Melissa slumped into her room. Cynthia was nowhere to be found.
"Maybe some reading will cheer me up," Melissa said.
She approached the bookshelf. "Let's see…Sweeny Todd, Hannibal Rising, To Serve Man…ooh a cookbook!"
Melissa removed the book…and the bookshelf slid away to reveal a secret passage.
"How thoughtful!" Melissa exclaimed as she entered the passage.
/
Around midnight, Pascal exited his room and tiptoed down the hallway.
"Now if I were a flash drive where would I hide?" he whispered.
Pascal turned towards a potted plant. He smirked digging in the hands into the dirt.
"Pascal?"
He turned around to see Seraphina.
"Oh Seraphina," Pascal said, "how funny to see you here…at the hotel we're all staying at. Wait, what are you doing up?"
"I can't sleep," Seraphina replied. "I thought a walk might help. What are you doing?"
"Me?" Pascal asked. "I…had to tinkle! Yeah, but Kalino fell asleep in the bathroom so I used the bathroom downstairs. And then I dropped my contact…in this pot. Oh look there it is!"
Pascal slapped some dirt against face.
"Okie dokie," Pascal replied. "Well I better go catch some Zs. Great work today, so glad we're teammates, bye!"
Pascal dashed off as Seraphina raised an eyebrow. She walked down to another floor but stopped when she heard a scream.
She turned to see Xidorn watching an old movie in a TV room. She noticed hair dye sitting out on a table.
"Hey," Seraphina said. "You changing hair colors?"
"Oh hey," Xidorn said, "Yeah, thought I might add some red streaks to my hair."
"I don't know," Seraphina said. "I kind of like you better as a bluehead. Why red?"
"For Bethany."
"Oh."
"I know it seems silly," Xidorn said, "but she was my friend. I don't think she deserved to be first out."
Seraphina looked to the ground. "I'm sorry she went home."
"I don't blame you guys," Xidorn admitted. "It's the nature of reality shows."
"When you say it like that…then why are you here?" Seraphina asked.
"I want to try and win being an honest and nice person," Xidorn admitted. "It's kind of like life; its going to throw the worst it can at me, but I can still try to be the best person I can be. I might have to fight, but its worth fighting for. You know?"
"I guess I don't think of life like that," Seraphina replied.
A wolf howled on the TV.
"So," Seraphina said, "what are you watching?"
"Werewolf Shotgun Wedding," Xidorn replied. "It's this old monster movie about a werewolf who tries to find a bride. The ending is a twist, but I won't spoil-"
"-Oh yeah," Seraphina said, "when the werewolf marries the heroine she turns into an even greater monster; a naggy wife."
"You've seen it?" Xidorn asked.
"I enjoy Z-movies," Seraphina replied. "What about you?"
"I love them!" Xidorn said. "It's fascinating to see what directors try to do with a limited budget. These movies have a place in history too, they're the inspiration for a lot of modern directors like Guillermo Del Toro and Quentin Tarantino."
Seraphina laughed. "I just like hammy actors and bad stunts."
"You want to watch it with me?" Xidorn asked.
Seraphina nodded and sat next to him on the couch.
/
The next morning, Lita, Ness, Vance, Aiden, Hayden and Griswold walked to the mess hall.
"Ooh," Ness exclaimed, "what is this wonderful smell?"
"Smells like pastries," Griswold said.
"I wouldn't mind that," Lita admitted.
Griswold chuckled. "I was just about to say the same thing."
Lita winked. "Great minds think alike."
Griswold blushed.
"Good morning everyone!" Melissa greeted from the serving hatch. "I hope you all had dreams as sweet as you are."
"Melissa?" Aiden asked. "What are you doing in the kitchen?"
"The funniest thing happened," Melissa explained. "I discovered secret passage from my room to the kitchen. I even got to take a cute little detour through an abandoned meat locker."
"So why are you baking?" Hayden asked.
"Don't complain!" Vance said as he ate cake with his bare hands.
"I was a bit sad after that elimination ceremony last night," Melissa admitted. "Baking helps me feel better, so I did a little bit last night."
Aiden opened the door to the kitchen, which released a tidal wave of pastries that drowned the contestants.
Melissa blushed. "Maybe more than a little. I was thinking I'd hand out most of them to the poor and homeless today."
Vance doggy paddled through the pool of pastries. "Eh, they could buy their own desserts."
A timer dinged.
Melissa clapped. "Ooh, my newest treats are done. Would you all care to try some?"
