A/N: Ok, the weekly update this time, I just finished it a little earlier than usual. Anywho, I say around two more weeks (maybe even less) and this story is done. There's about two more chapters left and I think I might end up finishing them quickly too. That also means that there are less chapters than the last story but ultimately more words, so I wasn't wrong about it being longer.

Also it's Halloween this Saturday! So happy holidays. You could consider this riot taking place on that day since I won't do anything themed on the holiday this time round. Plus I think it would stick out a but more if the riot took place on Halloween. Ya know, cause they always could've chosen a different date.

But I won't say anything more, just enjoy the read and don't forget to review! I miss responding to all those kind, happy and excited ones, but I get if stuff popped up and you haven't had the time or effort to. Real life loves to be a pain at times.

Make sure to stay safe and well. Till next time,

D.L.D


Sierra's P.O.V

"Ok and today's couple is Dawn and B!" Cheers erupted in the audience as I flashed them a grin, my role as the show's host ever present and bubbly.

Ever since my sort of 'pep-talk' with Cody and Sky, I've been feeling better than ever. In fact I had found the spirit to start my blogging again, noting a few things I spotted during my days and writing about them. I was really getting back into the swing of things, falling back into my former self with some new changes, and I was welcoming it greatly. It seemed to have a pleasant affect on me and the show after all so I saw it as a bonus.

I gesture to the technical team and the cameras proceeded to show the couple with their assigned 'buddy', going around town on a bunch of tasks that would eventually lead them to the nature reserve. As planned with Katie and Lindsay, I had made sure each task hinted towards what the final treasure was. There were all sorts of reminders there to get B and Dawn to think of each other as they went around with town with their buddies. From flowers to small prompts like stopping at a tech store, I had made it obvious on what the tasks' intentions were.

All that was left was for it to happen.

"As explained before," I begin to explain the rules as the clips end, "Dawn and B are heading around town with one of their friends in separate groups. The aim of this is to get them to go on a treasure hunt of sorts."

This earned an 'oo' from the audience as it displayed the surprises I had some workers set out earlier. Each one was located in a place of importance and eventually led towards the nature reserve where I hoped the plan would prove successful. I had put a lot of effort into B and Dawn's episode, as they were people who were extremely nice and kind to me (in their own ways), and so I wanted to help them find a slice of happiness. Even if it was temporary and not forever.

"Each location has a hint as to the final prize," I continue, a smile on my face, "Then they'll arrive and bump into each other where it will be revealed that we organised a date!"

It then displayed the images of the date and what we had planned for the two. A nice scene that I won't spoil for now, I'm sure people want that saved for the end. After all the episode was just beginning and I had a lot more to things to run. Things such as final preparations as well as making sure that B and Dawn can't weasel out of the date. If so then one of them could have their heart crushed, and that would be terrible.

"So, why don't we take it away to my helpers for the day?" I change the subject, ready to take a break and go to the main point of the show.

The audience responded with a series of 'yeses' and cheers. An indication for the crew to change what camera was displaying on the TV screens. Taking the cue, they then switched it and I was off air allowing me to breath a sigh and let down my wide grin. The lights dimmed and the audience moved away, all seeming to know where the snacks and refreshments were located instantly. A few approached me with a couple of questions, which I easily answered.

However once I knew that they were all settled and fine, I walked off set and went backstage to get a glass of water and perhaps a bite to eat. All of this smiling and announcing did take energy after all.

"That was amazing!" Rena seemed astounded, a look of shock on her face as she followed me. The assistant had appeared from nowhere, her presence being here from when I entered backstage. However I wasn't focused on that as she studied the figures on her clipboard. "I'm sure you've boosted ratings by doing this."

I smiled at this, knowing that I was entertaining more while achieving the goal of making the couples happy. Something that younger reporter me would dream of, but know wouldn't ever happen. Even if my blogs had gathered numerous viewers and readers, they had never gone as big as a show that aired nationally. That had always been my dream though. To report or entertain to thousands, maybe even millions.

"I'm glad with the successful results," Rena nodded at my smile, tucking her clipboard close.

"Yeah me too," I sounded happy, and I felt happy. However I was desperately in need of a muffin. They usually had them around here, stored in a basket on the snack table but there didn't seem to be any today.

"I thought you'd look for one of these," Rena smiled, passing me the baked treat. She chuckled as she watched me peel back the wrapper. "My nana makes them every Sunday, but I was confused when they kept going missing. I guess I left them out in the open."

"Oh, sorry for eating them," I feel sheepish, a blush breaking onto my face. I didn't know that they were brought in by Rena, I had thought the muffins were entirely company bought. But apparently Rena was fine with it, a laugh escaping her at my guilty reaction.

