Gwen sits at the base of her tree, at least it might as well be her tree. She chose this spot quite often in the first season and throughout this third season just to get away from everything…and everyone. It offered such a peaceful view of the lake. The thing weighing on her mind at this point was the fact she was here again. Meaning it was yet another final three and she was so close and yet so far from winning the prize. She wandered if this would be her time. She wasn't so sure. Thanks to the huge success of the show, the top three winners were going to get rewarded handsomely. Third prize would be 1 million dollars. The runner-up would receive 2.5 million dollars while the top prize of 5 million went to the winner. Her competition was a couple of ok guys in her opinion. Duncan she still didn't particularly think that much of though they had grown on each other some. As for Cobalt…well…
Duncan: There's everyone's favorite goth chick. What are you up too? You don't have half-naked Trent to sketch.
Gwen: (blushes) Just…keeping to myself as usual. I wouldn't mind a little company though…
Cobalt: Hey now…you two better not start making out. You wouldn't want Trent to beat you senseless with his guitar now would ya Duncan?
Duncan: (chuckles) I think I could take him on with my knife.
Gwen: Yeah…then you'll have to contend with me. (imitating Leshawna) I'd hate to have to open a big can of whoop-ass on ya like I did with that serial killa.
All laugh at this, especially Leshawna back at Playa de Losers.
Cobalt: You know I think that was one of your best moments from season one. At least it was my favorite. Why do you think I try to avoid getting on you're bad side. Speaking of which, Duncan we can go hang elsewhere if Gwen would like some time to herself.
Gwen: No…no…it's cool. I was just telling Duncan how I would actually like some company.
Cobalt: Oh…ok…well I just thought you wanted to be alone. I'm cool with that by the way. We all have to take some time to ourselves. I've done that quite a bit as of late.
Gwen: You know Cobalt…trying to please everyone can wear you down. Why do you try so hard to be everything to everyone? Makes you come across as someone who thinks he's perfect.
Cobalt: Hey now…I never claimed to be perfect. As for pleasing folks…it's not that I'm purposely trying to please everyone…I just tend to try and indentify with others despite how different we may be. It's a quality that…Lisa always found refreshing and I don't want to lose that.
Duncan: And we're not saying lose it dude. I kinda like that about you myself. You want to identify with everyone but you won't be pushed aside from any stand you take. I think Gwen would like you to embrace your dominant personality.
Gwen: Exactly…I'm predominately the loner goth girl with a less than rosy outlook on all humans.
Duncan: And I'm the rebel who snubs any authority figure. Sure we've shown other aspects of ourselves while here but these are still are dominant personalities.
Cobalt: Never really given much thought as to what I am predominately.
Gwen: You…I'd say are an active and involved individual. Mostly though I'd say…
Duncan: You're just on all-around nice guy.
Gwen: I was gonna say compassionate.
Cobalt: I think I like Duncan's statement better.
Gwen: (rolls eyes) It's the same thing you know.
Duncan: Yeah…but the way I said it just…flows better.
Gwen: Hey now…I'm supposed to be the artistic one here. So onto the subject I know we're all dreading. What will our challenge be today?
Duncan: I let myself into Chris's trailer earlier this morning. Looks like it'll be something like that brunch of disgustingness from the first season. Hard to tell though, his notes are cryptic.
Cobalt: Probably knows you would most likely let yourself into his trailer.
Duncan: Yeah…he knows me too well unfortunately.
Cobalt: I for one am wandering how everyone is doing back at Playa de Losers.
Gwen: Well…I bet you that it's still a lot better there than it is here.
All nodded in agreement. Meanwhile back at the Playa de Losers, a groggy Noah begins to stir inside a cell somewhere beneath the resort hotel. He doesn't realize immediately that he's not alone.
Noah: You know…who ever you are? All the rest of the guys will start to wander where I'm at after awhile.
A young ladies voice: Somehow I doubt that if you're still the usual cynical bookworm that you are.
Noah glanced behind him in shock. Those harsh but somewhat true words came from none other than Courtney herself. Also with her were two adults that Noah reasoned were her parents.
Noah: You really…are alive. That or I'm dead. If that's the case then I'm obviously not in heaven.
Courtney: Of course I'm alive. We've just been locked down here for…maybe a month.
Noah: Well someone went to a lot of trouble to make it appear you were dead. I found the truth and hence I'm down here. Unfortunately I could never find out who it was but it's someone in that hotel.
