Disclaimer: I do not own Total Drama.
Note: Another quick update! I'm quite happy with how this chapter has turned out; a good mixture of frightening and depressing, but with some gentle tenderness and heartwarming stuff within it as well. I feel the trial chapters are not just great for the overall kidnapper arc as a whole and earning the story its M rating, but I also feel they're great for character depth. Anyway, that's all from me, so here we go!
Charity beats Greed.
(Flower Atoll- Four miles east of Chill Zone 1)
Jimmy walked through the darkness of the night, heading to his destination. An arrow on the screen of the pad pointed him to his destination, and Jimmy made sure to follow it.
"You're watching me right now, aren't you. I don't know why you're doing this … I bet even Kasimar wouldn't do this, wherever he is. You're an evil man, or woman." Said Jimmy to the pad. "If you're trying to break me, it won't work. You may be crazy and relentless … but when it comes to saving my love, I am even moreso."
Jimmy stared at the pad, expecting some kind of reply, but it remained silent. Jimmy shook his head and kept walking.
"Greed. That relates to money. What do I have to do this time" Murmured Jimmy. "Burn the prize money? Give myself a bunch of papercuts with a dollar? I feel ill at the thought..."
Jimmy came to a river. He glanced around and saw a log leading across it. He carefully stepped on and began to slowly make his way across.
SNAP!
The log broke, but Jimmy jumped clear, landing on the other side of the river. Grimacing at the thought of what almost was, Jimmy picked up the pace and ran on through the night, the moon shining down on him.
The fact that there was no cliché rain storm and spooky fog somehow made things creepier.
(Ten Minutes Later)
Jimmy arrived at his destination, which was within a forest grove. The ground looked a little burnt, to a degree. Had there been a forest fire here recently.
A large mass of thorns was growing nearby, likely the result of over ten years of growth. It seemed to be blocking something, as this large thorn bush almost seemed to circle around a specific point.
"Why is it growing like this?" Asked Jimmy to himself. "I know nature is cruel, but dang … I sure hope the trial doesn't involve them. I mean, what does greed have to do with thorns?"
Jimmy then noticed a small pad nearby. It was placed at the base of a tree, almost neatly so. A small piece of A5 paper was pinned to the tree by it. Jimmy approached and took the paper note.
-Touch the pad. Break it once the message is given. Do not attempt to hand it in. Eleanor would die long before any help arrived.-
Jimmy piked up the pad with young trembling hands. He took a deep breath, summoned his courage … and tapped the screen of the pad.
-Are you ready to suffer? This is a bush of Wawanakwa Thorns, a rare subspecies of thornbush found only in this Archipelago. They are sharp enough to badly scratch the paintwork of a well made car. Force your way through them and to the clearing in the centre.-
Jimmy heaved a few breaths. He stomped on the pad, breaking it to pieces and then quickly buried the remains. He nervously approached the bush and lightly tapped his finger on one of the thorns.
"Ow!" Yelped Jimmy.
Even to the lightest of touches, they still hurt.
Jimmy gulped and leaned against a tree, taking a few deep breaths. All was quiet; the only sound was his breath. He put the pad in his pocket and began to pace.
"This is insane! I could get cut and die from blood loss … no way!" Exclaimed Jimmy, turning away from the thorn bush defiantly.
Jimmy glanced back at the thorn bush, and sighed.
"It's the only way I'm gonna get more clues on the grid map. I can't afford to have multiple options left on the map and guess wrong when the day comes." Muttered Jimmy gravely.
Jimmy tapped his fingers together, looking nervous.
"Is my hoodie thick enough to shield me from the thorns? Maybe if I stop my skin being visible I won't get hurt. Last thing I need is people becoming suspicious..." Mumbled Jimmy, taking a deep breath.
Jimmy frowned, and gulped.
"Something doesn't feel right … how does this relate to greed?" Asked Jimmy quietly.
Jimym shook his head.
"It doesn't matter. I'd do anything for Eleanor. Let's do this." Muttered Jimmy had he approached the thorn bush.
A pebble landed by Jimmy, thrown from above.
Jimmy glanced up and he weakly smiled when he was Jennifer up in the trees. She put a finger to her lips, and then sent a paper airplane down to Jimmy that she had hastily made. Jimmy picked it up and opened it.
-Those thorns are sharp. Your hoodie won't be enough. Use layers. Grab plants and vines and anything you can find. Use them as armour to protect your skin. Don't worry about me; the pad can't see me up here, and this area hasn't got any cameras.-
Jimmy gave Jennifer a grateful smile. He worked quickly, doing as she suggested while Jennifer closed her eyes and put her hands together, mumbling a quick and sincere prayer.
(Two Minutes Later)
Jimmy, now with several thick vines wrapped around himself for protection, faced the massive thorn growth.
"Ok kidnapper, whoever you are … I'm ready. Consider my greed pre-emptively conquered." Said Jimmy in determination.
With that, Jimmy walked forwards and into the thorn bush.
Jimmy forced his way, using one arm to cover his face, and quickly he found that navigation was not going to be easy. He may have had only a few meters to get through, but the thorns were very thick, and if he were to go too fast and rough, he'd only shred his hoodie which would ensure the other campers would ask him questions.
