Chapter 18 The Ghost Dangerous Game
It was a dark and stormy night. The rain was coming down harder than it had since the show started, bringing just as terrible wind and lightning with it. Even the busy streets of Washington were abandoned. No one should have been out…
Alone in her secret office, Rhonda was on the phone with the executives again.
"Guests to the hotel?" Rhonda asked. "Someone on one of your other shows needs refugee? Of course the Pentagram is open for them! Who is it? ...Hello? Hello?"
Rhonda rolled her eyes as she sat the phone down in the receiver.
"The phone lines must have been knocked out. Oh well, I have a challenge to get ready for…"
Rhonda stood up. She unlocked her file cabinet and started looking for a file.
Creak.
Rhonda turned to the door. "Jenny? Toby?"
An eerie, shadowy figure stepped forward...and pulled out a blade.
Rhonda gasped and let out a scream. "Ahhh! Oh god, my mother was right; I would be the first person killed off by a serial killer."
/
In the dining hall, most of our newcomers sat enjoying their dinner. Vance slurped down a bowl of grits. Melissa smiled, grabbing it and replacing it with another.
"Glad to see you're feeling good again man," Kalino said.
"I've been sad enough about Xidorn for the past couple of days," Vance replied. "I don't got time to be sad. I have too many challenges to win!"
"It's so marvelous the challenge was cancelled today," Melissa said. "Even if an outdoor fire-dancing volcano luau sounds fun."
"Does anyone else think that's strange?" Ignacio asked. "Rhonda just happened to plan a challenge that specifically needs to be outside and it happens to pour."
"Rhonda would pay attention to weather," Ness agreed.
"Maybe she just didn't predict it?" Jasper suggested.
"You need to stop being so paranoid Iggy," Riley said. "You and your Rhonda theories are cracked more than a mama's back."
"I know, I know," Ignacio replied. "I've given up trying to figuring out Rhonda's secret."
"Rhonda's secret?" Vance asked.
Ignacio nodded. "You know, how someone like her gets her own show, how she knows the network, knows a few celebrities."
"It's probs just that Canadian show she hosted," Lita replied.
Vance scratched his chin. "Hmm, maybe I can seduce it out of Rhonda. After the show of course."
Tessa gagged. "The image I had was not meant to be thought."
"Pardon me everyone," Melissa stated. "I'll be right back. I'm going to bring Weston dinner."
"What has that boy been up to?" Vance asked. "I hope he's not too down."
"Dude's been marathoning detective stuff in our room for forever," Riley said.
"I leant him all the mystery movies and DVDs in the penthouse," Melissa explained. "He wanted them so he can learn how to solve mysteries."
"What about Diamonique?" Ness asked.
"She said she'd be coming," Melissa recalled. "I guess she's really enjoying the amenities of the luxury suite."
/
Diamonique sat sprawled out on a bed, feeding herself bonbons as a shirtless, blond butler gave her a foot rub. "Oh yeahhh...that's it. Now Hunkenstein, go draw my bath. Mama wants to use those exotic soaps. And bring me some exotic soup to eat too…"
The butler bowed. "It would be my pleasure madame."
"I know it."
/
Inside his room, Weston scribbled notes. "Hmm...I wonder if I need to carry a purse?"
"To solve the mystery of the Cynthia Saboteur I need to learn how to be a better detective," Weston explained. "Once Kalino pointed out I'm not a dog, I decided to learn from human detectives! I went to the library and rented a book about the greatest detective there is; Sherlock Holmes...then I gave up after the first two pages. It was boring, and I don't even speak British.
"So I started watching these old detective shows. I've been marathoning Murder She Wrote. It's the story of widowed mystery writer J.B. Fletcher, who becomes a world famous detective with her intuition and elaborate ways to get confessionals. I'm learning a lot. Like apparently clues aren't things with question marks or blue pawprints. Who knew?"
BOOM.
The lights went out.
There was the sound of a scuffle, then something shattering.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
"What was that?"
"Huh?"
"I have a bad feeling about this…"
The lights came back on.
