Chapter: Barracuda Mode
Keifer's POV
The campfire had gotten louder.
Not the fire itself.
Section E.
Which was honestly worse.
The flames cracked softly while the night air carried the smell of smoke, pine trees, and roasted marshmallows. But the peaceful atmosphere of nature had absolutely no chance of surviving against fifteen chaotic teenagers.
Felix was arguing with Rory about who burned the marshmallows.
Blaster and Drew were laughing so loudly that even the seniors from the other sections looked annoyed.
Calix had his arm around Mica while she kept whispering something that made him blush.
Ci-N and Rakki were sharing chips like they were in some romantic movie.
David and Emman were trying to stack empty bottles like a tower.
Kit and Mayo were debating about who would survive a zombie apocalypse.
And in the middle of all of that chaos…
Jay.
She was sitting beside me with her arms crossed, looking extremely offended that everyone had banned her from drinking.
Every few seconds she would glare at someone like she was mentally planning their funeral.
I took another sip from the bottle in my hand.
Honestly?
It wasn't even that strong.
Just enough to make everyone louder than usual.
Jay noticed me drinking.
Her eyes narrowed.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
I ignored it.
Bad decision.
"Keifer."
I didn't respond.
"Keifer."
Still nothing.
"MARK KEIFER WATSON."
I sighed and turned to her.
"Yes, violent girlfriend?"
Her eyes dropped to the bottle in my hand.
"I thought we were sharing."
"We're not."
She leaned closer.
"But you said I couldn't drink."
"Yes."
"So if I take yours…"
She smiled sweetly.
"You technically didn't break the rule."
Before I could react—
She snatched the bottle from my hand.
"Jay—"
Too late.
She tilted the bottle and took a long drink.
A very long drink.
The entire circle went silent.
Ci-N slowly stood up.
"Oh no."
Felix whispered,
"She drank."
Rory covered his face.
"God help us."
Blaster backed away slightly.
"Guys… this feels like the beginning of a horror movie."
Jay lowered the bottle.
Wiped her mouth.
And smiled.
"Oh wow," she said.
"That tastes horrible."
I stared at her.
"You idiot."
She handed the bottle back to me like nothing happened.
"Relax."
But I knew Jay.
And alcohol plus Jay…
That was a natural disaster.
For the first few minutes nothing happened.
Everyone slowly relaxed again.
The teasing returned.
The laughter came back.
Jay sat quietly.
Too quietly.
Which worried me even more.
She stared at the fire like she was thinking about something very important.
Then suddenly…
She stood up.
Everyone paused.
"Jay?" Ci-N asked carefully.
She didn't answer.
Instead she slowly walked toward the food table near the fire.
Where the cooking supplies were.
And before anyone realized what she was doing—
She grabbed a knife.
A long camping knife used for cutting fruit and meat.
And turned around.
Her hair slightly messy.
Her eyes glowing with wild energy.
A slow smile spreading across her face.
"Oh no," Felix whispered.
Ci-N pointed at her.
"BARRACUDA MODE ACTIVATED."
Everyone panicked instantly.
"RUN."
Jay lifted the knife dramatically.
"WHO WANTS TO DIE FIRST."
"JAY PUT THAT DOWN," I said immediately.
But she ignored me.
Instead she pointed the knife at Rory.
"You."
Rory jumped up.
"WHY ME???"
"You look suspicious."
"I WAS JUST SITTING."
"THAT'S WHAT A CRIMINAL WOULD SAY."
Rory screamed and ran.
Jay chased him.
"COME BACK HERE."
The entire campfire exploded into chaos.
Felix ran behind the log.
Blaster jumped behind Emman.
Mayo grabbed Kit like a human shield.
Calix pulled Mica away.
Erdix ran toward the tents yelling,
"SHE'S GONE MAD."
Jay chased Rory halfway around the fire before suddenly changing targets.
Her eyes landed on Drew.
"You."
Drew froze.
"I didn't even do anything!"
"Exactly."
"That's not a crime!"
"IT IS TONIGHT."
He ran.
Everyone was laughing and screaming at the same time.
I rubbed my forehead.