The older gentlemen: I have a good idea on exactly who is behind this…oh and the name is Colin by the way. I'm Courtney's dad. And this is my wife Nicole, Courtney's mother.
Noah: Nice to meet you both…though not under these circumstances. I hate to rush through the opening greetings but…who do you think it is?
Nicole: Most likely my younger brother Jack. He always gets himself into these situations. I thought maybe he'd turned a corner with his current job as head producer but I guess even that couldn't keep him from the wrong side of the law.
Colin: It was obvious he'd be a criminal. He might be related somehow to that piece of work you fell for Courtney.
Courtney: Don't start that again dad. Duncan is nowhere near as bad as Uncle Jack. At least Duncan is honest and tells it how he sees it. Uncle Jack is a con-artist who deceives people for a living. Tell me Noah…how is Duncan?
Noah: Well he took your supposed death very hard. He felt responsible for your death. Let me explain…
So Noah proceeded to fill Courtney and her folks in on what he and the others had learned about Courtney's death. How it was made to look that Courtney had died of a ruptured appendix after getting back from a secret date with Duncan. Who ever set this up managed to stage the entire funeral. This was quickly picked up on in Courtney's hometown but not before all the campers arrived for the third season. Noah had revealed to them that the speculation was that the whole thing was an insurance scam that Courtney and her parents were in on. Now not only did they need to find a way out to possibly preserve their lives but now they also had their good names to try and clear. Meanwhile up top in the resort, no concern can be found as the teens there begin to gather in the main lounge to watch the latest episode unfold.
Leshawna: Hurry up Trent it's about to begin.
Trent: No need to rush. You know Chris is gonna take a good two minutes or more for his introduction.
Heather: Totally. Never thought I'd come across anyone who so loved to hear themselves talk more than myself.
Leshawna: I don't think you have to worry. That title is still safe with you miss center-of-the-universe.
Before too big an altercation began, five others came to join them for the viewing. They were the bffs Katie and Sadie along with Harold, who sat right down next to Leshawna, and one of the recent new couples to be born from the whole TDI experience; Beth and Ezekiel. Cody was not far behind. He informed the group that Izzy and Owen would be along shortly as would Lindsey and Tyler. Trent couldn't help but notice that his friend Cody seemed a little down.
Trent: Are you ok Codemeister?
Leshawna: What you looking so down for little man? I thought you'd be thrilled about Gwen getting this far yet again.
Cody: I am happy for Gwen and all. I'm also glad to be around so many new friends. I just…
Harold: You miss Amanda a bunch I'm guessing.
Cody: (sighs) That's exactly it. I hate that I can't speak to her. Stupid sequestered period. DJ is having an equally hard time with it. You know I was well received in the fan base of this show. That didn't follow me home unfortunately. If anything I became a laughingstock at my school for all that went on with me. There was one though who stood up for me and offered me comfort and that was her. Turns out she always had a crush on me but could never find the courage to tell me or anyone. When she saw what I went through during the show, she decided if I was brave enough to face all that, then it shouldn't be that big a deal for her to tell me how much she cared for me.
Beth: Say what you will about this show but it has made some significant changes to all our lives. I learned how to better socialize with others and even got courage to get to know Zeke here who it turns out lives less then thirty minutes from me.
Ezekiel: Yep…she was actually one of the first to talk to me after that stupid sexist comment I made that doomed me early on in season one. We actually have a lot in common it turns out eh.
Beth: He's so interesting when you get to know him. Did you guys know that he can speak seven languages?
Ezekiel: Well…I wouldn't say I was fluent in any of them eh.
Heather:
Oh please people; this stupid show doesn't have that profound an
effect of people's lives.
Harold: Oh but it has made a profound
difference in your life Heather.
Heather: Uhm…no it hasn't.
Leshawna: Now do you really expect us to believe that the old Heather would have settled for 10% of the winnings and quit. You would've been finding any means necessary to win this. Especially getting the new guy bumped off. Oh wait…but you couldn't do that. You have a thing for him after all.
Heather: That…that is so not true. I merely respect his competitive spirit and leadership skills.
Trent: Now we all know that you left to give Cobalt a chance to win it all. You confessed as much to Noah on the boat ride here.
Heather: (thinking of how many ways she could kill Noah slowly) Well…I…I just didn't think he had much of a chance to win. I know I didn't because most of the fans have already made known their dislike of me. Since there vote will determine a winner I took the opportunity to get out with something. Just basic strategy people.
