Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

David stopped to take a whiff at the cool morning breeze. The smell of nature was a major part in keeping the redhead exuberant throughout the days. 

It was so early the sun wasn’t even peeking out from the mountains that surrounded Lake Lilac yet, though the sky was a mixture of pinks, purples, and oranges. David should have probably gotten more rest, as he went to bed later than normal from Max causing more trouble. But it was all in a day's work! And he wasn’t going to let anyone bring his mood down. For today the campers go on a hiking trip through the forest where they would have a picnic once they reached the clearing on the hill of the hiking trail! 

David had spent much of his time planning the hike and he was determined for the day to go perfectly. It’s the very reason he woke up early! To check and make sure the hiking trail was still safe, and then to make the campers their breakfasts, as their dear beloved Quartermaster was out for the next few days. Something about needing to stop the apocalypse before some creatures take over the mortal plain. Hopefully he stops them in time for the hike! 

David reminded himself to make his CBFLs coffee while he was making breakfast for the kids. He’d do all of that after checking the hiking trail! The auburn-haired counselor didn’t think to get his phone. The sky wasn’t so dark he couldn’t see, plus Max had it and he didn’t want to wake up the little rascal.

So David went into the forest and on the hiking trail with nothing but the clothes on his body and a positive can-do attitude! The man couldn’t say it enough, he was very happy to go on this hiking trail! He can already imagine the look on the campers faces when they would yell hoorays at the news! They’d call him the best counselor ever and Max would smile and say ‘not bad camp man.’ It made his heart swell and his smile even wider than it already is (if it could be even wider!) Gosh darn he was so excited!

As the happy-go-lucky counselor made it to the top of the trail where they’d hold the picnic, the sun was barely peeking out from the mountains. It was such a lovely view. He was sure the campers would love it! He took an extra second to take in the scenery more before deciding to head back down to make the campers breakfast and Gwen her coffee. 

As the man turned around, something cold and solid hit the back of his head. The last thing he saw was the ground rushing to meet him. 

…

Well this is suspicious as fuck. The time on David’s stolen phone says it’s 10:30 in the morning. David always wakes them up at around 9 because he wants to be productive in the earliest hours a child’s mind can comprehend. Gwen doesn’t wake them and Quartermaster is gone. So what the fuck is happening here? 

Max stood out of bed to see his bunkmate wasn’t there. Good. He didn’t need that light ass sleeper complaining about how Max woke him up again and he needs as much rest as possible for scientific bullshit.

Max puts on his signature blue hoodie and walks out his tent to the mess hall, watching for any signs that could lead to a wild David appearing. He had a gut feeling that this day wasn’t gonna be good, and he didn’t need that bitch of a camp counselor breathing down his neck. 

The boy made his way to the mess hall. He was hungry, and wanted David's food and Gwen's coffee. It was the only thing he looked forward to at breakfast. Since Quartermaster is gone right now, David is forced to cook and Max won’t ever admit that David’s food is better than Quartermasters. Maybe it’s true that things taste better with love. Would explain how his parents have shit cooking as well. 

As he opened the doors, his mood plummeted into the negatives. Gwen, of all people, was serving today’s breakfast. Upon seeing Max, Gwen’s mood also fell, evident by the disdain that appeared on her face when the two locked eyes. 

“Alright you little shit what did you do that held up David the entire fucking morning!?” Was the first thing to come out of her mouth. 

“Hey I was gonna ask you the same thing! Why do you think I did something?”

“Because you always do something, Max.” The counselor groans, “Now where’s David?” She puts some whatever the fuck she made into Space Kids plate. 

“Didn't you hear me? I don’t know where he is! I just woke up! You saying he’s not here?” Gwen nodded. 

“If he’s not with you then where is he?”

“Maybe he left or got lost in the forest or something.” Max took Space Kids' plate of food and took a bite. Space kid frowns at the spot his plate was. It wasn’t the worst but it wasn’t the best. At least it was edible. 

“Not funny, Max. Besides, the only transportation we have is that old car and it’s still here. He wouldn’t have left on an important day like this.” Gwen gave Space Kid another serving, who lit up at the site of more food. 

“What’s so important about today? It’s just a regular fucking day at this shithole.” Nikki and Neil walked over.

“David’s been working his ass off planning this hiking trip and picnic for everyone. There’s no way he’d just up and leave.” 

“Sounds David. I’m sure he’ll be back soon. No need to worry about that asshole.” 

“David’s not here today?” Neil questions. 

“Looks like it. We have to seize this opportunity!” Max replies. 