They all nodded. Melissa returned with a tray of cupcakes.
"I made pupcakes," Melissa said. "They're cupcakes that look like puppies."
"I'll try a chocolate," Aiden stated.
"Those are the chocolate labradoodles," Melissa explained.
"I'll take a fluffy one," Ness said.
"Those are walnut wire-poos," Melissa said. "You aren't allergic to walnuts, are you?"
"Not that I know of," Ness replied as she bit in to the cupcake.
/
Five minutes later, Ness laid in a stretcher that was loaded into an ambulance by emergency workers.
"I guess I am allergic to walnuts," Ness wheezed as she burst into more hives.
Lita entered the back of the ambulance. "I'll go with you Ness, in case you need any help."
"I'm so, so sorry Ness!" Melissa said as the ambulance drove off.
"Don't put yourself down Melissa," Aiden said. "I was thinking I could help you pack the pastries. We could give them out together while I gave you a tour of Washington."
Melissa yawned. "Oh that'd be splendid. I'd love to if its not too much trouble."
"Not in the least," Aiden replied.
"Sorry bud," Hayden said, "but your play date will have to wait. Melissa's been baking all night, haven't you?"
Melissa nodded.
"You know sleep deprivation is very serious," Hayden stated. "Not to mention you're still growing at your age. You need at least eight hours of rapid eye movement sleep."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a nap," Melissa said.
Hayden picked Melissa up and threw her over his shoulder. "Come on kid, lets get you tucked in."
"Thank you for the concern," Melissa said, "but you don't have to car-"
"-I'm doing this because I care," Hayden interrupted. "Now try and get a head start on your sleep."
/
Ignacio panted as he ran through the halls of the hotel. Ignacio froze as he came to a dead end. On the wall hung a faded portrait…whose eyes moved and followed Ignacio.
"Ignacio…come out, come out wherever you are!"
The model shook as he tried to open doors, only to find them locked.
"Oh Iggy!" Frannie called from the next hallway over. "You can't hide, Diamonique has your scent."
Diamonique sniffed the ground like a bloodhound. "You smell like a dirty ox. It's strangely attractive."
Ignacio finally opened a door, running inside and locking it behind him.
"We made you something Iggy!" Frannie yelled. "It's a bell necklace and not at all an attempt to hear your every movement so we can stalk you."
"Darn," Diamonique said, "the trail ends cold."
Ignacio sighed but heard a door open. He turned around to see Riley walking out, topless with her lower half wrapped in a towel. Ignacio turned red and stared.
Riley flashed a peace sign. "S'up dude."
Ignacio turned away. "I'm so sorry! I…I didn't…I was-"
"-I heard your fangirls," Riley replied as she started to dress. "I'd hide too."
"Thanks," Ignacio replied, "but I didn't mean…you without…I'm not a pervert!"
Riley laughed. "Chill Broseph Stalin, its not like I haven't seen you shirtless. Besides, I figure everybody here has seen boobs, intentional or not."
Ignacio nodded. "You aren't wanting-"
"-Nah," Riley said, "you're fine don't get me wrong, but you're not my usual type. I like my men like I like my energy drinks. Freaky."
"Okay…" Ignacio replied.
"If you're interested," Riley said, "me, Gris Bear and the Twinners are going out for some 'broritos'. You should come."
"Oh, uh…" Ignacio replied, "that sounds fun, sure."
/
Outside in the hallway, Frannie and Diamonique gave up their search and went to the cafeteria as the eyes in the portrait watched them leave…
…Until Frannie back flipped to the portrait and poked the eyes out.
Rhonda recoiled in pain inside a secret room.
"It's rude to stare," Jenny said, as she and Toby entered.
"Hey," Rhonda said, "have the ratings come back yet?"
Toby nodded.
"And?"
"They were fine," Toby replied.
"Fine?" Rhonda asked. "We had an hour and a half premiere of the return of a legendary television show, and the ratings are…fine?"
"Yeah, what part didn't you understand?" Toby asked.
Rhonda slumped in her chair. "What now?"
"Give up and admit we'll never succeed in life?" Jenny suggested.
"There must be something we can do!" Rhonda shouted.
"Well," Jenny said, "we need to get people talking about it. Let's stir up the doo-doo with these goody two shoes! We can manufacture some drama; for example we could reveal to Aiden that Melissa-"
"-We aren't forcing drama," Rhonda interrupted. "The point of a reality show is to capture the reality of people reacting and adapting to the challenges and situation of the game."
