Survivor: Chaos Cove

by Sekaedy

Twenty strangers embark on the adventure of a lifetime. 39 days, 20 people, one Survivor!

4. Day Four

Survivor: Chaos Cove

Day Four

Te Dei Tribe

The nine surviving members of Te Dei marched silently back into camp in the dead of night. Mike took the flint while the others winded down from Tribal and, in no time, had a fire built for the tribe.

Mike: We got back to camp, and all I could think was 'finally!' Tribal Council's a bloody waste of time. If the vote was gonna be nine to one anyway, couldn't we've just thrown the bloke into the ocean? It woulda been faster and more fun too.

Shawn sighed. "Wild night, you guys. Thanks for saving me, everyone."

"You kiddin'?" Steve said. "We'da been crazy to vote you off."

Vanessa squeezed Shawn's shoulder. "You've done a lot for us. It's the least we could do."

"Plus, you're the strongest guy here," Anthony added. "We need you if we want to come back from this."

Shawn chuckled bittersweetly. "I appreciate it. Hopefully we can move forward from here as a team."

Shawn: I knew my name would come up eventually. I'm a physical competitor, and people don't hide how they feel about me. But last night, night three, Greg tried to take me out as a threat, and that stigma's only going to get worse as this game goes on... It kinda feels like I'm a dead man walking.

"'Course we can!" Kat said. "We're a good tribe. We just had some growin' pains."

"If you want to call them that." Vanessa shrugged, side-eying Kristen. "Thanks to Greg blowing up his game, I'm not sure they're quite over yet."

Kristen raised an eyebrow. "Vanessa, if you've got something to say, then say it to my face. Aren't we supposed to be united?"

Kristen: Vanessa's been passive-aggressive with me this whole time, and it's so grating. Does she think she's subtle? I wouldn't have cared if I was going home, but now I have to live with her, and… No thanks. I'm good.

"Excuse me? Do you think we're not?"

"Don't ask me! You're the one with the problem. It's not my fault that tonight didn't go how you wanted."

"Is this really the best time…?" Britney asked from the shelter. She yawned. "How are you not exhausted?"

Britney: (She sighs in relief.) I didn't get blindsided last night. For all my anxiety and paranoia, Tribal actually went pretty well. It was an intense night and there was some drama afterward, but I'm starting to think I'll be able to handle this game!

"I think this is a perfect time, actually." Vanessa stepped toward Kristen, getting in her face. "Kristen, we are united. You're the one with the problem; you're lazy around camp, bad at the challenges, and joyless to be around. And we're united in getting you out."

Kristen blinked, shaken.

The camp went silent, save for the calls of birds and the distant crash of the ocean.

"Wow," Kristen said. "I, uh…" She stumbled over her words. "Ouch. You… uh, can't that united if someone leaked the plan."

Vanessa's eyes widened. Some tribemates gasped, and a few had to try not to laugh, but everyone listened intently for Vanessa's reply.

"That's fine," Vanessa replied. "That right there, your complete apathy for everyone else, is exactly what I'm talking about. We'll see what happens next Tribal." She crawled into the shelter without waiting for a response.

Vanessa: Apparently, I was more frustrated with Kristen than I thought. I was really looking forward to coming back without her, and it showed. I don't regret anything I said though, even if someone spilled the plan. I know my alliance has my back on this.

Nobody said anything for a while. Eventually, most of the tribe went to bed, some checking in with Kristen first, until the last two awake were Kat and Kristen.

"Before you head to bed, a quick word?" Kat whispered. "Emphasis on 'quick.' We probably don't wanna be seen by the others."

"What's up? Sorry I couldn't resist zinging V earlier."

Kat chuckled. "You kiddin'? She asked for it."

Kristen grinned. "I thought you'd get a kick out of that."

"I did, but still. She ain't wrong. You're next on the choppin' block." Kat put her hands on her hips. "You ain't gonna get lucky again, so promise me you're gonna put in the work to survive before our next Tribal?"

"I can try, but I wouldn't even know where to start."

"Well, you gotta get five votes or you're toast. We're two." Kat counted on her fingers. "I can get Shawn, so you should probably work on Britney 'cuz they're a package deal."

"And the fifth?"

"Probably Madison, who knows what she's thinkin'? Or maybe you can convince Mike you're worthy or somethin'. He's a weirdo about strategy."

Kat: I'm itchin' to leak the alliance to Kristen, but I decided against it for the time bein'. I'm already riskin' my game workin' with her as much as I am. If she says the wrong thing and I get exposed, I'm a dead woman walkin'. This one's on her.

"Okay, but…" Kristen sighed. "Tell me. Why do you want me of all people to stay so badly?"

"Kristen, imagine what this tribe looks like after you leave. If they're bootin' people based on their 'strength,'" Kat said with air-quotes, "I wouldn't last two days with the people left over, if I even get that far."

Kristen grimaced. "…Yeah. What a nightmare."

"Besides, you've already weathered three days of Survivor. What's a few more? For a friend?"