“I’LL GET THE WOLVES!” Nikki interjects. 

“Not that opportunity, Nikki, pay attention. That’s one of the plans we need David for.” 

“Aw darn.” The girl frowns, “Then what opportunity are we seizing!?”

“The opportunity for rest and relaxation. You nerds do what you want, I need a me day without David around with his toxic positivity.” Max starts to walk away. 

“Wait! If I can do whatever I want does that mean I CAN get the wolves!?” Her face lights up. 

“NO!” the boy retaliates, leaving the mess hall. Nikki frowns again, and Neil pats her on the shoulder. 

…

Gwen was getting worried. It was already reaching four in the afternoon and David was nowhere to be found. She’d checked all around the camp and even sacrificed some of her sanity to see if the Wood Scouts took him. There was no luck. The woman was close to an anxiety attack. If she didn’t find David soon.. she didn’t know what she’d do. 

“Relax, Gwen. I’m sure David will be back by tomorrow. This place is the love of his life, no way he’d just ditch.” Max assured, “besides you said that car hasn’t moved, so he can’t be far.” Gwen had to take a deep breath and acknowledge that the little squirt was right. There’s no way David could up and leave, especially with the quartermaster gone. 

She felt an anxiety attack coming at the thought of having to take care of all the kids herself. She used all her might to push the thought out of her head. 

“I’m going to check the hiking trail. Maybe he was being an idiot and thought he would set it up and expect me to bring you kids there.” A far fetched answer, but an answer for the anxious counselor nonetheless. 

“Alright fine. I’m coming with you.” Max stretched and checked the time on David’s phone. According to the weather app, the sun was said to set in a few hours. 

…

The two walked up the trail together in silence. Gwen looked at the scenery around them. The leaves on the trees rustled with the small breeze of wind, squirrels and other creatures looking for food. It would have been peaceful and calming, just watching nature do its work, if it weren’t for the circumstances that brought the two onto the trail. Max was doing something on David’s phone, seemingly unbothered by everything. 

Upon their arrival at the clearing on the hill, nothing looked out of the ordinary. It was just that. A clearing on a hill in the middle of the forest. 

Gwen cursed under her breath. It was a long shot anyway. Max looked up from the phone to look at the view. It was pretty, he had to admit. He turned to look at the trail where they came from. 

“Umm.. Gwen?” 

“What is it Max?” She looked at the boy who looked.. more confused than anything else. Max pointed to a rock down the hill near the trees. It was stained with something. The two walked over for a closer look. 

The rock was stained with dry, red blood. There wasn’t much, it wasn’t too worrying. But looking through the trees and on the grass behind the rock, a dry, red blood trail was leading away from the camp and into the forest as far as Gwen could see.  

“What the fuck.” Are the only words Max can muster. 

“Max. Listen up you little shit, and actually listen to what I say. Go back to camp and use David’s phone to call Sal.” Gwen pulled out her phone and walked into the forest, turning on the flash. 

“Where are you going!?” Max screamed. 

“I’m following the trail. Go back to camp! Hurry up and call the authorities!” The counselor disappeared into the forest. 

Max didn’t have time to gather his thoughts before he was running back to camp while searching for Sal in David’s contacts. He answers almost immediately. 

“What did Max do now, David?” Sal sighed over the phone. 

“DAVID IS GONE! He disappeared this morning and me and Gwen found blood and-” 

“Woah woah! Calm down.. Max? Where’s Gwen?”

“Looking for David! We found blood but David isn’t there!” It was far-fetched to believe the blood was David’s. It could be any person, any animal’s blood. But the blood looked new, and no one else would have gone on that hiking trail recently. That only left one option. 

“Calm down, Max. I’ll be at the camp as soon as I can.” 

…

Gwen searched the ground of the forest with her phone's flashlight, as the trees covered the sun's light from breaking through. The blood trail was small and spotty, but it showed a clear path. 

The woman swears to whatever god is out there. She better find David. She can’t run the damn camp by herself. It’s already a hassle when she only has one 25% of things to do, but if she has to take care of the kids too, she’ll kill herself. 

Gwen continues her walk. She hasn’t walked far, and the trail, although it was already small, was getting smaller. She didn’t understand what was happening. What happened to David? Was it a pack of wolves? Those damn bears? Or was it something else? 

She walks a bit further and the trail comes to an end. 

“No. No no no no no..” she whispers to herself. Gwen frantically turned the phone flashlight everywhere. The trees, the grass, anything. There was no more blood. Nothing but her, clean grass, darkness, and the tiny light from her phone. 

