Chapter Text
“Holy Shit!” Gwen exclaimed. David hid a swear as he watched the wreck unfold.
“What the fuck just happened!?” Neil asked.
“I swear to god, if Daniel escapes I will…” Max grumbled angrily, as he watched the broken doors of the van swing open. He, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the campers watched as Daniel, in prison clothes that were bleached white, hopped off the end of the van in handcuffs.
“He’s getting away!” Peppermint Patty shouted, pointing at the van, as he scampered into the trees.
“Oh for fuck’s sake!” Max made a dash towards him but he was held back by an officer who grabbed his arm.
“No. it’s too dangerous. Let the police handle this.” The officer admonished, before turning to his colleagues, “Alpha Team, arrest the fugitive! Omega Team, remain here and control the situation!” the police at the front got off their motorbikes and searched for Daniel on foot. The officer waited with the children as the rear group of police officers investigated the accident and checked on the driver of the van.
“Evening, ma’am.” One of the officers spoke as a very groggy Miss Priss woke up.
“What’s going onn out heere? I was jusst gonna go get some…” she slurred.
“A minute ago you were clocking 50mph down this dirt road before crashing into this here prison truck.” The police officer told her sternly. “Now, would you mind taking a breath into this for me?” The Police officer handed her a breathalyser. As he expected, the reading on it was way above the legal limit.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry to say this, but you were too inebriated to drive this vehicle, and you caused a serious accident. Therefore, I will be arresting you for driving under the influence, you have the right to remain silent, and anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law.” The officer ordered, as he handcuffed Miss Priss, who was too drunk to think of a response. She was then led out of her vehicle and into a waiting patrol car, to take her to the station. Lucy watched the commotion curiously.
“Who is that in the white van?” she asked.
“Miss Priss, probably. She leads the flower scouts.” Nikki answered.
“She looks drunk.” Neil added.
“Goodness me.” Patty exclaimed. Charlie Brown looked around, noticing one of the other police officers approach them.
“Hello there. Might I ask what you kids are doing here?” the police officer asked.
“Uh, we were here to stop these Woodscouts from interfering with the procession, Ma’am.” Marcie replied.
“We were asked to by our national leader, but we didn’t really want to do it, so we didn’t keep it much of a secret.” Snake explained. “You should look into that. Max, could you untie us now? Max?
“He’s not listening. I’ll do it.” Harrison walked over and untied the Woodscouts, who left after they were sure the officer was satisfied with their statement. The officer turned to face Charlie Brown.
“Why don’t you and the rest of your group go back to camp while we sort thing out here? Is that ok?”
“With all due respect, we’re not going anywhere until we know whether Daniel is in custody or not.” Charlie Brown stated.
“It’s not safe here.” The officer replied sternly. “Go back to camp. Who’s responsible for you guys anyway?”
“Well, uh.” Charlie Brown hesitated.
“I am.” David raised his hand. “We will, but promise us you will let us know whether he is caught or not. As frequent targets of his, we deserve to know.” he explained.
“I understand.” The police officer replied. “When I receive further notice of Daniel’s status, I will get in touch with you. Make sure you’re within reach of a phone. I might call.”
“I will.” David replied. “C’mon kids, let’s do what she says.” He called, as he began to walk back to camp. A couple of the kid followed him, and begrudgingly, Max, Neil, Nikki and Charlie Brown’s campers followed suit.
“I sure hope they catch him.” Linus spoke quietly to Charlie Brown as they walked.
“I’m sure they will, they’re professionals. If you can do it, then they can too.” Charlie Brown reassured him.
Meanwhile, Daniel was scurrying past tree after tree, desperate to find something with which he could cut his chains. The trees in the dark and foreboding forest offered nothing. No stick or twig or thorn bush could sever the metal. The only plus point for him was that he hadn’t been seen. He knew they must be looking for him, but he’d not heard any trace of them. He wouldn’t dare make a sound, now that his freedom depended on it.
Had he lost them? Truly, he didn’t know. All he did know was he had to get out of this god-forsaken forest. Staying low, he headed south. Without knowing it at first, he came across a path. It was straight, and appeared to lead directly out of the forest. Knowing he’d be caught if he stepped on it, he carefully trudged among the trees, glancing at the path now and again, until he reached the edge.
Beyond him was a picnic area by the side of a road. He took a few steps forward, as the path led out to the picnic area itself. No police officers were present, which Daniel took as a relief. The ground beneath him was full of gravel and stones, and upon seeing a decent size stone nearby, he picked it up and sat himself at the picnic table.
Gradually, he chipped a dent or two into the chain as he hammered at it with the rock. It was going slower than he expected, but Daniel was also conscious of the noise he made every time he pounded the rock against the chain.
“Suspect is no longer in the forest.” An officer radioed from far away. “He may be seeking help from motorists, send all patrol vehicles to the surrounding area.”
“Roger that.” Answered another officer.