"Alright, fine. I'll give it a try." Kristen yawned. "…Tomorrow."

xxx

Most of the tribe slept better that night than they have been, probably out of exhaustion from Tribal Council. Madison was the first person up like normal, quietly enjoying the sunrise when Anthony joined her, also as usual.

"How's the meditation going?" Anthony asked.

"Wonderfully, until you interrupted me. Just kidding," Madison added before Anthony could apologize. "I've been up for a while now. I'm in no state to focus."

Madison: As much fun as messing with people as a psychic is, I'm still a competitor at heart. I want to win this game. And any true fan knows you can't win without a social game. So I'll have to get personal with people eventually, let the mask slide a bit. Anthony especially is a humble, down-to-earth guy… he makes it hard not to be genuine.

"Fair enough. Tribal took a lot out of even you, huh?"

"You could say that. The whole process is just… a lot. My fortunes weren't kidding about the suffering."

Anthony chuckled. "You and your ESP. No offense, but you do know nobody believes your powers, right?"

Madison smirked. "You're welcome to believe what you like about me. My results will speak for themselves, good or bad."

"Heh, good answer." Anthony stood up. "Keep it up. I like what I've seen so far."

Anthony: It didn't occur to me how brutal that vote was until the morning after Tribal, with one less tribemate in camp. Poor Greg… It's only going to get harder from here, so I better toughen up now if I'm gonna stay for the long haul. I'm glad we've got someone like Madison around to take the edge off, stop us from taking the game too seriously.

Nuara Tribe

The castaways of Nuara milled around camp lackadaisically. The high of winning the challenge hadn't faded yet, so the tribe was relaxed.

Victor, tending to the fire, yawned. "I'm gonna take a walk. Someone take over."

"Okay!" Isabelle took his place eagerly.

Isabelle: Things have been good around camp for nearly everybody. Everyone except me, that is. If we lost yesterday, I would not be here. I clearly have some work to do and, hopefully, picking up slack around camp will help change peoples' minds.

Victor saluted and walked off. He took the long route to the beach to search the surrounding foliage. He sat down by the ocean eventually, his hunt fruitless.

Massive grey clouds towered in the distance. "That doesn't look good…" Victor muttered. He watched the clouds roll across the sky for some time, until Marta joined him.

"Honey, we got a big storm comin'," she said. "We should probably do something about that."

"You're right." Victor got up. "Let's go."

Victor: My greatest asset as an agent was my focus. I fought 'til the job was done. To me, Survivor is just another operation, and I'm always thinking about my path to victory. So… it's good I've got an ally in Marta. Her personality brings the mood up and disarms people, gets their guards down. It doesn't work so well on me – I wouldn't want it to – but she's good to have around.

"You had to get away?"

"Yeah. They spend so much time chattering about nothing. Their drama is so… inane. I can only take so much. The next generation isn't looking good."

"That's crazy talk," Marta said, taken aback. "Kids these days are smart, man. My boys tell me about stuff I never dreamed of."

"Well, I got hope for your kids. Some of these people?" He motioned toward camp. "Hopeless."

Marta dismissed him. "You don't know that. They're all feelin' hopeless right now, though. You're the only one here who knows how to keep us dry, so you better get in there and show 'em the light."

Victor grinned. "You got it."

xxx

The tribe split up to do various jobs as directed by Victor. Ruby and Marta, for their parts, took the machete and trekked into the jungle.

Marta chopped at some palm fronds. "So how ya gettin' along?"

Marta: I'm okay wit'

my place on the tribe. I'm in a majority alliance, I got trustworthy allies and shields – Vic and Ruby – and my name hasn't come up yet. But you never know. People like me ain't usually long for this game, so I wanna make sure I got my bases covered.

"Fine, since we won yesterday." Ruby pulled one out using her hands. "How about you?"

"I like the way things're goin' – I get a good feelin' from you. Plus, we got a good majority and easy targets in case we lose."

Ruby hesitated. "Yeah, the alliance. I get good vibes from you also. Let's keep winning, so we don't have to worry about that."

Ruby: I like Marta, she's a nice person. But I'm aligned with her out of convenience, and that's it. This season deserves a good ending, and there'd be nothing as epic as the strongest five or six people battling it out. I don't think Marta's gonna make the cut.

"But if we do lose? People haven't been talkin' much strategy the last few days since we won. We still votin' Isabelle?"

"Marta, absolutely nothing's changed. Are you getting paranoid on me? I haven't heard your name."

"That's a relief." Marta smiled reassuredly. "I figured as much, but it's hard not to get antsy when things are quiet. I'd hate to be first out over Lukas or Miriam."

"Yeah." Ruby offered a thumbs-up. "I'll let you know if I hear anything fishy, alright?"

xxx

"So, Rubes, what'd ya call me here for?" Lukas asked with a flirty lilt.

Ruby pointed to a fallen log. "I need your help with that," she replied, all business. "We're gonna use it for the shelter."