Leshawna: Whatever you say girl. We know what the deal is. Besides we all saw you and him making out after the revisited paintball challenge.
Heather: (now thinking of how many ways to maim Chris) Ok…fine. I'm attracted to him and he somehow felt the same way. The way he stood his ground against me…was so hot. He even listened to me when I needed to just…vent. I have issues from my past that I need to voice at times. It was actually nice to talk to someone who didn't feel like they had to because I said so. But…this is more than you freaks need to know anyway.
Katie: Ah Heather…don't feel ashamed because you fell for someone. I think he's a nice fit for you in a weird kind of way. I've fallen for someone here myself…
Sadie: Oh…oh…I wanna be the one to give the news.
Cody: No need too Sadie. We all know that Katie and Noah have decided to start dating. Noah already told me. I kinda pried it out of him through my tried and true technique of constant nagging, so don't blame him for spoiling the surprise Katie:
Katie: Well…if it was just you he told then how come everyone knows then as you claim.
Leshawna: That was my bad Katie. I just couldn't keep such news to myself. Didn't think you wanted it to be a big secret. Oh man….all this talking about the show and stuff and it's already bout halfway over.
Heather: Doesn't look like we missed much. Appears he resurrected the brunch of disgustingness. He's about as original as Owen is skinny.
Trent: Looks like they already had a major barf fest. What's that he's saying…now that's not right? Poor Gwen.
Leshawna: What…what he say?
Trent: Apparently Chris decided to throw in a sick little twist. Basically the first to puke is out.
Leshawna: And it was…
Trent: (nods solemnly)
Leshawna: Damn…so close yet just short of the finish line again. She must be devastated.
Harold: She seems a little disappointed but in a way relieved.
Leshawna: Well quiet down sweetie and let's here what she has to say.
Back at Camp Wawanakwa, Gwen gives a little concession speech while standing alongside the two finalists Duncan and Cobalt.
Gwen: Well Duncan…congrats on going to the final round again. Maybe you'll do the unthinkable and win this crazy thing two times in a row. Cobalt, it was great meeting you and getting to know you. (in the best Southern accent she can muster) Best of luck to ya Cobalt sugah.
Cobalt: (unsuccessfully stifles a giggle) And good luck in all your future endeavors little lady. Any big plans for the million dollar payout.
Gwen: Well…I would like to split it four ways with Trent, Leshawna, and Cody since they helped to make this whole experience bearable and have become true friends of mine.
Back at the main lounge at Playa de Losers.
Leshawna: Oh yeah…that's what I'm talking about.
Harold: I trust you'll share your 250 thousand with me.
Leshawna: No worries baby. We'll go on that romantic cruise you've been trying so hard to save up for.
Harold: I would still kinda like to try to earn that all on my own for you.
Leshawna: Oh that's so sweet of you but…I tend to be impatient when it comes to potential cruises. Still appreciate the effort baby.
Trent: Me and Gwen should join you. Cody…you and Amanda would be welcomed to I'm sure.
Cody: Yeah…I would love for her to meet you guys.
Katie: Me and Noah should join you too. It will be one big party. I wish Noah was up here right now. I can't believe he contracted malaria. Here in Canada for that matter. If he were here, he'd claim it was due to global warming.
Sadie: Yup…that's definitely something he'd say.
Trent: Malaria is serious stuff Katie. I hope he'll recover from it. The quarantine on him is an unfortunate necessity.
Katie: I've been assured by the on-site medical staff that he'll be fine in a week or so. Assistant head producer Vince has even taken it on himself to keep me informed regularly of his condition. I just hope he's better by the finals. Even if he is, it's not likely he'll be able to travel with us over to Camp Wawanakwa.
Heather: No big loss there. If I could get out of it, I just assume stay here for the final. Stupid contractual obligation. Well I guess it's a good thing that we missed most of the barf-inducing episode cause I still have an appetite. In fact I'm starving.
Harold: Me too. Let's go grab so grub. Also need to let the others know what the result of this latest episode was. I can't believe Izzy and Owen didn't make it.
Trent: Probably couldn't pull themselves away from our resident party animal Geoff. I think he and Bridgette were setting up for the birthday pool party to be held tonight for Cobalt.
Heather: He's not even here to celebrate it though.
Trent: Well yeah…but you know Geoff.
Ezekiel: yep…any excuse for a party is a good excuse eh.
The viewing group made their way to the pool area to join the others. The lively bunch of teenagers had no idea just what peril awaited them once the night of the final episode arrived.
