A black space; nothing, blank, void.
Then an echo; an echo of color rang out. The echo shimmered and waved, metamorphosing into an evolving rainbow of colors, each pertained their own sound. The echoes melted, merged into a cohesive melody that was not music. Through the color waves and sound hues, loud whispers trickled…
"Nothing but a dirty rat, waiting to trap you…"
"He plots…"
"The treasure lies below…beware of the treasure hunters…"
"He will be met…"
And then, the most familiar and yet foreign voice; "Don't close your heart. Don't live your life alone. Don't, or you'll become like me. Seraphina… Seraphina, don't die like I died! Seraphina…"
Seraphina's eyes shot open. She gasped for air, having lost her breath. Seraphina sat in the floor of the lobby, meditating. Looking down, Seraphina saw her deck of tarot cards and slowly reached her hand forward and flipped over the top card.
The card depicted a human man and woman chained to an altar where a winged, goat-legged man sat.
"XV," Seraphina whispered. "The Devil."
"More mumbo jumbo?" Tessa asked as she exited the stairs.
Seraphina sighed. "Please not now."
"What a surprise, you're practicing another scheme to steal someone's money," Tessa stated. "Don't you have anything better to do?"
"Don't you have anything better to do than make everyone miserable?"
Seraphina and Tessa turned to see Xidorn reaching the bottom of the steps.
"Oh wait I know you don't," Xidorn said. "Now shoo fly, shoo."
Tessa sighed and walked off as Xidorn sat beside Seraphina.
"Thanks," Seraphina said.
"No problem," Xidorn replied. "Don't let what Tessa affect you, she's full of it."
"Amen," Seraphina replied. "Hey Xidorn…what do you believe in?"
"Um, well lots of things," Xidorn replied. "I believe in equal rights, the power of art, unicorns-"
"-You believe in unicorns?" Seraphina asked.
"Of course!" Xidorn replied.
"But you've never seen a unicorn," Seraphina stated. "People fake them all the time."
"So?" Xidorn said. "People fake all sorts of things; evidence a certain unicorn is fake is not evidence against the existence of all unicorns. Just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there. I believe everyone has a purpose for existing. I can't really see that…but I know it."
"I guess that's what having faith is, huh?" Seraphina asked. "Didn't mean to go philosophical there. I should clean up my tarot cards."
"I'll help," Xidorn said. He grabbed her box, but a locket fell out.
"Sorry," Xidorn apologized, snatching it before it fell. Inside he saw a black and white picture of Seraphina, except she had a few freckles on her face and wore older clothes.
"Careful," Seraphina replied. "This box was my great, great grandmother's."
"Why does she have a photo of you in it?" Xidorn asked.
"It's not me," Seraphina replied. "That's her sister, when they were teenagers in Germany during the 1930s."
"She looks just like you," Xidorn stated.
"That's what my family always says," Seraphina replied.
"Wait, 1930s Germany?" Xidorn realized. "You mean like…during World War Two?"
"That's why they immigrated to America…except for her," Seraphina pointed to the locket.
"Why wouldn't she leave?" Xidorn asked.
"My family says she was a black sheep," Seraphina explained. "She isolated her, didn't talk to anyone and didn't keep up with the news. She refused to move somewhere new and...well, my family is Jewish…"
"Wow," Xidorn said. "Not the way to start the morning, huh?"
"Yeah. I don't suppose you have any good news?"
Xidorn smirked. "Well, this weekend a big budget remake of The Invaders is coming out."
"The cult classic movie with the alien animatronics?" Seraphina asked.
"That's the one!" Xidorn replied. "I was thinking we both like monster movies, so...you want to see it tonight?"
"I can't. I promised my roommates we'd hang out."
Xidorn nodded. "Maybe another time?"
"Maybe."
She grabbed the old box and started to leave.
"Seraphina…"
"Hmm?"
"I believe in psychics too," Xidorn stated. "Don't give up on it just because of what Tessa says."
Seraphina blushed as Xidorn waved and left.
/
In the dining hall, Easton and Weston sat tables apart, glaring at each other.
Griswold strolled in in. "Hey dude. You ready for some breakfast brorritos?"
"Totally," Easton said. "I can't wait to enjoy them...with my bro."
"Oh yeah?" Weston said. "Well... I have a totally cool new bro from my team."
"Who?" Easton asked.
"Um it's…uh…" Weston mumbled as he eyed someone entering. "It's Cynthia!"
Cynthia walked into the cafeteria carrying a dead cat.
"Cynthia?" Easton asked.
"Cynthia?" Griswold asked.
"Cynthia?" Weston asked. "I mean, yeah Cynthia! We're going to go see that new horror movie later, right Cynthia?"
Cynthia stared. "Sure…"
Weston put his arm around Cynthia. "See you around...Griswold."
As they left, Weston whispered, thank you, sorry, please don't murder me...
Griswold turned to Easton. "So I take it you and your bro haven't talked?"
"If he wants to be childish and ignore me he can go ahead," Easton replied.
"Even if it means he's hanging out with a likely serial killer?" Griswold asked.
Easton sighed. "He won't talk to me. I can't figure out who told him."