"Oh… that's it?"

"Actually, there was one other thing..."

Lukas moved in, grinning. "I'm listening."

Ruby checked around. The coast was clear. "You and I. We need to keep each other safe in this game. You feel me?"

Ruby: Nobody takes Lukas seriously, but there's no denying he's the strongest guy on the tribe. Behind all his cockiness and self-absorption is a real competitor, and I can respect that. So, annoying as he is, maybe I wanna keep him around.

"Oh, I feel you shawty." Lukas touched Ruby's shoulder. "You want to show me how you feel, but there's too many people around right now. Yeah?"

Ruby removed Lukas's hand. "…No. You know how this game works, right? People are going to target us strong players eventually. We can't let that happen, so we gotta get the threats together first. You in?"

"Keep playing hard-to-get, girl. Of course I'm in, I can wait 'til it's just us left."

Ruby groaned. "Seriously? You need to focus! Don't make me regret this."

"Fiiine. I'm just kidding."

"Whatever." Ruby stood at one end of the log. "Now are you gonna help me with this or what?"

Lukas flexed picked up the other end. "Hells yeah."

Lukas: Things are heatin' up, bros! I'm on an island with all sorts of hotties, it's so hard to choose, especially when they're throwing themselves at me! But Ruby made a good point. I gotta get my head in the game if I want to win. And I know the perfect guy to be my sidekick.

xxx

"Whatcha up to buddy?" Lukas asked.

Ryan looked up. "Just thinking about home. I hope my grandma's doing alright."

"Forget about that, dude, I'm sure she's fine." Lukas pulled Ryan to his feet. "You gotta live in the now, and right now we've got a game to play!"

"Okay… what's up?"

"Look dude, every great person in history had a right-hand man helpin' 'em out in the background. Mario and Luigi, Batman and Robin, y'know?"

Ryan nervously chuckled. "I guess? I'm listening."

Lukas put his arm around Ryan. "Out here, that could be me and you! You're a smart guys. You could be the brain to my brawn. Whaddaya say? Wanna be my Luigi?"

"Why Luigi? I'd rather be Robin…"

"Deal!"

Ryan: I'm pretty sure Lukas just offered me a final two, but I'm hesitant. Sure, I trust him, but he hasn't exactly been the best social player. As much as I want to work with him and Miriam, I don't want to be lumped in with them. (He sighs.) I'll have to strike a delicate balance to make this work…

Challenge Beach

"Come on in, guys!"

Jeff stood on a series of wooden platforms, watching the cast arrive in their boats. Nuara disembarked first, clad in their bathing suits. The superfans' eyes gleamed when they saw the floating arena. Te Dei's boat unloaded on the other side.

"Nuara gettin' their first look at the new Te Dei; Greg voted out first."

Nuara murmured, not terribly surprised.

"You ready to get to today's Reward Challenge?"

The cast cheered.

"Today's challenge is the classic Sumo at Sea. You'll face off, one-on-one, using padded bags to push your opponent into the water. Knock your opponent off to score a point. First tribe to six wins Reward. Losers get nada. Wanna know what you're playin' for?"

The cast applauded.

Jeff pulled the cover off his table. "A tarp, along with a construction kit." He glanced at the thick clouds rolling in over the horizon. "Looks like you'll need it.

"Nuara has one extra person, they're sittin' someone out – a man. Who'll it be?"

Ryan raised his hand. "It's more fun to watch this one than it is to play."

"Alright, take a spot on the bench. First round is two women; who's it gonna be?"

xxx

"Here we go, first round," Jeff said. "Ruby from Nuara versus Kat from Te Dei. Survivors ready?"

Ruby stared Kat down, grinning with anticipation. Kat replied with a funny face, sticking her tongue out and crossing her eyes.

"Go!"

The girls collided in the middle, Ruby's initial push sending Kat off her balance.

"Ruby comes out strong right away!"

Kat fought back to the best of her abilities, but Ruby's attacks pushed her away from the middle all the same.

"Ruby's got Kat on the run, but Kat's not backing down!"

Ruby continued her onslaught, shoving the struggling Kat toward the edge. Kat tried to block, but Ruby didn't leave an opening. Before Kat could recover, she backed off the edge and fell off.

"Ruby knocks Kat in! Decisive victory for Nuara!"

"That's how we do it!" Ruby shouted as her tribe celebrated.

"Sorry, y'all." Kat's tribe helped her onto their platform. "She's way tougher than she looks."

"Nuara leads," Jeff said. "One, zip!"

xxx

"Round two is gonna be Godfrey from Nuara takin' on Mike from Te Dei. Two very different guys, only one can win. Survivors ready?"

Godfrey narrowed his eyes, carefully watching Mike. Mike leaned forward, gripping his bag.

"Go!"

Mike charged Godfrey, expecting Godfrey to do the same. Godfrey went low though, bashing into Mike's legs and toppling him over.

"Godfrey uses Mike's strength against him to gain the advantage! Can Mike recover?"

