Fantasy Camp Haven

[Yanire]

I looked at her, pursing my lips. "It might have been him." I responded to her question. "And Tim, as well. Dr. Marsh went to check it out just now. I couldn't get a good look at who it was, but they're my first guess." I thought again for a moment - if I were being perfectly honest, I wasn't entirely sure what was upstairs. The only thing that I knew for certain was that it was for campers who had misbehaved. I'd assumed a detention center of some sort, where they would need to complete an assignment like they did for mischievous school children. Or perhaps it was a place where the particularly unruly campers would await for their parents to come pick them up if they needed to leave the camp? Maybe a place where counselor and camper could speak to each other and get to the root of issues in confidence, the way that I'd hoped that campers and counselors could. The fact that I wasn't able to tell her for certain made me uneasy.


"It's a detention center, I believe. Maybe Ashton and Tim have gone to have a discussion." I crossed my arms around myself. The cool air from the pavilion was aiding my damp clothes in giving me goosebumps. "I'm worried about him." I confided in her. "I think that he'll benefit from being here, though - around others with special gifts." Hopefully not at their expense. I cleared my throat. "It sure does mean a lot that you're concerned for him... that other girl too. What was her name?" I thought for a moment. "Bray." I said, answering my own question quickly. "She seemed to calm him rather quickly. And -." I stopped mid-sentence, realizing that I'd been so rude as to not ask her name. "I'm sorry - I didn't catch your name." I extended my hand. "Eris." I told her. Although she probably already knew, it felt proper doing it this way.


@ChaoticWarrior @ZevVeli @Maximus @Clockwork Syringe

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly smiled, "people need to look out for each other." She said. She shook Eris' hand "Lilly" she replied, another name she was probably told this morning and had ended up forgetting, she wanted to make sure she remembered everyone's name this time. Tim, Eris and Dr Msrsh. "and it's nice to meet you" she seemed a lot less nervous now.


When Lilly held Eris' hand she realised just how cold she must be. She was soaked, and it wasn't exactly hot where they were standing. Without any thought the water that was soaking Eris seemingly gravitated towards Lilly's hand where it formed a ball of water that swirled around in her hand. The ball then disappeared, seemingly evaporating and merging with the air in a matter of seconds. "I'm so Sorry!" she said worriedly, and apologetically, realising what she was doing. She had the feeling that she might have invaded Eris' personal space. she hung her head guiltily.

 

[SilentSir]

Jason was pissed, that much was clear. He didn't approve of my choice in putting Ashton in Penance, no matter how much it was deserved. "Marsh, you need to understand something. You are not in charge here, I am. I did what is best for the other campers. Ashton needs to understand that arrogance and instability will not fly around here." Then I lowered my voice. "Neither will insubordination. If you continue to question my judgement, then you will join Ashton in Penance." I pushed past the doctor, and headed back outside, fuming. They didn't understand why I was like this. They couldn't, not yet. We hadn't had an incursion, and King hadn't contacted me yet. I was getting worried. Hopefully we would have enough time to prepare.

 

[Tiny Dancer]

[media]



[/media]
We had a tense stand off. The anger I felt for Richards actions which was his irresponsible measure, in handling a boy like Ashton. Richards need to show authority - to stamp out what he saw as my insubordinate actions in arguing that maybe Tim was wrong. Although he was right about one thing, I wasn't in charge of the campers or the running the facility. But when it came to their health and well being, then it was well within my jurisdiction to look out for the boy's mental stability. When Richards lowered his voice and then pointed out that if I were to push this issue, to condemn his decision further that he would put me in with Ashton. It was almost too incredulous to believe. In my mind I was doing my job, and yet for any argument to defend the boy would result in me suffering the same fate as Ashton.


Richards pushed past me, and then headed outside. Probably to cool off. But I was rooted in place. There was no way I was going to let this guy....this supposed teacher; push me into using my curse in retaliation. I was better than that. I hid my scars well. Deep below my day to day facade. I had to.

I have a tale to tell


Sometimes it gets so hard


To hide it well


I was not ready for the fall


Too blind to see the writing on the wall


A man can tell a thousand lies


I've learned my lesson well


Hope I live to tell


The secret I have learned


'Til then


It will burn inside of me


We all had our secrets.


