her cellphone to use the flashlight. The light revealed a giant arachnid, positioning his girlfriend's head in the chelicerae. It began to chew her head. The blood dripped and the skull crushed. Horrified and disgusted, he ran as fast as he could to get help.

Meanwhile, Kiden, Mai-Neng, and I finished our trail. The trail was easy with a few uphills and downhills. We walked past a creek and a highway. Our trip ended with a picture of us in front of the General Sherman Tree. We briefly explored the Giant Forest Museum and went to the shuttle bus. On our way back to Lodgepole, we saw a few police cars passing us.

"I wonder what the commotion is," commented Kiden

"I'm sure it's all figured out," said Mai-Neng

"If it isn't?" I questioned

"Then we can volunteer to help," replied Mai-Neng

"Good idea," said Kiden

Our shuttle bus stopped in front of the Lodgepole Visitor Center, and we exited. We searched for Jayden and found her under a tree with her school notebook open.

"Jayden, we're back," I said

"How was your trip?" she asked

"We missed you on our trip; otherwise, it was an easy trail."

"I want to join, but I gotta take care of these assignments."

"Next time," said Kiden, "I'm hungry; does anyone want anything?"

"All done here," said Jayden, submitting the last assignment and turning off the laptop, "I would like a tuna sandwich with French fries."

"A hamburger meal with no pickles," I said

"I will eat a chicken salad," said Mai-Neng, "and drink a cup of coffee."

"I will be right back with our orders," said Kiden. Then Mai-Neng reached for her wallet and pulled out a large bill.

"Take this for reimbursement."

"No-no, I got us."

"Please do."

"You get our car gas, and I will take care of us on food and beverage."

"Deal."

Kiden went to place our food order. Jayden, my mother, and I went to the restroom to wash our hands and faces. When we returned, Kiden was waiting for us with the meals. My mother went inside to make her cup of coffee. We ate cheerfully. When we were all done. Jayden and I pleaded with our mothers to let us go to the river pool to dip our feet. So they did. Jayden and I climbed down the rocks to the river running through the Lodgepole campsite. Our feet touched the cold water; we waded together and enjoyed our time.

After that, we went to our campsite. We had a few hours before sunset. So, we set up camp for an hour. Kiden and Mai-Neng had us change out of our clothes into loose clothes.

"Now, what are we doing?" I asked

My mother and Kiden transformed into their witch uniform. They faced us both.

"We are practicing holding a staff and a sword," said Kiden, holding the scimitar downward. "In times of battle, both of you will be confident in wielding your weapons."

"Good point," I commented. "Would you want us to transform?"

"No,"

Kiden gave Jayden a wooden sword and a wooden staff for me. We copied our mothers and learned to strike. They gave us guidance to improve. Three hours of practicing had gone by in the blink of an eye.

"Mother, I haven't learned a spell yet," said Jayden

Kiden replied, "Alright, then this spell is easy to learn." She pointed her sword at a log.

"Typhoon Sphere!" The log was engulfed in a water sphere and shredded into pieces by a water cyclone. The spell lasted for a minute.

"Whoa, Mom, you broke the log into pieces," said Jayden

"Focus on your target and shout the name of the spell," said Jayden

"Alright, I will," said Jayden, scanning the surroundings and spotting a healthy tree. "Typhoon Sphere!" A magic ring formed below the tree; water gathered into a sphere and swallowed the tree. The tree shredded. The magic ring disappeared.

"I did it," said Jayden, excited.

"Next time, use it on a decay log," said Kiden

"Okay, mother," said Jayden, "Was the tree a bad choice?"

"A healthy tree is."

"Sorry, next time I will choose wisely."

Up to the present time, a wandering giant arachnid from high elevation descended into the meadow. The last amount of sunlight peeked through; it was warm and humid. It glowed in the dark, a greenish hue, with thick pincers and a curved tail. Sensing the prey by vibration, it picked up the sound from the campers.

It crept up from the bushes and lunged with its pincers. It gripped Kiden on the waistline.

"AAhhh!!" screamed Jayden and I. We both ran at a distance and turned back to look. My mother was not afraid and stood her ground to face the giant scorpion. Her staff changed from wood to a metallic white.