"Oh yeah," Jenny stated, "what about twists?"
"Twists are built in a reality show's DNA," Rhonda answered. "There's a difference between changing the gameplay and forcing a conflict between people."
"It would get people talking if we revealed that about Melissa," Jenny pointed out. "It will come out at some point anyway."
"That's not what I want people talking about," Rhonda replied. "I know it'll come out, but it needs to happen at its own pace. If we force it, we'll focus too much on it and it won't play out."
"Everyone knows the big dogs of reality TV makes up the drama to tell a story," Jenny replied. "We'd be doing the same thing."
"I'm not a fan of that approach in other shows," Rhonda replied. "It ruins people's chances in the game and it's dishonest to our audience. We'd be selling out."
"So you're a fan of not being employed?" Jenny asked. "I get it Rhonda, you want reality shows to be real. But that isn't how reality shows are anymore; if they even were that way to start with! They meddle in others' lives for their entertainment and people expect it. They want it!"
Rhonda shifted her eyes. "Toby…what do you think?"
"Do it," Toby stated.
"Dang it you're suppose to be my good angel Toby!" Rhonda shouted.
"I don't really give a **** what happens," Toby said.
Jenny batted her eyelashes. "It's either your integrity or keeping your career, your favorite childhood show and not having to admit to the world and yourself you couldn't accomplish your dreams."
"Why do I keep you around?" Rhonda sighed.
"Because I'm right," Jenny said, "and cute as a kitten!"
"A dead kitten on the side of the road," Toby said.
"YOUR MOM!" Jenny yelled.
/
In the library, Zipporah was reading. She heard a dragging noise and turned to the doorway, where she saw Cynthia carry a full trashbag through the hallways.
"I've been reading journal entries made by the owner of the hotel," Zipporah explained. "Its been great inspiration for my poetry. So has been living in the same place as Cynthia. She's hardcore...and I don't know how to feel about it..."
Cynthia opened the trash bag and pulled out packed desserts.
"Cynthia is such a good friend!" Melissa exclaimed. "She helped Aiden and I give pastries to the needy. I cannot understand why people distrust her, just because she's different. Every has their own talent that makes them special; for some it's a sport, some its making art and for Cynthia its her ability to wield weapons and hurt other living things. Its not our place to judge."
At the same time, Griswold and Easton walked out to the lobby.
"Thanks for inviting me out for burritos," Easton said.
"Don't mention it man," Griswold said. "We're teammates now, that's what we do."
Easton nodded. "Yeah. I guess this is a team trip…sorry my brother is tagging along."
"I don't mind," Griswold replied. "Riley rooms with him and if he's anything like you than he's a cool dude."
Easton smiled.
Just then Weston tripped down of the staircase and faceplanted in front of the two.
"Sick wipeout dude," Griswold said.
"You okay Weston?" Easton asked.
Weston jumped up and glomped his twin. "Of course, now that I'm with my best friend."
Riley and Ignacio, wearing his hood up, exited the stairway.
"Hey," Riley said, "Ignacio's joining our brohemin rhapsody. Hope that's cool."
Griswold high-fived Ignacio. "Heck yeah! Nice to have you here!"
/
Tessa marched down in the halls and ran into Xidorn.
"Sorry," Xidorn said, looking for his glasses.
Tessa stood up and handed Xidorn his glasses. "No harm, no foul."
Xidorn looked up to see Tesssa and frowned.
"Do you have a problem?" Tessa asked.
"To be honest yes," Xidorn replied.
"Let me guess," Tessa said, "you've seen my interviews."
"Yes," Xidorn replied, "but that's not it. I've heard you've been talking smack about Bethany since she left."
"You wouldn't understand," Tessa replied, "you've never been bullied."
"I wear rainbow suspenders to a public high school," Xidorn replied. "I've been bullied."
"Then why are you upset I sent some dumb jock home?" Tessa asked.
"Bethany wasn't dumb," Xidorn replied. "She never said a mean thing to you."
She was being fake," Tessa said. "People like her talk crap about others when they aren't saying it to your face."
"If the pot isn't calling the kettle black," Xidorn replied.
"You don't know anything about me!" Tessa yelled.
"Did you know anything about Bethany?" Xidorn asked. "Did you ever have a full conversation with her? No, you didn't. What gives you the authority to judge and not anyone else?"
"You're just another person trying to get in with the cool people," Tessa said. "To do that you're just using me as a stepping stone. I've seen it; people have done it to me before. I'll tell you know they won't respect you no matter what you do."