Jimmy was soon shivering nervously; there were a few small portable cameras hidden within the thorn growth. No doubt they were relaying the footage back to the kidnapper. Jimmy wondered what the expression of the person would be like as they watched him suffer. Jimmy soon decided he would much rather not think about that.
It was a good thing indeed that Jimmy had used the vines as armour, for the thorns were shredding into them as though they were nothing. Jimmy shuddered in fright, wondering if the same fate awaited his own flesh.
Jimmy considered his position and glanced both ahead and behind. It seemed like he was halfway there already.
"Hey, this isn't too bad." Noted Jimmy. "Take that kidnapper! You can't keep me and Eleanor apart!"
And just like that, Jimmy briefly lost his footing. But this brief moment was all it took for a thorn to scratch Jimmy's cheek, drawing blood.
"Ack!" Wailed Jimmy. "Owwwww!"
Jimmy shuddered at the stinging, he winced at the pain … and yet, he kept going. He was almost there.
Jimmy tried to think happy thoughts.
An image of Eleanor's gentle smile appeared in Jimmy's mind.
Jimmy's heart beated a little faster.
With a new wave of determination, Jimmy kept going and refused to give up or cry. He punched an arm out into free space and waved it around. Gradually the rest of his body followed and with one final surge he burst out of the thorns and into the clearing at the centre. He hunched over and took a few breaths.
Jimmy saw a few red drops on the ground.
"… It's blood." Noted Jimmy nervously.
Jimmy winced.
"… My blood..." Whispered Jimmy.
Jennifer stayed up in the trees and gave Jimmy a kind look, pointing to the pad and giving a nod of approval. She held up a band aid. Clearly, she would give him medical attention once they were done here.
Jimmy straightened himself up and approached the pad laying on a stump in the centre of the clearing. He picked it up and tapped the screen.
What it said stunned him...
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-Are you ready for your real trial? In order to cross off more sections of the grip map and to conquer your greed … are you prepared to make a sacrifice for Eleanor's life? The prize for the show is five million dollars. You cannot have Eleanor and the money. To cross off more of the grid map, you have until the end of the current island to eliminate yourself from the contest. You cannot tell people to vote for you, nor can you be voted off by simple chance. You must cause it to happen. If you cannot accomplish this by the time the game moves on from Flower Atoll, you won't get the sections of the address. Your move. Destroy this pad.-
The message ended and Jimmy was very silent. He let out a cry of anger and pain, stomping on the pad repeatedly until it was nothing more than a broken pile of junk. He took out his pad and gazed into the camera with hate filled eyes … tired eyes ... sad eyes.
"What was the point of all the thorns?" Whispered Jimmy.
A few seconds passed with nothing happening. But suddenly, a message was received which Jimmy quickly opened up.
-You are a toy to be played with.-
Jimmy was silent, shaking in despair and anger.
"When I find you … you'll be sorry..." Whispered Jimmy in pure hatred.
Suddenly…
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Jennifer lost her footing in the tree above and fell down behind Jimmy, face first on the ground.
Jimmy silently yelped and tried to quickly position the web-cam of the pad so that Jennifer was not visible, but it was too late.
The person on the other end had seen Jennifer.
Jimmy and Jennifer were deathly quiet for a few tense, terror filled seconds.
A message was received.
Jimmy gulped and, once Jennifer got up and stood beside him, he opened it.
-Working together may make the start easier, but it will make the end much harder…-
Jimmy and Jennifer exchanged a glance. All was silent, aside from the wind rustling the leaves of the trees and the very distant hooting of an owl.
"So … does that mean we can work together, or we can't?" Asked Jimmy uncertainly.
Jennifer tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"They didn't say no. I'd say it's allowed." Replied Jennifer. "Looks like they're gonna adjust the rest of the trials to work for two people. I hate to say it, but right now we'll have to keep playing by their rules until we get more clues. We know what greed is … but, what of Lust, Wrath, Gluttony and Pride? Four archetypes of human imperfection to torture is with … dark."
"… Do you like this?" Asked Jimmy warily.
Jennifer shook her head.
"No. I am sickened anybody could do this. This isn't darkness or blackness, or even morbid cynicism. It's terrorism." Said Jennifer firmly. "If I could I'd take on every trial at once right here, right now … but, all we can do is wait."
Jennifer shook her head a little and sat on the stump after clearing away the wreckage of the pad.
"Ok … the plan. Yes, the plan. I'll clear a path through the thorns. After that I'll fix you up. I'm not letting a kid go to bed crying and hurt. And after that … if there is any way I can help out, come find me." Said Jennifer, looking into Jimmy's eyes. "I'll be around. Usually near rotting skulls."
"You don't have to-." Began Jimmy.
"I've been seen on the pad. No turning back now." Said Jennifer, her resolve clear. "I'd have to be a pretty fucked up woman to not help you out. I'm on your side."
Jimmy flung his arms around Jennifer and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you." Whispered Jimmy gratefully. "From me, and Eleanor too … thank you. You're dark, but so pure."
Jennifer just stared into space silently for a moment, before returning the hug.
