Hello everyone! CJzilla here with the next chapter for Youth Tour! In this update, the final ten teens are on their way to Boney Islnd for a camping trip. They have to deal with the rivalry with Chris and Howard boiling over, monstrous prehistoric beasts, curses and Boney Island. Will all make it back? The ones that do return, are they still sane? And what of Chris and Hatchet? Was their one day vacation free of trouble? Find out.
As I rampage all over this city, alls CJzilla has to roar is this: R&R! Love, hate... review.
Chapter 19
Bungle On Boney Island
It was another day at Camp Wanawanaka. The morning was unusually boring and gloomy. Casey and Nicol were still inconsolable for losing their respective squeezes. Conroy was ignoring his Wooly Beaver, much to its despair, and paying his attention to Ce-Di. Ce-Di has stopped chasing Howard, which provided a lot of entertainment, and enjoyed being waited on hand and foot by Conroy. With Casey and Howard, Conroy and Ce-Di being abnormally tame, the camp was very quiet.
But there were four kids trying to put some fun in their morning.
"Chug! Chug! Chug!" Russell chanted as Adam wolfed down a smoothie that had all of Chef Hatchet's breakfast items in it. Kassie and Alex watched the sixteen-year-old drink that lumpy drink.
"That's gross." Alex made a face, one hand holding a sandwich and the other around Kassie's waist. His bubbly fifteen-year-old girlfriend giggled.
"It's cool! Look how fast Adam's chuggin'!" Kassie had a big smile on her face. "It reminds me of my competitions back home."
Alex quirked a brow.
"Competitions?" The artist repeated. Then Kassie realized what she just spilled.
"Uh-… I mean it is totally gross." She gave him a big smile that she used to try and hide her blunder. It didn't work.
Cut to Outhouse Confessionals.
"-And then she said something about competitions but when I asked her about it, she tried to change the subject." Alex looked at the ceiling of the outhouse. "I wonder what she competed in and why she's so secretive about that. I wanna find out. The basis of any relationship is honesty and if this secret she's keeping is hurting her, I want to help her."
Static.
"No, no. You said competitions. What did you compete in?" Alex asked. Kassie's lips retreated into her mouth; this was obviously something she didn't want to spill.
"Uh- I gotta go to the bathroom!" The fifteen-year-old jumped out of Alex's arms. Just then Adam gave a loud burp, having completely chugged the smoothie.
The sixteen-year-old patriot slammed the pitcher down on the table and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Adam then smiled at Russell.
"Pay up, bro." He held open his hand. The seventeen-year-old photography nerd grumbled and dug in his pocket.
Russell slapped a squished Twinkie in Adam's outstretched hand. Alex made a face, forgetting about Kassie's mystery.
"You did all that… for a Twinkie?" The budding artist and writer questioned. Adam smiled proudly.
"Yup." He chirped. Alex glanced at Kassie.
Just then they heard footsteps up the stairs to the mess hall. To Kassie's distain, in trudged Casey with Howard right behind her.
Cut to Outhouse Confessionals.
"And BOOM! There went the peace and quiet." Kassie folded her arms tight and glared at the screen. "Casey and all of her drama guarantees the morning's going to suck for the rest of us." She gave the camera a royally miffed look. "I don't like Casey. She such a snob that she can't take a reality check! What a loser. This island would be much better without her here."
Static.
The fifteen-year-old girl shot the rocker chick a venom glare which Casey readily returned. The seventeen-year-old parked her butt on the farthest table from the bubbly girl and looked out the window. Alex watched his girlfriend fold her arms tight and glare at the blue-haired girl.
"Kassie." The artist put his hand on her shoulder, snapping out of her rile. Kassie glanced up at Alex before she frowned and returned her eyes to glaring at Casey.
Howard looked at Russell and Adam and he made a face.
"Well, at least I'm not the only one bored today." The seventeen-year-old rich kid rolled his eyes. Adam looked at his Twinkie and shrugged.
"C'mon, Howard!" Adam said. "There's a lot of stuff to do! Why don't you go lie on the beach? Isn't that the stuff you rich people do anyway?"
Howard made a disgusted face.
"Of course, but have you SEEN the beach? It's full of garbage! I will not lie on a beach that's full of garbage." The prissy boy folded his arms defiantly. "It's disgusting."
Adam sighed.
"I'm bored too." He dropped his head to the table. "I think we all are."
They all heard a sigh and Casey stand from her chair. The gloomy rocker chick made a break for the door. Howard zipped in front of her and braced himself against the doorframe.
"Oh, no you don't." He told her, blocking her path. Casey gritted her teeth.
"Get out of my way, Howard." She growled, not at all happy that he wouldn't let her leave.
"No!" Howard returned. "I'm not letting you leave."
Casey frowned but wasn't angry enough to shove him.
Cut to Outhouse Confessionals.
"Casey's gotta buck up." Howard looked at the screen. Then he rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes; tell me I'm soft, tell me I'm a lovesick fool and tell me I'm outta my gourd but you have to see like I do. Casey's my archenemy; she can drive me to be a knife-wielding homicidal maniac and the sick part is… when she's so down like she is now, I'd give anything to hear her tell me I'm a rich snob with a control complex." He rolled his baby-blue eyes again. "Pathetic, I know. But if I get her to come out of that funk, her and I might go back to the way we were just after the masked men challenge." Howard quivered. "She broke up with Chris too, you know."
Static.
Casey sat there, her face in her hands. "Just let me be sad. Is that too much to ask?"
Static.
Just then Casey saw Chris walk up the steps to the mess hall. The TV host flashed her a smile and her face softened. Looking back at the annoying rich boy, Casey flicked his nose and returned to her seat. Howard watched her sit before he heard Chris clear his throat from behind him. The rich boy jumped five feet in the air.
"Mornin' Howard." Chris smiled at him. "Thanks for holding the door for me. I didn't know you cared."
Howard smoldered and stepped aside.
"I wasn't." He snapped. "And I don't."
The TV host gave a chuckle before he walked into the mess hall. The man looked over the teens in the room and grinned.
"Welcome to the final ten, everybody! You've all worked hard to get here so I think it would be fair to reward you." Chris beamed. The teens lit up, smiles on their faces. "But before I divulge today's super awesome, super exciting challenge, I need to get everyone else here."
With that he walked to the kitchen, where Hatchet was sharpening his knives. Then the loud speakers squealed.
"Lily, Conroy, Nicol and Ce-Di! Report to the mess hall right away! Your next challenge awaits!" The TV host's voice carried over the speakers.
Chris then walked back out into the cafeteria and smiled at everyone.
"You going to give us any hints, Chris?" Adam asked, smiling. The TV host shrugged.