"The same way you don't respect anyone no matter how they try and talk to you?" Xidorn asked.
"We're both outsiders you know," Tessa reasoned.
"I admit to not fitting in," Xidorn said, "but I'm not like you; I don't bottle my hate."
Tessa opened her mouth but Xidorn turned away and left her alone to her thoughts.
/
Later, Ignacio, Easton, Weston, Riley and Griswold sat in Burrito Queen, as the customers stared at Ignacio.
"Wow," Weston said holding up a jar, "they sure have a whole lot of peppers."
Griswold finished a third burrito. "Hey Riley, I dare you to chug that whole glass of peppers. If you do, I'll pay you-"
Riley slammed down the empty jar. "Done."
"Dang," Easton said, "how is your mouth..."
"…not on fire?" Weston finished.
"What can I say," Riley replied. "I'm so cool, spicy foods don't affect me."
"You have my respect dude," Griswold said. "I'll buy you another burrito."
"Nah man I'm stuffed," Riley replied.
"Well, I'm going to have another," Griswold said, "I think I'm going to try benching more, build up my muscle. I don't want to get to flabby."
"I wouldn't be worried about that," Easton said. "You're basically a brick house."
"Except without pigs living in you," Weston added.
Griswold chuckled. "Thanks. I know I shouldn't worry. Truth is though, before high school I was shrimpy."
The others laughed.
"No, I'm serious," Griswold said. "I don't even know if I'd reach Riley's leg."
"Dude, really?" Riley asked.
Griswold nodded. "I was shorter than five feet. Then puberty hit me."
"No way," Weston replied. "When is puberty going to hit me?"
"It already has Weston," Easton whispered.
"I can fathom that explanation," Ignacio replied. "I did not receive as much...attention before puberty."
"I wish puberty worked that way for me," Riley said. "Instead, my body just became awkward."
/
The next day, Ness returned to her hotel room.
"Hey," Seraphina greeted, "how did it go?"
"Well I'll never be able to eat walnuts," Ness said. "The good news is that they were able to stop the allergic reaction."
Ness entered, wearing a neck brace. "Unfortunately some wild horse ran into the ambulance. Long story short, my neck is sprained. Only for a few days though."
Lita entered with a a pureed drink. "Here you go honey, the doctors say you'll have to drink your food for the next few days until your neck is healed. In the meantime, if you need anything just ask."
Seraphina nodded.
/
That night, the teens were gathered in the cafeteria.
"Newcomers I am proud to say you've made it through your first few days," Rhonda said. "Tomorrow's challenge will be early. For now though, we want to celebrate you're new journey. Which is why we've prepared a feast!"
Out of nowhere, the tables' candelabras lit up to reveal platters of food.
"Please enjoy to your heart's content!" Rhonda said. "You'll need to eat up for the challenge tomorrow."
The newcomers cheered, happily feasting. Only a few didn't pig out. By the end of the night, the teens had cleaned their plates and sat quietly amongst themselves.
"Is everyone full?" Rhonda asked.
"So much mannnnnnnn," Kalino replied.
"Good," Rhonda replied, "then let's begin the challenge!"
Everyone suddenly seemed more awake, except for Kalino.
"You said the challenge was going to be tomorrow," Easton reminded.
"Not to mention most of you guys should be in bed," Hayden said. "Right now it is-"
"-midnight," Rhonda interrupted. "Making it tomorrow. I told you we'd start early."
/
The newcomers moved into the hotel lobby.
"Welcome to what we like to call the Awake-A-Thon 2.0," Rhonda announced. "It's simple. The team that falls asleep first loses, so stay awake as long as possible to win."
"Wait," Griswold said, "if the challenge was to stay awake as long as possible, how would eating help us win the challenge?"
"Would help you finish the challenge," Rhonda corrected. "You finish the challenge by falling asleep."
"Now slow the roll on your crazy train Rhonda," Hayden stated. "This is a highly dangerous and inappropriate challenge. Are you aware what sleep deprivation can cause? Allow me to remind you; hallucinations, weakening of the immune system..."
"How much older is that guy?" Ness whispered to Lita.
"You all won't be up for more than a few hours," Rhonda interrupted. "We put some ground up sleeping pills in your food. If you really have such a problem with the challenge, you can always forfeit."
Hayden pouted and sat back down.
"Now if everyone is done interrupting me," Rhonda said.
"Wait I want to interrupt you too!" Frannie shouted.