"I can't believe someone from our team said something, " Griswold admitted.
"Me either," Easton replied. "But when I find out who, they're going to be sorry."
/
That afternoon, Lita, Ness and Seraphina stood in the lobby as a storm raged outside. Seraphina froze for a second as her eyeballs rolled into the back of her head.
"Eee!" Ness squealed. "I'm so excited we're going to that huge mall!"
"Right?" Lita asked. "I've been thinking we should have a girl's day out!"
Seraphina's eyes rolled forward. She was shaking. "Yeah…sounds fun."
"I've never really had a girl's day," Ness admitted. "Most of the girls in my grade don't like me. They place kick me signs on my back…well all the kids all my school do that…and my teachers…"
"Let's hit it girls!" Lita cheered.
"Wait," Seraphina said. "It's pretty bad out…maybe we should wait until it clears up."
"Is everything okay Seraphina?" Ness asked.
"Yeah it's fine," Seraphina said. "I'm feeling a little under the weather…"
Lita placed her hand on Seraphina's forehead. "Do you need to see a doctor? Let me go get Rhonda. No, just to be safe we'll take you to a doctor right now. Hold on honey, we will get you better!"
"It's not that bad," Seraphina said. "I just…"
"It's okay if you don't want to hang out with us," Ness said. "You don't have to because we're roommates."
"Oh," Lita replied. "Yeah, you don't have to feel obligated."
"My god no," Seraphina replied. "I didn't mean that. I like you guys, I didn't know people were as nice as you are. I…I had a vision of some kind and I don't feel like you two should go out there."
"Oooh," Ness replied. "Why didn't you just say so? In that case we won't go."
"You mean it?" Seraphina asked.
"Of course," Ness said. "I mean you are a psychic."
"I'll be honest," Lita said. "I don't know if I believe in psychic powers, but I trust you. If you got a feeling then I believe you."
"Thanks," Seraphina replied.
Suddenly a crack of thunder boomed. The next moment, a gargoyle statue smashed onto the bus stop.
Lita gulped. "If we were there we'd be-"
Another strike of lightning hit the fallen statue and blew it to bits.
"-Real dead," Ness said.
Lita exhaled. "Thanks girl. Next time don't be afraid to tell us."
"Yeah," Ness said. "We can have a girl's day another time."
"We could have one in our room's today," Seraphina suggested.
"Yes!" Lita and Ness shouted in unison.
/
Hayden walked in the kitchen to see Melissa and Aiden baking.
"What are you kiddies up to?" Hayden asked.
"Aiden's being a dear and helping me bake cupcakes to sell for a new charity," Melissa explained.
"New charity?" Hayden asked.
Melissa nodded. "I'm raising money to support a charity that makes shoes for dog's feet."
"Really?" Hayden asked.
Melissa sniffled. "Yes; just the thought of a poor puppy going on that long awaited walk only to hurt its little paws on a heated sidewalk…ooh…"
Aiden put his hand on Melissa's shoulder. "Golly Melissa, it's alright. The puppies will be fine."
Melissa breathed. "You're right…sorry, it's just puppies and sadness should never mix."
Ding!
"Those must be the mango cupcakes," Melissa stated. "Be right back."
"So," Hayden whispered, "You and Melissa are okay?"
"Right as rain again," Aiden replied. "I'm having her teach me a few things about her religion, you know trying to get know more about her. Thanks for being there for me Hayden."
"Of course," Hayden replied.
"Frannnnnn something smells good."
Hayden gasped. "Oh no."
Kalino and Frannie walked in wearing 'disguises'; Frannie wore a monocle and fake mustache while Kalino wore only a powdered wig."
Melissa walked back with cupcakes. "Oh hey Kalino and Frannie! Why are-"
"-Don't encourage them," Hayden stated.
"Anyway," Aiden said. "I was wondering something Hayden? If its not too personal, what's your boyfriend like?"
"I'm flattered you'd care to know," Hayden admitted. "Here, I'll show you a picture."
Hayden turned on his phone; his screensaver was Hayden snuggling a man wearing a sweater with a maple leaf.
Kalino rubbed his chin. "Looks like Hayden likes his men like he likes his bacon; Canadian."
"Zac is a foreign exchange student from Canada," Hayden replied.
"There's nothing wrong with that," Aiden said. "Just cause we're Americans doesn't mean we have to hate Canadians."
"Especially since this whole show is based on a Canadian cartoon anyway," Frannie stated.
"Right…" Hayden replied.
/
The three Fireworks roommates were in their pajamas, braiding each other's hair in their room.
"Alright I have to ask," Lita stated, "Out of everyone here…anyone you think you'd date?"
Ness blushed. "Well…maybe."
"Eh," Seraphina replied. "Not really; I'm not that interested in dating."
"Really?" Lita asked. "Why not?"
"It just seems kind of overrated I guess," Seraphina admitted. "I've never dated anyone honestly."
"I haven't really dated anyone either," Ness confessed.
"What do you mean by really?" Seraphina asked.
"It's complicated," Ness replied.
"Don't do anything you aren't comfortable with," Lita said. "But don't be afraid to put yourself out there either. If you don't try to be someone, you won't know what you like or dislike in a person."