"Why not? You need to mentally prepare yourselves anyway." Chris tapped his head, making the campers glance at each other and swallow hard. "You guys are going on a camping trip."
The teens blinked at him.
"Camping?" Russell repeated, quirking a brow. "Haven't we been doing that?"
Chris shook his head.
"No. Not at all. You pampered teens have been staying at a summer camp." The man grinned that cocky grin. Howard scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"I'm an expert on being pampered, Chris." The seventeen-year-old rich boy pointed to himself. "And I can tell you that risking bear attacks, surviving food that has likely given us all parasites and sleeping in those drafty shacks daily is NOT considered pampering."
It appeared that Chris was having a hard time holding in a big laugh.
"But you kids have the protection of Chef Hatchet and I, someone to prepare food and warmth for you." The TV host added. "But once you take away electricity and indoor plumbing, seemingly civilized and pampered teens start reverting back to a primeval state." He gave Howard a glance before smiling again. "Which is good news for ratings."
Howard just stuck his nose in the air.
"It's going to take a little more than a day out in the wild to-" The snobby rich boy began.
"I said camping trip. Meaning, you'll be spending the night over there." Chris interrupted a sadistic shadow covering over his chiseled face. The teens in the room gave him a wide-eyed look.
"What do you mean "over there"?" Alex peered at the TV host. McClean just smiled widely, trying to hold in a laugh.
Just then Conroy and Ce-Di walked in; well, actually, Ce-Di had Conroy's legs and Conroy was "walking" with his hands. The classic human wheel barrel.
"Hi everyone!" The spazzy blond walked Conroy over to the table where Adam and Russell were sitting. In the process, she slammed her boyfriend's face into the table, making it jerk. "Ooo. Sorry, snuggie!"
Conroy was on his feet in a flash but had a big, flat, red mark on his face.
"I'm all right!" The oriental boy chirped, puffing out his chest. "That was fun! I should walk on my hands more often."
Ce-Di hugged her boyfriend and giggled.
"Walk on your hands in a dress, Conroy, and I'd call it fun for everyone." Chris told the fifteen-year-old wannabe daredevil. Conroy saluted and then looked at the girls.
"Does anyone have a dress?" He called out. Kassie shook her head and Casey gave a dry laugh.
"Why don't you check Chris's closet, Conroy?" Howard returned, a mocking smile twisting his face as he looked at the TV host. "I'm sure he'd have a dress."
Chris just rolled his dark eyes.
"And he'd find sunless tanner, heels and a bra in your closet, Howard." The TV host returned, smiling and running a hand through his hair. The kids laughed.
Howard scoffed.
"Isn't that your forte, McClean?" He fired back. "Since you wear more makeup than all girls on this island combined."
"Oooo"s from the teens in the room.
"I'm mildly disturbed that you are suddenly a whiz on what I have in my closet, Philips." Chris returned, looking at his nails. "You should be more concerned with your wardrobe. Pink shirt with white pants? You're not in Beverly Hills anymore."
A cross look surfaced on Howard's pretty face.
"And we're not at a thirty-year high-school reunion, McClean." The seventeen-year-old retorted. "It's time to put away the hair transplants and arthritic ointment, old man."
That… was uncalled for and just as Lily and Nicol walked in. The teens gave Howard a wide eyed gape while stealing glances at Chris. At reading his rival's face, Howard knew he had finally gotten under that thick, cocky exterior. Chris looked irked.
"What? Are you going to blame the musky smell of your adult diaper on your new "cutting edge" cologne?" The rich boy said, an evil Grinch-like smile curling on his face. Chris's face twisted with anger. "Aw! Did you forget what we were talking about? Here's a hint: it has something to do with your dentures clattering when you talk."
"I am old enough to be tried as an adult for murder, Howard." Chris growled. "Unlike you, who has to get rides to parties by your mom."
Howard stood from his seat and crossed his arms, smirking defiantly.
"Watch your blood pressure. Your oxygen machine is back at your trailer." The seventeen-year-old fired back.
"Pretty tough talk from a mall rat so far away from his home and friends." Chris couldn't shake off the teen's comments and took a step closer.
"And pretty sharp for an old snake with no fangs." Howard balled a fist taking a step forward, inviting Chris's challenge. Just before things started to get physical, Casey jumped in front of Howard.
"Stop it." The rocker chick growled firmly. Then she turned to Chris. "Both of you."
Then Kassie scoffed.
"This is all your fault, Casey!" The bubbly fifteen-year-old accused, pointed at the blue-haired girl. Casey looked genuinely surprised.
"How is it my fault, Kassie?" She barked back. "I'm trying to STOP it here!"
Kassie gave her a death glare.
"Every time you slither out of your coffin, these two have to prove that they're better than each other!" The girl pointed at Chris and Howard. "It's always like this! Why don't you go back to your Sturgis rock show and leave us alone?!"
A blush came over Casey's face as she took a quick glance at Chris. Then she got angry.
"You wanna go another round?!" She snarled, stomping toward her female rival. Kassie took a fighting stance.
"Anytime, anywhere, Casey! I'll give you another black eye so you'll have a matching pair." The fifteen-year-old shot back. Casey nearly lunged forward when she felt someone clamp onto her arms.
It was Howard AND Chris.
"Easy." She heard the Chris's voice next to her head. The seventeen-year-old boy and TV host pulled her back across the room and pushed her into a chair.
Casey grunted angrily and yanked her arms out of their grasps. She turned her back to both of them and glared out the window.
Alex sat Kassie down in a chair and gave her a firm look. The fifteen-year-old girl huffed, folded her arms and looked at the floor.
Cut to Outhouse Confessionals.
"That was intense." Lily looked at the screen with big blue eyes.
Static.
"WHAT'S in the water?!" Alex gestured. "Everyone's suddenly got a short fuse! Even Kassie! She's like the most long-suffering girl I've ever known!"
Static.
"Okay… I could have handled that better." Chris gave the camera a guilty look. "But Howard is seriously a prissy firestarter. And I let him make me look bad in front of Chef, the campers and Casey."
Static.
"Well…" Howard looked unruffled. "At least I know how to get under Chris's skin. He nearly had me thinking he was unbreakable. And maybe I do get a little extra mouthy when Casey's around. Chris needs to be put in his place and to know that he's no longer top banana here."
Static.
Kassie shook her head, staring at the floor of the outhouse with a forlorn look on her face. "I don't know what got into me. Howard opened a can of worms first but I fed the fire. This is not like me. Now I look like a argument prone girl with a complex for types of girls like Casey. What does Alex think of me now?"
Static.
"Adam and I had fifty bucks riding on Chris." Russell smiled at the screen. "That was a very awesome word fight. They should put Howard and Chris on tour and sell tickets. I'd totally see it again."