I turned my head slowly to see Richards finally leave the facility. Where he was going to now, I seriously didn't care. I didn't take being threatened kindly, and I sure as Hell, was not going to forget it. Part of me wanted to check on Ashton, but then that would lead to another run in with Richards no doubt. Instead, I went back towards my office, to dwell on the day's events so far and to write up a report that would include everything.


@SilentSir @Yanire @Geozaki

 

[Yanire]

My eyes widened as Lilly unexpectedly began to manipulate the water from my clothes. The dampness from around the collar of my scrub top began to recede momentarily before she quickly apologized. It was as though the water had decided that it was bored of me, and instead gravitated toward her. Her lowered head showed my everything that I needed to know. She was ashamed of her gift - or her lack of control of it. "Don't be sorry!" I said quickly. "See?" I pointed at my collar, which was a little less damp than before. "If anything it helped a bit." I gave her a reassuring smile and gently placed my hand on her shoulder. Before realizing that this would probably invade the personal space of such a shy young girl, I felt it - something was hurting, or had recently been hurting anyway. "Hey." I said gently, crouching in front of her to take a closer look at her face. Her right eye to be exact. I hadn't noticed it before, but there was a faint bruising to the side of it, somewhat hidden by her hair. My brows pushed together. "Catch a battle scar while training today?" She was right, people did need to look out for one another. I removed my hand from her shoulder, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Briefly, I heard the faint echo of footsteps far off down the hall followed by a door opening and closing. Someone had left, and as I waited for a response from Lilly, I didn't bother to turn and see who it was.


@Geozaki @SilentSir @Tiny Dancer

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly looked up at Eris when she mentioned that she'd helped a little. She wasn't often commended for the accidental use of her abilities, well not before coming to the camp anyway, so she was finding it atrange, and wasn't completely sure how to react. Then Eris smiled at her, the last time anyone had smiled at her liked that had been when everything had been when her life had taken a turn for the worst, but that smile had made it all ok. Then Eris placed her hand on her shoulder. Lilly blushed slightly feeling slightly warm inside. As Eris crouched down Lilly looked into her eyes, her own eyes showing a mixture of emotions, happiness, sadness, thankfulness, pain and relief.


Lilly slowly nodded in response to Eris' question, she had been hoping that no-one would notice. She didn't want to bring attention to herself, or waste anyone's time. When Eros removed her hand from her shoulder, Lilly felt a strange longing, she wished that Eris hadn't taken her hand away, but she tried not to show that. She heated a quiet sound from somewhere inside the building, it sounded like footsteps. But Lilly didn't pay it much attention. She was a little preoccupied. She was resisting a strange urge she had to hug Eris.

 

[SilentSir]

When I left the medical center, I immediately headed for the counselor cabin. I needed time, and I had to contact King. Ashton was getting out of control, and the staff was becoming suspicious of my actions. I needed to keep the operation under wraps for a little while longer. They couldn't know the danger that we were going to face, not until they were ready. By the time I reached the cabin, night was beginning to fall. Lights out was almost upon the camp, so i decided to hop into the shower and pass out. I stripped out of my counselor uniform and let the hot water cascade around me. Felt great to be able to wash away the stress of the day. Then, I looked down into the drain, only to see blood mixing in with the water. I frantically began checking my entire body, searching for the source of the leak. I grabbed the back of my head, and I stopped. I pulled my hand away, It was dark red. Somehow, I was bleeding from my skull. I blinked once, trying to clear my now blurry vision, but to no effect. "Shit, not again...." I muttered as I passed out, the shower still running.

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly saw Tim enter the room, and leave. He didn't seem to have noticed her or Eris. However. Lilly noticed him. She had been worried when he first entered the room, she was worried that he might have been angry with her after she had left him so abruptly earlier. However as he passed her worry faded, well in a sense. Her worry of him being angry faded, and was replaced with worry that he was alone. Eris had said that two people had gone upstairs, and they were presumed to be Tim and Ashton. But only Tim came downstairs. What had happened to the other person? Was it Ashton? If it was, would Tim take his anger out on him?


Lilly couldn't help herself, she looked at Eris worriedly, then rushed in the direction that Tim had came from. She found a stairway that lead up and she ran up it. She looked around when she reached the top "Ashton?" She called, her worry evident in her voice. "Ashton!" Lilly ran through the rooms, looking for any signs of whoever had been with Tim, however as she searched she became increasingly sure that it had been Ashton.