All the newcomers from the kitchen sprinted to the lobby, only to find Melissa shaking and standing over a shattered bowl. The carpet had a giant red stain.
"Are you okay Melissa?" Ness asked.
Melissa trembled. "I...I saw the butler at the end of the hall. Then the lights went out and when they came back on...he was being dragged off by some sinister someone!"
Lita gulped. "Oh no, oh no!"
"Don't tell me," Kalino said. "This stain is…"
"Yes," Melissa replied. "Gourmet Vietnamese plum pho soup. The stain will never come out!"
Ness grabbed Melissa and pulled her into a hug.
Weston ran down the stairs. "Hey, what did I miss?"
"You know what happened to that shirtless blonde beefcake, don't you?" Lita asked.
"What?" Vance asked.
"Chicken butt," Kalino whispered. The two snickered.
"He was got!" Lita cried out. "By the ghost of the serial killer who made this hotel!"
CRACK.
"Mannnn," Kalino sighed. "That...is a mouthful. Can't we call him something simpler?"
"The Phantom of the Pentagram?" Jasper suggested.
I like it!" Kalino agreed. Everyone else nodded.
"People can actually hear me!" Jasper said smirking. "I have no idea if they know where that voice is coming from, but it's a step up!"
"I didn't know you were scared of ghosts," Riley said.
I'm not scared of flying bed sheets," Lita replied. "I am scared of serial killers. Are y'all not? They kill multiple times. And there are multiple of us!"
"Not to mention he could affect our breakfast!" Vance shouted.
"What's everyone screaming about?"
Jenny and Toby walked in from the back.
"Melissa saw the butler blitzed by an unknown assailant," Ignacio explained.
"I thought he was attacked by the Phantom of the Pentagram?" Weston asked.
"Wait," Jasper said. "We can check the cameras! They must have recorded who did that."
"Yeah no," Jenny answered. "The cameras are out."
"What?" everyone asked.
"The lightning knocked out the Internet," Toby explained. "We can't pull up the camera footage without it."
"How does that work?" Ignacio asked.
"We'd call someone to fix it, but the phone lines are out too," Jenny said. "Plus, the storm is interfering with our cell service."
"Wow, we can't reach anyone," Weston said. "Just like a horror movie!"
"We need to get out here," Lita stated. "Let's get the bus!"
"You want us to drive in that weather?" Toby asked. "We'd probably crash and die."
"We die if we leave or if we stay," Lita replied. "And I'm not staying!"
Lita walked over and threw open the doors. Before she stepped out, a gargoyle statue fall in front of the door. It was then struck with lightning. Then struck with lightning again. Then crows came to peck at it. Then they were struck with lightning. And caught on fire, before being washed away in the rain.
Lita slammed the doors. "On a second thought, I don't even have an umbrella."
"There is no reason to freak out," Jenny said. "Completely unrelated, has anyone seen Rhonda?"
"You haven't?" Ness asked.
"It's not my job to keep up with her," Jenny replied. "I'm not a zookeeper. Heehee, get it? Get it? Cause she's like an animal…"
"Ohhhhh," Kalino replied. "Wait...I don't get it."
"Rhonda was supposed to meet us to discuss planning a new challenge," Toby said. "She never showed. Last I saw she was on the phone in her office. It's not like her to miss something so important…"
"Stop, stop, stop," Ignacio stated. "You mean that Rhonda happens to disappear, along with the butler. On challenge day, when we happen to have the challenge cancelled?"
"Yeah," Toby replied. "That's one way of looking at it…"
"Don't you get it everyone?" Ignacio asked. "This is a challenge!"
"To see if we live or die?" Lita asked. "I didn't sign up for The Hunger Games!"
"Ignacio is right," Ness said. "The old show always had a horror themed challenge at least once a season. This must be ours."
"What was the Invaders challenge then?" Vance asked.
"I guess that counts," Ness replied. "But it was also sci-fi horror…"
"A challenge would be a cool tie-in promotion for the hotel," Kalino said. "They're all about that promoting."
"If it was the ghost of a serial killer it probably would have killed the butler," Riley said. "Instead it dragged him off."
