You begin to set up the dome tent you and Sandra had packed for the trip. You grumble a little as Sandra, giggling like a schoolgirl, runs off to see the other people
at the campfire. She is so
"So much for a 'friends night out' weekend," you mutter only half to yourself as you fumble with the poles.
It doesn't take too long for you to get in better spirits, though, as the tent proves easy to set up. Your resentment is already melting away by the time you unzip the
front of it, just as you hear footsteps behind you.
There stands Sandra, her hair waving in the wind a little as she looks innocently and sheepishly at you. Two thermos mugs are in her hands, a seeming peace offering.
"Hey, sorry for running off. I just wanted to have a look around," she says.
"Well, I'll let you off easy this time. What have you got there?"
"Oh, some hot cider they offered me. I got a mug of it for you too. It's mulled. Herbal. They said it was the camp's special drink."
She hands you a mug, and you take a deep whiff of it. It certainly smells good, like a nice, rich, mulled cider. You smile and take a long sip. It's a heady drink, and
you feel a little lightheaded after the sip. It's delicious, though, the hot cider mixing delightfully with hints of exotic herbs you can't quite place the taste of. You drink.
"Good stuff. Thanks, Sandra. Warms you right up, so it's just perfect before bed. You ready to turn in?"
"Sure thing. The trip's taken a lot out of me. Besides, apparently it's always night here, so any time's great to nap!"
You smile and shuck off your boots, crawling into the tent. She follows after and you both change into your nightclothes, unzipping your sleeping bags and climbing
in.
"Good night, Sandra"
"Good night and thanks for convincing me to go to this place. I think we're going to like it a lot"
She grins puckishly and rolls over. You're left wondering about something curious. Were Sandra's eyes always that yellow? Maybe it was just the moonlight,
but you could have sworn they looked almost yellow a second ago. You shrug it off and snuggle down into your sleeping bag to go to sleep.