Godfrey pushed Mike along the wood toward the edge, but Mike rolled away before he fell in. He blocked Godfrey's next shove, hopped to his feet, and attacked Godfrey again before he could prepare.

"Mike is back up and on the offensive just like that! This isn't over!"

Caught by surprise, Godfrey tried to block, but Mike overpowered him and threw him off the arena.

"Mike sends Godfrey flying! Te Dei ties it up, one all!"

"G'night mate!" Mike yelled.

Godfrey resurfaced to see Mike raising his arms to Te Dei's cheers. "Somebody's got an ego," he grumbled.

xxx

"Round three! Nuara puttin' up Stella against Kristen from Te Dei. The classic struggle, brain versus brawn. Survivors ready?"

Kristen sighed. "Let's get this over with."

"You got it." Stella dug her heels.

"Go!" Jeff dropped his hand.

Both girls tensed up but neither advanced, instead circling the arena like sharks awaiting the opportunity to strike. The rest of the cast held their collective breaths.

"Wow! We have a standoff. Who's gonna make the first move?"

"What are you waiting for?" Kristen asked.

"You scared?" Stella beckoned to her. "Come at me."

Kristen scowled and leapt bag-first. Stella blocked the strike with ease, so Kristen kept attacking.

"Kristen's laying on the pressure, but Stella's a fortress!" Jeff said. "What'll it take to knock her down?"

"That all you got?" Stella asked between blocks, her voice drowned out by both tribes' shouting.

Kristen scowled and wound up a stronger shove. Stella sidestepped, making Kristen miss and stumble, and shoved her over the edge.

"Stella, with some masterful footwork, outplays Kristen and sends her flying!"

Stella held her bag out and dropped it like a microphone to her tribe's triumphant cheers.

"Nuara takes the lead! Two-one."

xxx

"For round four, we've got Alexander from Nuara against Anthony from Te Dei. Two smart guys, evenly matched. Survivors ready?"

Alexander grinned and waggled his eyebrows rapidly. Anthony chuckled, but he stayed focused.

"Go!"

Both guys charged, but Alexander sidestepped Anthony at the last second and shoved him. Anthony tumbled but managed to stay upright.

"Alex fakes Anthony out, knocking him off his balance!"

Alexander charged Anthony, who tried to sidestep him. Alexander didn't fall for it, though. He stopped short of the edge and attacked Anthony by the water.

"Alex's reaction time saves him, but things are precarious now! All it takes is one lucky hit..."

The boys brawled by the edge, their tribes egging them on. Anthony dodged one of Alexander's blows and counter-attacked, a direct hit. Alexander threw his bag at Anthony as he fell, toppling him over too. Both fell in a split-second apart.

The competitors surfaced to see the tribes yelling over each other, debating the winner. Jeff's patience grew thin as he tried to get their attention.

Anthony couldn't help but laugh at the madness. He offered his hand to Alexander. "Well played."

Alexander shook it. "Same. Pretty sure I won though."

"You guys done?" Jeff asked once the arguing died down. "Alex hit the water first. Te Dei scores, two all!"

xxx

"Round five: Madison from Te Dei against Nuara's Isabelle," Jeff said. "Survivors ready?"

"What are you doing?" Isabelle asked her opponent.

Madison contorted, raising her arms and lunging her legs, her bag on the floor. "I'm channeling the sun's strength for this duel," she replied, eliciting raised eyebrows and groans from most of the cast. "It's an ancient Wutu'Ra tradition," she protested. "Look it up!"

"She's no Coach," Victor muttered. Ryan chuckled.

Isabelle's eyes lit up. "Fascinating! You must tell-"

"I said," Jeff interrupted, "Survivors ready?"

Madison finished stretching and grabbed her bag. "Let's do it."

"Go!"

The women collided, both attacking fiercely. Their tribes encouraged them as they traded blows in the center. Isabelle landed the first solid hit, sending Madison off-balance with a shove to the face.

"Madison's on the run! Let's see if her stretches did anything for her."

Madison returned fire, trying to create some distance. Her first hit connected, buying her some time, but Isabelle blocked the next one. She countered, knocking Madison to her knees.

"Isabelle denies Madison. The psychic's in trouble now!"

Isabelle charged as Madison tried to stand up and sent her flying off the arena. Isabelle cheered, louder than her own tribe.

"Madison can't recover, and Isabelle scores! Nuara leads, three to two," Jeff announced as the girls returned to their tribes. "Round six is two men. Who's playing?"

"Let me at 'em!" Steve said. He cannonballed into the water, his tribe spurring him on.

"Nuara?"

"Get in there, Luke," Ruby said. "You could drop him easy."

Lukas shook his head. "You're up, old man. I'm taking on Shawn."

"It's your funeral." Victor joined Steve on the platform.

"Survivors ready?" Jeff prompted.

"I'm fightin' you?" Steve asked, bewildered. He turned to Jeff. "Do I gotta, like, go easy on him?"