Sensing they would catch up to him if he stayed any longer, Daniel ditched the rock and the table whilst he was sure there wasn’t any officers in sight. Walking towards the edge of the picnic stop, he turned around and noticed the scrawled Squirrel Woods Camp sign.
“So this is where I am.” He realised. “That explains why those darned kids were there. They must be glad to see the back of me.” Daniel let out a hint of mirth. He turned around again and faced the road ahead of him. The view was decidedly empty. Featureless asphalt to his left and right, and only a field in front of him. The road only leads to prison, Daniel thought, as he hesitated at the side of the road.
Quickly, Daniel crossed, as a fence split the distance between him and the corn field (there had to be a farmhouse somewhere, right?). Limited use of his hands made clambering over the fence difficult, and as he heaved his way up to the top of the fence, a passing police car caught sight of him and stopped.
Seeing the badged vehicle behind him made Daniel panic, and he tumbled over the fence and landed in a heap on the flattened grass. Daniel got up as quickly as he could, but by the time he was up and running, the pursuing officer had already cleared the fence, and was gaining on him with every step as Daniel struggled to brush his way past the long grass.
The officer caught up to him and tackled him to the ground, pinning him until his less athletic colleague joined him, and the two of them carried Daniel into the patrol car.
“Dispatch. Suspect is now in custody. Over.” The officer radioed in, as they drove away to the police station.
Back at camp, Charlie Brown, Max, and the others were patiently, and for some, nervously, awaiting news of Daniel’s arrest/escape. Charlie Brown stayed by Linus’ side, sitting on the step in front of the Camp Campbell mess hall. Max was standing nearby, leaning against the wall, eminently feeling just as troubled. The others were playing tag, or chatting. Nikki and Neil noticed Max standing alone and walked over to him.
“You okay, Max?” Neil asked. Max shook his head. “Daniel bothering you?”
“Kind of.” Max replied.
“Do you think he escaped?” Nikki asked, leaning against the wall with him.
“I doubt he got far, being in handcuffs and all, but still, I know what he’s capable of.” Max replied. The three of them tensed up as a police car approached, and parked next to David’s Campmobile. The female police officer from before got out of the car, and walked over to David.
“Any news?” Neil asked. The officer said nothing, but smiled at the trio, before talking David. Max read David’s facial expressions change from concerned and bewildered to relaxed and contented, and Max knew exactly what had happened. As the officer turned to face the kids, Max smiled.
“Good evening, campers.” The officer spoke, attracting their attention. “I understand you have been waiting anxiously for news of Daniel’s arrest, and I apologise for making you wait so long. I am happy to report that after a long search, Daniel is now in custody. Does anyone have any questions?”
“Are you going to investigate the Woodscouts’ leader and his connections with Daniel?” Max asked.
“My department won’t be responsible for that, but yes, we are. Anyone else?”
“What’s going to happen to the Flower scouts? Wasn’t Miss Priss driving the van?” Patty asked.
“Given what she’s being charged for, I doubt she will be keeping her job, at least if her employers have any sense. They’ll probably have to find a new counsellor.”
“It’s not gonna be me that’s for sure.” Patty whispered to Charlie Brown with a smirk. Charlie Brown chuckled in response.
“Any other questions? The officer asked. The campers looked at each other, expecting someone to speak, but nobody did. It was clear to the police officer that they didn’t have anything else to say.
“In that case, I will be going. Hopefully I won’t be needed here anytime soon. Bye for now!” the officer spoke as she got in her patrol car, started the engine and drove away.
“Well that was an eventful day.” Rerun commented.
“It was.” Agreed David, who was standing next to him.
“We should probably get back to camp. It’ll be time to eat soon.” Charlie Brown told him.
“Alright, but if you need help with anything, you’re always free to ask!” David replied.
“Don’t worry, I will.” Charlie Brown assured him, as he led his camp back to their own campground. Once again, Charlie Brown made hot chocolate with marshmallows for everyone, with Patty’s help. Once he was done making those, he sat down with Linus, who was staring deeply into his mug.
“How are you doing, Linus?” Charlie Brown asked.
“I’m doing fine.” Linus replied.
“You seem to be thinking deeply about something.” Charlie Brown pointed out.
“Maybe now that Daniel’s gone for good, I won’t be scared of him anymore.” Linus thought aloud.
“I sure hope so.” Charlie Brown replied. “Anything else you want to talk about?”
“No, I’m ok for now. You don’t need to worry, Charlie Brown.” Linus responded as he drank.
“I’ll see you later then.” Charlie Brown got up from the table. The campers chatted in the mess hall for a while, and before long, it was time for dinner. Charlie Brown set the table while Franklin cooked scrambled eggs. After they ate, they watched the Campbell campers next door try to light a small bonfire, which the wind quickly extinguished. Realising it wasn’t worth worrying about, Charlie Brown went to bed, soon followed by the others, as they slept a restful night under the light of the moon.
And they waited for the next summer day.
FIN