"It's fine I can always make more with her," The assistant sighed as her watched beeped, alerting her of something she clearly had to attend. Tucking a hair behind her ear, Rena then begun to retreat, clipboard and voice in tow. "Well I have duties to attend to. Make sure to be on set in five, Ms Campbell."

"I will," I say, mouth full of muffin.

I find myself humming as I walk towards the set, slowly making my way through the muffin. I took my time with disposing of it and seating myself in my spot, before giving the audience a natural smile as the cameras came back on. Once they did all my excitement and happiness burst out into energy, with me greeting the audience with a clap. Oh, Dawn and B's episode will definitely be a game changer.


Courtney's P.O.V

"Well that should be enough to bag 'em!" Izzy cackled as I gathered together all of the evidence we had gotten.

Surprisingly the nutcase did have a good sense with law and had caught multiple instances where my lawyers had messed up or lied. She had been of significant help in my digging for evidence and had produced several pieces that I didn't even know existed. All sorts of papers and contracts were highlighted with a range of colours, along with letters, photos and even phone numbers. Somehow Izzy had managed to gain phone records too. Things that were hard to obtain, as well as incriminating for my lawyers. However it was concerning for whoever all this evidence was stacked against. Izzy seemed to have quite the few connections as well as assets. But fortunately she seemed to be working with me rather than against me, so I kinda let it slide.

"Oh it's plenty!" I smirked as I tucked it all away into my folder. All I had to do now was call my father, supply the evidence and then weave this into the whole college rally thing. Then we had a solid case against Chris as well as a decent portion of his life's work destroyed. Not to mention the college would shut down and I could go to law school. It was the perfect win situation!

I could already see myself smiling as Chris is handcuffed and tossed into the back of a police car. Maybe even taken to a mental hospital like Scarlett. It would be amazing if they even put him in a straight jacket too. I mean it wouldn't be a crazy assumption. The man was trying to create a whole town with the students from his high school after all. A lot of us wished death, or even worse things on him. But I just wanted to see him behind bars where he belonged. Maybe slowly becoming deranged too.

"I figured it would be," Izzy nodded, humming as she examined her nails. She seemed happy with her work but not content. As if there was something else she could reveal and she was waiting to announce. She did so with a wide and twisted grin. "But...we could also get the BOE involved~ They'd do a lot of damage to Chris. Not to mention make sure he doesn't get a chance of parole."

My mind blanks, considering her offer it plays on loop in my head. No chance of parole. No chance of parole. Oh the offer sounded so tempting. It would make sure Chris got his just deserts without weaseling out of through bail or good behaviour. Instead Mclean would have to do it the hard way and wait it out. All of those years. But how could Izzy easily assure me about a chance of getting no parole? Even lawyers were uncertain at times of whether the offender would receive parole or not.

More often than not they did. It was only the worst cases that didn't and that was things like serial killers.

However I thought it'd be better to accept Izzy's offer. Even if her words had sounded crazy, she had supplied a lot of evidence. Need I mention hard evidence too. Evidence that could have Chris and my lawyers locked up for years. So naturally I listened, wanting to make sure Chris paid for messing with my career and education. That's not even including all of the mental trauma he put some of my friends and myself through.

Chris has caused so many people to have so many messed up problems...

"I'm listening," I cross my arms over my chest as I tilt my head. I was trying not to sound too eager or desperate because I knew Izzy had some sort of complex with situations like that. In fact I've seen how she likes to play with people, using their minds against them to help her cause. She could be a lot like a snake sometimes, slowly luring prey in. If I wanted to deal with her, I had to make her know I wasn't going to be fooled.

"Well, the main thing is I have some connections," Izzy grinned, her green eyes glinting dangerously. Just like Scarlett's. There was a dangerous edge to them as she leaned back in her seat, hands resting behind her head as she swung on the chair. "And if I get them involved, you have to promise not to question. All you do is reap the rewards."

"And what if I do question?" I ask, my tone curious but careful. I know that I have to tread carefully with people like Izzy, but I also had to see if her warning did have a threat attached. If not then maybe I could get an even more ideal result for the Chris case, but the redhead didn't budge.

"Then I kill you and your body won't be found for years," She said it simply, no emotion or anything tied to it. It just came out. Like a duty and a task. But then she switched, a smile on her face as she wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "But I'd never do anything like that to my friends! Let alone you Court."

I gulp as she says this, knowing that her threat was real despite her mood switch. Very real. Usually I would've scoffed and told her to get off me, but I knew from experience that that was unwise. No-one with red hair and green eyes can be deemed as safe when they say that. When they threaten people's lives.