Static.
"In my opinion, Chris had it coming to him." Nicol frowned at the screen. "He messes with us, it's about time Howard puts a bee in his pants."
Static.
"All right." Chris finally said, looking irritated. "We've all had our fill of boredom and time on this island. I'd rather be in Maui with a drink in my hand but I have responsibilities with you teens. Let's get back to the way things were before the word fight. All right?" The teens gave nods. "Good." Chris inhaled, trying to calm down. "Now about your challenge. You kids are on your way to Boney Island for a two-day camping trip."
The kids shook their heads.
"A day and one night you must spend on the forbidden island. We will supply the tents and three matches but that's all the supplies you've got." Chris continued. "You will be monitored via the cameras taping your every move. If we see something that requires intervention, we will take the action." Then he smiled. "You guys are the final ten. Congratulations. As your numbers drop, the closer the finish line becomes. The aim of this game is to survive. Remember, it's every camper for themselves. And another thing, you teens have five minuets to grab whatever you feel will help you in your survival. I'd pack light and smart." The TV host looked at his watch. "Your time starts… now. See you at the docks."
And every camper scrambled for the door. As soon as they were all running for their cabins, Chris frowned and walked into the kitchen. He was greeted by Hatchet, his beefy arms crossed with a cleaver in hand.
"Nice, Chris." He said sarcastically, a disappointed look on his ex-convict features. Chris's frown deepened.
"Shut up." And he marched off to the meat-locker to get the matches.
Five minuets later, all teens were down at the docks, loading their stuff into their worn out canoes. Chris and Hatchet approached the teens carrying the tents, matches and whistles. That got the adults some crazy looks from the teens.
"What's with the whistles?" Lily questioned as Hatchet heaped the stuff into her arms. The cook gave her a wicked grin.
"To ward of the… animals." He smiled. "I suggest you get that fire started right away; that's the best way to keep the bigger beasties away."
Lily's blue eyes were the size of dinner plates as he looked scared enough to puke.
"It's going to be dark soon. Set up camp as soon as possible while you still can see." Chris called at the kids. The campers nodded.
His eyes traced over the kids to see if they were ready to launch. Chris's glance fell on Casey, who was taking off her biker boots. He walked over to her and stood above her.
"Good luck." He said holding out her tent and provisions to her. Casey ignored him, grabbed her boots and her tent and tossed them into her canoe. "My advice is to stick to the south side of the island, where we can spot you easier."
The seventeen-year-old glared back at him before pushing her canoe to the water. Chris saw that cherry red guitar next to her duffle bag and sighed as he raised the whistle to his lips.
"On your mark… get set… GO!" And the TV host blew on his whistle. The kids shoved their canoes into the water and jumped inside.
They paddled like madmen to the island, jockeying for the best camping spot. As soon as they were far enough away, Hatchet stretched.
"Time for some siesta. I'm napping. Tell me when the first camper is eaten." The brawny black man turned and wandered off toward the mess hall. Chris rolled his eyes.
"Right behind you, buddy." The TV host walked after his friend, hoping for something to drink to get the sour taste out of his mouth.
The first teen on the island was Alex. He helped Kassie out of their canoe and quickly grabbed their stuff. With a quick look around, Alex set his sights on the south end of the island, just like Chris had recommended.
"Lily!" Kassie called to the fifteen-year-old shy girl, pulling her canoe onto the island. "C'mon!"
The little alliance between Kassie, Alex and Lily led them to automatically team up. As the other campers pulled to shore, they grouped. Howard hopped out of his canoe and immediately took control of the situation.
Cut to Outhouse Confessionals.
"Since Alex, Kassie and Lily are all ready an unofficial alliance, I'm stuck with all the other losers plus Casey." Howard rolled his eyes. "Just one look at Adam, Russell, Conroy, Nicol and Ce-Di, I knew that this camping trip was going to suck… big time. It's going to take some professional manipulation to get all of these clueless dummies to do what I say."
Static.
"All right everyone! We've got to get to the south side of the island, set camp and start a fire! Let's-!" Howard began just as Alex interrupted him.
"We don't have to split up." The seventeen-year-old artist shrugged as he strapped on two big satchels. "We're all going in the same direction anyway. Let's just move together."
Howard looked over his shoulder and tried not to give Alex a glare. The artist was doing a fine job of becoming leader; a right that only Howard should possess. The rich boy needed to play this situation carefully lest he be exiled from the group.
"Good idea, Alex!" Howard choked out, lying through his teeth. "We'll follow you." He looked back at the teens behind him. "That sound good to all of you?"
The other kids nodded and started grabbing their stuff. Howard then caught Casey slowly putting her biker boots back on. Huffing at how irritating it would be to lag behind as Alex spearheaded the camping trip, the rich boy moved toward the girl. The seventeen-year-old rocker chick slipped the heavy duty shoelace through the clamps of her boot and slowly snapped them.
"You're gonna have to move a little faster than that, Casey." She heard Howard's voice above her. A frown hit her mouth as she didn't even look up at him. "I don't want you left behind."
That got Casey to snap her eyes up at him.
"Why don't you worry about fudging the other campers, Howard? Hmm? Because I'm not following you or anyone else." She growled. Howard's baby blue eyes widened.
"You can't go off alone! You're gonna get eaten by the freaky things that are on this forsaken island!" He threw his hands in the air. Snapping on her right boot, the girl stood.
"I'll take my chances. If anything crosses me, I'll skin it and make it into mittens. That includes other campers. Got it?" Casey hissed, pointing a finger in the boy's face. Howard frowned at her.
"If this is about what happened in the mess hall-" He folded his arms across his skinny chest. Casey turned back to her boat, giving him a cold shoulder.
"I'm aiming to survive, Howard. Now let me do that, without you." She bit, hauling her bag, guitar and duffle bag onto her shoulders. Without a second look, Casey took the path that led to the northern part of the island.
The other campers watched her go, no one daring to try to change her mind.
"She's bait!" Adam swallowed. "Live bait!"
Howard shook his head.
"Casey's made her decision; now let's stick to ours and go to the south side of the island." The rich boy was in a sour mood as he grabbed his bags. The nine teens took off down the southern path.
Cut to Outhouse Confessionals.
"I know she's going through some sort of funk right now, but Casey's letting it get to her head." Russell pointed at his temple. "She's an idiot! She can't possibly survive alone out here!"
Static.
"I want to get a fire going as soon as possible." Adam said. "We need the light, warmth and something to cook our food on. Basic survival stuff… That and I'm hungry."
Static.
As the nine campers moved through the worn southern path, they all stopped to take a breather about halfway around the island. So far, they had to trek another mile before they got to their destination. They all took their breaks in their own unique ways.