Rhonda glared. "The rules for the challenge are simple; Fizzled Fireworks on the left side and the Molted Eagles to the right. No team intermingling; its troubling for the readers."
"Readers?" Ignacio asked.
"Second you can't leave the lobby unless you have my permission," Rhonda stated. "So if you got to go, hold it. Don't make a mess in this lobby."
"Too late," Kalino whispered.
"We'll have designated times for you to leave the bathroom," Rhonda added. "If you leave without permission you're disqualified from this challenge. Now, lets get started."
The teams slumped to their places. As the Eagles moved, Diamonique fell on her knees.
"Come on," Frannie said helping her up, "you're not out yet."
"I'm going to hold on as long as I can," Diamonique stated.
"It sounds like we need to get pumped," Frannie said. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Diamonique smirked. "DANCE IT OFF!"
Diamonique jumped up and started to twerk as Frannie started Russian squat dancing.
/
The Fireworks tried a different strategy…
"I was thinking," Griswold said, "we should all gather around together and try to keep each other awake. Plus, it'd be a great way to get to know each other and become a stronger team."
"Wow," Zipporah said, "sit around sharing personal stories and singing Kumbaya songs with you guys? As tempting as that offer is, I think I'd rather talk to the painting with the shifting eyes."
Tessa also refused the offer while the rest of the Fireworks gathered around.
"So what now?" Ignacio asked.
"Seraphina still owes me a tarot card reading," Griswold stated. "If you're interested."
Seraphina shifted her eyes. "I'll give you a quick reading. But if you aren't happy with the fortune its not my fault."
Seraphina pulled out her deck of tarot cards and began shuffling them.
"How much do you charge for a reading?" Easton asked.
"I haven't charged anyone for a long time," Seraphina replied.
She laid out the cards and flipped one over, showing a man standing between two women.
"The Lovers card," Seraphina stated. "It means you're going to have a face a decision soon, and you'll have to make a choice between two paths."
"Do me," Ness said.
Seraphina flipped over a card that showed the grim reaper.
"I'm not even surprised," Ness sighed.
"Hold on," Seraphina said, "Death means change in tarot cards."
"You mean," Ness said, "like maybe my luck changing for the better?"
Seraphina smiled. "That's what I think."
"Me next!" Pascal stated. "It's like a fortune cookie with pictures."
He reached for a card; it was a tower struck by lightning and toppling over.
"Does that also mean something good in tarot cards?" Pascal asked.
"Uh…sure," Seraphina replied.
"How many of these do you do a month?" Easton asked.
"I don't do but a few a year," Seraphina stated.
"Why?" Griswold asked.
Seraphina sighed. "I don't know…people react negatively when they get a fortune they don't like, or don't see exactly what they wanted to see. My powers don't come with a user manual. I'm just trying to help people…"
"Which is why you stopped charging for them, huh?" Lita guessed.
Seraphina blushed and nodded.
/
Over at the Eagles, Frannie flipped herself upside down.
Whenever I need a quick wake up I just stand on my hands," Frannie said. "Let the blood slowly rush to my head."
"I'll try it," Diamonique said.
She took off her beret, revealing the usually hidden top of her forehead…and a scar there. Diamonique tied her a hair up in a bun, revealing a few more scars on the sides of her head.
"Ooh Diamonique," Frannie said, "those are rough scars."
Diamonique sat on her head. "Huh?
Frannie pointed to her forehead.
"Oh," Diamonique replied, "I forgot I had those."
Hayden started at Diamonique. "Interesting… those marks are approximately at the frontal and temporal lobes of your brain."
"So what of it," Diamonique replied. "You've never a scar on somebody's head before?"
"No, no," Frannie replied. "Er…yes? I mean, sorry to make a deal out of it."
"There's nothing wrong with being concerned about a teammate," Hayden stated.
"Maybe you should be concerned about your nose," Diamonique said. "Don't want to get it hurt sticking it in other people's business."
Hayden rolled his eyes and walked away. "Alright fine, be childish."
Diamonique blew a raspberry before she tipped over and fell on her face.
Aiden followed his roommate. "Zowie wowie Hayden, how did you know the parts of her brain?"
"I'm going for my psychology major," Hayden replied.
"Oh," Aiden said. "So why'd you point that out to Diamonique?"
"I was curious to see if she knew," Hayden stated. "And she did."
"How do you know?" Aiden asked.
Hayden cleared his throat. "Her overprotective reaction made it clear she's sensitive about the subject, and from that I can deduce that she knows what I've theorized."
