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Vee clicks the play button on this playlist with a smiley face on it. The speakers start playing a steady beat, and the kind lady starts bobbing her head.
"Good choice. You know I like this one." The lady says turning to look at her with a smile, before returning her eyes to the road in front of them.
The two sit in silence, simply listening to the music as the trees roll past in a constant stream of green.
"I hope this camp will be good for you, mija.” The lady speaks, breaking the silence. The lady goes to continue speaking when the song changes and the silence returns.
Vee opens the bag on her lap, the one the lady handed her before they both got in this thing called a car. Inside she spies some forms. The top says camp information, it has been filled out.
The name of the person it's for is Luz, a photo of the human she saw in the demon realm next to it. It lists Camila as her mother. That must be the lady driving the car.
"Your father played this song to me the first time we sat and watched the fireworks." Camila says, voice shaking slightly, "I didn't know you listened to it. Though I shouldn't be surprised that you have his taste in music, he did like to play his music on the speakers quite often when you were younger."
“You’re much more like him than you think. Confident like he was.” She stops for a second, “I know he would be proud of you Luz, and he would want you to figure yourself out.”
The car rolls to a stop at some traffic lights, not because the light is red but because there is two cars stopped in the middle of the intersection arguing.
“Do you really think this camp is a good idea?” Vee asks, watching the argument intensely.
“Honestly mija, I’m not sure. But you need a change so I think it could do you some good. Get to know some people your age.”
The argument becomes more heated. The people stepping outside of their cars and moving towards each other.
“We’re going to be late to camp if that doesn’t stop. Wait here.” Camila unbuckles and turns the car off. She steps out the car and walks towards the intersection.
Vee sees her wave her arms at the people. Their attention turning towards Camila, their jaws clenched and eyes tight, like she was the one who caused their problems.
Deciding she wants to hear this, Vee opens her door slightly allowing the sounds from outside inside the car.
“This is an intersection. You can move your cars and your argument off the road.” Camila speaks, a commanding tone that has the others share a glance.
“He hit my car though, he needs to give me the money to fix it.” The first one starts.
“Well I only ran into you, ‘cause you stopped suddenly, for no reason, right un front of me!” The second one buts in. The two back to arguing, ignoring Camila.
“Look, I don’t have time for your petty disputes.” Camila says, voice flat and loud as she walks between them, “I have to drop my daughter off at camp.”
“So before I call the police I would appreciate it if you both move out of the intersection.”
Vee’s mouth hangs open, this kind lady just spoke like that. And it wasn’t directed at her. This Luz person has a good mother, yet she just gave it up for the demon realm, at least from what Vee saw.
Camila is definitely someone she ought to keep around.
Camila brushes her hands off on her strange blue pants as she walk back to the car. The people behind her rushes to move their cars off the road.
“Sorry you had to witness that.” She says as she sits back down, buckles her seatbelt and starts the car again. With the light being green and the intersection clear, the car starts moving again.
“That was so cool though.” Vee pipes up, finding a voice she didn’t have moments before, “You were all business, they didn’t know what to do.”
Camila smiles, then frowns, “Is your door open?”
Vee’s eyes go wide and she reaches to close the door she had left ajar.
“Oops?” She says sheepishly.
Rather than yelling Camila just chuckles. Back on the isles something like that would result in a whipping, yet Camila finds it amusing.
What is this place?
Somewhere she doesn’t get hurt for simply exciting?
How could she say no to that?
Vee grabs the phone attached to the car by a cord and picks a new playlist. One titled ‘finding the new world’ thinking that it will fit the mood, or at least her mood.
Surely if Luz is in the Boiling Isles she won’t be coming back anytime soon. Maybe she could just stay here, go to this camp in Luz’s place. Maybe even be the daughter that Camila wants.
“We’re almost at the camp, last chance to say you forgot anything if you want me to run and get it for you.” Camila jokes before turning serious, “You are going though, you can’t just ran back to the car.”
“I know Mum, go to the camp, make friends, have a good time.” Vee responds looking a Camila with a faint smile, “I got this.”
The car pulls up near a gate with ‘reality check summer camp’ written on a nearby banner. Camila pulls the car through the gates and down the dirt track inside. She stops outside a series of plain white cabins. Behind the cabins a bigger building painted a solid grey.
Camila stops the car, turns it off and unbuckles before climbing out. Vee sits there, realises this is the place she is going to stay. There are kids standing outside one of the cabins, they don’t look too bad, perhaps she will fit in here.
Perhaps she will be safe.
Either way Camila opens the door and puts her arm out to help Vee out.
“I know it’s scary mija, but I think this is the best thing for you.” Camila pulls her into a hug and kisses her forehead.
Vee looks up and smiles, “I’ll miss you.”
“I will too. Remember to write.” Camila ruffles Vee’s hair as she speaks softly, moving down to whisper in her ear. Unfortunately though Vee doesn’t understand what she said, it’s not a language she’s used to. So she just nods.
Vee grabs the bag she that was once on her lap of the seat she was sitting on earlier. Flashes a smile at Camila, then turns and walks towards the kids.
Her chance at a new life.