(Thirty Minutes Later)
Jimmy and Jennifer sat in a branch of a tree, a good ways off of the ground. Jimmy had been fixed up and felt a little less pained at this point.
"Thanks for the help Jennifer." Said Jimmy gratefully.
"Anytime." Replied Jennifer. "But … this is no normal person. Aside the fact I do declare they are fucking insane, the way the bush was growing so out of place and those cameras being put their just so … yeah, this whole thing must have been put into action months ahead of time."
"… Any theories at all as to who or why?" Asked Jimmy, sounding weak.
"… Alas, no." Sighed Jennifer.
There was a short silence.
"So … what do we do now?" Asked Jimmy.
"Well, I'm gonna sleep. You should go back to your cabin and get some sleep too." Stated Jennifer. "You … may want to think over this new trial."
"… I'll have to do and say some bad things to get myself kicked off, if my team even loses the challenges." Winced Jimmy. "Jennifer, if I say things … things that make you angry, and upset … please forgive me."
"There's nothing to forgive." Assured Jennifer.
"Not yet." Sighed Jimmy. "Um, Jennifer? Would it be ok if … um..."
Jennifer beckoned Jimmy to say what he needed to say.
"… Could I sleep with you tonight? I can't go back to the cabin … not like I am now. I feel too scared." Muttered Jimmy, quiet as a mouse.
Jennifer was silent, staring at Jimmy, unblinking.
"… Of course you can." Nodded Jennifer. "C'mere."
Jimmy did as he was asked and presently gently snuggled up against the older girl, who held him carefully to ensure he was both comfortable and not likely to fall off the branch.
"Thank you." Said Jimmy, closing his eyes.
"You're welcome." Stated Jennifer. "Night."
Jennifer closed her eyes and started to settle down. Jimmy followed her lead, trying to get cosy. Within a few moments both began to slowly doze off to sleep.
As they settled down, Jennifer quietly began to sing a small lullaby, of sorts.
Child, do not be afraid.
A light shines on you, dear child
You child, strong after all
Child of God's earth, a strong one
I'm so proud of you
Jimmy had already dozed off, sleeping quietly and peacefully. Jennifer held him closer, as if keeping him safe from harm within her embrace, and dozed off to the pleasant thought of rotting skulls.
(Intern Compound)
Matthew and Trina frowned at Chris, who looked both traumatised and pissed off.
"So, did you find the gun?" Asked Matthew.
"Do you have any idea what I have been through today?!" Yelled Chris. "A beaver tried to fucking mate with me! I thought after Letterz I was done with this shit!"
"Did you find the gun?" Repeated Matthew darkly.
Chris frowned, but nonetheless spoke clearly.
"No, I did not. I tried, but I found nothing." Said Chris, sighing.
"Well, get back out there and find it!" Screeched Trina in horror. "If that gets traced back to us we'll be in deep hell!"
"Don't worry Miss Grey." Assured Matthew, taking a cigar out from a small sized box on the table. "I think we're in the clear, in hindsight. Chris knew a gun was there, and he could not find it. Nobody else, except Quana and Chef, know it is there. Quana won't get any chance to go back to Boney Island to get it, and if Chef starts to present a danger, I think we can be rid of him through certain … channels."
"Call me Trina. But, whoa, you really have this all figured out, don't you?" Purred Trina.
"I am a smart guy. I'm the Brains … and you're the beauty." Leered Matthew.
"Am I the brawn? Please, I'm a total package of brains, brawn and beauty." Bragged Chris.
"You also have a packaged assortment of dirt in your hair." Said Trina dryly.
"Shit! I gotta wash!" Yelled Chris, snivelling as he ran out of the room and made a beeline towards the nearest shower.
Matthew and Trina were alone, and Matthew lit up a cigar.
"Care to join me for a fine smoke?" Offered Matthew.
"A smoke? Pffft! How about five smokes you pussy?" Smirked Trina, quickly lighting up five of the expensive cigars and smoking on them all at once.
Matthew let out a laugh at Trina's nerve and cheek.
"Damn, you are a fine lady." Said Matthew, loosening his wedding ring as he spoke.
"Only the finest for you, Matthew." Giggled Trina faux innocently.
"Really? If I always had the finest things then we'd have been able to pin the burning of the Mess Hall on Kim. The audience hates her, so they'd eat it up. Not like she really matters or has anybody who would be truly upset if she got arrested and didn't appear anymore." Grumbled Matthew in annoyance as he smoked his cigar. "Steve may be an idiot … but damn, he's an idiot who knows how to be in the right place."
"Don' worry Matthew. You'll get her next time." Said Trina, purring a little as she began to massage Matthew's shoulders.
Matthew smirked.
Maybe, when it comes down to it, not too much action happened this chapter, but the plot has certainly sprung forwards as a result of all you've just read. The slow pace of the last bunch of chapters is now over; now for several eliminations episodes one after another! You won't want to miss what's on the horizon to be seen in the next few episodes. Until next time, stay tuned! ^_^
Next Time: It's time for a multi-part challenge within the Flowery Wetlands of Flower Atoll! Fish are involved at one point.