"Do you know what it's like Lita?" Ness asked. "To be...in love?"
Lita sighed. "It's wonderful. To be with someone who makes you special. To find your other half, that person who can make you complete. I mean…I say that, but I have horrible luck with dating."
"Don't take this the wrong way," Seraphina said, "but I figured you'd have no trouble getting a date."
"It's not that," Lita said. "I've dated guys, but it always end the same. With me being dumped. Take my last ex; this really nice, older guy in college. We dated for a while and then on our anniversary…he stood me up."
"What a jerk," Seraphina stated.
"It gets better," Lita said. "It turns out he wasn't in college; he was a married man. Even had kids. I was just his 'ghetto girl' on the side…"
Ness grabbed Lita's shoulder. "That's horrible."
"He's the one who gave you your scarf, right?" Seraphina asked.
Lita nodded. "When we broke up he gave it to me. I'm over it now, it just sucks is all."
"I get bad relationships," Ness admitted. "I had this huge crush on my best friend and next door neighbor. When I was a freshman, he was a senior. He was my only friend at high school. And then during prom, he actually asked me out!"
"I don't like where this is going," Lita sighed.
"No, prom turned out to be magical," Ness stated. "I mean I did end up getting diarrhea and hit by a bus, but it was still magical. We dated for a week; it was the happiest time of my life. Then it ended. On Monday, he told me he only dated me to make me happy. He knew I always liked him, but thought of me as more of a sister."
"I hate it when they use that line," Lita stated. "What a load of garbage."
"I mean do you kiss your sister?" Seraphina asked.
"Right? I'm so sorry Ness."
"I wish he wouldn't have done it on Valentines' Day," Ness said. "But I understood; he told me that he had always loved someone else…my dad."
"No," Lita and Seraphina shouted in unison.
Ness nodded. "It ended up being pretty awkward, but they have a cute relationship I guess."
Lita sighed. "I can not believe he was so…wait did you…do you mean…."
"My dad ended up falling for him," Ness admitted. "They got married in a really nice ceremony."
"I'm sorry, but what the ****," Serphina said.
"I mean my dad's happy and my first crush is a nice stepdad to my brother," Ness said. "It worked out…except for me but I don't mind."
Lita hugged Ness. "That's sucks, plain and simple. But maybe you'll find someone here. I've heard lots of people have found true love on shows like this."
Ness blushed. "I do kind of have this crush on somebody."
"Girl spill it!" Lita said.
"Okay, okay," Ness giggled. "I think Pascal is dreamy. I've always liked his music; he's one of my top three bands along with Blainerson McManly or One Rejection."
"Dancers do have great abs," Lita said.
"I don't know," Seraphina admitted. "Some of things he says makes me want to throw up pink vomit. But if you like him, he has to be alright."
She smirked. "He was hanging on close to you at our last party."
Ness blushed. "What do you like in guys Seraphina?"
"I don't know," Seraphina admitted. "I've had crushes on a couples guys…and girls, but there isn't really a pattern."
"Ooh," Ness said, "are you bi or pan?"
Seraphina shrugged. "I don't know, I'm just attracted to people I guess. I don't really like to use labels."
"Why?"
"I know they can be helpful to identify with, but I feel they can limit people too. Labels come with different expectations, and people will hold you to those expectations. I'm not 'The Bisexual', 'The Pansexual' or 'The Psychic'…I'm just Seraphina!"
By now Seraphina was standing. She blushed and sat back down. "Sorry. Didn't mean to rant there."
"I don't mind listening to rant when you need to vent," Lita replied.
Ness nodded. "You have a pretty good point."
Seraphina blushed. "Thanks. I'm in kind of a mood. Tessa talked to me, and you know how bad that is."
"What the heck did she say now?" Lita asked.
"Just the same crap about my psychic powers," Seraphina admitted. "Sometimes I wish I didn't have them."
"They're amazing!" Ness cheered. "And not just because they saved our lives. Why wouldn't you want them?"
Seraphina sighed. "When I was little and realized I could see the future, I thought I could use my powers to help people. Like I could see a bad outcome and change it for the better. But then people accused me of being a fraud and my mother…she wanted to use my powers to make money. Once I couldn't have a vision, to just make one up. We had paying customers. After that, I gave up on them.."
Ness and Lita hugged Seraphina.
"Well, your powers helped us today," Ness said.
Seraphina blushed but hugged them back. "Yeah, I'm glad for that. Thanks for listening and stuff…I've never really talked about it with anyone."
"That's what friends are for," Lita said.
"Another disgusting sight last night," Tessa stated. "Lita, Ness and Seraphina all wore the same style of braids. It's really sad actually; Ness and Seraphina are outcasts who are so desperate to fit in, they'll follow around Lita just because she's 'popular'. Now they've formed their own little mean girl trio. Lita's probably made it into an alliance. I've got to get rid of her…"
In the library, Tessa whispered to Zipporah…
"…And then we'll eliminate the popular squad," Tessa explained. "We'll form an outsider's alliance. So, what do you say?"
"No," Zipporah replied.
"What?" Tessa asked. "Why?"
