Frank was at the cabin fixing his bunk as he waited for the Governor’s son to arrive. He had overslept and missed breakfast, but didn’t really care. He figured he was as excited about the experience as were the campers. He sat down on his bunk and flipped on the radio. He wanted to check the weekend weather forecast hoping it would be a nice first weekend.

There was a knock on the door and Frank said, "Come in."

The cabin door squeaked open and Ned walked in with a boy who looked to be about eleven. He wore a prep school uniform and looked uncomfortable in his black slacks with blue dress shirt and black tie.

"Frank," Ned said as he put the duffle on the floor. "This is Jamison Williams." Ned looked at the boy. "This is Frank, one of the counselor’s."

"Hi," the boy said quietly looking at the floor.

Frank looked at Ned and said, "Thanks for bringing him down."

"No problem," Ned said. "The rest of his gear will be brought down later. I’ve got a bus coming in ten minutes so I guess I’ll catch you later."

"Sounds good," Frank said as Ned left the cabin. Frank turned to the boy. "Do you want to be called Jamison or Jamie?"

"Jamie is fine."

"Well," Frank said. "since you’re the first one here, you can choose your bunk."

Jamie looked at the bunks and walked to the one right across from the cabin doors. "I’ll take this one.

"Okay," Frank said picking up the bag and putting it on the bed. "Why don’t you change your clothes and then I’ll show you around the camp."

"Okay," Jamie said and went into the bathroom which was furnished with flushed toilets, two sinks and two showers.

Frank went over to his bunk and sat down while he waited for Jamie to change. Frank wondered about Jamie. He had met children of political figures before, but never one as shy as Jamie.

Jamie came out of the bathroom wearing a pair of black shorts and a gray T-shirt. Jamie said, "I’m ready."

"Then let’s go," Frank said turning the radio off and getting to his feet.

*****

Once all the campers were settled in and finished eating, Steve gathered everyone around the campfire. "I’d like to welcome everyone to Camp Funtime. Now, there are a couple rules everyone must follow."

As Steve talked, Nancy looked around at the campers. She saw Frank, Joe and Allan sitting behind a group of boys across from her. A dark-haired boy was sitting beside Frank. She had seen them together earlier and figured this must be the Governor’s son. She looked back at Steve and noticed Ned standing beside him. Ned was looking at her and gave her a little smile.

"Now," Steve said, "As a tradition here at Camp Funtime, we have a little competition among the counselors. So, campers, get to know the counselors so you can cheer on the ones you hope to win."

"Here, Steve," Ned said stepping up and handing him a clipboard.

"Everyone get comfortable because I am going to tell you the legend of Lake Mystery." Steve waited a moment, then began.

"Several hundred years ago, a man lived in these very woods. He spent a lot of time searching for something to make him rich. There were no neighbors for him to talk to or live with. One day, he saw a woman wearing a flowing white dress standing out on the water. He tried to reach her, but ended up drowning.

"Thirty years later, another family settled along this same area. They lived here for five years before the same woman appeared on the water. The day after the woman’s appearance, an elderly man came walking out of the woods. His clothes were torn and tattered. He had a milk white beard that stretched down to his belt buckle.

"He went toward the family and warned them about the danger of living on Lake Mystery. The family ignored the warning. He appeared a second time, and they ignored his warning again. He appeared one final time and the family ignored him again. Before the man disappeared, he told them they had their chance."

"What happened?" a girl asked from in front of Nancy.

"After the old man’s third visit, the woman appeared on the lake again. The family tried to get a closer look. They climbed into the boat and rowed out to where the woman was standing. The closer they got, the water became rougher. Storm clouds rolled toward the lake.

"The boat was tossed and the family fell into the water. They washed up on shore and the woman spoke. The woman said, ‘No one will retrieve the treasure. It is mine and no one else’s’."

Steve started to turn away and a boy sitting in front of Frank asked, "Is that it?"

"There is a little more," Steve said turning back to the group. "After that night, the family packed up and moved telling everyone in town about the mysterious happenings. For 40 years, no one came near the lake, until my great-grandfather bought the land and turned it into a camp.

"No one has found the treasure, yet, but some campers claim that on the night of a full moon, they could see the lady in white beckoning them from the lake."

Steve was quiet for a moment, then looked at his watch. "It’s time for all of you to head back to your cabins. Don’t forget tomorrow is the swim test and tomorrow night is the Welcome Back dance."

The campers got to their feet and made their way to their cabins. Nancy turned to George and said, "I’ll be there in a moment."

"Okay," George said as Nancy headed over to Steve and Ned.

Nancy walked up beside Ned and said, "That was a very interesting story, Steve."

"I’m glad you liked it."

"Is any of it true?" Nancy asked.

"Are there that many holes in my story?"

"See Steve," Ned said smiling and shaking his head. "I told you she asks questions if she gets a whiff of a mystery."

"That story has been told for years. I remember hearing it when I was at camp. As for it being true, I really don’t know."

"Forget it, Nancy," Ned said. "Let’s not make a mountain out of a mole hill."

"Okay," Nancy sighed. "I guess I’ll see you guys in the morning."

"Night Nancy," Steve said.

"Night," Nancy said looking at Ned.

"See you in the morning," Ned said as Steve turned away.

Nancy turned her flashlight on and headed toward her cabin. She was assigned the same one as George which was the farthest from the campfire. As she walked, she gazed upward and was amazed she could see many of the different constellations. She couldn’t believe how bright the stars were.

She stopped for a moment in appreciation and was startled when she was grabbed from behind. A hand was clamped over her mouth and she was dragged into the woods. She dropped her flashlight as she struggled against the grasp trying to pull away.

A voice whispered angrily in her ear, "If you don’t stop squirming, I’ll kill you."

Nancy tried to turn around to see who was holding her, but the hand covering her mouth kept her head from moving.

"Let’s go," the deep voice said. A hand against the small of her back prodded her forward.

Nancy was pushed deep into the woods. She scanned the area carefully trying to spot someone who could help her, but there was no one around. About ten minutes passed when Nancy was abruptly pushed to the ground. She scrambled to get up but was quickly grabbed on the left arm which was painfully twisted behind her back.

Turning her head, she could make out the silhouette of the person holding her. The person had big shoulders and was about six feet tall. She was unable to make out any features. She asked, "What do you want?"

"Shut up!" The person tightened their grip on her left arm.

"Let go of me!" Nancy yelled swinging her right toward her captor’s head.

The shadowy figure blocked Nancy’s swing and swung a fist at Nancy’s head. Nancy tried to twist away, but the fist connected with the side of her head. As she slumped to the ground, she saw a pair of bright green sneakers, then there was darkness.