After a short while, Lilly came to a large steel door. It seemed almost out of place, ominous against it's surroundings. "Ashton?" She called. She tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. It must have been locked. Lilly had no idea what was on the other side of that door, but whatever it was she didn't like it. It was almost as if pure fear was leaking from whatever was contained the other side of the door. Then she thought that Ashton, or whoever had been with Tim could be trapped inside. Without a thought her powers kicked in. She placed her palm on the door's lock and a small jet of air burst into the mechanism, vibrating at extreme frequencies and moving the small pins inside the lock. There was a loud 'Click' as the lock gave in, believing that it's key was what had caused the lock to turn.


Lilly opened the door slowly. There was something ominous about this room, something that she was terrified to face. The door was heavy, so she had to pull with all her might to open it. When it was finally open, the light streamed in, revealing the room's interior. What was inside was slightly anti climactic in comparison to how scared she had been. The only thing the room seemed to contain was a metal chair. Lilly walked inside, she was still scared as the ominous feeling was still very prominent, but she had to know if Ashton was inside. He could have been sitting on the chair, she just needed to get closer to know as her sight was still adjusting, the room was much darker than everywhere else in the building. "Ashton?" She asked timidly as she entered slowly. Then Lilly jumped out of her skin as the door slammed behind her, she rushed up to it, but there was no keyhole on the inside, it was as if this place was some sort of prison cell, designed to keep someone inside. She turned to look into the room, she had the feeling that someone was watching her. "Hello?" She asked, her voice very small and timid.

@ChaoticWarrior

​

 

[Tiny Dancer]

The light in the office cast over my desk, as I closed the last file and placed them in the blue wire tray next to my computer terminal. I had submitted a journal report, along with the medical files on Ashton, which were conclusive after the extensive testing that Eris and I had carried out. Pushing myself back in my chair, I let out an audible groan, running my fingers through my hair and then I noticed the time as the clock on the wall was now just ten off midnight. Talk about burning the candle at both ends. In the quiet of my office, I had been able to calm my temper, after putting down everything in my report. Those at the main headquarters were probably not going to be all that happy, but I had reported truthfully and without bias. Yawning, I knew it was time to head back to my room. It was a bit of a walk from the medical center, but the night air would do me the world of good. No late night coffee for me. I was pretty sure that the moment my head hit the pillow, I'd be out for the count.


Switching off my computer, I headed out of my office - closing the door behind me and then looking about for any signs of life.I couldn't hear anything that was out of the ordinary, and so I left the medical center and off back to my cabin.


Reaching the staff cabin area, I could see that Tim's light was still on. He was probably doing some late night reading, though I never really socialized with him outside working hours, nor during them. I'd seen enough of him for one day. Shrugging, I continued on, reaching my door and unlocking it. A flick of the switch and on entering my cabin, everything was as it should be. It wasn't overly homey. There were no family photos, no trophies or pieces of childhood memorabilia, for to me...I lost my innocence long ago. I stripped off slowly as I approached my bathroom, and could hardly wait for a steaming hot shower, before climbing into bed finally. The good thing about living alone was that there was no one to answer too, no one telling you to pick up your things, or to put the seat down on the toilet. But there was also no one to share my day with....or my night.


After a good long shower, I entered my bedroom and noticed that the bed had been made up. Good on the cleaning staff. There was nothing like the feeling of crisp clean sheets against a tired body. I slipped easily beneath them and stared up at the ceiling before reaching over to turn out my bedside light.


(Time skip?)


@ChaoticWarrior @ZevVeli @Maximus @Clockwork Syringe

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly looked around the room, nothing. "Hello?" She asked timidly once again. A figure stepped into the room, as if he'd been hiding in the shadows. "Hello Lilly" He said menacingly, in his hand he was holding a rugged metal sword, it looked a little like it was entirely created by barbed wire that had been merged with an extremely large scalpel blade, which had been attached to a hilt, blood was dripping off the sword as he moved. He walked slowly towards Lilly, holding the sword threateningly. Lilly banged against the steel door desperately. She turned around, the man was closer. She ran from the door to the other side of the room, distancing herself from the man. He was simultaneously The man she loved the most, the man she feared the most and the man she hated the most. "It's all your fault you know" He said as he neared. Lilly nodded in response, tears starting to glide down her face. "Both of them" The man continued "Your mother... we all know how you brutally murder, but unfortunately for us, we were old enough to remember, and your sister, Sophie, was it not while protecting you that she died." Lilly had cornered herself, she slid down the wall and buried her face in her hands, while her father continued to hurl abuse at her. "If you think hiding in this place will stop me, think again!" He snarled.


