Free Benjamin Dragon - Awakening (The Chronicles of Benjamin Dragon) by C. G. Cooper Page A

Jeremy. He told the campers that he’d been a counselor for twelve years. Benjamin wondered how the man could be so large if he spent his summers outdoors. Maybe it was all the good desserts in the chow hall.
    “Today we’ll be taking a little hike. I want you all to stay quiet and just keep your eyes and ears open. Soak up the forest. Let it speak to you. I’ll point out a few things as we go.”
    Some of the other campers rolled their eyes and snickered.
    “Shhh,” said Jeremy, his eyes twinkling with excitement. It looked like he was really into the discovery part of wilderness. He looked out of place for what he did for a living.
    For the next forty minutes, they followed the counselor down the meandering path. Birds sang and chipmunks scurried away through underbrush as the campers passed. Just as they were going to turn around and head back, Benjamin glimpsed something in the distance. He squinted and shaded his eyes from the sun with his hands. It was a cabin on a hill. A shiver ran down Benjamin’s back. Was that the old hermit’s place?
    Before he could investigate further, Jeremy announced, “Back the way we came, campers.”
    He scooted past Benjamin with rosy cheeks and panting a bit from the exertion. None of the campers seemed out of breath.
    Benjamin took one last look at the cabin and followed the others.
     
    +++
     
    After dinner the campers were allowed to have free time when they could roam around camp, swim in the lake, buy things from the camp store or just hang out.
    Emily found Benjamin and his friends in the camp store, which smelled like leather and peppermint. He introduced her to Nathan and Aaron.
    “We were in Mrs. Tabberson’s first grade class together, right?” asked Nathan.
    “Uh huh,” answered Emily.
    Benjamin paid for his candy and soda. Emily picked out a bag of Jolly Ranchers and a Gatorade.
    They all left the bustling shop and looked for a place to sit. Dusk was falling and campers lounged everywhere. Benjamin dodged a Frisbee as they walked.
    “Sorry,” an older boy said.
    Benjamin waved back.
    Nathan pointed to a short stone wall up ahead.
    “Dibs on the end,” he said.
    They all sat down and dug into their goodies. It felt like real freedom to all of them. For Benjamin and Nathan, it was their first time away from home without a family member. Instead of being homesick, they were excited and giddy. They chatted about their favorite parts of the day while stuffing their mouths full of sweets and treats.
    At one point Nathan laughed so hard that soda came out of his nose. It was almost contagious as the others snorted along with him.
    “All campers have ten minutes to report back to their cabins for night prep,” came the voice over the camp-wide speaker system.
    Everyone around them responded with a moan. Benjamin didn’t mind. He was tired from the day and the lack of sleep the night before.
    “See you tomorrow,” said Emily. The three Tomahawks waved to her and headed in the opposite direction.

Chapter 20 : The Call
     
    Benjamin had just fallen asleep when he woke with a start. His fellow tribe members had been asleep for over an hour. What woke him and no one else? He sat listening. Suddenly there was a sound outside. It was faint. It sounded like a baby crying. What was a baby doing at camp?
    Benjamin laid his head back down and tried to fall back to sleep. The sound came again, “Waaaa…” It sounded louder this time. Why wasn’t anyone doing anything about the baby? He plugged his ears with his fingers and closed his eyes tight. “Waaa…” It was even louder!
    Looking around the room, Benjamin was amazed that no one else heard the noise. He swung his legs off the bed and silently crept over to the screen door. Tomahawk Tony was snoring loudly on the bunk closest to the exit.
    Benjamin peered out into the darkness.
    “Waaa…”
    He almost jumped at the sound. Steadying himself against the door, he tried to pinpoint where the sound was coming