“DAVID!” She screams. She can’t be alone at this godforsaken place. 

“DAVID!?” Silence is her only answer. 

Gwen drops to her knees and starts to tear up. What the hell. Where’s David?? Please. She can’t do this alone. She can’t. She needs David, she can’t do anything without him. What’ll she do? She can’t take care of the camp by herself. Even with Quartermaster she can’t. Can’t take care of the kids on her own. And what if Campbell shows up? God would he even care? Someone else would probably just get hired into this hellhole. What if the camp shuts down and it’s all her fault and then she’ll have to go back living with her parents and worst of all she’ll have to find another job and now she’s hyperventilating. God damnit. Where’s David when you need him??

“Gwen!?” The counselor turns around and all she sees is a bright light coming towards her. Oh great. She’s probably passing out and seeing god now. 

“Gwen! You alright?” The white gets closer and then goes down onto the grass. It’s a flashlight. Sal is holding it and talking to her. 

“Just breathe Gwen. It’s gonna be alright now.” Thank fuck. Gwen lets out a deep sigh. 

“Max called and told us what he saw. We also saw the trail of blood as we came. There’s officers at the camp keeping everyone safe and you should join them too. We’ll search for David. That psychopath won’t get his hands on him.” Sal spoke. 

Gwen had to process what she was hearing. Specifically the last sentence. Psychopath? What? Her confusion is evident to Sal as he speaks again. 

“You got the newspaper right?” She nodded. Most of the times the kids would take the newspaper and do multiple things with it, from reading the comics on the side to ripping the paper into pieces and throwing spitballs at David. 

“Daniel... He escaped.” 

Chapter Text

It’s well past twelve in the morning and the police are still at the camp. Gwen can’t sleep and she can tell by the lanterns that still illuminate the kids' tents that they can’t either. The counselor takes a deep breath. 

To recap; Daniel, aka the crazy deranged cult leader who tried to kill the campers, and then tried to kill Max, who was locked away after David and Max caught him in Campbell’s old bunker, escaped prison and kidnapped David. Again. And now the police are at the camp, searching the forest for any signs of either of the two. 

The forest of sleepy peak was vast, and the thought that kept Gwen awake was what if they can’t find him. Or what if they do and it’s too late. 

Focus on the bright side Gwen. At least she doesn’t have to worry about taking care of the campers herself, as some of the officers are staying behind to make sure Daniel doesn’t make an appearance to try and swipe Max or anyone else. Plus with the police looking for David, they’re bound to find him eventually. Daniel can’t have gone far, especially if he’s in Sleepy Peak’s forest. The police will find David and Daniel; And everything will go back to normal. That’s what she told herself. 

Gwen still couldn’t sleep that night. 

…

Waking up was confusing. David was dazed and he was in the dark. It took his eyes a few seconds to adjust to the darkness, but when he did he looked around and saw a patch of light in that darkness. White. 

White.. clothes. And blond hair. 

“You’re awake again! Nothing keeps you down for too long.” Daniel, as David deduced, said. 

“When I tell you it was a hassle getting you here. You kept stirring awake so what did I have to do? Hit you with the rock again!” He laughs. 

It takes David a second before he finally speaks, stuttering his words. 

“D-Daniel.. What happened? Where are we?” The deranged cult leader took a step closer. 

“We’re in a cave, obviously. Here! You should eat.” Daniel held out his hands and in them was a basket of berries. David reached out to grab the basket, only to find that his hands were constricted with rope.

“Right! Sorry about that. It’s just so you don’t run away. You can’t have the sacrifice running out into the woods.” Daniel put the berries on the man's lap. 

“Thank you.” David ate a berry and then registered the man’s words. “Wait. Sacrifice?” Daniel laughed again. 

“When I was in prison, it gave me more time to think about it all. I prayed to Xemüg asking for forgiveness, as I had failed him again and been caught. One of those days locked up he gave me an answer. You.” 

“Me?”

“I was so focused on hurting Max, I didn’t even notice that you are the perfect sacrifice to Xemüg! Surely your death will bring him back so he can consume our world and take us to the next phase of the great design! It was all there right in front of me and I missed it! But I’ve got you now and I’m not letting you go this time.” Daniel spewed. 

David was confused. He didn’t understand any of the things Daniel was saying, except for the sacrifice part. He couldn’t be sacrificed! Who would take care of the camp!? Gwen could, of course, but no one would be there to assist her. There was quartermaster but he’s, as much as David hates to admit, he’s quartermaster.