"This place is even more disgusting than camp." Howard made a face as he saw animal poop scattered everywhere. "I refuse to sit where an animal's bathroom is."
He motioned for the nearest rock to him. The other campers rolled their eyes.
"Then you're going to have a really hard time tonight, Howie." Nicol sneered. "We have to sleep on the ground. So the floor of your vinyl tent will have to do."
Howard shuttered.
"What I wouldn't give for one of my servants to be here." He went on, heaping his bag to the ground. "I wouldn't have to compact my spine hauling all of this survival junk."
"You're really roughing it, Howard." Alex said sarcastically, rolling his hazel eyes. He kept his eyes on the lake that could be seen from the path.
Kassie was sitting on the rock across from him and was watching him with sad crystal blue eyes.
Cut to Outhouse Confessionals.
"Ever since this morning and the argument I had with Casey, Alex won't even look at me." Kassie sighed. "I have to fix this as soon as possible!"
Static.
"Hey!" Lily came running back to the group. She had to use the bathroom and found a cool looking stick. "Check it out!"
Kassie looked over her shoulder at her friend. She saw the strange looking stick in Lily's hand.
"A walking stick?" Kassie quirked a brow. Lily beamed.
"Cool huh?" She held it out to the bubbly fifteen-year-old. "It's got this knot at the top of it that looks like a rose! I found it over-"
When Lily raised the stick above her head, everyone heard a deafening CRASH! Suddenly a rouge boulder fell from the hillside above and smashed toward the teens. Everyone scrambled to get out of the way as the big rock crashed down the hill. It soon started a rockslide, carrying smaller stones, timber and mud. The campers could only watch as the dirt-slide covered the path, blocking their way to their campsite.
"Is everyone all right?!" Alex called out, looking over everyone.
"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" Howard was freaking. Nicol growled.
"That's what a dictionary would call a rockslide, stupid!" The sixteen-year-old punker snarled. Too bad she wasn't close enough or else she'd hit him.
"Where's Conroy?" Alex's hazel eyes were wide, glancing over the other campers. "And Ce-Di?"
Sure enough, both campers were missing.
"Ce-Di was right beside me!" Lily pointed to the other side of the landslide. "She was peeing in the bush right next to-"
Suddenly Ce-Di dropped down from a nearby tree, Conroy under her arm like a football. Everyone jumped.
"Conroy! Ce-Di!" Adam held his heart. "What the heck were you two doing in that tree?"
The fifteen-year-old oriental kid shrugged.
"I was just trying to get our bearings." Conroy responded. "And then Ce-Di dropped in from outta nowhere."
Ce-Di suddenly dropped her boyfriend, ran around the group three times and suddenly stopped. She flopped to the dirt, grabbed the nearest leaf and put it to her cheek as she listened to the ground. Humming thoughtfully, the girl stood.
"I'm sensing that there is some powerful black juju among us." The frizzy girl looked back at the bewildered campers. The other teens were staring at her.
"Juju?" Russell repeated, his eyebrow quirked from behind his Buddy Holly glasses.
"What are you talking about, Ce-Di?" Howard barked. Ce-Di zipped into the rich boy's personal space and stared at him.
"Dark juju. Bad luck, Howie." She whispered and then zipped back to the ground and stood on her hands. "I'm sensing a powerful force near us…"
Howard face-palmed before he heard a chuckle beside him.
"And you were married to her there for a while, Howard." Adam snickered. Howard spun around and shot him a venom glare.
"You know what, Adam?! I don't-!" BAM! The seventeen-year-old rich boy was rocketed of his feet by a coconut.
"I said STAY AWAY FROM CE-DI!" Conroy fumed, grabbing another coconut.
"A coconut? This is Muskoka! How are coconuts in the middle of Canada?" Russell picked up the coconut. Howard tried to get off of his face when Conroy slammed another coconut into his back.
"OW! Conroy! STOP IT!" The rich boy tried to crawl away. He kept getting pelted by Conroy.
"MY CE-DI!" Conroy threw coconut after coconut, forcing Howard away from the group.
"STOP! You can have her!" The seventeen-year-old choked out. But Conroy kept throwing coconuts.
Finally Howard had enough of it and grabbed his things.
"I'm outta here!" He held his bag over his head. "You freaks are on your own! I'm better off with Casey!"
With that, Howard ran back down the path and away from the hail of coconuts. The other kids watched Howard run away and gave Conroy a grateful look.
"Good work, Conroy." Nicol gave him a thumbs up. Adam, Russell, Kassie and Lily all nodded in agreement.
Alex shook his head.
"Well, if he's with Casey then I guess we don't have to worry about him." The artist felt a twinge of concern about the rich boy. "Let's keep moving. We have to find a way around this roadblock."
And Alex started climbing the hill, trying to get up and over the landslide. The other teens hesitantly followed, while Ce-Di was dancing around, trying to get a fix on the bad luck vibe she was feeling.
Meanwhile, back at Camp Wanawanaka, Chris and Hatchet were catching some sun on the beach as they enjoyed the silence. Chris was on his stomach, tanning his backside and apparently asleep. Hatchet was in a tiny speedo and tanning glasses, frilly tropical drink in his hand. The brawny cook sipped his iced tea and relished the silence. After weeks of watching after spoiled, loud-mouth, good-for-nothing kids, the cook was getting some much needed down time. Suddenly he heard Chris snicker.
"Stop… stop…" Chris giggled between snores. "Stop, Casey… You're messing up my hair."
Hatchet sat up and took off his sunglasses. He looked over to his friend and jumped ten feet in the air. While Chris was sleeping, Conroy's Woolly Beaver was licking his ear, making him giggle and say inappropriate things. Hatchet held in a big laugh.
"Yo, Chris!" He said loudly. "Wake up, dude! You got a tanning buddy!"
Chris zapped awake. He was dreaming about a certain rocker chick licking his ear when he found that part of his dream was a reality; though Casey wasn't the one with her tongue in his ear. Looking up, the TV host saw a huge brown thing above him. Two seconds later, Chris realized that it was the Woolly Beaver.
"Aw!" The TV host pushed the big animal off of him. "You vile, disgusting, perverted HAIR BALL!"
Hatchet screamed with laughter as Chris put his finger in his ear and tried to get all of the Woolly Beaver spit out. The TV host shot his guffawing friend a sinister glare as he whipped his cheek.
"Real cute, Hatchet." He growled. "You-!"
Just then he felt the Woolly Beaver's fur on his back. Chris looked up and saw the massive rodent standing over him.
"Aw… he likes you!" Hatchet managed before he started laughing again. Chris groaned and got off of his towel.
"That's weird." The TV host said. "Why didn't it go with Conroy? It's usually so-"
And the Woolly Beaver pounced on him and started sucking on his hair. Chris screamed and Hatchet only laughed more.
