Penny shifted uncomfortably from her seat on the bunk as the door clicked shut behind Juliette. "Guys, is this really a good idea? What if she gets caught?"

Vivian nodded agreement. "Mrs. Proditor would be mad. What if we get sent home?"

"That wouldn't happen. Mrs. Proditor  really likes Juliette," Geneva reminded them, but her voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

Esmeralda shifted on the bed. "How far away is she? Do you think we could get to her in time to stop her from going?"

Penny pulled back the curtain and peeked out. She couldn't see Juliette. "I don't see her. She's probably too far by now."

"This is my fault." Esmeralda buried her face in her hands. "I'm sorry, guys. It's my fault if we get in trouble."

"You may have suggested it, but we were all willing to go along with it. It's all our faults," Vivian said. "If one goes, we all do."

The back door burst open. "Aw man. Am I missing out on some cabin bonding time?"

Penny let out a small shriek, as did Esmeralda and Emma. Juliette was standing in the doorway. "And here I am feeling guilty for not going through with the dare."

"Oh my gosh," Esmeralda wheezed. "You scared me!"

Juliette walked inside and shut the door. "You scared me with that dare. I started walking, then decided it wasn't worth it. So I got my revenge..."

On her top bunk, Vivian was laughing. Soon others joined in, the momentary fear melting away.

"Maybe we shouldn't play Truth or Dare anymore," Esmeralda said.

"Truth or Dare?" This time, the front door opened. "You girls weren't doing anything dangerous while I was gone, were you?"

Mrs. Proditor entered, silencing the laughter. She looked at them in surprise as the room quieted. "Am I really that much of a killjoy?"

Esmeralda shrugged, staring at the floor. Penny looked down at her bed. I hope we don't get in trouble.

Mrs. Proditor set her bag down on an empty bed. "I don't know why you girls are all being so quiet."

"We're just tired, I guess," Geneva spoke up.

Mrs. Proditor arched an eyebrow. "Not too tired for a campfire tonight, I hope?"

Penny perked up at that, as did the others. "No, not too tired," Geneva amended hastily.

"Good, because it's time to go. You all seem to be organized, so it's time for dinner. Hot dogs!"

Emme groaned softly. "Do you know what goes in those things?"

"We will also have hamburgers."

"All right, fine," Emma said.

"Grab anything you need, and let's go!" Mrs. Proditor smiled widely.

She's really happy, Penny thought as she climbed down from her bunk. She must really like camping, I guess.

In a clump, the cabin made their way over to a large bonfire. Other kids were walking over, and some were already grouped around the flames, laughing and chattering.

"If you want to, go ahead and grab a skewer and roast a hot dog. Hamburgers are grilling now," Mrs. Proditor instructed. "Have fun!"

When she left, the six girls stared at one another. "So... I'm gonna go make myself a hot dog," Penny said.

"I'll make one too," Juliette said. "Anyone else?"

Emma wrinkled her nose. "I'll pass."

"I'd have one, but I'm terrible at cooking them," Geneva said. "Penny, could you make one for me too please? I always burn them really badly. Besides, you have fire powers. You can probably roast hot dogs and s'mores and stuff really well."

Penny blinked. "Not sure that's how my power works, but okay. I can make you one."

"Thanks! I'll get our plates then. You want baked beans?" Geneva gestured towards a picnic table laden with food.

"Yeah! And cole slaw."

Geneva nodded and moved to the table.

"I'm just going to wait on a hamburger," Vivian said. Esmeralda nodded agreement.

"That's kinda cool. You have fire power, and I have water," Esmeralda said.

"Oh yeah, that is cool!" Penny agreed.

"We're just going to wait here for the hamburgers," Emma said.

Penny nodded as she and Juliette grabbed skewers and hot dogs, moving towards the large fire. Penny knew from camping trips in the past to put the hot dog near the coals, not the flames.

However, it took Penny a minute to realize that she was much closer to the fire than anyone else.

"Penny, how are you not being cooked alive?" Juliette asked incredulously. She was a yard back, holding her skewer out away from the body.

Penny looked at her. She was warm from the flames, but sweat was beading in Juliette's forehead. "I must be immune to the heat," Penny realized. "Guess Geneva was right." Still, she stepped back by Juliette. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just hot." Juliette blinked. "Is that Alex?"

Penny followed her gaze to where Alex was walking away from the campfire and gathering of kids, towards the looming forest. "Yeah, it is. What's he doing?"

"I don't know. Let's find out." Still holding her skewer, Juliette marched off towards Alex, Penny following close behind.

"Alex! What are you doing?"

Alex turned to face them. "I'm going into the forest."

Juliette stopped a few feet from him, and Penny almost collided with her. "Why?"

Alex frowned. "I— I don't know, actually. It just— seemed like it was calling me. Like I needed to go inside."

"That sounds... um, sketchy," Penny said. "Did anyone else feel it?"

"I don't know. I lost track of Justin when we got to the campfire, and there wasn't really anyone else to talk to. So I just went. Do either of you feel it?"

"No—" Penny started, then stopped. Something was tugging at her mind, luring her towards the forest. "Yes," she finished in a whisper.

Juliette inhaled sharply. "I feel it."

"Maybe it has something to do with us being the Fabulosa," Alex suggested. "It could help us with our powers."

Penny cast an anxious look back at the fire. "I don't know..."

"They never said not to go in the forest, did they?" Alex said. "We'll be in and out quickly. No one will miss us."

"I suppose..." Juliette hesitated. "It could be important."

"So let's go!" Alex turned towards the trees once more, and Juliette followed. Sighing, Penny trekked after them, plunging into the undergrowth.

"Be careful."

Penny stopped, startled by Pheonix's voice in her mind. It had been months since she had heard her. What's wrong?

"It may be nothing, but be on your guard. I sense... darkness."

We'll be careful, Penny assured Pheonix, but the voice in her mind was already fading.

Despite it still being light outside in the clearing near the fire, in the forest very little sunlight filtered between the dense leaves. Several times Penny's clothing snagged on thorns or twigs.

"Where are we going?" Penny asked, breaking the silence of the forest. It was almost unnatural, how quiet it was. No bugs, no birds making any noise. Just their heavy breathing in the muggy air.

"The feeling is getting stronger," Alex said. "Just a little farther."

Soon the trees seemed to be thinning, and it became easier to walk. And yet it was as dark as before.

It was almost like a mist was creeping in, but dark and thick and unnatural. Penny was about to suggest that they go back when Juliette stopped walking, and for the second time Penny nearly ran into her.

Juliette's face was pale, her eyes wide as Alex forged on ahead.

"Penny," she breathed, voice barely above a whisper and filled with dread. "This is the place from my premonition."

*Evil cackling*

You guys are going to hate me next chapter.
I'm sorry.
I'm also sorry about this late update. Hopefully I can get one out by Wednesday, but these chapters have been really long so take longer.

Anyway, what do you think was calling them into the forest? Why? What's going to happen?

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