Jeff laughed along with the players. "Victor?"

Victor groaned and assumed a fighting stance. "Course not. Let's go."

Steve shrugged. "It's yer funeral."

Jeff dropped his hand. "Go!"

Steve smashed into Victor at the center, sending him flying. He landed hard on the platform, his military training no match for Steve's sheer weight advantage.

Jeff cringed. "Steve comes out strong! This could get ugly, but Victor's already getting back up!"

Steve charged again. Victor braced himself as Steve crashed into him, but it was no use. Victor flew into the water without a chance to save himself. Steve splashed beside him right after, having charged right off the arena.

"Steve puts an end to it quickly, scoring for Te Dei! We're tied, three each!"

xxx

"Vanessa from Te Dei goin' up against Marta from Nuara for round seven. Battle of the moms! Survivors ready?"

Vanessa nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."

"Best of luck, Mamacita," Marta said.

"Go!"

Vanessa charged toward Marta, who advanced slowly. Vanessa hit first, shoving at Marta, then backing off and attacking from elsewhere. Marta blocked a few hits but some got through.

"Vanessa's nimbler, while Marta has raw strength on her side. Who'll come out on top?"

Vanessa struck again but missed. Marta took the opportunity to push her over.

"Marta knocks Vanessa over! All she has to do is seal the deal!"

Marta kept pushing, rolling Vanessa across the wood toward the edge. Vanessa ineffectually tried to block, overpowered by Marta's physical strength. She nearly managed to stand up, but Marta knocked her in with a final charge.

"Vanessa can't hold on and falls in. Nuara leads, four to three!"

Marta dove in after Vanessa. "You alright?"

Vanessa nodded, a little dazed. "Yeah, thanks."

"Next up is the last two men," Jeff said while the women returned to their tribes. "Shawn from Te Dei takin' on Lukas from Nuara."

The tribes hollered louder than they have for any of the previous matchups.

"Big battle! Survivors ready?"

Lukas smirked. "Clash of the titans."

"We'll see," Shawn replied.

"Go!"

And clash they did, both guys pushing the other with all their might, enough so that neither could gain the advantage.

"Already an intense battle! Who's gonna come out on top?"

The guys' eyes met, watching each other's every move. Shawn let up for just a moment, preparing a powerful attack. Lukas took advantage of his wind-up and shoved him down.

"Lukas topples Shawn over! Can he recover?"

Lukas battered Shawn, pushing him closer to the water with each blow. Shawn struggled to stand up with Lukas knocking his limbs out from under him.

"Lukas is cutting off Shawn's escape routes! It's not looking good!"

Shawn rolled under Lukas's bag just as Lukas tried to push him in. Before Lukas could react, Shawn pushed Lukas up and over him into the water.,

"Shawn pulls a reversal, and Lukas goes flying! What a battle!"

Shawn chuckled. "Titan enough for you?"

"Sure, bro," Lukas sputtered. "Until next time!"

"We're tied!" Jeff said. "Four points each."

xxx

"Here's how the rest of the challenge will play out," Jeff said. "Te Dei's Britney and Nuara's Miriam are the last to compete, so they'll duel next."

"Good luck." Britney offered Miriam her shaking hand.

Miriam shook it. "I won't need it, but thanks."

"For round ten," Jeff continued, "each tribe will choose someone from the opposite tribe to compete. If the score is tied afterward, we'll do a tiebreaker round where each tribe chooses their own champion. We clear?"

The cast murmured in understanding.

"Good. First things first, round nine." He turned to the fighters. "Survivors ready?"

The girls nodded.

"Go!"

Both girls charged, intent on proving themselves to their tribes. Britney tripped mid-charge and stumbled. Miriam grinned and attacked, shoving Britney to the floor.

"Britney falls hard! Miriam's on the attack; is this it for Britney?"

Miriam pummeled Britney toward the water, but Britney stopped her with a lucky block.

"Britney's makes enough of an opening to stand up, but Miriam won't back down!"

Britney backed away from Miriam as she charged. Britney panicked and hopped to the side. Miriam tried to stop, but she slipped on a puddle and slid into the water.

"Miriam's in the water, giving Te Dei the lead five to four!"

"But I slipped!" Miriam griped to Jeff from the water. "There's no way that's fair. Can I have a redo?"

"No way, that's the challenge. The point stands. Next round," Jeff continued before anyone could contest his call. "Choose someone from the other tribe to compete. Who's it gonna be?"

The tribes deliberated.

"We'll do Vanessa," Ruby said for Nuara.

"And I'll play Miriam," Vanessa said.

"Get on up there," Jeff prompted. "Miriam and Vanessa, playin' for redemption. If Vanessa wins, Te Dei wins Reward. If Miriam wins, Nuara stays alive and we do a tiebreaker. Survivors ready?"

The women nodded.

"Go!"

The women brawled in the center, neither gaining the upper hand. The platform had other plans. Both women slipped at the same time and continued the fight from the floor.