Meanwhile, with the teens on Boney Island, they were moving through the thick brush of the wilderness. This was definitely a Canadian-jungle Mysterious Island thing about this place.
"What type of a plant is that?" Adam pointed to a bush that had leaves that looked like maple. "It's sticky and smells bad."
"I dunno." Russell shrugged. "Are you sure that's the plant or did an animal just take a dump on it?"
The sixteen-year-old patriot smelled his hand again and made a face.
"Oh, gross! Does anyone have some tissue or wipes or something?" He called out while Russell snickered. The other teens marched past him rolling their eyes.
"We're camping, Adam." Nicol growled. "We don't have any wipes."
Then Conroy passed hauling Ce-Di on his shoulders.
"You getting any good spiritual reception up there, love bucket?" The fifteen-year-old boy asked his girlfriend. The spazzy fifteen-and-a-half-year-old blond girl was holding three fingers in the air like an antenna.
"The juju is so close… I can almost reach out and touch it." She was still trying to get a fix on the "bad luck" that was following them.
Lily was right behind Conroy and Ce-Di, using her new walking stick to help her hike. Kassie was behind her and Alex was bringing up the rear. Kassie's emotions were starting to get to her; she really wanted Alex to start talking to her again.
"Alex?" She looked back at the seventeen-year-old artist. Alex brought his hazel eyes upwards.
"Hm?" He responded neutrally, no signs of affection on his face. Kassie gave him a little guilty, grin.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" She questioned carefully and quietly. Alex looked to the sky.
"Well, I'm hot, my shorts are bunching, I think I left my comb back at camp and I'm pretty sure we're lost." He explained. Kassie blinked.
"You mean, you're not mad at me for what happened in the mess hall?" She asked, smiling a little. Alex's eyes trailed to the side.
"I suppose I'm a little cross at you." He returned, looking back at her. "But I'm assuming you're just having a rotten day; we all are kinda having an antsy morning."
Alex gave his girlfriend a kind smile.
"Well, I should apologize for making a scene. I did a good job of embarrassing myself and you." Kassie smiled back. Alex shrugged.
"Thank you; that means a lot. But it'll mean more if you apologize to Casey. She's the one you really embarrassed." The artist voiced. Kassie sighed and nodded.
"I'll apologize to her as soon as I see her." The fifteen-year-old girl returned with a confident smile. Alex nodded.
Just then Kassie walked into Lily who walked into Conroy and Ce-Di.
"Look! That's the biggest hornets' nest I've ever seen!" Nicol pointed to the tree above their heads. Sure enough, there was a hornets' nest that was the size of a refrigerator.
Everyone flinched.
"No one disturb it! I don't want bee stings with my super wedgie!" Alex commanded. The kids gave wary nods and carefully made their way around the tree. "Does anyone see the south beach from here?"
"I do." Lily said. "It's right-"
But she raised her walking stick above her head. Suddenly, in a blast of bad luck, Alex tripped and fell onto Kassie. Kassie fell onto Lily and Lily fell onto Conroy. This started a chain reaction that ended when Nicol tumbled into a clearing. Getting off of the dirt, the sixteen-year-old skater punk looked up. About a dozen pairs of blood red eyes were staring back at her. Nicol had tripped into the nesting grounds of these massive, de-evolved Canadian geese. From their nests in the trees, the monster birds hissed and glared at the girl. Nicol froze, her eyes wide. Then she remembered the whistle! Chef Hatchet said it'd keep away the animals. Nicol raised the red whistle to her lips and blew hard. That did it. The gaggle of irritated prehistoric Canadian geese roared their animosity and took to the air. Still blowing on her whistle, Nicol had no choice but to take to her heels.
Nicol busted out of the clearing and ran past the other kids.
"Nicol! What-?" Russell began. But then he saw what she was running from.
The flock of massive Canadian geese attacked. The teens screamed and scattered. In his haste, Conroy ran into the tree with the monster hornets' nest. The jar from the impact dislodged the hornet colony and it fell fast and hard to the ground. Conroy, unfortunately, caught it on his lap. Now a swarm of cheesed off hornets joined the fray.
"BAD JUJU!" Ce-Di shouted, fending off a big goose with a tree branch as she was stung by the hornets.
Howard had passed the canoes about fifteen minuets ago. The snobby boy was heading north to find Casey. Hopefully she would let him stay at her campsite. Howard followed her foot prints to the best of his ability and came to a smaller, less worn path in the forest. Walking along, Howard suddenly heard a distant whistle. Stopping, he listened. He heard it over and over until it faded.
"Odd." Howard said to himself. Glancing down at his chest, he eyed his whistle.
The boy shrugged and put the whistle to his lips just for the heck of it. Just as he did, he tripped. The gasp he nearly let out made him suck in air and swallow his whistle. Howard coughed violently.
"Oh, gross!" He gagged, wiping his mouth.
It seemed that the bad luck coming from Lily's walking stick rippled because when Howard stood there coughing, a branch snapped off its tree he was standing under. The bulky piece of wood fell and hit the boy square on the head. Howard swayed and fell to the ground, unconscious.
Chris McClean walked into the mess hall, fresh out of the shower. The Woolly Beaver really loved his mango-scented hair gel and nearly sucked the hair off of his head. Hatchet was inside the kitchen cooking a couple of frozen gourmet TV dinners.
"That was wicked lame." Chris growled, slamming open the kitchen door. Hatchet couldn't fight off giggles.
"C'mon, Chris. The beaver likes your taste in hairstyle products." The cook quipped, enjoying the irritated look on his buddy's face. Chris sneered.
"What I don't get is why that walking flea circus didn't go with his "master"." The TV host walked to the cooler he had cracked out for special occasions and got himself a gourmet mineral water.
Chef Hatchet shrugged as he got out their two gourmet dinners from the oven.
"It's a beaver, Chris. It's a buck toothed rodent, not the smartest creature in the animal kingdom." The burly black man set down the piping-hot dinners, took off his pink oven mitts and rolled his eyes. "We'll just trap it in the meat-locker or-"
Suddenly the back door flew open and the Woolly Beaver ran in. The monster rodent spied the TV dinners and made a break for the food. Hatchet barely had time to dive out of the way as the massive beaver took a big bite out of the countertop; eating the gourmet TV dinners with half the kitchen counter. With that, the Woolly Beaver made a break for outside. Gaping Hatchet was silent while Chris frowned.
"That thing is going down!" He growled, laying a hand on a knife.
Howard felt reality pulling him and consciousness easing through his brain. He stirred and cracked his eyes for a quick second. Above him images and colors whirled together. His stomach lurch and he snapped his eyes closed again. Then he heard footsteps coming toward him. He was relieved when he felt a cool hand on his cheek.