"Do you want the list hand written or typed?" Zipporah said. "One, it sounds like another overrated facet of this show. Two, you're mainstream. And three, you're also a rude, narcissistic know-it-all."
"If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black," Tessa replied, then cringed. "Fine whatever, I don't need you or your vote!"
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," Zipporah replied as she turned a page.
"Attention all contestants," Jenny said over the P.A., "meet in the lobby in five for your next challenge! Rhonda says, be prepared to be scared…"
Tessa stormed off.
"The owner of this hotel was a misunderstood genius of his time," Zipporah said. "Just like myself. He built this hotel over an Indian gravesite. And underground he constructed a series of catacombs, a torture chamber, a cathedral and a Mickey D's. In case he worked up his appetite being even more amazing."
Cynthia carried a duffel bag and pulled out a chainsaw. "Scared? I doubt that."
The contestants gathered in the lobby where Jenny and Toby waited.
"Everyone get on the bus," Toby stated.
"But Mr. Toby where is Ms. Rhonda?" Melissa asked.
"Oh, so we're not good enough for you?" Jenny pouted.
"You'll hear from her later," Toby said. "But first we have to get to the location for today's challenge."
"Which is?" Pascal asked.
"Up your butt," Toby replied. "Now stop wasting fuel, and more importantly my time, and get on the bus."
/
The newcomers arrived at a lot of abandoned warehouses. The sun was almost set as they exited.
"Your challenge is simple," Toby stated. "Find a PDA hidden in one of these warehouses. Once each team finds one, you'll both be given more instructions."
"Now lets get out of here before it happens," Jenny added.
The bus sped off, leaving the contestants in the dust.
"These challenges just get more and more uncreative," Hayden said.
"You're surprised?" Zipporah asked.
The Molting Eagles and Fizzled Firework dispersed, splitting up to search the grounds.
Seraphina stopped at a warehouse and pulled up the door. She walked inside and started examining abandoned boxes.
As she did, Pascal snuck by. He slammed the door, then locked the handle from the outside. Seraphina banged on the gate as Pascal snickered and skipped away.
"You should have seen that coming psychic," Pascal whispered. "Now when we lose, the team will blame you and you'll go home. Serves you right for interfering with my flash drive search."
"HEY!" Seraphina screamed and banged on the door. "HELP! HELP! Ugh…"
Seraphina slumped to the floor.
"Hello?"
She looked up as Xidorn lifted the door. "Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah," Seraphina replied. "Thanks to you."
"Always happy to help," Xidorn asked. "How did you get locked in here anyway?"
"I have the sinking suspicion someone wanted to trap me in here."
"Maybe you shouldn't work alone," Xidorn suggested. "Let's do it together."
"We're on opposite teams," Seraphina said.
"The challenge doesn't start until both teams find a PDA," Xidorn replied. "If you don't want to, it's fine."
"No, it's not that, " Seraphina said blushing. "I actually like hanging out with you."
"You mean that?" Xidorn asked.
"Yeah," Seraphina replied. "You're a cinephile, funny and I like how honest you are; it's refreshing."
"Same," Xidorn replied. "I mean, about you. I like your snark."
Two smiled at each other before walking off.
/
Meanwhile, Pascal skipped straight into Griswold.
Griswold picked up Pascal by his tee and dusted him off. "Sorry about that buddy, didn't see you. But we got good news, Riley and I found two PDAs!"
"Yipee Skippy!" Pascal cheered. "Where are they?"
"I have ours right here," Griswold stated. "Riley is giving the other to the Eagles."
"What?" Pascal asked. "Why are you helping our enemies?"
"Slow your roll dude," Griswold stated. "Just because we compete against the Eagles doesn't mean we have to hate them. We can't start till they do anyway, so let's help them out."
Pascal smiled but his eye twitched. "I've stumbled into some crazy alternate dimension, where I'm on a reality show…and people are playing nice! It's so infuriating to try and actually play this game when no else is! Someone just kill me now!"
The elevator door opened as a green scorpion-like tail swung in and snatched up Pascal…
Seraphina and Xidorn walked together and laughed.
"You told your math teacher you thought she looked like the Wicked Witch?" Seraphina giggled.
"She asked what was on my mind," Xidorn admitted.
"Grrrrr…"
Seraphina turned around and gulped. "You know how you wanted to see The Invaders?"
"Yeah," Xidorn replied.
"There's an early showing."
Xidorn turned around to see an alien, some kind of green reptile beast with no eyes, two mouths and a scorpion tail with a claw-like end.
"Holy peanut butter enchiladas!" Xidorn shouted. "That's the original animatronic from the 1985 version of The Invaders! Do you think I could get his autograph?"
The invader thrashed its tail towards them.
"I don't think he likes autographs," Seraphina replied.
The alien growled and swung towards Xidorn as he tried to take a picture on his phone.
"Look out!" Seraphina screamed as she pushed Xidorn away, only for the alien to grab her instead. "Run Xidorn, run!"
"Seraphina!"
"I'll try and get you an autograph…"
"You're the best!" Xidorn yelled.
/
All the teams were running for the entrance as the invaders…uh, invaded. At the gate were two jeeps, each with a symbol for one of the two teams.