"This arena's wet now, as the women are finding out the hard way!"

Kneeling, Vanessa and Miriam pushed each other closer to the edge, a surprisingly intense fight considering the circumstances. Both tribes were on the edge of their seats while they struggled by the water. Vanessa abruptly leapt at Miriam, shoving her off the arena and landing on top of her.

"Miriam falls in first!" Jeff announced. "Te Dei wins Reward!"

"Yes!" Vanessa excitedly squealed, stopping abruptly when she noticed Miriam's forlorn expression. "Uh, good game," she offered.

Miriam ignored her, turning around and swimming away.

xxx

"Te Dei, congratulations," Jeff said, tossing them the construction kit. "There's your reward. You earned it. You can head back to camp, set yourselves up for this storm. See ya." Jeff turned to the losers as Te Dei left on their boat. "Nuara, I've got nothin' for ya. Grab your stuff and head back to camp."

Miriam: (She crosses her arms.) What a stupid challenge. Jeff should've cleaned off the arena after each one, but nope! Instead, everyone got to see me embarrass myself twice, and now my tribe probably hates me.

Nuara Tribe

Dejected, Nuara returned to camp empty-handed. They still had lots left to do to counter Chaos Cove's cutthroat climate.

"Man," Lukas lamented, "if only you won that round, Miriam. I woulda kicked Shawn's ass!"

Lukas: Man, I'd've beat Shawn in a rematch, easy! I almost had him, but I choked right at the end. He's not nearly as good as everyone makes him out to be. The next challenge is mine! Get hype, Rhodes bros, for the rivalry of the century!

"Get off my back!" Miriam snapped. "It's not my fault; I slipped!"

"We wouldn't have picked you anyway," Victor said. "You lost your round."

"Well, yeah," Lukas replied, "but all the guys lost."

"So?" Ruby asked.

"I would have nominated Ruby or Stella," Isabelle said. "They would both stand the best chance."

Isabelle: I think my strategy may be working! I have been getting better reactions from my tribemates today, which, if nothing else, is a good start. But, as far as I know, Stella is still coming after me. I do not know how to change her mind, but the last thing I want to do is antagonize her more.

Stella raised an eyebrow. "Thanks?"

"Really?" Lukas asked. "That's not a fair fight. They're both, y'know…"

"Finish that sentence and die," Ruby said.

A tense moment passed.

"…Yeah, sorry. I was in trouble right when I started talking."

"You think?" Ruby said.

A deep rumble from afar interrupted the tribe, prompting them to split off and do whatever they could before the storm. Godfrey, Marta, and Stella left together to gather bamboo and chopped away in silent urgency.

"I know y'all hate this," Marta said, "but we'll be happy we did it."

"Yeah." Stella agreed. "That don't make this any more fun though."

"Indeed." Godfrey wiped some sweat from his brow. "While we have time, perhaps we should touch base?"

Godfrey: I'm still setting up the elaborate domino contraption that is my strategy. Thus far, I've infiltrated the majority alliance and established rapport with the most important players. Now, I must determine who my most beneficial targets are, then push the dynamics in that direction.

"What's on your mind?"

"I'm simply trying to get a grasp of tribe opinion. What direction do you see the tribe taking?"

"We're still goin' after Isabelle, right?" Marta asked.

Godfrey and Marta looked to Stella expectantly, who hesitated a moment.

Stella: Somethin's up. Isabelle's been workin' harder around camp since the other day, and now she's bein' nice to me out of nowhere. I don't trust it for a second! She knows full well that I'm goin' after her, so she should be comin' for revenge. Ain't no way she's not.

"…'Course we are," she eventually answered. "Are people sayin' otherwise?"

"Not to my knowledge," Godfrey said. "But is she still the best move? It wouldn't shock me if Miriam's name gains traction."

"Me neither," Marta said. "We'll see soon enough."

"Well, if it changes I'll change it back." Stella started chopping again. "I stand by everythin' I said about her."

"…Duly noted," Godfrey said.

xxx

Alexander, Isabelle and Victor went off to collect coconuts. They'd gathered a respectable haul by the time they decided to head back.

"…Why not go after Stella?" Alexander asked. "She's the one going after you."

Alexander: Isabelle's my closest friend out here but, right now, she's everyone's target. I really want her to stay, but I have no idea how to go about doing that. So I figured I'd get Victor's help. If anyone knows how to get us out of this, it's him.

"Do you think that is a good idea?" Isabelle countered. "Would that even be possible?"

"Probably not," Victor replied. "She has too many fans. You'd have better luck going after, I dunno, Miriam."

"Because of the challenge?" Alexander asked.

"Bingo. Well, mostly. She's never been that popular."

"I see…" Isabelle said. "Can you both pass me some coconuts? I would like them to see me bring lots in."

"Sure," Victor said as they unloaded some for her.

"Thank you!" Isabelle ran off toward camp, dropping some along the way.

"…So, you really want to save her, huh?" Victor asked.

