Chapter 16 – Baracudda Night
It started like a normal night.
Which, in camp terms, meant it was already doomed.
Somehow, somewhere between stolen snacks, loud laughter, and Felix's terrible jokes, Section E had managed to sneak in drinks. Nobody knew exactly who started it. Nobody wanted to know. It was one of those situations where accountability died early and chaos took over the rest.
"Okay, this is officially illegal," Rory muttered, holding a cup like it was cursed.
"Relax," Cin said casually, already too relaxed. "It's just camp chaos."
JJ sat slightly away at first, hoodie half-zipped, watching everyone with a quiet expression. Keifer was nearby, leaning on a log, eyes occasionally drifting to her like it was a habit he couldn't break.
Percy, of course, was already in peak disaster mode.
"BABY SISTAH!" he yelled, dramatically raising his cup. "TODAY WE LIVE LIKE LEGENDS!"
Aries grabbed him immediately. "You are NOT a legend. You are a liability."
Ella sat calmly near Aries, shaking her head with a soft smile. "He's going to regret this tomorrow."
Aries replied flatly, "We all will."
Keifer glanced at JJ. "You're not drinking that."
JJ blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Just saying."
She smirked. "Watson, stop acting like my dad."
He didn't reply.
But he didn't look away either.
That was the problem.
---
The Moment Everything Went Wrong
It started with one sip.
Then another.
Then someone—no one admitted who—handed JJ a cup.
And that was it.
Because JJ changed.
Not slowly.
Not subtly.
Instantly.
Her eyes widened slightly, then sharpened with chaotic energy that had absolutely no business existing in a calm human being.
She stood up.
Silence hit the camp like a slap.
JJ tilted her head toward the fire.
Then very seriously said:
"BARACUDDA WANTS A SACRIFICE."
Everyone froze.
Rory blinked. "What?"
JJ pointed at the fire like she was delivering prophecy. "A VIRGIN MUST BE OFFERED TO THE FIRE."
A beat.
Then Felix whispered, "Oh no."
Cin slowly leaned back. "Oh… she's gone."
Percy screamed instantly, delighted and terrified at the same time. "BABY SISTAH HAS ENTERED FINAL BOSS MODE!"
Aries stood up immediately. "JJ, sit down."
JJ turned slowly.
Her eyes locked on him.
"You look suspicious."
Aries: "What?"
"You look like you survived too many sacrifices."
"I—what does that even mean?"
---
Baracudda Declares War
JJ suddenly grabbed a nearby stick.
Then, somehow, it became a knife.
No one knew where it came from.
No one wanted to ask.
JJ raised it dramatically. "BARACUDDA DEMANDS TRUTH."
Rory backed away instantly. "I'M NOT EVEN IN YOUR CULT!"
"I need a virgin sacrifice," JJ continued seriously.
Silence.
Then chaos.
Felix: "I'm not volunteering!"
Denzel: "I have plans for my life!"
Calix: "I REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ARC!"
Cin slowly stood up. "Why is she choosing violence specifically tonight?"
JJ started walking.
Slow.
Intentional.
Knife pointed forward.
"I choose sacrifice."
Percy screamed, "SHE'S COMING FOR US!"
Aries grabbed JJ's arm. "Put that down!"
JJ looked at him calmly. "You are suspiciously calm."
"I LIVE WITH YOU."
---
Full Camp Panic Mode
And then it became survival.
Percy ran first.
"BABY SISTAH HAS LOST HER MIND!"
Aries chased him. "SHE LOST IT BECAUSE OF YOU IDIOT!"
Cin immediately sprinted into his tent. "I REGRET EVERYTHING!"
Felix followed. "LOCK THE DOOR!"
Rory tripped mid-run. "I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR SACRIFICE ARC!"
Denzel climbed onto a bench. "THIS IS WHY I DON'T TRUST CAMPING!"
Calix disappeared behind a tree like he became one with nature.
Ella stood up calmly. "She's not okay."
Aries: "OBVIOUSLY."
Keifer stayed still for a second.
