Note: To avoid spoiling too much of my fanfic, I am not going to share EVERYTHING here! When the fanfic is done, you can read about her there. :)
April McCarthy’s story began in a quaint little town bordering Crystal Lake-one teeming with wildlife and vibrant foliage. Since she’d seen the outdoors, April yearned for adventure and independence, unaware that a crippling diagnosis would change her life forever.
From a young age, April struggled with severe social and learning difficulties. Her difficulties stripped her of a normal life, bringing upon her enrollment in separate, specialized classes.
Despite her abnormalities, April’s loving parents, Bob and Debra, put their hearts into ensuring a happy childhood for their daughter. They allowed her the freedom to find and express herself, exposing her to many fun children’s programs, allowing her fun in the backyard, and spending much of their time with her.
More than anything, April came to love Winnie the Pooh. From The Many Adventures Winnie the Pooh to Welcome to Pooh Corner, she loved it all. For hours a day, the girl would lay in her room, splayed before the television as it broadcast Pooh Bear and Friends.
April’s parents adored her interests and showed her much support. Bob and Debra bought her plushies ranging from Pooh himself, to Tigger, bought her various related VHS tapes, and some art supplies. On their walls, one could even spot a few framed drawings of Pooh and his friends!
While Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy adored her passions, her school did not. On top of being pulled out for other classes, April faced relentless mockery for her love of “baby shows” as a twelve year-old girl. The others considered her childish, immature, and a crybaby. The treatment and assigned reputation further isolated April and deepened her sense of loneliness.
Pooh and friends comforted April through her hardest and loneliest moments, giving her the illusion of friendship and adventure she’d always yearned for. She dreamt of kind, loving friends and The Hundred Acre Woods-something beyond her basic backyard.
One afternoon in Mr. Wilson’s class, however, changed everything.
“... field trip to Camp Packanack!”
The words cut through April’s daydreams like a knife.
An adventure! Just like the Hundred Acre Woods!!
Many excited questions later, the bell rang. The girl raced out of the classroom and right to her bus.
As April ran inside, she told her parents everything-from information about the trip itself to her dream of adventure. She begged up and down for them to let her go.
In a matter of seconds, Bob and Debra shut down April’s request, scared that she’d be in danger without intensive supervision. While they understood her desire, they disliked the idea of sending their daughter off to a new summer camp.
April broke down in tears, shouting to her parents that she just wanted to go out and make friends. She then darted up the stairs and slammed the door behind her.
As they listened to the loud sobs from above, the two expressed their thoughts to each other.
“You know, Bob, maybe she really does need to get out there a little bit. Maybe it’d be good for her.”
After several minutes of discussion, Debra knocked on her daughter’s door. Once she got through to April, she explained that they would allow their daughter on the trip-after all, they had faith that the counselors would keep a close eye on her.
April burst into a huge smile and pulled both of her parents into a huge hug.
Once the day came, April kissed her parents goodbye before running out the door-beloved Pooh doll and suitcase in hand. After arriving at school, April jumped onto the bus and rode away with the other students.
As the kids arrived to the campsite, they met the counselors, Paul Holt, Ginny Field, and Ted Bowen. From there, they picked their cabinmates and scurried to their assigned homes.
Having been chosen by nobody, April felt heartbroken. She trudged to the final cabin before something caught her attention.
“April!”
As she turned around, she met the eyes of the shy kid, Rachel.
In her hands, she held a pink handmade friendship bracelet.
“I didn’t know who to give it to… but I really hope you like it! I’m so sorry about what happened.”
April’s eyes shot wide in surprise. Her lips rose in a small smile.
“Rachel, thank you so much! I love it.”
Upon accepting the bracelet, a friendship blossomed.
From there, the two participated in many fun activities; sharing some s’mores over a campfire, a huge naturewalk, and dodgeball. Despite their fun, however, April ran into serious issues.
After the dodgeball struck April, the usual circle of bullies shouted and exchanged mean comments. Discouraged, April hugged Pooh tight before sneaking away.
With a heavy sigh, April trudged toward the lake. She sought quiet, a chance to enjoy herself.
As dodgeball ended, one of the girls raced toward April. It was Melissa, one of the bullies.
“Hey!”
April pulled Pooh Bear close before muttering a small huh.
“April,” Melissa said in a solemn tone much unlike her usual brattiness. “We saw how hard you cried and, yanno, really thought about it.”
April tilted her head, confused yet intrigued. “What do you mean?”
“We’re super sorry-Dave and I both,” she continued. “We want to do better. We’ll be nice.”
“Wow, Melissa, I-” April muttered. “Thank you…”
Melissa opened her arms, inviting her peer in for a full hug.
April moved Pooh to one hand before stepping forth. Her heart pounded with anticipation as she began to lean in.
Before she could blink, she felt Pooh Bear yanked from her hand.
A glance to April’s right revealed Dave stepping back with Pooh in his hand.
“Hey!! Give him back right now!” April cried as she wriggled out of the near-hug.
Melissa shoved her back before shouting, “You think I’d ever apologize to you?! Be friends with a retard who still watches baby shows?!” She gasped with sarcastic, feigned offense. “You have to be kidding!”
“I believed you!” April cried.
With Pooh high over his head, Dave bolted to the boating ramp. “If you want him, you’re gonna have to get him!”
Just as April approached Dave, the boy drew his arm back before chucking Pooh far before them. The toy hit the water with a light splash!
“POOH!”
April shoved Dave aside as she plunged in with a crashing entrance about ten times as loud as Pooh's.
The two burst into laughter as they exchanged a few cruel-hearted comments amongst each other. In about two minutes, they headed back to camp.
Every few seconds, April surfaced-coughing and splashing and heaving. Her breaths escaped in something of a broken scream just before she’d dip once again. More than anything, she sought to reunite with her beloved.
April’s desperate search lasted until the Sun began to set. Her poor, shivering limbs gave out as she crawled onto shore. Hopelessness consumed the girl as her rushing tears blended seamlessly with the lake water trickling down her face.
Unbeknownst to April, something watched from the shadows-something lurking and pondering. His chest burnt as it all came back-the cold, the battle for air, the water closing above him. At that moment, he was her.
With heavy breaths, he watched the girl, now small and vulnerable on the shore before him. A lone reflection of himself. Another child.
Without an ounce of hesitation, he stepped forth.
And just then, April’s adventure became her worst nightmare.