"Great."
Then Jay spotted Ci-N.
Her smile became even more dangerous.
"Ah."
Ci-N slowly backed away.
"Jay… let's talk about this."
She pointed the knife at him.
"No talking."
Then she grabbed his arm.
And started dragging him toward the fire.
The entire group screamed.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING???" Ci-N yelled.
"Sacrifice."
"SACRIFICE???"
"Yes."
"For the fire gods."
"THE FIRE GODS DON'T NEED ME."
Jay dragged him closer to the bonfire.
Felix collapsed laughing.
"She's offering Ci-N as a sacrifice!"
Blaster wiped tears from his eyes.
"This is the best night ever."
Ci-N struggled.
"KEIFER HELP ME."
Jay lifted the knife dramatically again.
"The offering must be pure."
"I'M NOT PURE," Ci-N shouted desperately.
Jay paused.
"True."
Everyone burst into laughter.
But she still pushed him closer to the fire.
"Still acceptable."
That was enough.
I stood up quickly and walked toward her.
"Jay."
She ignored me.
"Jay."
Still nothing.
She raised the knife again.
"Tonight we feast—"
I grabbed her wrist.
She blinked.
Looked at me.
And narrowed her eyes.
"Oh."
She poked my chest with her finger.
"You're alive."
"Yes."
She tilted her head.
"Why are you alive?"
"Because you haven't killed me yet."
She thought about that seriously.
"Fair point."
The knife was still in her hand.
Everyone behind us watched nervously.
Felix whispered,
"Is Keifer about to die?"
Ci-N slowly crawled away from the fire.
"Please survive bro."
Jay raised the knife again.
"You look suspicious too."
"Jay."
She tried to say something again.
But before she could—
I grabbed her face and kissed her.
Hard.
The entire camp went silent.
For a moment she froze.
Completely still.
Then her fingers loosened.
The knife dropped to the ground.
Clang.
Behind us someone whispered,
"Holy shit."
Felix covered his mouth.
"Emergency kiss attack."
I kept kissing her.
Mostly because it was the only way to shut her up.
But also because…
I had missed her lips.
After a few seconds her body relaxed.
Her hands grabbed my shirt weakly.
The wild energy slowly faded.
When I finally pulled back she blinked slowly.
Confused.
"T…that was rude," she mumbled.
"You were trying to sacrifice Ci-N."
"He volunteered."
"I did NOT," Ci-N yelled from behind.
Jay swayed slightly.
Her head dropped against my chest.
"I feel weird."
"Yes."
"Everything is spinning."
"Yes."
"Did I threaten people?"
"Yes."
She groaned.
"I'm a queen."
"A dangerous queen."
Her eyes were half closed now.
Clearly the alcohol had finally hit her.
Felix whispered loudly,
"She's powered down."
I bent slightly and lifted her into my arms.
She barely protested.
Just rested her head on my shoulder.
"Take her to the tent," Calix said.
"Before she wakes up again," Kit added.
Ci-N pointed at the knife on the ground.
"And hide all weapons."
Everyone nodded.
I carried her toward the tents.
She mumbled something against my chest.
"What?"
"My sacrifice escaped."
"That's Ci-N."
"Oh."
She sighed.
"He's lucky."
We reached my tent.
I pushed the zipper open with one hand and stepped inside.
The air inside was warm.
Quiet.
Away from the madness outside.
I gently laid her on the sleeping bag.
She immediately curled on her side.
Her hair spread across the pillow.
Eyes barely open.
I sat beside her.
"You scared everyone tonight."
She blinked slowly.
"I scared myself."
I chuckled quietly.
"Sleep."
She grabbed my wrist suddenly.
"Don't leave."
"I'm not leaving."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
She relaxed again.
Within seconds her breathing became slow and steady.
Fast asleep.
I watched her for a while.
This girl.
This chaotic, violent, dramatic girl.
Who threatened people with knives.
And then fell asleep like a child five minutes later.
I brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
And sighed.
"Goodnight, Barracuda."
Outside the tent I could still hear Section E screaming and laughing around the fire.
But inside…
For the first time that night…
Everything was quiet.