4 Chapter 3

I woke up to the sound of clattering, and rustling. I immediately opened my eyes. My eyes take a few seconds before they adjusted to the sun piercing through the glass of my closed window. The day has finally arrived. The noises I'm hearing are definitely from my Mom, I thought. My eyes flew to the small pink clock on the top of my side drawer. I sighed loudly, seeing that the time is 6:29am. I'm not late. But I have to get ready quickly before its late for real.

I sat for a while. I do this almost every morning ever since I read from a health blog that it is dangerous to wake up quickly which I normally did, as it could be the cause of a heart attack or in other cases, a stroke. Jumping out of the bed, I opened my windows to allow fresh air enter before heading into the shower.

I quickly took my bath and brushed my teeth. After that, I put on a light blue dress that reached just past my knees with a black trouser. I then put my hair in a small bun considering how short my hair is, then draped my black veil over my hair. I took my bags out of the drawer, ensuring everything is in place, before heading for the door.

Going downstairs, I heard my mom shouting at my youngest brother to not spill food on his uniform. I saw my dad in our sitting room and run over to him.

"Salamu Alaikum Dad. Ina kwana?" I say in his language, Hausa. My dad is a Nigerian from a city called Kurfi, which is in Katsina state. We go there on holidays and during weddings or celebrations such as Eid ul Fitr. While my Mom is from Palestine with Lebanese descent. I'm really proud of my ethnicity and that's why a few years ago, when I entered high school I put my maternal surname among my names - Jameela Ismail Farook. Since my siblings and I were children, we learnt English, Arabic and Hausa.

"Amin Alaikumussalam Jameela. Lafiya lau. Ina kwana? Are you ready?" He smiled.

"Lafiya lau. Yes Dad." I replied.

"Good. Go and eat. Then I will give you some money in case you need to buy something on your trip."

"Thank you very much Dad!" I kissed him on the cheek and ran off to the kitchen.

"Salamu Alaikum. Mom good morning." I sat on a chair.

"Amin Alaikis Salam. Morning dear. Are you ready?"

"Yes Mom."

"Ok. eat quickly. I have already put out your food. The bus must be here soon." My mom turned to go, but immediately stopped as if she remembered something.

"Jameela, I had a very horrible dream yesterday."

As soon as she said those words, I felt like disappearing. I kind of knew what she wanted to say. I felt a lump form at the back of my throat as I forced down my food.

"A bad dream? What was it?" My own voice sounded strange to my ears.

Mom sat down on the empty chair next to mine and put the kitchen towels on the dining table. Her face looked sad.

"Oh honey, it was terrible. In my dream you were at this wierd place that looked devilish, full of red and black curtains, with dried up skulls at the side. Just like a ritual place. You know, the ones we see in the movies? Uh-huh, just like it. You seemed terrified, and you were alone. Then you called out for me. And I could hear my voice saying sweetie where are you? But I wasn't there. You were crying. And then I said something like I shouldn't have let you. That when I woke up."

Im my mind, I said of course. But out loud, I said, "Shouldn't have let me what? Mom that was a really bad dream."

"That's what I can't understand too. I told your father, and he said that we should keep praying. InshaAllah nothing bad will happen. But I still have this bad feeling. I don't know, dear."

She swung her hands up in the air. I felt really bad and sad seeing how frustrated she looks and obvious feels. I wanted to tell her about what Sara told us last night, but I knew that as soon as I say it, the trip would be cancelled. At least for me it sure would.

And If it is really dangerous, then it should be cancelled not only for me, but for everyone too. But what if I am just overreacting? What if I'm just making a mountain out of a mothhole?

I reached for my mother's hand in an attempt to console her.

"Mom dont worry. We will all be alright InshaAllah. Just as Dad said, we need to keep on praying and nothing bad will happen. It was just a dream."

"Hmm. You're right sweetie. Its going to be okay. I guess I may have put my mind in your camping, maybe that's why." She let out a short laugh and I joined in.

"Mom! Im going to be fine. I'm not the only one going there remember? There are lots of other people too. Students and our guides too. Don't worry. Besides, as soon as we see anything weird or out of the ordinary, we would immediately call home, hop on the bus and come back."

"My love, you have grown up so much. I remember when you were a baby. So little and precious."

"Mommmm!" I whined.

"Ok. Dear. Ok. Eat your food so you won't be late." She laughed and took the towel and went to the living room.

"Jameela!" My mom called.

"Yes Mom!"

"The bus is here! Ismail, Fatee go help your sister bring her bags!"

We dragged my one travel bag and a bagpack towards the door and into the bus, While I held a handbag with me.

"Well dear, this is it. Be good, avoid drama and pray always. Call us when you reach. We will be praying for you. Goodbye. May God protect you always." My parents and siblings kissed and hugged me after we said our goodbyes.

"Hey! Sorry Im late!" Sunny, my friend ran across the street to our house.

"Hey! You had to arrive now?" I glared at him.

"I'm so sorry." He repeated.

"I know. It's ok."

"I wish you best luck on your journey, dear."

"Thanks Sunny."

"Bye, Jameela." Everyone waved.

Immediately I entered the bus, the cool airconditioner hit me.

"Hey guys. How are you all?" Few of the students were on the bus. Everyone greeted me except Adriana, who didn't even seem to care. Not that I did, too. I looked for a seat by the window and sat, as the bus rode on, stopping by each of the students houses and picking them up. By the time it was 8:30am, the bus had taken the way to the camp.

Our guides immediately announced the rules and regulations and told us to be good. Because failure to abide by these rules, would lead to drastic consequences.