Riley, Griswold, Ignacio, Tessa and Zipporah hopped in the Fireworks jeep while Melissa, Weston, Cynthia, Hayden, Vance and Xidorn hopped into the Eagles jeep.
The two teams stormed off down separate streets. Suddenly their PDAs turned on, Rhonda appearing on their screens.
"Howdy everyone," Rhonda greeted. "So, were you scared?"
"No," Cynthia said as she drove the Eagles' jeep.
"As you may know," Rhonda continued, "the famous movie The Invaders has a reboot in theaters. For some promotional benefits, we have repurposed the original animatronics to use for a challenge!"
"Who would have guessed," Zipporah stated.
"For this challenge, all you have to do is stop an alien invasion. Piece of cake. By which I mean you're all doomed. As in the original, you must save the Earth by destroying the Queen Invader and her eggs, before they hatch and create an alien army. Oh and you have one hour until they hatch."
A countdown clock appeared on the PDA and started ticking.
"This PDA will give you coordinates to a shed," Rhonda explained. "In this shed are weapons you can use to defeat the Invaders, whose nest is somewhere in the hotel. The team whose destroys the queen wins immunity! However, if the queen survives past the hour…then both teams will be sending someone home. Good luck!"
The remaining Eagles soared down the highway.
"This challenge seems a teeny weeny bit unsafe," Melissa said. "Wouldn't you agree Hayden?"
Hayden jumped in place. "We're going hunting gang! Aw man, what kind of weapons do you think we're going to get? I call dibs on any shotguns! Oooh…uh, did you say something Melissa?"
"Nevermind," Melissa replied.
"We aren't in any real danger," Cynthia stated.
"I suppose you're right," Melissa said. "I feel quite awful that we have to hurt those poor little killer aliens."
"They're inanimate objects Melissa," Xidorn stated. "They can't feel pain…"
Melissa nodded. "I know, but since we need objects for tasks shouldn't we treat them respectfully and nicely for doing their job?"
"Amen," Vance said as he wiped his nose on his sleeve.
"I guess I agree," Xidorn admitted. "These were one of a kind animatronics back in the day; they should be in a film museum. But they're tossed aside because of a reboot. How sad."
"If it's done, it's done," Vance said. "Throw it in the scrap heap and get the fancy smancy model. Ain't it why we got reboots; for new, better things?"
"That's also true," Xidorn stated. "It isn't good to look at things through nostalgia glasses. Hmm…it almost feels like we taking existentially, doesn't it? Like about something else."
"I don't know I'm partial to the original," Weston admitted. "It was some of Cornelius Puckerschmidt's best work."
"You're a Cornelius Puckerschmidt fan?" Xidorn asked.
"Does an Invader Queen have three reproductive organs?" Weston asked.
"Only in the special edition director's cut of Invader 3: The Unnecessary Prequel," Xidorn shouted. "I didn't know you were a movie buff."
"I just love monster movies," Weston admitted. "Monsters are cool and badass."
"Speaking of monsters," Vance said. "The invaders are riding our goose to the hoedown!"
"Oh no," Weston said. "They're using their Hovercrafts of Doom from the original movie!"
The Eagles turn around to see the invaders driving a golf cart.
"They blew the budget on the animatronics," Xidorn explained.
The invaders sped up, raising their claw tails.
"They're gaining on us," Hayden stated.
Cynthia said nothing but swerved into the opposite lane of incoming traffic and slammed the gas.
"Weeee!" Weston shouted as the jeep narrowly swerved away from a mini van.
"You're driving like crazy!" Hayden said, almost drowned out by honks. "You're going to kill us all!"
Cynthia didn't respond, as she avoided a tanker. Out of her pocket she threw a knife into the tanker's wheels. It spun out of control, toppling over and crashing into the golf cart. Both were consumed by a giant explosion.
"You're welcome," Cynthia said as she returned to her lane.
"That was AWESOME!" Weston cheered.
But the invaders charged out of the explosion, their skin melted away to reveal their metal skeletons. They snarled, ramming into the Eagle's jeep.
"Oh no," Weston whimpered as he fell back, on holding on by grabbing the jeep's bumper. An invader's tail clawed onto his throat.
"Man in danger!" Hayden yelled, as he ran to pull Weston away. "We aren't letting them get you Weston!"
He, Xidorn, Vance and Melissa tried to pull Weston free.
The invader in the co-pilot seat hissed and snatched Weston's leg.
Cynthia tried to swerve away, but the invaders hung on.
The other invader released Weston, to grab Hayden and pull the older boy off.
"Go on without me," Hayden screamed. "I believe in all of-"
The invader sprayed Hayden with knockout gas and threw him in a trashcan on the sidewalk.
"Melissa take the wheel," Cynthia stated.
Cynthia stood up and twirled out a knife. "I'll kill them myself."
Everyone backed way as Cynthia walked forward.
"Aah," Weston screamed, closing his eyes as the invaders pulled him.
His hands slipped…but he felt someone grab his arm. He opened his eyes to see the claw tails swarming around him but then…
Kkk!
The tails were sliced off, green fluid oozing everywhere. Cynthia was covered in their fake blood as she bit off their hands and held onto Weston's arm.