(Am ready for skip too)

 

[ZevVeli]

Morning brought with it a mixture of excitement and apprehension. While Tommy was prepared to learn how to control his abilities he was afraid of some of the counselors. It seemed to him that some of his fellow campers were aggressive, or felt a need to prove themselves. I wonder why that is? He thought as he pulled on his jeans and baggy black tee-shirt. Briefly he reflected on the interactions he had had with the bullies back home. They tended to attack him at first for his different tastes, followed by his different abilities. Tommy had mistakenly believed that the people here would be more understanding. I guess that people always want to be at the top.

 

[SilentSir]

"He must not be allowed......Stop him.....finish it Kenneth.....Kill him!"





I woke with a start, breathing heavily as the dark memories faded from my mind. I looked around, trying to get my bearings. Then, I felt the cold water hitting me. "Oh, that's right..." I mumbled as I reached up and turned off the shower. I had passed out in here last night. I reached back and checked my head, trying to see if the leak closed. I pulled my hand back. It was clear. "What the..." I muttered. I stood up, and stepped out of the shower. I dried myself off, and grabbed my spare uniform out of the closet. Pulling it on, I went over the previous day's events. Ashton was still in Penance, and Marsh was pissed at me. Lilly needed another bout of training today, and she had made real progress in her control. I decided that I would head over to Lilly's cabin, and wake her up for a quick 3 mile jog. After all, Cardio helps with control. I left the cabin, slamming the door behind me, and jogged in the direction of the camper cabins.

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly had not had a pleasant night. She hadn't slept, she'd endured verbal abuse from her father, which to her was worse than most physical abuse, she'd had to witness her sister's death again, and she was once again powerless to do anything.

 

[Tiny Dancer]

My morning routine was totally out of whack. First off, my alarm didn't go off on time, then I more or less rolled out of bed with a start - landing on the floor and feeling confused. Propping myself up I could see that it was already 6.30am and the time I allowed myself for my morning run was seriously cut by well over an hour. Grumbling, I pushed up off the floor and staggered into the bathroom, where a morning shower and wash should wake me up a lot better than a hot cup of coffee.


Stepping out of my cabin, dressed in jeans, a polo shirt and my runners, I decided that rather than going up to the Medical center straight up, I'd go to the dining hall. I don't know how many breakfasts I had missed of late, but for once I felt like treating myself. Going the whole hog and having a continental breakfast, with orange juice and a good mug size cup of joe.


Entering the dining hall, there were a few campers, but not that many. The sound of the cafeteria staff out in back was actually a nice change. The gaggle of voices, with the sound of the radio playing the latest hits made for a relaxing atmosphere. The events of the previous day were now set in the back of my mind, and to be honest, I really didn't want to rehash over them. Finding the paper stand, I took the morning's edition, and then fell in line to wait to be served.


@Geozaki @SilentSir @Yanire @SurroundSound @ZevVeli @Maximus @Clockwork Syringe

 

[SilentSir]

I reached Lilly's cabin, but when I knocked on the door, I found it was unlocked. "Lilly?" I called as I opened the door. I received no response. "Hmmm, odd." I muttered. I figured she must be in the cafeteria getting breakfast. I decided not to disturb her, and instead made my way to the medical center. After all, I had to see if Ashton was taking well to Penance. I briskly jogged across the campground, listening to the campers go about their morning. The sun was just coming through the treeline, casting long shadows throughout the camp. The sun, combined with the morning dew on the ground, gave off the illusion that the grass was crystalized, twinkling in the morning rays. I reached the medical pavilion, and headed upstairs. I rounded the corner, and saw the door. I smiled and called out. "Hey Ashton, how you holding up? Want out yet, or you still think you're tough?"