"The ghost is probably just an intern trying to capture us for the challenge," Weston added.
"I'd try to convince you that it's not a challenge," Jenny said. "But Rhonda's not here, so I don't have to pretend to care about what you do. Some go ghostbusting or whatever."
"Let's see if we can get the Internet back online," Toby stated. "If anyone of you die, try not to make a mess."
The two walked off.
"Are we sure this is a challenge?" Melissa asked.
"Without a doubt," Ignacio replied.
Melissa nodded. "Okay, then how do we end it?"
"It probably won't end till only one person is left," Weston said.
Lita clutched Jasper's arm.
"Or we catch this corny killer and end the challenge by unmasking him," Riley suggested.
"So this is a mystery!" Weston cheered. "Time for that Murder She Wrote to payoff!"
"What should we do?" Melissa asked.
"We need to split up and search for clues!" Weston stated.
"You want us to split up?" Lita asked. "I thought you said you watched horror movies?"
"Yeah, but this is a mystery," Weston answered. "So splitting up should be fine."
"I'm not searching this hotel waiting to run into a serial killer," Lita said. "Let's just wait it out in the kitchen."
Ness shook her head. "Sorry Lita..."
"Ness?" Lita asked.
"I want to try to win it," Ness replied. "I'm going to try and hunt this serial killer down."
"I'll go with you!" Ignacio stated. "Uhh...just to make sure you're safe."
Ness smiled. "Thanks Iggy."
"If anyone is winning this challenge it's me," Vance stated. "I'm going to hogtie this serial killer."
"You can't catch a horse," Tessa said. "How can you catch a ghost?"
"I'll help you dude," Kalino stated. "We should check Rhonda's secret office. The one she thinks no one knows about. It maybe where she was last."
"Aww, I wanted to check the crime scene," Weston sighed.
"You should check the library," Kalino said. "Maybe you'll find a clue in one of those books."
"I'll join you Weston," Melissa said. "It could be fun to search a library while a ghost plots to kill us!"
"We can meet up in like an hour?" Kalino suggested. "That way we can compare notes."
"I'm not going," Lita stated.
Ness frowned. "But Lita-"
Lita shivered. "I...I just hate serial killers. I want you to go Ness, but I just can't. I'm staying in the dining hall. Will someone...please come with me?"
"I'll go," Tessa said.
"Really?" Lita sighed
"You don't have to talk to me," Tessa said. "But you don't have to be alone."
"I'll go too," Jasper said. "It'll be safer if they're more of us."
"What are you going to do Riley?" Ignacio asked.
Riley opened her mouth, but her stomach growled first. "Apparently, I'm going to find a bathroom."
She ran off towards a toilet.
"Don't bother with the downstairs one," Kalino called. "It's still clogged!"
"So it sounds like we all have a plan," Ignacio stated.
"Yes," Melissa said. "But I can't help but feel we're forgetting something…"
/
Diamonique sat in the tub with her arms crossed, her bubble bath underway. "How long does it take to make soup?"
/
Weston and Melissa entered the library.
"So what are we looking for?" Melissa asked.
"Usually a clue will be something that seems out of place," Weston explained.
Melissa looked around at the dusty room, books stacked in random piles and shelves missing books. "Oh dear."
Weston dropped to the floor and began moving on his hands and knees. Melissa tiptoed around the shelves. The younger twin scanned the room, when he noticed a spilled waste basket.
"I think I may have found a clue," Weston said.
Melissa followed him to the trash can. "How do you know?"
"This place is a mess," Weston said. "But it's kind of intentionally so, you know? It's supposed to be spooky. These trash cans are new and usually well kept. Someone must have spilled it recently...meaning someone was in here recently!"
"Wow, that's clever!" Melissa said. "You're a really good detective."
"Aww thanks," Weston replied. "I'm still learning, but I think I actually get it! Just goes to prove watching too much TV is a good thing. Now, let's see if this trash has any clues about who was here."
He sifted through the trash, mostly junk. At the top of the basket was a crumpled ball of paper. Uncrumpling it, it appeared to be some sort of chart. In big orange letters it said, 'KALINO'S PLAN'.