"Are you awake yet?" Suddenly he heard Casey's voice. Howard opened his eyes to see Casey smiling down at him. "You and the outdoors don't seem to be friends, Blondie."
The seventeen-year-old girl sighed and sat down beside him. Then Howard heard a fire going.
"You're lucky I was looking for firewood or else you might have been a snack for the predators." Casey added, poking the fire. With his senses coming back to him, Howard thanked his lucky stars that he was rescued; by the girl of his dreams no less.
The boy moved his fingers and found that he was on a sleeping bag in front of the fire. Bringing his hand to his face, Howard found that Casey had wrapped bandages around his head. A goofy smile spread over his face. He sat up.
"You-" He cleared his hoarse throat and looked at Casey. "You've been busy."
Casey shrugged and looked back at the fire.
"When I'm not bugged, I get a few things done." She threw her thumb over her shoulder. Howard looked behind them and saw an intricate shelter built over two tents.
Her food was in a duffle bag hanging in a nearby tree, there was a neat stack of firewood next to the tents and her cherry red guitar sat beside her. Howard looked at her.
"I didn't know you were so… outdoorsy." He blinked. "Or so good with first-aid."
Howard touched his bandages. The rocker chick laughed a little.
"My little brother's an outdoor geek. Whenever we go camping with my parents, he schools me on this type of stuff." She responded, looking into the fire again. "My brother is way better than I am. He can make a cabin out of toothpicks and a glue stick. HE'S the one you want to be stranded with."
The seventeen-year-old boy got a flirty smile on his face.
"Thanks for bandaging my head but I think you missed a spot." Howard sat back on the log Casey was leaning against. That got Casey to look over at him.
"Where else are you hurting?" She questioned, looking slightly concerned. Howard pointed to his mouth.
"Right here." He leaned his head against the log. Casey quirked a brow.
"Your mouth?" She echoed leaning closer. Howard shook his head.
"No. My lips." He responded. "They're shriveled and dry because I've had no one to make out with…"
Casey saw where he was going. She groaned and got up.
"No, Howard." She smirked. Howard blinked but then got a wily look on his face.
"Why not? We're all alone! It'd be a crime not to!" He gestured. "I won't tell anyone."
"I said no. And there's no chance that it will happen." Casey returned, turning her back to him and folding her arms. Howard fell silent for a second.
"Did I ever have a chance? Now or in the past?" He questioned. Casey thought for a second.
"I was really close to kissing you after the hypnosis challenge. Nothing before or since then." She answered. "And more recently, your chances have went even further south."
Howard huffed.
"But you bandaged my head, set up my tent and put me on a sleeping bag!" He objected. "That's gotta mean something."
"It does. It's a thank you for trying so hard to snap me out of my gloom." She gave him an appreciative smile. "That's what a true friend would do."
Howard's face fell.
Cut to Outhouse Confessionals.
"FRIENDS?! I don't wanna be JUST friends!" Howard pulled his hair. "That sucks! I wanted some action! I want to make out with Casey until our lips fall off! I wanted to see ALL of her tattoos! I wanted to find out if everything I've heard about rock stars' love-lives is true! I want a SQUEEZE! Not another friend!" He took in a gulp of air. "But if it appeals to Casey and warms her up to me and opens a door to possibilities, then I'll be a friend."
Static.
"Friends? Okay. I can do that." The boy responded, his eyes falling to the fire. "And thank you for rescuing me."
Casey nodded.
"Your welcome, Blondie." She sat back down beside him. The two sat there in silence, enjoying their first moments as friends.
"I swallowed the whistle Chef gave me." Howard confessed. Casey looked at him and started laughing.
Meanwhile, with the eight other teens… Adam was the first to fall into the campsite, followed by the rest of the campers. Adam, Nicol, Alex, Russell, Conroy, Kassie and Ce-Di finally made it to the southern beach. After being nearly in a landslide, walking in circles, getting attacked by prehistoric geese and bees and finally running for nearly two miles, they were here! Each teen was winded and so tired, they were near to passing out.
Trudging into camp, Alex sat down on a rock to catch his breath. Kassie sat beside him as the other kids collapsed where they stood.
"That… was… insanely stupid." Adam wheezed, his face in the dirt. Nicol took the whistle from around her neck and tossed it into the bushes. "We were nearly buried in a landslide, eaten by those big, scaly birds, stung by bees and forced to run through the forest… Ow. I think I have a hernia."
Russell sighed.
"I had to ditch my stuff when those nasty smelling birds attacked us. I have no tent, food or water." The seventeen-year-old boy plucked the torn remains of a backpack strap from hisshoulder. Adam looked up.
"I don't either, Russ." The sixteen-year-old patriot confessed. "I'm lucky my head wasn't bitten off with my backpack when that rabid pterodactyl got a hold of me!"
Conroy tiredly walked over and sat on Adam as he was lying on the ground.
"That was awesome!" He smiled. "But now I'm pooped and hungry." Then he looked over his shoulder and called to his girlfriend. "Ce-Di? Do you have my bag?"
But there was no response. Suddenly, Ce-Di did appear. The fifteen-and-a-half-year-old girl came screaming from the forest, startling everyone. But when they all caught sight of her, they nearly didn't recognize her. Her face and hands were covered in mud, on her head was a BIG headdress made of sticks, branches, shells, acorns and one very big maple leaf, and tucked leaves in her pants, shirt and socks. The blond girl stood on the beach waving her arms, blabbering incoherently.
"Ce-Di?" Kassie scrunched her nose. "What are you wear-?"
And then Ce-Di zipped into her face and sniffed her. The blond snapped her eyes to Alex.
"Alpha male-" Ce-Di pointed at Alex, her bracelets rattling ominously. "-there is a bad vibe in the pack."
The seventeen-year-old artist quirked a brow but blushed at the wily look Kassie was giving him.
"Well, yeah! We were just attacked by-!" Alex gestured. Ce-Di then put her finger on his lips.
"SHHH!" She commanded, leaving mud all over his mouth. "This is not the time for talking… but ACTION!"
Then she grabbed Nicol's bag. Throwing it to the beach, she took a match from her hair, struck it on her shoe and lit Nicol's things on fire.
"CE-DI!" Nicol gasped. "THAT'S MY STUFF!"
Ce-Di gave her a wild look.
"A sacrifice is needed to appease the bad vibe! Your stuff will have to do." She wiggled her eyebrows. Nicol gaped at her as she drew a dirt circle in the dirt around the fire.
"Ce-Di!" Lily exclaimed. "That wasn't nice! That was Nicol's survival gear!"