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly lifted her head and looked towards the door, she thought she had heard a voice from outside. Actually, she was sure that she'd heard a voice from outside it seemed the owner of the voice was talking with the intent of being heard inside the room, it was speaking to Ashton. Lilly hadn't seen Ashton in the room, she was looking for him when she found herself stuck in the room, and whoever was outside seemed to believe he was in there. Lilly recognised the voice, it took a moment, but then she realised who it was, Tim.


Tim had supposedly come upstairs with Ashton the day before, but he came back downstairs alone, he seemed to believe that Ashton was in this room. But Lilly couldn't understand why he'd lock someone in a room with her father, or even why her father was there.


"Help" Lilly mumbled feebly, her voice even smaller and quieter than usual. she didn't want to call Tim by his first name, thinking it would be disrespectful, and she didn't want to anger him as she was still scared of him. As soon as she'd spoke Lilly reflexively tensed, as if she was expecting someone to attack her.

 

[SilentSir]

I heard a small cry come from inside the room, and it wasn't Ashton. "Lilly!" I grabbed the door, and yanked it open, breaking the lock. The light from the hallway illuminated the room. No sign of Ashton, and there was Lilly, lying on the floor, crying. I knelt down and spoke softly. "What happened? How did you get in here? I locked the door. Are you ok?" I looked around the room. The metal chair was still there, but Ashton was gone. I sighed. It was a rare occurrence, but sometimes the room would take campers, and they would never be seen again. It had the terrifying ability to read a camper's thoughts, and make a judgement if Penance would help, or damage the camper even more. If the latter was the case, the camper would disappear. I shook my head, I thought Ashton showed promise. I guess I had been wrong. I turned back to Lilly. "Let's get you out of here ok? You don't belong in this room."

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly slowly sat up when Tim entered the room, she kept glancing around the room worriedly. She wrapped her arms around Tim, clinging onto him. After a short while she backed off "sorry" she said, wiping the tears from her face. Then, as she'd calmed down a little she answers Tim's questions. "I was looking for ashton" she said quietly before sniffing "and, yeah I'm fine thanks" she offered Tim a weak smile.

 

[SilentSir]

I accepted the hug Lilly gave me. After all, she was just a child. I couldn't imagine what kind of trauma Penance had unleashed on her, and I didn't plan to find out. Then a thought occurred to me. "Here, maybe this will help." I reached down and picked Lilly up, placing her piggyback style over my shoulders. I looked back at her. "Hold on tight now, I don't want you falling off." I carried her out of the Penance hall, not bothering to fix the door. I had a feeling that I wouldn't be needing to use the room again. We went downstairs, and out of the medical pavilion. The sun was higher in the sky, casting light across the camp. Campers were training, practicing their arts as the counselors in training looked on. I smiled. We would be ready after all. I looked back at Lilly again. "Want to have some fun? Skip training for the day?" I felt like she needed a break, especially after what had happened to her.

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly giggled a little as Tim lifted her up onto his back. She sighed when they left the room, as soon as they left she felt happier and more at ease. She giggled again. When they exited the medical pavilion, Lilly watched the training curiously until Tim spoke, suggesting they skip training for today and have some fun "ok" Lilly said excitedly and with a smile.

 

[SilentSir]

I smiled, I knew Lilly would like that. I thought more about what kind of fun we would have, then out of the corner of my eye, I spotted another camper who looked familiar. "Hey!" I called out to him. "Tommy! Over Here!" I hoped he would hear me. It would be good for Lilly and Tommy to socialize, since I had kept Lilly from meeting most of the other campers. She probably had to be feeling a bit isolated at this point, so bonding for a couple hours with another camper would definitely be beneficial.


@ZevVeli

 

[Tiny Dancer]

There was something wonderful about the dinner lady named Ethel. A rather short yet rotund woman with huge breasts that sort of hung down over her protruding belly. She had a laugh that was from deep in the gut, and it rolled out across the dinner hall, as someone had just told the dirtiest of jokes. I couldn't help but give a bit of a chuckle myself - not that I had heard the joke, but the fact that Elthel's laughter was so damn contagious. I swore that the woman was a blessing in disguise, and she was a top cook to boot. She had of course taken good care of me, since I arrived at Camp Haven, even going as far as to arrange a dinner tray to be brought up to the medical unit whenever I was doing an all nighter with a particular case. So, when she spotted me going through the morning's front page of the daily news, she adjusted her hair net and ambled out with the biggest of smiles.