"What...what is that?" Melissa asked.
Under the heading, it had a series of doodles. First was a drawing of Cynthia that had a big red X over it. Then a similar picture of Griswold, then Xidorn and then…
"Is that me?" Melissa asked. "Then you."
"Do I really look like that?" Weston asked.
"I think this is some kind of voting chart," Melissa said. "Which means...that Kalino voted for Cynthia! And he's going to vote for us next…"
"If it's really his," Weston said.
"Huh?" Melissa asked.
"I'm just...not sure about this," Weston replied. "We should show the others after the challenge."
Melissa nodded, folding it and putting in in her pocket. "I guess we need some clues about this mystery…"
The two began scanning the bookshelves. Melissa went over to one bookshelf. Removing the only red book in a shelf of green books, she activated a revolving bookcase. From behind the shelf, a hand reached out and grabbed her. "Wes-"
"Huh?" Weston said.
He turned around to see that Melissa had disappeared.
"Aw ****," Weston stated.
/
Another secret passage was activated in the penthouse suite, as the hearth in it revolved and revealed a stairway. Up the stairway walked a tall figure, well-dressed in black. His face was obscured by his coat's popped up collar. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a blade.
From the bathroom, water was heard running. A beautiful voice was singing. The figure approached the door and knocked.
"Is that my soup?" Diamonique asked. "Finally! Come on in!"
He kicked in the door, raising his blade in the air.
"Ahhhhh!" Diamonique cried.
Screech, Screech, Screech, Screech, Screech, Screech, Screech.
Diamonique waved her finger. "Look, can I least finish bathing before you do the whole stabbing thing?"
"Of course," the Phantom replied. "I'm a psychopathic killer, not rude."
/
Vance and Kalino stood outside Rhonda's office. Slowly, they opened the door and peered it. It was a total mess. All the desk drawers were open, files and papers were thrown and scattered all across the room.
"Do you think Rhonda was attacked or this place is just usually a dump?" Vance asked.
"Hard to tell," Kalino replied. "It is Rhonda."
The two stepped in and began rummaging through it.
"This looks like more than a kidnapping or murder," Kalino stated. "Whoever was here was looking for something."
Vance picked up a file on the ground labeled "Rhonda". He flipped through it and his eyes grew wide. "No way...she's…"
"Did you find something?" Kalino asked.
Vance tossed the file aside. "Uh, just a bunch of boring contracts. You?"
"Well there's that," Kalino said.
"What?" Vance asked.
Kalino motioned him to come closer. In Vance's ear he whispered, "Chicken butt."
The two snickered. They exited the office.
"We may not have found any clues," Vance said, "but at least we didn't find that killer. Right Kalino?"
Vance turned around to see one of Kalino's flip-flops alone on the ground.
/
Ness and Ignacio walked through the hallways. Ignacio looked over at Ness. She caught him and raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry," Ignacio said. "I just...are you okay?"
Ness shrugged. "Relatively speaking, I'm good for someone trying to catch a serial killer's ghost in a possibly haunted hotel designed as a deathtrap. Why?"
"You've just been quiet," Ignacio admitted. "You have been for awhile. I understand why Lita has been keeping her distance, but you didn't even tell me about Xidorn's elimination."
"It was...uh... a last minute idea," Ness replied. "Melissa told me about it. What happened with you and Lita anyway?"
Ignacio looked away. "It's...I don't know if I have the right to say. I just hope she's not mad at me."
"I think she's madder at herself," Ness replied. "Especially at Gris' elimination."
"I think we're going to be upset about that till the show is over," Ignacio said.
"Griswold was our leader," Ness admitted. "He was like a rock."
Ignacio nodded. "He kept us together."
"The teams have ended for a while," Ness said. "But it's just been sinking in now that the Fireworks are really over. We really are on our own now."
"Not really," Ignacio replied. "I mean, we're doing this together."
"But at some point we might have to vote each other off," Ness stated.
Ignacio grabbed Ness' shoulder. "I promise I won't vote you off Ness. I don't want you to go home."
"Don't promise me that," Ness replied. "Someone already did and couldn't keep it."