Alexander looked away bashfully. "I mean, I don't want her to leave. She's my friend."

"Well, be careful kid," Victor said. "Showmances might be fun, but everyone's gonna perceive you as a pair. At this rate, that's gonna be your death sentence."

Victor: Alex is a smart kid, but I'm not that worried about him. He's already made a few rookie mistakes, and he doesn't have any real influence in the tribe. But for now, he's a useful number. I can blindside him if he ever gets too big for his britches.

"Showmance?" Alexander laughed nervously. "It's not like that."

Victor chuckled. "If ya say so, kid."

xxx

Eventually, the tribe converged back in camp, tired, hungry, or otherwise spent. They'd improved the shelter significantly, covering up holes in the roof and building a floor, but it was still rudimentary at best.

"Someone's missing," Ryan said.

The others stopped what they were doing to check.

"Where's Miriam?" Ruby asked.

"I haven't seen her for a while," Marta said. "Where'd she go?"

Ryan sighed. "I think I know. I'll go get her."

"May I accompany you?" Godfrey asked as Ryan left.

Godfrey: Frankly, I don't want Isabelle or Miriam to depart. One of the less-ethical tidbits of knowledge I've attained is that, when people are stressed, emotional, desperate, or some combination thereof, they're far less resistant to suggestion. I'd never dream of stooping so low in my regular life as a professor, but here on Survivor, manipulation is the name of the game. I'd instead target someone I can't control, whomever that may be.

"Sure." Ryan brought Godfrey to the beach where, sure enough, Miriam was alone sulking.

"Hey, what're you doing out here?" Ryan asked.

"Doing something I can't mess up," Miriam replied. "Nothing."

"Is this because of the challenge?" Godfrey asked.

"What do you think, Sherlock? Obviously, I'm mad about the challenge."

"It simply didn't play to your strengths. 'Tis no big deal."

"You say that now, but I bet they're all plotting against me. I know for a fact Stella doesn't like me. And I don't want to give her the satisfaction of voting me off."

Miriam: I'm one of the best Fire Field players in the world. I rarely ever lose and, when I do, I hop right into another game and try again. But I'll probably never get another chance to play that challenge – or Survivor – ever again. I screwed up, and now it's over. Is it even worth it to keep playing if I'm just going to embarrass myself?

"Miriam, do you know how often people fail at challenges?" Ryan said. "Someone else will flub the next one, then you'll be off the hook."

"Ryan's correct," Godfrey said. "Besides, Stella's sights are still on Isabelle. You still have hope. Certainly, we would never let such a cruel fate befall you."

"Yeah," Ryan agreed. "We've got your back."

Miriam sighed. "Well-"

A loud crash! interrupted her, and raindrops started splashing across the ocean.

"That's our cue to leave," Godfrey said, getting up. "Do as you please, but I won't be out here a moment longer than I must!"

"He's right," Ryan said. "Let's go. You'll freeze to death out here."

Miriam groaned. "Fine…"

Te Dei Tribe

Te Dei's members marched back to camp, celebrating with their tarp and supplies in tow. Their celebrations were cut short by the same distant rumble, forcing them to start working.

Anthony: We're in for one hell of a storm tonight. It's like the Survivor gods have been taunting us all day. But… is it cocky to say I'm excited about it? I know it's going to suck, but your first storm is a Survivor milestone. Good thing we won that tarp…

Kat, Mike, Shawn, and Steve stayed in camp with their reward. Together they spread out their tools and began planning their renovations.

"Oi, Casanova," Mike called as he rounded up what he needed to make a fire.

"Yeah?" Shawn asked.

"You're in charge of the shelter while I get the fire going. That work for yous?" He started scraping the flint without waiting for a reply.

Mike: Jeff called me the tribe leader and, well… the bloke's got good taste. I'm the only qualified survivalist on the island, after all. But one man can only do so much. A good leader has to delegate, and that's where Shawn comes in. He's my right-hand man when it comes to camp work. I trust him to whip the others into shape.

Kat and Steve shared an annoyed glance. "I didn't think anyone needed to be in charge," Steve said.

"Doesn't sound like we got a choice in the matter," Kat grumbled.

"Well, okay then." Shawn fidgeted uncomfortably. "Do you guys have any ideas…?"

"We could just hang the tarp over the whole shelter," Steve suggested. "Then, we nail it so it can't fly off."

Steve: People like Shawn, they grind my gears. It don't matter what they do; they're a hero for doin' it. And Shawn pretends he doesn't notice the attention, but I betcha he's lovin' every minute of it. In my line of work, ya keep yer head down and do yer job quietly. That's why Mike's got my respect. He's more'n just a pretty face; he actually knows his stuff.

"That works for me." Kat grabbed her corner of the tarp.

"What about the fire?" Mike called, the fire blazing now. "We'll need room under the tarp, or it'll go out!"

Kat scowled and dropped the tarp. "How're we gonna do that?"

