Hey guys. So I had a bit of trouble figuring out the at-home actions of my victims. I'll probably bring what TRULY happened there up later.Anyway, this chapter is Gwen-centric. Don't worry; the CIT will get her turn for a solo chapter too- I just thought this out on a whim- and introduced the first [minor] threat to our heroines...

The Wild Child

Gwen POV

I think Courtney had this planned out all month. The promos went up a while ago, and ever since, she'd been preparing for the big trip.

Now, as I take a brief look through my suitcase, I realise that she was FAR more prepared than one would think.

Five changes of the same outfit, plus a couple sets of pajamas make up the clothing. There's a mini first aid kit, and it's definitely better equipped than Chef's pharmacy tent.

Don't think for a second that you can't do this, Gwen. You came in second before. How will this be any different?

...Because I'm not Gwen anymore. Of course.

If I just do everything the same, though, people will catch on to the similarities between myself and, well, myself. I have to avoid that kind of suspicion.

Ever since yesterday, Courtney's mom says that things with me are going differently. I keep telling her that I'm just nervous, but I'm not sure if she's buying it.

Of course, I could just tell her the truth. I could come clean and say, "I'm not your daughter." But then she might go a little overboard and call the cops on me, setting up a desperate search for the REAL Courtney and interrogating me for info.

That, or she wouldn't buy it at all.

I'd decided to spend the night close to the docks, rather than at home. I felt a little awkward around her folks. When they kept hugging me and telling me to come back safe, I knew I had to get out of there.

I can't really keep that promise if Chris is involved, anyway.

Oh, and on top of ALL of that, I left Courtney's PDA in her bedroom, so if she DOES regain control, she can't lawyer her way out of everything.

Man, being Courtney can be so much fun sometimes.

I finish setting up my tent and prepare for a good night's rest. However, just as I'm getting ready to change into my sleepwear, I hear a rustling in the nearby trees...

I initially pass it off as a bird or a squirrel, but then it gets closer. And closer.

I finally step outside of the tent to see what's going on, and what do I find...

...but a flash of green and orange leaping from branch to branch.

Oh, lord no. Did she get the same idea that I did? To start waiting for the boat now to avoid people?

Over the past thirty-nine hours, I'd thought about just about everything I'd had to endure across those four grueling years of my life. Chef's cooking. Chris' new rules as the ratings demand. Heather's... basically everything. But nowhere at all did I take into consideration the ever-changing variable that is Isabelle Jean Andreas, the Psycho Hose Beast.

Geez, that DID sound a lot like Courtney.

I can't decide whether greeting her in person is a good idea. On the one hand, making friends with someone pre-season could be a good thing. I'd have someone watching my back.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I want Izzy as a friend. Considering, you know, Explosivo and all. Plus, Chris probably isn't a fan of pre-season team-ups. I mean, he tried to seperate Katie and Sadie day one.

Mayve if we just greeted each other not as allies, but as rivals...?

"Hey, you! In the gray sweater! Helloooooooo?"

Oh, crap. She's already in my face.

"Oh, um... Hi? Didn't see you there." I'm a bit uneasy saying this. I'm a nervous wreck here, what with the future glaring me in the face. And Izzy is DEFINITELY not helping things.

"Really?" asks Izzy curiously. "I thought it was pretty obvious." She then swings her hand over my mouth. "Just don't tell the RCMP I'm here. They're looking for me."

I'd almost forgotten that she's wanted by the RCMP. Great.

"So, uh, what brings you out here?" asks Izzy. "I'm waiting for a boat."

"Really?" I ask rather convincingly. "So was I. You wouldn't be joining Total Drama Island, would you?" I glance towards the sea, sighing. "I'm on my way there, but the boat hasn't-"

"WHOA, WHOA, whoa. Are you psychic?" She looks kinda freaky for a moment, but then shakes her head. "Ah, yeah, what the heck. I'd wanted in since the advertisements. Oh, name's Izzy, by the way."

I have to bite my lip to say the right name in front of her. I'm not Gwen Pierce anymore, after all. "Okay, then. I'm Courtney. Pleased to meet you... I guess."

Then I decide to change gears. "Izzy, I just thought of something. If you're on TV, wouldn't the cops see you and just come for you faster?"

"Oh, nah," she replies, "it's cool. Adds to the challenge, don'tcha think? Plus, what are the chances the po-po actually watch reality TV?"

Here's the thing, though. Waaaay back when this all started, I learned that Duncan's parents are COPS. Heck, his whole FAMILY is made of cops. So I'm pretty sure that at least ONE of them would have turned on the TV to watch him, only to find the location of Muskoka's eighth most wanted in the process. It's not like HE would have reported it to them.

"You'd be surprised," I reply. She merely gives me a weird glance. Then she locks eyes with me. It's kind of terrifying to see Izzy look like that.

"You're hiding something," she says.

"What?" I quickly retort. "N-no! I have nothing to hide! What are you implying?"

She pauses, then shrugs. "I dunno. But I'll find out! Courtney, may you be spared from elimination long enough for me to figure it out."

As she bounds back into the woods, I both let out a sigh of relief and a shudder of terror. The LAST thing I need Izzy to do is expose me for who I really am- a fraud. An imposter.

I didn't even get to say goodbye.

Agh, I'm getting tired just thinking about it. I'll just go to sleep now and think about it in the morning.

Although one must wonder how one can get that crazy...

Okay, time out. I've covered a lot of ground today, and I want the series to truly start as soon as possible.

Also, did you miss the hints? Gwen and Courtney don't know the other is in their body. That'll be a fun chapter...