The sun shone brightly, its rays reflecting on the mirror in Almond's hand.
"Almond, are you done?"
"Yes, mother, I'll be right there."
Almond Cookie pushed open the door and ran down the stairs of his home. The Nuts were quite rich, mainly because of the money they get after solving crimes. But Almond didn't know the truth yet.
All he knew was that his mother and father took turns working every alternate day at a business that made them a lot of money, and he didn't question it any further.
Occasionally his father Pecan Cookie would come back with a few minor injuries, but his mother Cashew Cookie always reassured him that it was just some minor accidents.
He believed in his parents, and they believed in him, too.
Dragging along his heavy backpack, he arrived at the dining table, where his father was waiting for him.
"All packed up?"
"Yes, dad."
"Good."
Almond put his backpack on the floor, sitting on the cushioned chair.
"Watch out, incoming food!"
Cashew Cookie set the jellies on the table, which were still simmering hot; she wasn't the most talented at cooking, but she knew the basics.
"I can't believe you're finally going on the summer camp! That was where I and your father met. You're going to have so much fun, and learn so many skills there!"
"Mom, what am I going to learn there?"
"Well, you're going to learn survival skills," Cashew shouted from the kitchen, "and team up with other cookies, so you're going to improve your teamwork as well."
"Cashew, let's eat first. You can wash the dishes later." Pecan Cookie replied.
"Alright."
The mother put down her pan on the kitchen table and sat down at the table.
"Cheers!"
Pecan Cookie held up his glass.
Smiling, Almond and Cashew did the same.
"To a happier future!"
~♤~
"Survival skills, eh? I see... that will be good for your future."
Cheddar Cookie looked at the brochure for his son's summer camp, sitting in an armchair. Next to him on the sofa were Gouda and Mozzarella Cookie, both watching a drama on the television about a Cookie that was a wanted thief.
Finally, there was Roguefort Cookie, his backpack on the floor, eating his morning jellies on the dining table, lost in thought.
"That is definitely not how Cookies do crimes. Seriously? Park your car right in front of the bank? With all the security cameras? Then drive away and somehow miraculously get away with, like 5 police cars chasing you? Really? This is just unrealistic."
"This is how Cookies perceive us thieves, Mozza. They don't realise our intelligence."
"Please, Roguefort is still here. Calm down."
Hearing his name, he turned to the rest of the family, snapping out of his thoughts.
"What, father?"
"Nothing. Finish your meal, we're heading to the station soon."
"Alright."
Roguefort Cookie ate his jellies in silence, putting his plate into the kitchen after he finished, several questions in his head.
Why did everyone in his family seem to be hiding something from him?
Why was there no news channel on the television of their house?
Why was he never allowed out in the open streets, like a normal Cookie?
Why was he homeschooled, instead of going to the schools all Cookies went to?
And why did his teacher seem extremely horrified of his parents and sister?
So many questions in his head, yet he never had the courage to ask any.
The last time his sister bravely asked to be in a public school with other Cookies, she was banished to her room for 3 whole days, not even allowed to have dinner with the family, and every night his mother and father would go in and scold her, at the same time bringing her food.
At least, that's what he heard: angry shouting, occasional silence, and more angry shouting.
When she was finally allowed to step out of her room, she seemed different. She was a lot more emotional, easily getting angry, and had a dangerous aura around her.
Roguefort didn't know what kind of sorcery his parents used to make his kind, loving sister this different, but he definitely didn't want to try any of it.
"Roguefort, get your backpack. We're heading to the station."
Cheddar Cookie quickly put on a disguise, camouflaging himself within the other cookies.
Yet another question popped up in Roguefort's head: Why did his father always have to put on a disguise when he went outside?
He nearly opened his mouth to ask before the flashback stopped him, and he shut his mouth.
"Let's go."
Roguefort Cookie trailed behind his father, both scared and excited at the thought of meeting other Cookies.
~♤~
"Welcome to the Summer Cookie Camp! You will be learning a bunch of new things in this 5-day-4-night camp; including how to tie knots with ropes, how to build a slingshot, and you will be meeting many new friends and work together to gain valuable experiences!"
The Cookies were sitting in a tour bus, headed towards the campsite. Most were listening to the guide Cookie's introduction, while others didn't seem to care that much and just did their own things.
Almond had counted; there were about 20 Cookies, all from different families. He was excited as well to meet new Cookies from all across the land, but the Cookie next to him didn't seem friendly at all.
He was staring out the window, seemingly lost in a sea of his own thoughts.
Almond Cookie carefully tapped the Cookie's shoulder, snapping the fellow Cookie out of his thoughts.
"Hey, uh, what's your name..?" Almond Cookie asked.
The Cookie stared blankly at Almond Cookie, seeming to have to process the question, making Almond Cookie nervous and wondering if he laid a bad impression on the Cookie.
"I'm Roguefort Cookie, how about you?"
"Almond Cookie, nice to meet you!"
Almond Cookie stretched out his hand, waiting for a handshake.
He was met with a confused gaze from the other Cookie, leaving him even more confused as to whether this was the way Cookies interacted when they first met.
This was what Cashew Cookie had taught him; his mother couldn't be wrong.
"You shake your hands with anyone you first meet, that's how Cookies do it. I assume you were homeschooled as well?"
The look plastered on Roguefort's face was enough of an explanation.
"How did you know?" Roguefort Cookie asked, "Were you homeschooled too?"
"Yeah, I was basically never allowed to go outside except for some special days. How about you?"
"I, uh, same? I barely go outside."
"Well, Roguefort Cookie, let's do this again. Nice to meet you!"
Almond stretched his hand out, and this time, Roguefort Cookie took his hand and shook it.
"Nice to meet you too, Almond Cookie!"
And that was the start of a beautiful friendship.
Little did they know, it would also be the start of a chain of events that would change their lives forever.
~♤~
[Originally published Feb 2020]
Author's note:
Well, that was the first chapter!
Unless you didn't read the story description, you know what happens next, but that's not all that happens in the camp.
There will be even more drama.
Stay tuned till the end of the story to see what happens!
If you liked this chapter, don't forget to vote :)
See you soon!
Next chapter:
"The Cookies in your room will be part of your group for the camp, so get to know everyone! You have 10 minutes to settle down before our first activity."
~♤~
"You've never met any Cookie your age before?"
~♤~
The Cookies bolted out of the hall, some heading back to get supplies, others off into the unknown.
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net