Scarlett was an example and it seemed Izzy was adding to that theory too. Both redheads have shown to be extremely detached from sanity, or even having normal thinking processes. Violence and power seemed like a norm for them, causing them to reflect it on all the students around them. A shame since most red haired people with green eyes aren't all evil and crazy. In fact they're nice like most people. However Scarlett and Izzy seemed to challenge that belief. Full on.

"Great!" I give a forced smile, making a mental note not to test this girl. Just doing that could land me dead, or maybe even missing. Izzy clearly holds a lot of power now and whatever or whoever gave her it, I wasn't going to question. I wasn't even going to approach the matter.

However as much as I try to fight it, I find myself wondering about what exactly Izzy's been doing since she left. About how she has suddenly gained these assets and skills. About how after only being gone for a month, she already seemed like an entirely new person. A sort of dark businesswoman involved in the dark web. Someone none of us seemed to know anymore. Because now Izzy's sudden reappearance was growing extremely dangerous and concerning.


Blaineley's P.O.V

"Well, it looks like you've gathered a lot of numbers," I say as I look at the group of students milling about on the green.

It seemed like the whole college population was there, faces I barely recognise but know seeing coming up in the crowd. They all stood in separate groups, each holding what looked like a map between them and talking as they pointed at it. All of them seemed to be ready for the task, black contrasting with vibrant colours as they pulled out equipment for the task. A sight that would've never happened while they were all teens, laughing about how after that year they'd be done with Chris.

Those teens couldn't have been any more wrong. After that it was simply the next phase of Chris plan. The next step in the evolution of his 'tiny town' as he'd dubbed it. he used to go on about how he was going to have a whole town populated with a high schoolers that had been subjected to the rules of it from day one. It would have everything a normal town would have. Hospitals, schools, houses, stores, actvities - I could go on and on about how he used to chatter about it before we divorced.

But can you blame me for leaving?

I mean the man was so far gone he was talking about having a whole show themed around it! I knew that was no place to raise and kid and packed off while I still could. But it seems Chris still went along with the plan, after ruining his marriage for it.

He never learns does he?

I sigh as I shake my head, the thought saying it all. This man was steering himself straight towards oblivion and he couldn't even see it. Couldn't even comprehend it. He was too busy planning the final and finer details of his plan to see that it was all falling apart.

"I know, the whole college looks like it turned up," Gwen nodded as she pulled out a set of walkie-talkies. She had often included them in her plans during high school. They stuck out in the serious and battle-like mood. Walkie-talkies were like toys really. Things that were so childlike it was funny to see Gwen using them for something so serious. But not uncommon. "But I guess it's good for the cause."

"Oh, definitely," I nod as I begin to tie my hair up. The group I've been assigned to was going to involve a lot of moving and I have a feeling long hair will get in the way. "I'm just looking forward to getting rid of Chris once and for all. I'm tired of him being a major part of my life."

"Aren't we all?" Courtney rolled her eyes and it was greeted with a bunch of laughs.

"Yeah the man's a douche," Duncan agreed as Gwen passed him a walkie-talkie. I'm guessing she assigned her most trusted allies to lead groups on their own. Makes sense since someone else could spill what the plan is to Chris. The man surprisingly had a bunch of bribes and ammo, even for people who didn't want anything to do with him. "He's had this coming for a long time."

The mood had lightened up a little, people cracking smiles and shaking away the feelings that came before battle. Well it wasn't really a battle, but you get what I mean. This situation was like life and death to these students and I couldn't just sit by anymore and watch it happen. I had to get involved.

A range of agreements went around the group, all of them calling Chris all sorts, and I couldn't help but join them. The man has had this coming since the first day of this college, and perhaps even the later years of his high school if we went further back. Those years were terrible and I remember all of the violence, fights and even harassment some of them have been through. There's been a number of times where I've broken up fights between girls over some guy, a guy that Chris had most likely told them to stir up drama with. In return for things as petty a grades.

The thought made me scoff when I thought about it. But I was one of those people who bowed when offered some sort of compensation. There's been a bunch of times where I've let things slide in return for a pay rise or an extra day off. Things that I now feel terrible for accepting. After all Chris has put those teens, the staff and even his romantic partners on the line for his crazy vision. A vision that we could all see was deluded. It was evident in the way that is ship is slowly sinking now that the people are rebelling. The staff, students and even their parents had now had enough.

After all Chris was on a bunch of hit lists. A lot of people wanted him dead or gone.

And now they were all teaming up to end it.


Gwen's P.O.V

"Ok everyone, it's about to begin," I can hear my own voice as it suddenly goes silent on campus.