"Woah," Weston swooned, his eyes growing wide and dazed…as romantic music mixed with the sounds of alien screams. A border of ribbons and flowers held by cupids surrounded Cynthia's blood spattered face.
Cynthia threw Weston aboard.
"You saved my life Cynthia," Weston sighed.
"You weren't going to die," Cynthia replied.
Weston glomped Cynthia. "You're my hero!"
Weston blushed at Cynthia's unblinking eyes and pulled away.
"I never noticed before but Cynthia is pretty cool," Weston sighed. "And kind of cute. She actually reminds me of a serial killer or monster from a horror movie…she disturbs me, but I think I'm attracted to her…which disturbs me even more."
Meanwhile, the Fireworks had arrived at the shed.
"Has anyone seen these movies?" Griswold asked.
"I tried to engage in one," Ignacio admitted. "But I was continuously perplexed by the biologically unfeasible physiology of these 'invaders' and couldn't immerse myself into the work."
Griswold scratched his head. "Is that a yes or a no?"
"Dude look at these weapons!" Riley shouted.
Inside the shed were a series of water balloons, soakers and other water toys.
"Given their a few decades old enough water must cause a malfunction in their circuitry," Ignacio predicted.
"Well I for one refuse to use any of these weapons," Tessa stated. "I don't believe in using violence."
"Do you believe in getting captured by aliens?" Zipporah asked.
A metallic growl echoed out.
Tessa grabbed a water gun. "Fine."
"I appreciate you doing this challenge to help the team Tessa," Griswold said.
"I'm not doing this for you," Tessa replied.
"I appreciate you doing it for whatever reason," Griswold said. "I know you have reservations about this team, but we are a team and every member is important. That means you too."
"As much fun as I'm having here, which is so much," Zipporah said, "we need to get going before…"
A golf cart of Invaders rammed through the shelter.
"Nevermind," Zipporah said, running out the front door.
"Everyone get out," Griswold stated, punching off the head of the Invader. "I can hold them back."
"Slow your roll G.I. Bro," Riley said. "You aren't fighting these things alone."
"He's not," Ignacio said grabbing a water gun. "I'm going to stay and fight with him. Grab what you guys need and get of here, we'll meet up after we take care of this."
Riley sniffled and saluted her teammates, Tessa and her taking supplies and leaving. Riley drove herself, Tessa and Zipporah away in the jeep. Tessa watched as more Invaders came to the shed.
"Why did Griswold do that?" Tessa asked. "He could've tried to escape with us."
"If he did we'd all be in danger," Riley explained. "Gris Bear did us a solid."
"Then why did Ignacio stay?" Tessa asked. "How would that benefit him in the long run? It means less people in the final fight against the queen, meaning we're more likely to lose! He should've known the odds were bad."
"He did know," Riley said. "But he wanted to give him and Gris both a chance to make it out of there; he took those odds knowing they were bad. He was a real bro."
"Now what?" Tessa asked.
"What do you mean?" Riley asked. "We win the challenge, that's what! For all the friends we've lost in the challenge; for Gris Bear and Iggy Pop and Easton Shore and Lightning Lita and Seraphina Silverman and Loch Ness and for all the Fireworks and for 'MURICA and every country and ever!"
Zipporah golf clapped and yawned.
"Do you have a nickname for everyone?" Tessa asked.
"Mostly," Riley replied. "Why, you want one?"
"Please don't," Tessa replied.
/
At the same time, The Eagles were stockpiling their own weapons.
"The nest should be underground," Xidorn said. "That's where they always are in the movies."
"And this is the part of the movie when the Invaders would try to ambush us before we get our weapons," Weston stated.
"Hisssss…"
"The hot southern one doesn't die first right?" Vance asked.
"Get out of here," Xidorn stated. "I can take them."
Melissa gasped. "But Xidorn-"
Suddenly an ambush of aliens attacked.
"Save yourselves!" Xidorn shouted. "This is the part where someone makes a self sacrifice!"
The other Eagles drove off as Xidorn starting firing.
"Smile you son of a ******!" Xidorn yelled, throwing a balloon grenade at the invaders and firing off his water machine gun.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The invaders collapsed in defeat.
Xidorn sighed. "Phew, that was easier than I thought it-"
Hisssss…
"Clever girl," Xidorn said before a claw tail grabbed him and carried him away into the shadows…
/
The Fireworks saw the hotel in the distance; thirty minutes were left on the clock.
"According to this Google search," Tessa read off the PDA. "The Invader Queen is always underground."
"Maybe she's in the hotel's basement," Riley suggested.
"It doesn't have a basement," Zipporah said. "But, it does have a series of underground catacombs; that's where they found most of the victims."
"Of course it does," Tessa sighed.
"Any ideas where in the catacombs the queen is Z?" Riley asked.
"Given how cliché this show is," Zipporah said. "I'd assume it'd be in the center of the catacombs, where his torture chamber is. It's right next to the underground Mickey D's."
"Nice!" Riley cheered. "We can get a burger after this is over. What do you want Tessa, a sweet tea? That's it, Sweet T! That's a killer nickname."