"I repeat, NO FIGHTING! Is that clear?" One of our guides, Ms. Anna concluded her speech. We were travelling with four of our teachers, who would be serving as our guides - Mr Cameron, our P.E. and Maths teacher, who was also the strictest of our teachers. Mr Alessio, our English and Literature teacher. Ms. Anna, our Science teacher, who we didn't really get along with, and who didn't get along with most of us, except with Jamie and very few of the students. And Mrs. Sana, our History teacher, whom everyone loved because of her friendliness, jovial attitude, and niceness.

"Yes, Ma'am!" We all chorused.

The bus rode slowly as it reached a curve. Then continued going straight. We were silent for a while, before we continued chatting.

"Do you think we could play football? Like in the..." Ibraheem started.

"What? Who cares about football. I was thinking more of tennis. It's much more interesting." Peyton cut him.

"Yeah. But I don't think I'm gonna be playing any sport, guys. This is camp. We should be chilling out more and enjoying ourselves."

I said.

"Completely agree with you darling. No need to stress ourselves out." Nat said.

"Keep this a secret guys," Nat continued as she lowered her voice and we all moved closer to listen. "I brought Math answers with me." We all laughed.

"Seriously Nat. What were you thinking? What if you get caught? You are freaking daring." Nina rolled her eyes.

"Well, if she is getting caught, I think we are getting caught together. Where is it?" Drew said.

"Chill. When we get there, I will bring it out. Besides, there is enough for everybody else."

"Cool! This camping would be so much fun!" Mariyam said so loud that Mr. Cameron shouted at us to lower our voices.

"Hmm. Jams, Alessio is looking at you." Peyton said.

I was startled, and kept looking back and forth, "would you stop that? I hate it when you say that."

"Umm, you mean, you hate it when I say the truth."

"It's not the truth, Peyton," I said between gritted teeth.

Mariyam, who was eating a burger stopped and said, "it is. Who asks a student to hop into his car for him to drive her home?"

"You know what you are saying is a crime right? I swear if someone hears you..."

"Gal if I was you, I would be so in love with him. I mean look at him. He is so handsome." Mariya said with dreamy eyes.

"He is not the most handsome man in the whole world. He freaks me out. I told you guys. He looks like a guy in the Mafia, or something." Jane said.

"The more why I love him! He is the most handsome man in the entire world." Mariyam continued.

"Yeah. Maybe. But not as handsome as Joe Jonas or Justin Bieber or Shawn Mendes, talkless of Harry Styles." Jane continued.

We all laughed.

"You think... Ahh," We all screamed as the bus stopped abruptly in the middle of nowhere. We had been on the bus for hours now.

"Everyone stay inside. We will check what happened." Ms. Anna said.

We were all scared and were thinking of what could have made the bus make a wierd jerk like that. Ariana hissed loudly and made us all look at her.

"What the hell is wrong with this bus? Ugh. I wish Dad just agreed for me to take my car. I wouldn't be stuck in this hell of a bus."

"Yeah. He should have let you." Miranda, one of her minions backed her. They would do whatever she told them to. When we were in our first year in senior year, Adriana humiliated one of her minions, Caleb. Calebs' cousin and only friend, Katie intervened. This made Adriana more angry and created such rucus, further humiliating Katie too in front of the whole class. We had always wondered why Katie and Caleb were still with Adriana, even after what she did to them.

"Don't take note of her. She just wants to talk." Ibraheem whispered to us.

The guides and driver came back and explained that it was a big screw that one of the tyres stepped on. But the tyre has now been replaced. After hours, we finally came to a stop. Most of the time, the bus would step in potholes thus alarming us all.

"Ok. So here is our last stop. If anyone wants to use the toilet, they can. There's a shop outside," Ms. Anna said. Everyone jumped out of the bus and stretched themselves.

I silently screamed of happiness. For a while, I had been pressed - too pressed to even move on my seat. I practically ran inside the store without a care in the world. I mentally scolded myself for doing that. I thought, what would people think? A crazy Afro-palestinian girl running to the shop? What would she do there? I scoffed, reminding myself that I shouldn't care what others. They didn't even know me. The bathroom was very small. It was clean, even though a wierd odour was coming out from God-knows-where. I hurriedly came out. I spotted Joe buying some candies and went over. We picked them together, paid and walked out. A strong breeze gripped me, causing me to lose my balance. Mr Alessio, put his arms around my waist, steading me. I mumbled a quick thank you, without even looking at his face before walking to our bus. My friends had seen what happened and began asking questions when a group of people walked up to us. We exchanged pleasantries.

"Hey. You here for the carnival right?  You need to register first at the chiefs office. It's just by the corner. Everyone makes mistakes about that, and at the end have to pay more. " The shorter looking girl amongst them giggled.

The other guy, continued, "You're early though. It doesn't start before July."

"No, we're students going camping." Ade answered.

"Camping? Then why'd you follow this direction? There's definitely no camping area around here." A lanky looking guy explained.

"Oh, it's further down. Not too long from here." Jane answered.

There faces paled, "further down?" They exchanged quick glances and said, "well then. Good luck. Bye."

"No, wait! So you know something about this place?" Sarah asked, alarmed. For most of the trip, she had been quiet, just listening to our conversations. I know it's because of her uncle's discovery, that has been keeping her rather uptight and aware of everything.

"We shouldn't be telling you this, but," the lanky looking man answered again, looking sideways as if scared, "there are bad things there, really bad."

"What? We don't understand." I whispered.

"Just be warned." They took off without even looking back. Only the shorter girl who we had spoken to turned at us, looking sad as if she was telling us not to go and at the same time, saying that's the best they can do -- just to warn us.