“I can’t be sacrificed! I need to help my campers! You need to let me go! I’ll have to turn you into the police!” 

“But don’t you want to help, David? It’s what you do, all the time. You help. And right now the world needs your help! Cleanse this world of its negative emotions; David! Help Xemüg and I!” This had David befuddled. He loves helping people, it’s why he works at Camp Campbell. However he doesn’t want to help Daniel at all. He’d tried to hurt his campers on multiple occasions! He can’t just let that slide. 

David also knows that Daniel is very fond of knives. He always has at least two on him. Which means he has one now. The blonde already kidnapped the poor soul. He also wants to sacrifice him. David had to play this out and survive. Surely people are looking for him. He just has to survive until they find him. 

David gulped and looked at Daniel, plastering his signature smile on his face. “Okay. I’ll help you.” 

… 

One week and three days. David has been gone and the police have been ruining shit at camp for ten days. One more and Max would give them a reason to leave this stupid fucking camp. 

As much as Max hated the police presence, he and the other campers were adamantly helping them search for their missing counselor. Max was definitely 100% only looking for David because he wanted the police gone. There was no other reason. He didn’t know the reasons for the others but it was most likely definitely the same as his. 

Everyone had split into groups with different officers to help them using their respective skills. Somehow, Max got stuck with Nerris, who recently landed a nat 20 for some shit he wasn’t paying attention to. Whatever it was, it led them to a cave. Their respective officer told the campers to stay put. On the 32% chance David was inside, his captor would be too. The police only begrudgingly let the campers search with them. They were particularly adamant about keeping them out of danger. Who knew some police did their jobs? They didn’t do it well of course, considering how they’ve all almost died one way or another at this filthy camp. 

The officer went into the dark cave with her gun that had a tactical flashlight in hand. After ten seconds of sitting on a nearby stump, Max made his way inside the cave. Nerris warned him not to go or he’d get in trouble, but he just informed them that there’s bound to be no harm, especially if David isn’t there. 

Fortunately, David is there, Unfortunately, Max has unlocked a new trauma. Upon his entrance, he finds the officer on the cave floor, her gun tossed a few feet away from her. David looked.. awful. 

David wasn’t wearing a shirt, yet his chest was barely visible from the sheer amount of blood on it. His eyes were closed, he was most likely unconscious or close or.. dying. Those were the only things Max’s child brain could handle and process in the heat of the moment. He turned to the blonde captor. 

Daniel had a knife in his hands and he was walking over to the counselor. 

“It’s time to help, David. Your sacrifice won’t be for nothing.” The knife went up, and Max lost himself. 

… 

Two hours later, Gwen was in the mess hall trying to convince Harrison that it would not be a smart idea to pull David out of his hat. She had finally convinced him to stop after he pulled out a penny instead of David. That’s when she was informed of the situation. 

The officer who was with Max and Nerris found David in a cave. David was severely injured, Max had minor injuries, and both were being taken to Sleepy Peak General. The officer who informed her of this let her take the camp car and drive to see them. The officers would take care of the remaining children. 

It took all of Gwen’s self control not to burst into tears as she was driving. She so desperately wanted to see David again. She finally wouldn’t be taking care of the camp somewhat alone. Things could go back to normal! She’d also tear Max a new one! How did he get hurt in the first place!?

After she finished her crappy parking job, Gwen ran inside the hospital. The nurse told her which floor and room Max and David were in, and Gwen ran to the stairs. The elevator was too slow and it would give the adrenaline time to wear off, which would give her an anxiety attack. 

She went to see Max first, only to find he wasn’t in his room. God DAMNIT MAX! Gwen would get to him later! She ran to David’s room and let out a sigh. Max was sitting in the chair closest to David’s bed, scrolling on David’s phone, the latter being unconscious. He had bandages all over his left arm and cheek. Max looked up at Gwen when she came in. 

“Sup.” He said quickly, immediately looking back down at the man's phone. 

“Su- Max!? What happened!?” 

“Ask the police.” He answered without looking up. 

“Max I swear to whatever god is out there-”

“-It was nothing! David is fine, I’m fine, and that bastard Daniel is gonna go to prison again.”

“What happened to your arms?” Max looked at the bandages.

“Oh this? Daniel was trying to kill David so I got in the way. I’ve had worse.”

“Holy shit.” Was the only thing Gwen could say. She sat down in the chair beside Max and looked at the sleeping David. From what she could see, he had a cast on his right arm and fingers as well as bandages all over his torso.

At least everything can go back to normal now. Their normal wasn’t that normal, but still. 
Everything was going to be fine.