Mike dismissed her with a handwave. "You'll figure it out." He turned to leave. "I gotta check the snares!"

"He better catch us somethin' this time, or we're cookin' him," Kat muttered to Shawn as Mike ran off.

Kat: As time goes on, I'm realizin' just how badly I need to shake up the dynamics here. If we keep losin' and our alliance keeps gettin' our way, then where does that leave me? Maybe I'm just bein' paranoid, but I'm pretty sure I ain't at the top of their totem pole.

Shawn sighed, defeated. "What now?"

"C'mon, Casanova, it's simple," Steve replied, his tone sarcastic. "We need some kinda stick to hold it up." Steve got up to leave. "Leave it to me y'all."

Shawn groaned, exasperated, and glanced at Kat. She shrugged in response.

xxx

"Have you ladies seen my snares?" Mike asked.

Kristen and Britney glanced at each other and shook their heads. Mike left to keep searching.

Britney, clearly agitated, walked ahead to pick more berries. "I said not to involve me in that!"

"Yeah," Kristen agreed, going to join her, "if I wanted to slaughter stuff for food, I would've left the city and moved to the wild."

Kristen: If I want to survive another Tribal, I have to convince four people to keep me. Even with Kat's help, I've got my work cut out for me. Begging and kissing ass has never been in my wheelhouse, so this is all new territory for me. But I have to start somewhere, and Britney and I something in common, right?

"Wait, you're vegan too? I had no idea."

"Oh, God, no." Kristen laughed. "I grew up eating meat, and I'm not about to quit now. I just don't care to see how the sausage is made." She snickered. "Literally."

"Oh, okay," Britney said, clearly disappointed.

"No offense! Anyway," Kristen quickly changed the subject, "what do you in the real world again?"

"I'm a nursing student! It's hard work, but it's rewarding, and I like helping people." Britney beamed. "I'm pretty sure it's my calling."

"It's your calling? You're too young to be so sure, but good for you. You're on the right track. Just don't be surprised when your plans fall through; it happens to everyone."

Britney scowled. "C'mon, you don't know that. How'd you end up becoming a journalist then?"

Britney: Kristen was supposed to leave yesterday and, honestly, I get why. She can be cynical and pessimistic, and most of the tribe doesn't like that. But Vanessa went too far last night. Say what you want, but I don't think Kristen has that kind of meanness inside her.

"I've always been morbidly curious when it comes to crimes. I wanted to be a detective as a kid." Kristen picked a rotten berry, gagged, and flicked it away. "But I'm not made to be a cop, so I went into journalism instead."

"What's the problem with that? It's super cool!"

"I thought so too! I thought I was helping people by keeping them informed about human trafficking, treason, that kind of thing. But does telling people how screwed up the world is help anyone? All that does is kill people's faith in humanity.

"No way, Kristen. You're definitely helping people. I could never research that kinda stuff myself, and people need to know what's going on. Maybe you just need to take a break from it sometimes. I go on walks when I'm burnt out from studying."

"Huh." Kristen cracked a tiny grin. "That's one way of looking at it. Maybe you're right."

xxx

Anthony and Vanessa spent their time in the jungle, chopping firewood when Steve joined them searching for a pole.

Tuckered out, Vanessa let out a deep exhale and rested on a nearby tree stump. "I'm glad you're here, Steve. I wanted to talk to you guys about something."

"Is this about last night?" Anthony asked. "I meant to touch base with you today anyway."

Vanessa nodded. "Did either of you sell me out?"

Vanessa: I've been thinking about something Kristen said last night. Something about someone leaking the plan to her. Maybe she's just messing with my head, but I need to get to the bottom of this. And I thought I'd start with my two closest allies, Steve and Anthony.

"No way, Jose," Steve replied.

Anthony shook his head. "Me neither. I'm loyal to you."

"Don't worry, I thought as much," Vanessa said. "Who do you think did?"

"My guess is Shawn," Steve said. "I don't trust the guy for a second. He's just usin' us."

"Shawn? No way," Anthony replied. "He feels indebted to us after Tribal. I think Kristen's just desperate."

"Yeah, probably," Vanessa said. "I hope so. But maybe we should keep him on our radar for once Kristen leaves? Greg made some good points about him."

"Agreed!" Steve said. "I know we need him right now, but we'll have to cut 'im eventually."

"I guess," Anthony said, "but let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Let's enjoy ourselves while we can."

Anthony: Steve and Vanessa are already talking about getting rid of Shawn soon. We'll have to eventually, sure, and I know our alliance isn't going to last forever, but I'd like a little more time before it really hits the fan. I actually really like this tribe, and right now things are simple.

"Fair enough," Vanessa said. "Let's boot Kristen first, then we can see where we're at."

Thunder crashed, killing their conversation. The sound of rain falling quickly filled the ensuing silence and the trio fled to huddle with the rest of the tribe back at camp. Night fell quickly, plunging the Chaos Cove and all its inhabitants into pitch darkness as the rain showered down, disorienting and ever-present.