"Ernie here just told the rudest joke...I almost pissed maself with laughter."





"It must have been a good one." I said with a smile, letting the paper fall from my hand and then turning to see the wonderful buffet of morning fare. It all smelt so good. Ethel was already getting a hot plate for me, and handed it over gingerly. "A man like you needs his breakfast. Keeps your fit." Looking at the scrumptious delights - bacon, scrambled eggs, baked beans, hash browns, grilled tomato and buttered mushrooms, I knew one thing for sure. "I'm going to need to do a bit more running though. Might have to after this lot."





Ethel the dinner lady gave a loud snort of laughter, and said something about me having hollow legs. In the meantime I picked up the tongs, and started to load up a plate, when I happened to hear laughter coming from outside the dining hall. Looking to my left, I could see Richards carrying Lily on his back. I immediately dropped the tongs back in the food, and then stood there, as I heard him sing out for Tommy, one of the other campers. "Where was Ashton?" I thought to myself. Didn't he lock the boy in Penance, and leave him there? Now he is playing silly buggers with the other campers? Ethel heard the clang of the tongs, and came out to see that I looked angry all of a sudden. You could say that Richards had managed to put me right off my food. "Something wrong, Doctor?" she asked, genuinely concerned. I did a double take and then handed her back the hot plate.


"I'll be right back a minute." Sure, I said that, but did I mean it.


Heading back outside, I jogged up to Richards, who was still carrying Lily on his back.


"Where's Ashton? Is he still locked in Penance?" If he could read the expression on my face, he'd know that I hadn't let what happened last night go.


@Geozaki @SilentSir @Yanire @SurroundSound @ZevVeli @Maximus @Clockwork Syringe

 

[SilentSir]

Dr. Marsh came marching up to me. I could tell by the expression on his face that he was clearly still pissed about the previous day's events. However, when he asked if Ashton was still in Penance, I knew he wasn't going to like my answer. "Ashton's gone. The room took him. The Penance Hall has the ability to read a camper, and if it determines that the camper is a danger to himself or others, the camper will disappear. I don't know where they go, or if they will ever come back. It's rare, but it has happened before. I'm sorry. There was nothing I could do once that door shut." I averted my gaze from Jason, waiting for the verbal onslaught.

 

[Geozaki]

Lilly wasn't 'listening in' on the conversation purposely, but it was slightly hard for her to not hear what was going on. "wait what?" She asked worriedly "What happened to Ashton?"it was obvious that she was confused, "Where's the penance hall? Can I do anything to help?" Ashton had disappeared because he was dangerous, this didn't quite make sense to Lilly.

 

[Tiny Dancer]

I simply could not believe what I was hearing. It was almost to incredulous to be true, and to make matters worse, he was announcing this so matter of factly in front of a camper, that had been Ashton's friend. For a moment I was practically dumbfounded, as though I had my breath taken from me. A camper...was gone. Accused of being a danger and so the hall of Penance simply took him. There was such an air of finality, that it was almost as though Richards had no feelings about the loss of the boy. But the clincher was when Richards averted his gaze from me, all the while Lily was begging to be told what happened, for she didn't seem to understand it either.


"What the hell do we tell his parents? His guardians? We have a responsibility to protect them, Tim." For the first time ever, I actually used his first name in a conversation. That could be a clue as to just how made I was. I then looked up at Lily's frightened face. The poor girl. She wanted to help, but from what Tim had said, there was nothing that could be done. The boy was gone.


If it weren't for the fact that he was carrying this girl on his back, I would have flattened him right then and there. But...what he probably didn't know was that I had filed a report, of the previous days events, including the boy's stint in hospital, and the fact that Richards had locked the boy in Penance.


I had been put right off my breakfast, by this whole terrible saga, and then knew the only thing for me to do, was go up to the Medical center. Wordlessly I turned away and left Richards to explain this to the other counselors and the campers. He was Head, now it was about time he acted like it.


@Geozaki @SilentSir @Yanire @SurroundSound @ZevVeli @Maximus @Clockwork Syringe