"Please don't," Tessa said.
Riley crashed the jeep into the lobby. "We'll deal with that later. Z, which way to the catacombs?"
Zipporah shrugged.
"How do you not know?" Tessa asked.
"It's through a secret passage of some kind," Zipporah replied.
"Alright Firework,s let's find a secret passage," Riley yelled before her stomach groaned. "As soon as I finish using the can."
Riley ran to a nearby bathroom as Zipporah looked behind paintings while Tessa started tossing books off the shelf.
"Oh no!" Riley shouted. "The handle is stuck. It won't flush."
"Trying jiggling it," Tessa suggested.
"Smart thinking Sweet T!" Riley replied.
"Don't call me that," Tessa replied.
Swoosh…
"Uhh guys," Riley said. "I think I found the secret passage…"
"Please don't let it be the toilet," Tessa murmured.
"It's the toilet!" Riley shouted. "Jiggling the handle worked, in more than one way!"
/
Soon after the Eagles reached the hotel.
"Looks like the Fireworks are already here," Melissa stated.
"Why do you say that?" Weston asked. They walked past the jeep still in the wall.
"We have twenty minutes left," Cynthia stated.
"Where's the door to that durn basement?" Vance asked.
"Let's ask the front desk," Weston suggested and dinged the reception bell. A secret doorway opened from the wall.
"I guess they didn't hear me," Weston said.
/
The Fireworks had found the center chamber of the catacombs. The only light came from torches lining the walls. Egg sacs were slimed upon the ceiling…with the captured contestants trapped inside.
The Eagles entered on a balcony above the .
"Oh my," Melissa whispered.
Suddenly a high-pitched scream rang out. The torches blew out. Green lighting flashed. A huge, insectoid alien rose from the floor. She cried out as an army of invaders hatched from the ceiling and descended on the newcomers.
"How many animatronics did they make?" Tessa said.
Cynthia began shooting a water boozka and the others followed suit. A scorpion tail snatched Zipporah and threw her into an egg sac.
"I always knew I died thanks to mainstream media," Zipporah stated as she was sealed inside.
"No Z!" Riley shouted. "You were such a good fr…you were so helpf… well I liked you!"
"Riley look out!" Tessa shouted as she shot an Invader.
"Thanks girl," Riley replied as the two got back to back and blasted aliens.
"Looks like we're going down," Tessa replied.
"Then let's go down together," Riley said.
An invader growled behind them but they blasted him.
"Woo!" Riley cheered as she and Tessa high fived. "You're slaying it Sweet T."
"I said don't call me that," Tessa sighed but smirked.
"You know you love it," Riley replied.
"Sorry to disappoint you all," Melissa said as she was carried off. "But it seems I'm being sacrificed for their alien babies."
"It happens," Vance said as he was carried off as well.
Cynthia knifed another alien but an Invader tiptoed near her.
"Cynthia!" Weston shouted. "NOOO!"
Weston jumped forward and fell into the alien's arm. The invader shrugged and kidnapped Weston.
Click. Click.
"I'm out of ammo," Tessa said.
"Me too dude," Riley replied.
An invader charged towards Tessa.
"Then I guess this is it," Tessa sighed and closed her eyes.
Bang.
"Guess again."
Tessa opened her eyes to see Griswold and Ignacio charge in.
"You're alive?" Tessa asked.
"Thanks to my teammate," Griswold replied.
"Now we're here to help our other teammates," Ignacio stated as he tossed Tessa and Riley water guns. "We got five minutes left."
"That's all the time we need!" Riley shouted as she lead the charge towards the queen.
The Fireworks ran with their guns blazing, but the queen swatted them against the wall with her scorpion tail. The remaining invaders trapped them in egg sacs.
"It's just you and me…"
Cynthia pulled her chainsaw out of her duffel bag. The alien queen growled.
Cynthia cocked her head as she descended the steps. "You think I'm afraid of you? You think I'm afraid of your robots or cursed hotel? You think I'm afraid of smoke and mirrors? I'm not afraid of anything.
"You're nothing but a cheap trick. I know real pain, real hurt. I don't need superstition or sound effects; all I need is a weapon. With just a knife, I can make you feel more pain and fear in a minute than you have in your lifetime.
"I know real fear. Because I control fear. Because I embody fear. Because I am the master of fear. You want to know and understand fear? Allow me to show you."
Cynthia revved up her chainsaw as the lights went out. The next sounds were the alien screams and Cynthia's chainsaw hacking the queen's body in half, her slimy blood oozing everywhere.
The timer froze at exactly one second.
Cynthia yanked an egg sac off the wall and cut out Melissa.
"Oh deary me," Melissa said. "You saved us Cynthia! You're a hero!"
Rhonda, Jenny and Toby exited a small door with disturbed expressions on their face.
"Congrats on your win Eagles," Rhonda announced. "We'll see the Fireworks tonight. Right now I think I need a moment… to cry."
"I talked to Pascal," Tessa explained. "I tried to convince him to vote for Lita, but he wouldn't agree to it! Some ally he turned out to be. Lita probably seduced him. I've had to deal my whole life with people like her; putting me down, trying to make me feel inferior. I won't let her do that to me anymore."