Watching JJ.
She was walking toward Percy now.
Very focused.
Very serious.
Very dangerous.
Keifer muttered, "This is insane."
Then he moved.
---
The Chase – Firelight Madness
Percy was screaming while running in circles.
Aries was trying to catch JJ.
JJ was chasing Percy.
Cin refused to leave his tent.
Felix was praying.
Rory was bargaining with the universe.
And JJ?
JJ was laughing like she had unlocked chaos itself.
"BARACUDDA WILL NOT WAIT!"
Percy screamed, "SHE WANTS ME FIRST BECAUSE I'M THE HANDSOME ONE!"
Aries: "THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOUR FACE!"
JJ almost grabbed Cin at one point.
Cin yelped. "NOPE!"
He shut the tent instantly.
Locking sound.
Safe.
Barely.
Then JJ turned.
Eyes landed on Keifer.
Silence again.
Danger switch.
Percy whispered, "Oh no."
Aries muttered, "Keifer… run."
Keifer didn't move.
JJ started walking toward him.
Slow.
Intentional.
Knife raised.
"YOU."
Keifer exhaled slowly. "Of course it's me."
---
Fire Circle Moment
JJ chased him around the bonfire.
Once.
Twice.
The entire camp watching in horror and fascination.
"WHY ARE YOU FAST?!" JJ shouted.
"I RUN FOR SANITY," Keifer replied.
"BARACUDDA CHOOSES YOU!"
"I decline."
"You don't decline prophecy!"
Percy from afar: "THIS IS ROMANCE AND HORROR AT THE SAME TIME!"
Aries: "I HATE THIS FAMILY."
JJ lunged.
Her foot slipped.
The edge of the fire was too close.
Time slowed.
"JJ!" Keifer shouted instantly.
He grabbed her waist mid-fall and pulled her back sharply.
Too close.
Too fast.
Firelight flickered across both their faces.
JJ froze.
For once… completely still.
Keifer looked at her, breathing heavier now.
"Stop moving," he said low.
JJ blinked.
Then softly: "Baracudda… is confused."
Keifer sighed. "You are confused."
And then—
He kissed her.
Not loud.
Not playful.
Just sudden.
Quiet.
Enough to stop everything.
JJ froze completely.
Knife slipped from her fingers.
Clink.
Gone.
Keifer pulled back slightly, then carefully took the knife from her hand.
"Done?" he asked softly.
JJ stared at him.
Blank.
Then slowly collapsed forward into him.
"…tired," she mumbled.
And just like that—
She hugged him.
And fell asleep.
---
Aftermath – Trauma Level: Maximum
Keifer stood there holding her for a second, stunned.
Then sighed quietly.
Picked her up carefully.
"Seriously…" he muttered, adjusting her in his arms.
Percy whispered, "MY BABY SISTAH JUST GOT DEFEATED BY LOVE AND ALCOHOL."
Aries stepped forward. "Give her to me."
Keifer looked at him. "She's fine."
Aries: "She is NOT fine."
Ella gently stopped Aries. "Let him."
Aries froze.
But didn't argue further.
Because even he could see it.
Keifer wasn't letting go.
---
Camp Night – Fear, Exhaustion, Silence
Later, everyone sat around the dying fire.
Not talking much.
Traumatized.
Rory whispered, "I think I almost became a sacrifice."
Felix nodded. "Same."
Cin stared at the fire. "I am never drinking again."
Denzel: "I want to go home."
Calix: "I want therapy."
Percy leaned into Aries. "Do you think she'll remember Baracudda?"
Aries deadpanned. "I hope not."
Keifer placed JJ carefully inside a tent.
Sat beside her.
Watching her sleep.
Quiet now.
No chaos.
Just her breathing slowly.
He whispered, barely audible:
"You're impossible."
Then softer:
"But you're safe."
---
Outside, the camp finally settled.
All of Section E sat around the fire.
Silent.
Recovering.
Mentally rebooting.
Because one thing was clear now.
Camp had officially survived everything.
Except JJ.
And Baracudda.