Rabbit Hole Carnival: Recovery Nights

Renee jolted awake in cold sweat panting as she steady her breath. Where was she again? Why did things seem… She slowly calmed as she started to remember.

“Well… Certainly glad you were excited to come.” Cel said, earning a small laugh from the room. “We were supposed to do this tomorrow morning, but seeing as we’re up. Hi, my name is Cel. Yes ‘that’ Cel from what my mom tells me. I’ve wanted to come for ages. And finally far enough along in my studies to do so, so I hope I live up to my reputation. Renee, I know, and I think we’ll give her a break on the introduction, for now.”

“Jennifer, or Jen.” Jen replied. “And I don’t know how well I’ll be able to judge that as it's my first year at this… retreat camp thing, as well. I’m just glad to know I won't be the only one scaring people at night.”

“Oh, that’s what they meant. I’ll have to tell them it’s no problem then.” Another girl offered Renee some tea. “Rose, it’s my 4th time here. I always find it a lot easier to make friends here. You’re our junior counselor for the next two weeks then?”

“If you’d prefer someone with more experience. I’ll understand.” Cel replied.

“Actually, I like meeting different counselors each time. Still trying to find some more habits that work.” Rose said.

“Yeah, I feel you there.” Renee replied, sipping some of the tea. “He’s supposedly bedridden, and here I am having nightmares about Mike for the first time in years.”

“Family issue then?” Rose asked.

“Fath—” Renee got a pillow thrown at her by Cel.

“I’ve read everyone’s files. Except for Renee, as she already told me pretty much everything.” Cel said. “And while you obviously need to use words to explain, in this cabin you’re not given those people official titles like that.”

“He’s was supposed to be my father.” Renee replied before taking a sip of her tea. “Long story short my Uncle Nick deserves the title of ‘daddy’ far more than he ever did. Like that?”

“Exactly like that.” Cel said.

“You our the first counselor to set an immediate first rule that I’m fully on board with.” Rose said.

“And ex-boyfriends?” Jen asked. “Do they have a rule?”

“Imma borrow an idea from a different friend of mine for that.” Cel replied. “Pick whatever disgusting animal, and that’s their name.”

“So next order of business, was there some reason that no one woke me up?” Renee asked. “Can’t help but notice these are drenched.”

“We wanted to, but you were flailing everywhere. Barely even caught Inky. Feel free to go through the sheets though” Cel said, and pointed to the pile of fresh ones she had laid out. “It is a trauma recovery camp. We’ve got plenty of extra, and a small laundry room in here.”

“What were you dreaming about anyways?” Jen asked. “If you don't mind sharing.”

“Yeah, it really starts to seem like a warzone or something.” Rose said.

“Minus well have been.” Renee took a deep breath as everyone helped change her sheets. “Adam had pulled some kind of legal strings or something, and basically his and Mike’s slave. Forced to sleep in a cage, if sleep was even allowed.” Renee teared up a bit. “I... woke after being told ‘just to remind you that there’s nowhere to run this time, and then had a shock collar put on me.”

“Damn, what all happened in that house?” Rose asked.

Cel hugged Renee very tight,and gave her Inky back. “A lot of things. You gonna be okay to sleep tonight?”

“A nightlight wouldn’t hurt, and maybe another set of sheets ought to be put out.” Renee replied.

One set of sheets out by her bed, and a plugged in night light later, and Renee had managed to get back to sleep… even if it did take an hour or two to feel safe again around her new friends.