Camp: private conversations

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Respond here for a private conversation with Red! All comment threads are screened.

Comments

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They have been at this for a long time, and they know what they're doing. I don't particularly like them, but things would be worse for all of you if I didn't, so that's why I am here.

[fallbymyhands]

[a beat]

You're here to ensure that things don't get worse for us. Despite the things this job requires you to do. Is that correct?

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Yes.

Some of you won't make it out of this camp alive. I cannot protect you from everything that is going to happen, but I would at least like to help make it a little easier to deal with. And for those who aren't going to make it...well. I would like their last few weeks of life to not be entirely terrible.

[fallbymyhands]

[. . . . .]

[she closes her eyes tightly]

Why does a camp like this exist in the first place?

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Because it has to.

[fallbymyhands]

Why doe sit have to?

[with a growing note of frustration in her voice]

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Because it has to. There is no other option.

[fallbymyhands]

If it has to because there is no other option, then there must be a purpose! Pastor Dan referred to us a sacrifices; who are we to be sacrificed to?

[she doesn't mean to let her frustration get the best of her. she just can't help it]

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[Red does not answer that question. But she does look uncomfortable, because she knows the answer but doesn't want to say it.]

[fallbymyhands]

. . . are you holding back because you're forbidden from telling me, or because you're afraid to tell me?

[she asks that much more quietly, at least]

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A mixture of the two, but mostly the first.

[fallbymyhands]

[a breath]

You said. . . you wished to see as many of us return home healthy and whole as possible.

If that is true-- and I believe it is now-- then. . . will you tell me what you can?

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...

[She takes the time to consider this.]

...When your time here at camp is at an end, I will tell you.

[fallbymyhands]

. . . and if by then, it's too late?

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You think you won't survive to the end?

[fallbymyhands]

[. . . she likes to think she will. no, she knows she will. she'll fight to do just that]

Even if I did, by then it would still be too late for those who don't make it that far.

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Which is the point. This knowledge could affect how things go here, which is why I'm not permitted to share it. But when it is over it won't matter anymore, at which point I can tell you.

[fallbymyhands]

[another frustrated noise, hissed between pursed lips and a tight expression]

How did you come to be involved in this camp, Red?

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I was told about it by the people running it. After hearing about it, I decided to work here.

[fallbymyhands]

But what about the job description made you accept the position?

[like, would anyone willingly read a classified ad that is "come be a counselor in murder camp, we have benefits!!" and willingly sign up?]

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...

[She can be very general and not give away too many details, maybe.]

This camp is run by a rather large group. They have more than enough workers to have an endless supply of counselors to this camp. Indeed, that's how it used to be: they would rotate counselors every couple of years at most. Some only stayed for one year before moving on to other projects.

I was new to the group when I first heard about the camp. I had only been a member for...maybe three weeks? Four? I hadn't even done any assignments beyond my training ones. But I heard two other workers talking about the job posting.

[Her face goes harsh there, as if the memory is particularly upsetting to her.]

They talked about the campers as if they were cattle. And they laughed about it. They were talking about creative ways to execute campers and how they would run the camp if they got picked.

So I put in for the job. Because as horrible as it is, I don't want any of you to face what could have been.

[fallbymyhands]

[. . . . . . wow]

It's. . . difficult, to consider what happened with the moose more humane than what could have been.

[she doesn't even want to imagine how Lilith may have been killed if anyone else but Red were here]

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If you can't imagine something worse than that, then it's probably for the best.

[fallbymyhands]

You're probably right.

[closes her eyes, and shakes her head]

What sort of organization do you work for? Can you tell me what its ultimate goals are?

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It's...a little difficult to categorize them, actually. You could say they're 'doing good for the sake of the world', but given how large the organization is there's bound to be a few people in it for themselves.