Camp Ohiocester is almost exactly like Archie remembers. There’s a few changes: every building seems to have a fresh lick of paint; the swimming pool actually looks functional; the obstacle course is bigger and better than ever. But the feeling of nostalgia remains.
As Archie walks through the Camp, he narrowly avoids bumping into highschoolers–has it really been 7 years since he was in their shoes? Time flew by quickly. Graduation. Internship. Grant after grant. Playing soccerball at the weekends. Back to University. Archie James, Doctor of Ecology, has worked hard.
He finds himself walking familiar hiking trails through the woods. Ohiocester is beautiful. He veers off the path, taking the road less traveled, into the untamed wilderness.
Sat in the grass, taking notes, Archie feels like he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be. A ladybird crawls onto Archie’s notebook and he laughs and gently lifts it to the ground. He snaps a few photos of the flora and fauna. This next report will be the one that finally convinces the council of Ohiocester.
The reinwolf stands a few metres away, watching Archie work. When Archie looks up from his report, the reinwolf bows its head at him, grateful to Archie. It’s bolder than before, so when Archie approaches, it stays. Archie didn’t expect how soft the reinwolf’s fur would be.
He’s going to stay in Camp Ohiocester for a while.
Later, while teaching some of the high schoolers how to identify the plants of Ohiocester, his phone rings. It’s Herb, sounding excited. After years of back and forth, the Redstone Forest has received protected status and Archie smiles.
Written by Katy N