"Which is?" Aiden asked.
"Keep up buddy," Hayden replied, "those marks likely indicate her frontal and temporal lobe are damaged."
"You mean…Diamonique has brain damage of some kind?" Aiden asked.
Hayden nodded slowly. "Yes bud. The point is, the frontal and temporal lobes are both related to the brain's function of memory."
"Why ask her about it?" Aiden said.
"I'm simply concerned for her," Hayden replied. "I don't want the poor kid having issues and not being able to express them. After the challenge we'll have a talk."
/
Thirty minutes later the scores were tied at nine. Pascal entertained the Fireworks with another tale...
"…And that's how I saved my team from elimination," Pascal finished.
"Wow, that was even better the fifth we've heard it," Seraphina yawned.
"Man you killed that show," Riley said. "How did you not win?"
Pascal's eye twitched. "I ask myself that everyday. But I don't dwell on-"
"-Oh yeah that girl wowed the other contestants with her final speech," Griswold recalled. "What was her name…"
"Who remembers," Pascal said. "I-"
"-Amanda Picklestein!"
Pascal cringed.
"Oh man I loved her!" Griswold shouted. "She was my pick to win…uh, no offense."
"HA," Pascal laughed, "HA, HA. None taken, I could care less about that old show, even though it's the farthest I've ever made on a reality show. But whose counting?"
"I don't use the word hate," Pascal stated. "I don't even use dislike. It's not in my vocabulary, like 'quitting', 'tone it down' or 'rutabaga'. So when it comes to…Amanda Picklestein…I don't hate her."
Pascal smile widened as his eye twitched. "I despise Amanda Pickelstein with every bone and fiber in my body! She's the grossest, crankiest, cross-eyed, ugliest, smelliest, sick, stupidest, scaly, shriveled, big headed, bug swallowing, repulsive, fanged, wart-ridden, psychotic, infested, omnivorous, ratchet, repugnant, repulsive abomination of a person I've ever had to breathe the same air as! And I'm not fond of her either."
How is your neck doing, sweetie," Lita asked Ness.
"Alright," Ness replied. "The good news is I haven't been able to eat the same amount of food as anyone else. And it's so uncomfortable I'm not falling asleep too easy."
Lita yawned. "You holding up alright Seraphina?"
"Yeah," Seraphina replied, "I have insomnia, so I don't fall asleep so easily."
"You lucky ducks," Lita teased, rubbing her eyes.
"Hey Lita, can we talk in private for a minute?"
The girls turned to see Ignacio standing over them.
"Fine," Lita replied as she followed Ignacio to the corner.
"I just wanted to apologize," Ignacio said, "for what I said the other day to you. It was out of line."
Lita smiled. "Thank you. I want to apologize too; I shouldn't have blown up on you."
"You were in your right to," Ignacio said. "To assume that you were only interested in my looks…I was being a Neanderthal."
"Well I've now seen how Frannie and Diamonique stick to you," Lita replied. "So I understand how you'd get that way. Besides, I've dated a couple of models before and I kind of assumed you were stuck up like them."
"I can understand that," Ignacio replied. "I've met a lot of stuck up models. The truth is, I don't even want to be a model! I'm just doing to help support my family."
Lita put her hand on Ignacio's shoulder. "You're a very sweet guy. I appreciate you coming to apologize to me. Friends?"
Ignacio smiled and nodded. "Friends."
/
At the Eagles side, Frannie yawned and scowled at the sleeping Ziba on her shoulder.
"I don't have enough life left in me Fran," Diamonique stated with bags under her eyes. "I'm going out for the count."
"No!" Frannie yelled. "Come on let's dance or, or we could stand on our heads again!"
"Wouldn't want you to look at my scars anymore," Diamonique replied.
Frannie sniffled. "I said I was sorry."
"No I'm sorry," Diamonique replied, "I just... I got some scars on my body Frannie, worse than those. A lot."
"Oh Diamonique," Frannie sighed.
"It's alright," Diamonique replied. "I don't need any pity. I'm just a little sensitive and the truth is…that I do have some brain damage."
Frannie hugged Diamonique.
"I got them when I was young," Diamonique answered. "When people see them or find out…they just have another reason to look down on me. I'm just tired of. So tired…"
"There's nobody here I think higher of than you Diamonique," Frannie said.
Frannie turned to see Diamonqiue already asleep. Frannie placed Ziba on her beret stood up and frowned.
"Hey Frannie," Kalino called, "come here."