Then Lily thrust her stick into the air above her head. Suddenly a big tree fell between Lily, Kassie and Alex and Nicol, Ce-Di, Adam, Russell and Conroy. Everyone gasped before Ce-Di fell on her knees.
"Tis a sign!" The blond proclaimed. Then she got back to her feet. "Lily! That stick is BAD juju."
She pointed at the shy girl's walking stick. Lily blinked and glanced at her stick.
"This? No way! It's just a stick." She objected. Ce-Di shook her head.
"I shall demonstrate." The spazzy blond bent over and picked up a handful of sand. Arching her arms, Ce-Di danced before throwing the handful of dirt one Lily.
"Ce-Di! That's gross!" As Lily cringed, she raised her stick above her head. In that second, a giant spider crawled out of the branches of the felled tree and skittered across the sand.
Everyone jumped.
"Told ya." Ce-Di called to Lily in a singsong voice. "By the power invested in me, Lily-! You must get rid of that stick!"
"That's coincidence." The shy girl responded. "It can't be my stick… it's just a stick."
"Rid this team of that stick or more bad luck will befall you!" Ce-Di commanded. Lily quirked a brow.
"It's just a stick." She stood and walked toward Ce-Di. Ce-Di cowered.
"I'm outta here!" The Boney Island priestess shuddered. "I'm not sticking around here to be killed by the bad juju."
Then she stepped back into the woods.
"Where are you going?" Adam asked, his green eyes wide.
"To find Casey and Howard. Their camp if free of bad juju." Ce-Di answered, disappearing into the thick brush. Conroy raced after her.
"Wait for me, muffin!" The fifteen-year-old followed the blond. The other campers gave each other wary glances.
"Ce-Di's got a point, Lily." Nicol folded her arms. "Ever since you picked up that stick, we've all been having bad luck."
Lily gave them a disbelieving look while Kassie and Alex still looked unconvinced.
"C'mon, guys! It's just a stick." Kassie was in Alex's arms after seeing that massive spider run across the beach. "And all that stuff that happened to us back there, that was all just chance. We're on Boney Island for crying out loud. This place is creepy and dangerous."
Nicol shook her head and, without saying a word, followed Ce-Di and Conroy.
"Nicol!" Lily called to her. "Wait!"
And she rose that stick above her head. Suddenly that giant spider skittered back to camp and jumped onto Alex's face. The artist hit the ground, screaming as he tried to tear it off of him. Adam and Russell gasped before running after Nicol, Ce-Di and Conroy.
"WAIT FOR US!" They cried. Kassie and Lily tried to get the spider off of Alex by beating it with sticks.
Unfortunately for Alex, his face was under the spider and was getting an equal amount of wallop as the giant arachnid.
Meanwhile, with Chef Hatchet and Chris McClean, the two men were busying themselves with the camp's Woolly Beaver mascot. The furry eyesore worked their final nerve when it went to their base-camp, tore into both their trailers and ransacked their stuff. That's not saying anything about the mounds of mammoth beaver doodoo that it left on their beds. The cook and TV host worked up a plan to catch it. So far, they had a box on a pull-stick and a piece of cake for bait. Chris and Hatchet hid in the bushes as the Woolly Beaver waddled over to the trap, sniffed it and took the bait. Chris pulled the cord and the box fell. It worked; sorta.
"We're going to need a bigger box." The TV host looked up at his comrade and then looked back at the beaver. The massive rodent ate the cake in one gulp while the much smaller box was stuck on its head.
Hatchet growled in fury as he face-palmed.
"I'm SICK of the humane way!" The cook fumed, looking at Chris. "I say we get rough and give it the ultimate lesson in screwing around with our stuff!"
"Whoa; Chef, buddy… That's a little harsh." The TV host voiced. "Maybe we can… I dunno…"
"Kill it, hack it up, cook it and serve it to the brats?" The brawny black man quirked a brow. Chris looked thoughtful.
"Not bad… It did eat all of my autographed 8 x 10 glossy photos…" He returned. Hatchet rolled his eyes.
"We get rid of it or I'll tell tattoo girl about your steamy dream about her." The cook threatened, folding his beefy arms. Chris looked at him like he'd just eaten a kitten.
"You wouldn't!" The TV host's eyes were wide.
"Don't mess with me, man." Hatchet returned, that threatening look still on his face. "It's the beaver or I spill."
Chris gritted his teeth and tugged on his hair.
"Fine!" He barked. "We'll get rid of the beaver."
And back on Boney Island… Ce-Di, Conroy, Adam, Nicol and Russell were trekking back through the woods, retracing their steps and trying to find Casey and Howard in the process. While walking along, they heard faint guitar playing. As they took a left and followed the sound, they heard Casey talking and Howard complaining. They ran the rest of the way. Bursting through the bushes, they startled Howard and Casey.
"We found you!" Conroy cheered. Then he stopped. "Why were we looking for them in the first place?"
He looked back at the other campers who just rolled their eyes.
"What are you five doing here?" Howard questioned, anger written all over his face. "Don't you guys have an alliance with Alex, Kassie and Lily?"
Adam walked toward the fire, sat and shivered with the cold.
"We had to leave. Lily's walking stick was cursed!" The sixteen-year-old patriot said. The rest of the kids walked into the camp.
"Cursed?" Casey quirked a brow.
"Yeah. You know the legend." Russell plopped down on his butt and warmed his hands over the fire. "Everything on Boney Island is cursed. If you take something from here, you're going to have bad luck. It's the same story Chris told the campers in the first season."
Howard and Casey glanced at each other.
"Didn't Conroy bring a Woolly Beaver over the lake to Wanawanaka?" The rocker chick asked.
"Hasn't that walking bath rug proved to be nothing but trouble and bad luck?" Nicol huffed, her cold hands in her hoodie's pocket. Everyone nodded; no one could really disagree with that.
Casey looked over everyone.
"Where's your stuff?" She asked out loud. Nicol rolled her eyes as Russell and Adam shook their heads.
"We had to ditch our stuff to run from the bees and prehistoric Canadian geese." Adam motioned for him and Russell. Casey quirked a brow while Howard shook his head.
"Ce-Di burned my stuff." Nicol shot Ce-Di a glare as she was picking up sticks and oblivious to what was going on. "She said it would appease something."
Casey grabbed her guitar again.
"We've got food. You guys hungry?" The seventeen-year-old rocker chick motioned for the duffel bag hanging from the tree above them.
Without a word, Adam was scrambling up the tree. The other teens enjoyed the fire as Ce-Di danced around the camp, burning some sage to get rid of the lingering curse vibes.
