The cabin door slammed.
“You wanted to act tough. Be tough.”
Eleven-year-old Mason stood on the porch holding a blanket.
Counselor Trent locked the door from inside.
The mountain air was colder than Mason expected.
“Can I come in?”
Laughter answered.
Mason sat against the wall.
This was supposed to be adventure camp.
His mother had saved for months to send him.
Archery.
Hiking.
Canoeing.
A whole week without screens.
On the second day, Trent began calling Mason “Professor” because he asked too many questions.
By the fourth, everyone in Cabin Seven used the nickname.
That evening Mason corrected Trent during a wilderness lesson.
Not to embarrass him.
Trent had identified a plant incorrectly.
Mason loved plants.
His grandfather taught him.
Trent’s smile disappeared.
“Professor thinks he’s in charge.”
The cabin laughed.
Hours later, Trent announced Mason had earned a “survival test.”
Now Mason sat outside with one blanket.
At midnight, another counselor named Priya walked between cabins.
She stopped.
“Mason?”
He looked up.