Frannie walked over. "What's up?"
"My partner's asleep," Kalino explained, pointing to a snoring Vance. "Your partner's asleep. I could use a laugh. You want to try and help keep each other awake?"
Frannie smiled and sat down. "Sure. So, what do you call a person who talks in someone else's sleep?"
"A teacher," Kalino replied.
Frannie laughed.
/
Soon a whole hour had passed.
Griswold turned to see Lita had fallen asleep and was shivering. He took off his varsity jacket and spread on top of her like a blanket.
Riley watched and smiled to herself.
Over at the Eagles, Cynthia, Aiden, Melissa, Hayden, Frannie, Kalino and Xidorn were still awake. The male Eagles had just returned from the restroom.
"Alright lady Eagles may head to the bathroom," Rhonda announced.
"I'll be right back," Melissa said as she left.
"Gee whiz," Aiden sighed, "Melissa sure is amazing."
Rhonda gulped and nodded. "Yeah, I'm glad we had her as a last minute addition. It's awesome that we could have the first Muslim contestant in the show's history. Don't you think Aiden?"
"Wait…what?" Aiden asked.
Rhonda nodded. "We also have the show's first open LGBTQ contestant as well."
"Who is that?" Aiden asked.
"Well I'm pan," Xidorn said.
"You're attracted to pans?" Aiden asked.
"It means I'm attracted to people of all genders," Xidorn replied. "And I'm transgender."
"You are?" Rhonda asked. "Since when?"
Xidorn stared.
"I just mean it wasn't on your application," Rhonda said.
"Because your only gender options were male and female," Xidorn replied. "Besides transgender isn't my gender; I identify as male. You weren't ever aware of this?"
"I was talking about Hayden being gay," Rhonda explained.
"You're gay?" Aiden asked.
"Yeah," Hayden said, "is that a problem?"
"But we share a room," Aiden replied.
"Please stop," Hayden replied, glaring.
"Jenny and Toby how come the medical examiners didn't inform us Xidorn was transgender?" Rhonda asked.
"We had to cut expenses," Jenny explained. "So the medical exams got reduced budgets."
How reduced?" Rhonda asked.
/
The scene changed to Xidorn sitting in a doctor's office. Jenny and Toby stormed in.
"Aren't you two a little young to be doctors?" Xidorn asked.
"Not according to the degrees we printed offline," Jenny replied. "Now are you healthy?"
"Yes," Xidorn replied.
"Whelp, good enough for me," Jenny said as she left.
/
The scene returned to Rhonda glaring at her cohorts.
"Did I miss anything?" Melissa asked as she walked back in.
"Melissa is it true?" Aiden asked. "Is it true your Muslim?"
"Yes," Melissa replied. "Why?"
"How can you be Muslim?" Aiden asked.
Melissa frowned. "Excuse me?"
"I just mean," Aiden started to say, "you're just…"
"What?" Melissa asked.
"You're so American," Aiden replied.
"My family has been legal and loyal American citizens for three generations," Melissa stated. "But I guess because I believe in Islam I can't be American then, huh?"
"I didn't say that," Aiden replied. "But I mean…well…"
Melissa started to cry. "I know what you mean, you…you…"
Melisssa ran away in tears. Cynthia followed after her.
Everyone turned to stare at Aiden who sat away in the corner, covering his face with his cap. Soon things died back down.
/
Frannie and Kalino were still off in their own world, talking up a storm.
"-So I put lobsters down her pants," Kalino finished as Frannie laughed.
"I guess you could say she was crabby," Frannie joked. "Wait…dang it that joke doesn't work."
"It was still hilarious," Kalino said. "Man I wish I could have a latte now, even one of those pumpkin spice ones."
Frannie giggled.
Kalino smirked. "You know Frannie, I like how chill you are."
"Right back at you," Frannie replied. "I wish I could always be that calm."
"You're not?" Kalino asked.
"I just have a lot on my mind," Frannie said. "I'm on this show so I can win the money and keep my circus open. The circus is like my family."
"That's so righteous," Kalino said, "I just joined to tick off my sister."
"How bad is your sister?" Frannie asked.
"She's so stiff and wooden if you threw her into the ocean she'd float," Kalino replied. "She brings homework with her to the beach, instead of trying to surf."
"Let me guess," Frannie said. "You're from-"
"-Yeah Nebraska," Kalino replied. "I know, it's the accent."
Frannie snickered. "You're real cool Kalino. Hey, you should join me and Diamonique's alliance!"