Groups of other victims of Chris were piled before me, all dressed in black and splashed with bright colours. A choice made between all of us to represent how we'll be heard no matter what happens. No matter what darkness will try to snuff out the light, because the light will always stand out. The light will always call out. Just like none of us will ever give up on gaining freedom. In living our own lives.

And so we were all getting ready for the big finale. The end. Our stand against Chris and our first and last rebellion. We'd all end it here and we'd all give our best. If this lasts a week, it will last a week. If we have to chain ourseleves somewhere (though that's an extreme exaggeration) we'd all probably do that. Everyone here was willing to fight for their freedom and they would not leave until they received just that.

"Has Group one got the crowbars?" I ask and the group raises the equipment in the air. They all had one, the task joined to it already known. "Group two got the paint?" Again the same happened. "Three the signs? Four the phones and cameras?"

Always it followed with everyone having the equipment needed, maps also being shown with the correct areas highlighted. If it all went to plan, the campus would be ruined by the end of the day and Chris would probably forfeit. The aim was to create a scene and raise awareness about what was happening, about what Chris was forcing us into. A life that was dictated and run by him. A life that had no freedom or dreams. No human aspects.

"That leaves group six," I say as I turn to the people behind me. They all wore supporting smiles, knowing that all we needed was already there. Our task was the most important as well as the most incriminating. We were going to get into Chris' office and confront him, before Courtney pulled out the Ace she had hidden in her sleeve. An Ace that Izzy seemed to be involved in too.

"I think we have this handled," Courtney smiled and Izzy nodded frantically, both gesturing to the shoulder bag Courtney held.

You didn't have to have x-ray vision to know that it was filled with papers and other things like that. A few of them seemed to be bursting from the top anyway, the corners containing some notes in spidery handwriting.

"If you say so," I leave it at that and nod to Amy who gives off the signal.

All that follows then is chaos.


Amy's P.O.V

The main group on the stage, including me, rush towards the main building. It was still grand and ornate, the design seeming belittled or even insulting towards how other colleges appeared. To how they were actually prestigious and the perfect places to gain a degree or qualification to get a good career. To get a good future. Something this place didn't even aim for. It was just one big sham. A lie. The trap that Chris had completed for the students of his high school. To force them to go onto the next phase.

Funny to think that no-one had thought of it like that until then. Especially after the graduation ceremony we had two years ago. The very event had been a lie like this, one that was crafted to make us feel free and normal but then strip us of it. Force us back into the reality of more or less being owned by Chris. Like dogs.

"I'm staying back," I stop running as we reach the entrance of the college, stone steps unmarred by anything. But that was going to change.

The grand wooden doors were there, small windows of glass showing a glimpse of the halls inside. A glimpse of the hidden prison Chris had moved us to. But for once I think it a good thing that he did. That he stripped away our freedom. I wouldn't have become the person I am now if he hadn't after all.

"Why not?" Gwen raised a brow, confused as she held the door open for herself. The others had already gone in.

I sighed as I looked at her, knowing that the question was logical.

I had been one of the first to sign up to being on Group six. The group that would see Chris' face when karma came to collect him. I knew that I would witness the downfall of that truly evil man. A man who had put me and others through so much hell that it was crazy. He had destroyed my sanity, watched as I killed my sister and even joked about the topics. He had joked about all of the serious and life-changing things that had happened under his watch. About all the people that had become fucked up because of him. It was sickening to even think about.

But I didn't want to watch him fall. I didn't want to be a part of that. I'd finally moved on from the dark chapter that Chris had written all over in my life. I was done with being angry and looking for something to blame for past me's actions. Now I just wanted it all to end and to live a normal life. A life where I can try to make up for the bad, but see good where bad was. See the light in my darkest hours.

So I was going to stay back. I was going to help the others.

"Because I don't need to see that fucker pay," I smile softly as I kick at the ground, hands stuffed in my pockets. "I'm over that. So instead you guys do it. I know it'll be a sight to behold."

Gwen looks at me, face questioning but mind understanding. Then after a second she gives me a nod. She already knew that I had been through a lot to get where I am today. To be the person that is content with their past and terrible deeds. I didn't need it all stirred up by Chris again.

"Ok, but I'll make sure to take a picture," Gwen nodded, a smile on her features as she headed towards the door.

"I know you will," I nodded, smiling as I give her a salute. A symbol of my gratitude for knowing that I had such loyal friends that I now considered as family. A symbol that I had moved on. "Good luck."

Gwen smiles wider at this, my actions probably motivating her to try even harder to in this.

"Thanks."

She then disappears through the door and I laugh, the situation finding amusement even in such a serious time.