Meanwhile, back with Lily, Kassie and Alex, evening was advancing fast and by the time they were done setting up tents, it was all ready too dark to see. Alex sat in front of the fire he managed to start, poking at it in a sleepy haze. Kassie entered the camp, finishing brushing her teeth in a nearby stream. The seventeen-year-old boy heard Kassie walk toward him and he looked up.
"Where's Lily?" He questioned. Kassie smiled; he took his leader role very seriously.
"She's washing up." The fifteen-year-old girl responded, sitting next to her boyfriend and looking into the fire. "Oo. You're warm."
And she hugged him. Alex stiffened but let out a chuckle.
"Here." He looped his arm around Kassie and pulled her close. They snuggled next to the warm fire and listened to the evensong of the Canadian wilderness.
Today's worries seemed to melt away with the heat from the fire. They didn't think of the arguing, curses or other obligations they had back at camp; it was just the peace and quiet of the outdoors.
"This is fun." Alex said, resting his cheek on the top of Kassie's head and looking into the clear night sky. "I mean, minus the bad luck and everything. We should go camping more often."
"We should." The bubbly girl returned, closing her eyes for a second. "I like the feeling of solitude. It seems like it's just you and me."
Alex swallowed. He looked up and behind them; Lily was no where in sight. Alex exhaled his fear and looked down at Kassie.
"It is just you and me." The artist kissed her head. Kassie shivered.
She looked up at him, her crystal eyes relaxed.
"Do that again." The fifteen-year-old scooted closer to her boyfriend. Alex quirked an eyebrow but leaned in and kissed her forehead.
Kassie gave a quick giggle.
"Not there, silly." She put her hand on his neck. "Here."
And Kassie leaned up and locked lips with him. Alex's hazel eyes went wide for a second before he fell into the kiss. They embraced in the firelight, happy to feel so alone. Lily was walking back from washing up, her walking stick in hand. Moving past the thick brush, the shy fifteen-year-old used her staff to clear a path for her. To get a branch out of her face, Lily raised it above her head.
Just as Alex and Kassie's kiss got started, a loud thunder clap was heard. Instantly, rain fell in sheets and soaked them.
"Oh no!" Kassie and Alex broke apart and jumped to their feet. Each bolted for their tent.
Lily ran into the camp, holding her hands above her head to block the rain from getting her hair wet.
Back at the other teens' camp, the tried campers were getting ready for bed.
"Goodnight everyone!" Ce-Di waved as to the boys as she, Casey and Nicol went into one tent. The boys waved their goodnights before zipping up their tent.
Each camper drifted off to Candyland as the fire burned into the night.
Morning came the next day and seven of the ten campers were fully rested and at their canoes. Casey and Howard packed up their stuff and deliberated with the others if they should wait for Kassie, Alex and Lily.
"I say we go." Howard stretched. "And leave their canoes here."
"What if they were eaten?" Adam questioned. "How are we going to know if they were eaten if we're all back at camp?"
Howard shrugged.
"I guess we don't." He replied. "But considering all the bad luck following Lily, they likely are all in the stomach of some creature."
Just then they all heard screams and footfalls speeding toward them. Down the southern path Alex, Kassie and Lily booked.
"MOVE!" The seventeen-year-old artist cried, jumping into his canoe. Kassie and Lily scrambled for their boats, running them out to the water with their shoes still on.
The other bewildered campers only looked on in wonder. Then, suddenly, they heard a loud bellow. Craning toward the southern path, the teens saw a moose the size of a RV thundering toward them. All screamed and took to their canoes as fast as they could. Speeding away from the island, they wanted to get back to Wanawanaka as fast as they could.
"HOLY CR**!" Adam shouted as he dug his paddle into the water. "THAT MOOSE WAS THE SIZE OF A BACK HOE!"
"PADDLE FASTER! MAYBE IT CAN SWIM!" Kassie shouted back, paddling for all she was worth.
Chris McClean and Chef Hatchet sat in the cafeteria, big bowls of soup in front of them. Spoons in hand, they were about to enjoy a celebratory meal after "taking care of" the Woolly Beaver than had terrorized them for the last day. Then they heard several feet on the steps of the mess hall. Not even a second later all of the teens poured into the room.
"Campers!" Chris turned in his seat. "Back so soon?"
But he was nearly pushed off of the bench by Kassie who dug into his bowl of soup.
"We couldn't get here fast enough." Russell's eyes were wide from behind his Buddy Holly glasses. "You mentioned nothing about moose being the size of an armored car!"
Chris and Hatchet glanced at each other.
"If we told you everything about Boney Island, you'd be too scared to go there." The TV host reasoned. Alex stepped up to the table.
"You got any more of that?" He pointed to the soup. Hatchet nodded.
"We got a big pot in the kitchen." He threw his thumb over his shoulder. "What happened to your food?"
Alex looked as angry as he was tired.
"A snake ate it when it slithered into my tent last night." He mumbled before disappearing into the kitchen. Chris stood and chuckled.
"I take it the camping trip was interesting?" Chris quirked a brow. The campers nodded.
"Peachy." Howard replied sarcastically. "And we've all agreed who we're voting off."
Hatchet and Chris looked surprised.
"That quick?" The cook questioned. The teens gave firm nods.
"Lily." Howard responded. "She and her cursed walking stick are outta here!"
The crowd of teens parted. Lily stood there at the door, still grasping her stick.
"I know." She nodded at Chris. "Go pack my stuff and meet Chef at the Dock of Shame."
With that Lily walked off to the girls' cabin. Chris was awestruck.
"Wow. A Campfire Ceremony minus the campfire, marshmallows and drama." He awed. Then shrugged as he looked at Chef. "Looks like you are making a loser run this mornin', buddy."
Hatchet rolled his eyes.
"I'll get my keys." He walked to the door and toward the boathouse. Chris curbed a laugh as his eyes came to Casey.
The TV host gave her a playful wink. Casey pursed her lips but couldn't help but be amused. Then Conroy looked around.
"Uh… where's Norbert the beaver?" He questioned. "He's usually here to see us."
Chris's eyes got beady.
"Um… the beaver's-…" Just then Alex came walking out of the kitchen, big bowl of soup in his hand.
But the fate of being in a stew wasn't Norbert's. The Woolly Beaver was stuffed into a big gunny sack and taken across the lake. Dumped on a lonely beach, the massive rodent squirmed out of his bonds, sniffed the air and dove into the lake. His destination was back with his master and the two men that threw him in a potato sack.
Lily was put onto the Boat of Losers with her stuff. The other campers waved from the porch of the mess hall, too scared of her cursed walking stick to get any nearer. The shy girl couldn't understand why they didn't like her stick. It was so pretty and precious. HER precious. Lily hugged the walking stick to her body and kissed it. As the boat pulled away from the island, Lily took her cursed piece of wood with her.
Review! LONG LIVE ROCK!