"That sounds soooooo sweet man," Kalino replied.
"Yeah Diamonique came up with it," Frannie replied. "She's a master strategist."
"I'd love to hook my chain with you guys," Kalino said. "So…who do you think you'll vote off..."
/
Two hours later and most everyone was still asleep. Tessa, Ness and Seraphina stayed awake for the Fireworks while Kalino and Frannie were awake for the Eagles.
"Congrats to the five of you who are left standing," Rhonda said.
Tessa and Frannie immediately collapsed into sleep.
"Or three," Rhonda said. "However, only one of you can win. Who will it be?"
Seraphina and Ness slapped each others face to try and stay awake while Kalino sat there twiddling his thumbs.
Ten minutes later, Seraphina tipped over and closed her eyes.
"And we're down to one member from each team," Rhonda announced. "Who knows who will win this final, ultimate battle to-"
Kalino snored loudly.
"-And it looks like Ness wins it for the Fireworks!" Rhonda cheered.
"Hooray," Ness sighed before falling to the ground.
"Someone wake the Eagles up and tell them they'll be voting someone off in twenty," Rhonda announced.
Kalino sprung up instantly and shrugged.
/
Later the Molting Eagles sat at the Internet Café, all with bags under their eyes.
"Look on the bright side," Rhonda said. "At least you get to vote tonight."
"Yay," Xidorn 'cheered'.
Diamonique cast her vote for Aiden. "Since Frannie and I rode with Cynthia and Melissa in the taxi at the first challenge, we've all been tight. We have the numbers, now we just needed to wait until somebody screwed up and painted a big target on their back. Sorry Aiden, that was you."
Vance cast his vote. "A good point was made to me today, which was that you could be a future liability in challenges. I want to win challenges. Sorry partner, but the buck stops here."
Vance tried to spit but his saliva hung from his lips.
"The votes have been cast," Rhonda said. "I have nine pumpkin spice coffee lattes. The one of you who doesn't receive a coffee will be eliminated tonight and never comeback. EVER. Unlike last time, the first coffee cups are for Cynthia and Hayden."
The two caught their coffees.
"Melissa…Frannie…Xidorn…"
The three caught their lattes and tried drinking them to stay awake.
"Vance…Weston…"
Weston grabbed his cup but accidentally dropped it.
"And the next coffee cup goes to…Aiden."
Kalino and Diamonique eyes grew wide as did Aiden's, who barely caught his cup.
"The last coffee goes to…"
...
...
...
...
...
...
"…Kalino. You're done Diamonique."
Diamonique stood up and turned to meet the eyes of her teammates.
"Whatever, I'm too fabulous for this anyway!" Diamonique announced and stormed off.
She stopped and turned back to look at Frannie. "Thanks girl, for believing in me."
Kalino sipped his latte. "Sucks about Diamonique mannnnnn… Aiden's foot in the mouth syndrome and muscles make him useful for now. I'd rather keep him than a master strategist. That's why I convinced the others that Diamonique would likely be a challenge liability. Sorry D, there's only room for one alliance on the Eagles. Oh and don't worry, I'll take good care of Frannie..."
Kalino took another sip of his latte. "Mmmmmmmm man they weren't kidding about that pumpkin spice stuff."
Author's Note
First off, another shout-out to Gideoncrawle and The Legend of Total Drama Island, whose reimagining of the canon Awake-a-thon inspired elements of this challenge.
If you followed this story in the past, know that I've updated the previous three chapters since a lot of time has passed since I first uploaded it here and the posting of this chapter. If you just started, thank for continuing to read!
My plan is to post a new chapter at least once a week till all of TDG is here. Given the crazy things going on, I may try to post more than once a week if I have the time. (If you're reading this from the future, the cornavirus pandemic is currently going on).
Onto the chapter itself. It's very weird reading my past writing and trying to figure out the motivations for what I was planning or the story I wanted to tell. Hopefully, we'll enjoy seeing the full picture as we go. The original Awake-a-thon was always a challenge I recalled fondly and seemed like a good way for more character interactions. I hope no one minds seeing a classic challenge, it won't be the last (although future ones may have a spin on them).
Diamonique's elimination and Diamonique herself was a lot sadder than I remember. She has an awareness about herself, that she'd be viewed as a liability. She tried to fight against that, but couldn't. She was fun to write while she was here.
Thanks for reading!
Appendix: Elimination History
Bethany (Eagles)- 22nd
Diamonique (Eagles)- 21st