A family of evil

Chapter 9

"Okay, halt!"She felt Douglas 's hands on her shoulders, and he quickly turned her around three times, leaving her feeling a little shaky and lost.Presently take the blindfold off and return us to camp.'When Johnson  removed the blindfold, she realized that she was not only unaware of her location but also of the camp's direction.But I'm not sure where....'Not wanting to disappoint Douglas , she was frantically scanning the area around her.And to her surprise, the tree she had felt along the way was there.Similar to what she had done while blindfolded, she walked over to the tree and touched its bark.She was certain that it was the Johnson e tree.She observed the ground's downward slope as she looked around.She made her way to the bottom of the slope because she remembered going up a slope with increasing excitement.She didn't know whether Douglas  was going in the right direction as he silently followed her.

She looked around again for the leaves she had felt.Vulnerability overwhelmed her as she attempted to recollect what request she had felt the smooth leaves and the thorny ones in this way, she just pushed ahead, looking.A large bush stood in her way directly in front of her.She walked around it and came to the realization that Douglas  had told her to go to one side.She noticed a fallen tree to one side as she moved around it.She approached it with a smile and extended her hand to touch the leaves.They were dry, prickly, and dead.She was overcome with pride and energy.She was certain that she would not be able to return to camp once the blindfold was taken off.As she moved deeper into the bush, she looked around and saw a tree with bright green leaves.With renewed confidence in her own ability to return, she made her way toward it.She breathed in the scent of the tree she had previously observed as she closed her eyes.Johnson  led them back into the clearing in front of the hall after making a brief zigzag to touch additional trees.As Douglas  followed her out of the trees, she was flapping her hands and feet.She dashed dependent upon him and folded her arms over him. "I succeeded!I thought I couldn't.Specifically, I was lost, with no idea of where I was or were the camp was.I did it!Wow, I succeeded!

Douglas  was having fun.You see, you're a lot better than you thought.Johnson , you really need to have more faith in yourself.You are a strong woman.'

Johnson  suddenly choked back tears.She was learning valuable life lessons from Douglas  because of everything he had been through.She responded, "Thanks, Douglas ," humble.This lesson will stay with me always.Much thanks to you.'

He embraced her once more.Come on, we have to debrief in the hallway.'

Johnson  gained a deeper understanding of the harm that incest and abuse can cause to a person's sense of self-worth as each of them debriefed.Some of them, like her, thought they were lost but worked their way back to camp, exhilarated and amazed at their own ingenuity.However, others had become immobile, necessitating intensive therapy in smaller rooms off the main hall.She discovered that even little things can set off a response in light of encounters before.The events of the past frequently act as a filter in our interpretation of the present.Being blindfolded was, for some, worse than getting lost.

They were given a stack of large cards to write on following the debrief.The individual's name was in the middle of each card, and their picture was in the top right corner.Stuart elaborated.Take a look at the person's picture and tell them something nice you've noticed about them.When we return to the real world and things start to get in the way, we can read our camp card and recall who we really are—the essence of who we were to others at camp.This card may determine whether you are able to persevere or continue.So, be real, be optimistic, and say what you see with love.

The hallway was silent, with the exception of the scratching of pens and the sound of the cards being slid from person to person, after the mess of everyone sliding from their chairs onto the floor in search of something difficult to write on.Johnson  was completely absorbed in the exercise when Douglas 's picture appeared on a card.She halted.How could she show him how unique and gifted he was?She gave it some thought before beginning to write.Douglas , your suffering has made you an excellent educator.You have so much to offer, so don't keep yourself to yourself.We met, and I hope to become great friends. I'm glad we did.Johnson .’She also drew a small heart next to her name, like many others on the card, and slid the card across the floor to the next person.

After the final talks were over, support sessions were set up for those who needed them, and everyone got their cards at the end of the day.Johnson  didn't read hers because she wanted to avoid embarrassing herself if she burst into tears when she got home.

Johnson 's life had changed as they left the camp late that afternoon.She felt better about herself, believed in herself, and recognized that she needed to have greater self-trust.She had also learned all of this from troubled teenagers.Even though they were teaching her how to live, they had already endured more hardships than she could have imagined.

"Did you know that camp would forever alter my life?"She observed Johnnie's grin.You didn't, did you?'

"Well, Babe, I can't imagine how anyone could not change after hearing these kids' stories.I figured it might work out great for you.I anticipated that you would realize your strength, even though I was aware that it would be difficult.And how unique!He gave her a glance.Additionally, you must be familiar with the real world if you are going to participate in Franklin 's background research.For far too many people, this is the real world.’She could tell how he felt about that by the edge of his voice.

"And Johnnie, what did you get out of camp, and what about you?"

"Too many students, damn it!"His words were contradicted by a rueful grin.I intend to instruct them in self-defense.I'll hold weekly classes because they're interested, and we'll see how long they stick with it.

He continued, "You should come too, Johnson ," 

before Johnson  could respond.First, you could use better self-defense skills, and I don't think you exercise enough.Furthermore, "you'd get to spend more time with Douglas , he's coming," he added as he sealed the deal.Knowing that the deal was done, he returned to the road.

Johnson  was amazed at how quickly he could turn on and off intensity.Why did you quit the military?

"Long story with far too many moving parts to explain here."

'In any case, you are so energetic about equity and you're perfect with the children.Surely, you couldn't have found a way because it was so difficult?'

‘Another thing that your sheltered life hasn't yet taught you, Johnson , is that there is no such thing as a black-and-white world.Sometimes, you can't get back to black and white because there are so many shades of grey.What's more,' he added, 'maybe you simply don't have any desire to.Moving on with what you have is just best.'

"Well, I understand what I must do to move on."Even if it means speaking with David once more, I must file for divorce.Johnson  felt uneasy as she thought back on how erratic he had become after their marriage ended.She should only meet with David in public, Franklin  had advised.The big question was whether she could go through with a divorce without him knowing where she worked or lived.

The sign for Auckland Steel preceded a long row of parked cars. It appeared that engineering trades preferred black Holden V8s, probably powered-up, Franklin  reckoned. Many of the cars were old models and barely looked legal with rust and patched dents holding them together. A large sign attached to the wire fence behind the row of cars proclaimed ‘Muster Point. No parking under any circumstances!’ More V8s and four-wheel drive cars were angle-parked in front of the sign. Michael  turned the nose of the car into the drive to find that all car parks in front of the building were also full. Franklin  sighed, ‘Okay, let’s go around that corner and see if we can find a space there.’

‘You’re the boss.’ Michael ’s false cheerfulness was a not-so-subtle reminder to Franklin  that Michael  was still smarting from not having passed his exam for promotion. Michael  was a good cop, but he needed to grow up. Like many of his generation, Franklin  thought that he expected things to come too easily. Usually, Franklin  ignored his gibes, but today it was irritating.

‘Michael , that chip on your shoulder is getting annoying. If you’re so pissed off, then put in more study and resit the exam.’ He got out of the car and shut the door to end the conversation. He saw Michael  answer. Probably just another excuse, Michael  was full of excuses and Franklin  was over it.