Tessa stomped down the hallway and ran into Lita, walking with Griswold, Riley, Easton, Seraphina, Ness and Ignacio.
"Oh hey Sweet T," Riley greeted. "I got you a sweet tea for Mickey D's."
Tessa scowled and faced Lita. "Why don't you watch where you're going?"
"You're the one who ran into me," Lita replied.
Tessa stood up and walked off. "Whatever, I don't have time for this again…"
"If you got something to say," Lita said, "then say it."
"So, uh do you want the sweet tea or…"
"I know your type," Tessa replied. "You think you're cool just because you break hearts. But everyone can see what you really are; you're just making a fool of yourself. Imagine how your mother must feel."
Lita clenched her fist. "You leave my momma out of this!"
"Why?" Tessa asked. "It makes the most sense; like mother, like daughter. Bet the rest of your family is messed up too, aren't they?"
You…you…you…" Lita stammered.
"Lita don't get mad," Ness said. "She isn't worth it."
Lita held her fist up. "I've had to hear the same thing my whole life from people like you. But you leave my family out of it, you…you…ahhh…"
Lita started to cry.
Tessa stepped back.
"Come on let's go," Seraphina stated, as she and Ness walked Lita away.
Tessa grunted and stormed off.
"I'm sorry," Lita sniffled. "I didn't mean to cry…"
"You don't have anything to be sorry about," Ignacio replied.
"I can't believe she started crying," Tessa said. "She must've been faking it…right? Whatever, now she's going to try and get me eliminated. But I have a trick up my sleeve…"
From her sleeve, Tessa pulled out a blue flash drive. "A immunity flash drive. Its said only an Eagle can use this one at an elimination ceremony…but that doesn't mean it has to be used at an Eagles' elimination ceremony. I just need an Eagle who'd use it to save me…"
The Fizzled Fireworks sat at the elimination ceremony.
"Well its two for two so far," Rhonda said. "You guys know how this works, so let's go to the voting-"
Kalino stumbled out of the voting booth. "Whoops, wrong place mannnnn."
"What are you doing Kalino?" Rhonda asked.
"Nothin," Kalino replied. "I just got lost looking for a bathroom."
Tessa smirked as Kalino nodded her direction and left.
"As I was saying, let's vote," Rhonda said.
After the votes had been cast, Toby pulled out a tray of coffee cups.
"I have nine cups of black coffee," Rhonda said.
"We ran out of sugar," Toby said.
"There are ten of you," Rhonda said. "Whoever does not get a coffee cup will leave through the Revolving Doors of Shame and depart of The Public Transportation of Losers. The first coffee cup goes to…Griswold."
Griswold caught his cup.
"Next is…Zipporah, Easton and Riley."
Toby tossed their cups.
"Ignacio, Ness, Pascal and…Seraphina."
Seraphina caught Ness' cup for her.
"Lita and Tessa; there is only one cup of coffee left. One of you will be going home…"
"…JK, we all know Tessa's eliminated."
Lita caught her cup and sighed in relief.
Tessa frowned, turned her nose and walked out the Revolving Doors of Shame.
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Seraphina sighed.
"Tessa wanted me to use this immunity flash drive on her," Kalino stated.
He hold up the blue flash drive. "It would've actually worked too, which is pretty nifty. But Tessa would just get voted off next time. Why waste it on her when I can use it on myself? Man, it's so easy to find these things."
Tessa sat on a bench at a stop for the Public Transportation of Losers.
"Here."
Tessa turned to see Riley holding out a sweet tea.
"Save it," Tessa replied.
"Whatever," Riley said. "I thought we worked great in the challenge together."
"Is that why you got me this?" Tessa said.
"Yeah," Riley replied. "And well…you looked kind of alone. I thought you might be different than you seemed. Hope you get your stuff figured out dude."
Riley set the sweet tea on the bench and left.
Tessa sighed. She picked up the sweet tea as the Public Transportation of Losers arrived.
Author's Note
Another chapter down. I remembered this chapter fondly, so re-visiting it...there were a few odd moments, but I still really enjoyed it. I hope you did too. I remember this chapter took a lot of time to write. I got behind on the schedule I was on. But I ended up liking more than I thought.
I'll be honest folks, I don't remember what Past Rhonda's thought process was with Tessa. I mean I have some idea what I meant, but not sure why I thought it would work. She's very much a Heather-type character, but eliminated a little more realistically. I think she was meant to be a hate-sink character. I feel like I succeeded in that, but I'm not sure why I wanted it. A few readers on the wiki did like her for being a bit of diva.
Tessa wasn't mean to be booted this early, but it didn't feel logical for her to stay any longer. One of the best parts of writing is when a character starts to write themselves. You know what the character is going to do, so it's just expressing that. The characters weren't quite there yet, but I know enough about them they wouldn't spare Tessa any longer. I'll say that I enjoyed her this chapter, especially that ending scene.
Next chapter we move to a reality show staple...
Appendix: Elimination History
Bethany (Eagles)- 22nd
Diamonique (Eagles)- 21st
Casper (Fireworks)- 20th
Tessa (Fireworks)- 19th