"I'm not Pascal," Ignacio said.
"And I don't want you to sacrifice your game for me or something like that," Ness stated.
Ness turned her back to Ignacio and walked forward.
"If Griswold was here," Ignacio said, "I'm sure he'd say something like even if the teams are done, we're still the Fireworks. We're always part of that, no matter what."
Ness smiled. "Thanks Ignacio."
The two stopped as they reached the end of the hall.
"Not a trace of this so called phantom," Ignacio said.
"Ghosts are invisible and can't touch things," Ness said. "So it makes sense."
The two failed to notice a sinister figure sneaking into someone's room…
/
In the dining hall, Tessa stood by the door with a frying pan in hand. Lita and Jasper sat at a nearby table.
"What are you doing over there?" Lita asked.
"Keeping an eye out for that creep," Tessa replied. "If he shows up, I'll flatten his face like a pancake."
"I thought you were all against violence," Lita said.
"Uhhh...I am," Tessa replied. "But he started it!"
"Well...thanks Tessa," Lita stated.
Tessa grinned and nodded, holding her pan ready.
Lita sighed, grabbing her scarf again.
"Do you want anything to eat?" Jasper asked.
"For once I'm not hungry," Lita replied. "But listen, thanks for being here with me."
"Of course," Jasper said. "And about the Gris vote-"
"I'm not mad at you anymore," Lita stated. "I can't stay at mad you, for some reason or another."
Jasper blushed, muttering something before standing up and heading to the kitchen.
"It's almost been an hour," Tessa stated. "Where is everyone?"
"At least we're safe in here," Lita stated.
The lights went out.
"Oh, **** you!"
An eerie but harmonious noise began playing. The lights turned back on.
"Is everyone okay?" Tessa asked.
"Fine," Lita sighed.
"I think I'm alive," Jasper replied, running back into the dining hall.
The chandelier started shaking as did all the plates. Lita fall out of her seat as her table levitated.
Jasper gulped. "It's the g-g-g-g-g-g...ghosts!"
Vance ran through the door. "Hey, so I-"
"Hiya!" Tessa screamed, slamming her pan into Vance's face. "Ooh. Oops."
Vance fall to the floor.
"Bird-blood, feather-blood, spider-blood, fly-blood…"
"Who was that?" Lita asked.
"Maybe it's somebody on the PA system?" Jasper suggested. "You know...reading a recipe or sharing a poem?"
"Bird-blood, feather-blood, spider-blood, fly-blood, Bird-blood, feather-blood, spider-blood, fly-blood… Round about the cauldron go; in the poisoned entrails throw…Toad, that under cold stone, days and nights hast thirty one sweltered venom sleeping got…boil thou first i' the charmed pot!"
"So it is a recipe?" Lita asked.
Ye demons fell, with yelp and yell, shed curses far afield. Ye fiends of night, your filthy blight in noisome plenty yield! We accept her. One of us, one of us; Gooble-gooble, gooble-gooble! Hey…I just met you…and this is crazy…but here's my number…SO CALL ME MAYBE! MWAHAHAHAHA! HA! HA! HA! Ha."
"It's some kind of evil, demonic chanting!" Tessa yelled.
"Look at the walls!" Lita stated.
"Eww," Tessa said. "Their oozing slime...well new slime."
"But it's spelling something," Lita said.
The black liquid-like slime started forming a message; YOUR ALL READY DEAD.
"Oh god," Tessa gasped. "They used the wrong you're! That's basic grammar! Do these ghosts not have English classes in the afterlife?"
"I'm more worried about the dying part," Lita stated. "Do you think it's just like…ketchup or something?"
Jasper approached the wall. Slowly he poked the ooze. He licked a little bit off his finger and his face immediately soured.
"This is not ketchup," Jasper gagged.
"You mean...it's blood?" Lita asked.
"Worse," Jasper. "It's...frosting."
"That's all?" Tessa asked.
"No. It's...it's...it's black licorice flavored!" Jasper cried out, falling to his knees.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" All three of them screamed.
"We have to get out of here!" Lita cried.
The dining hall doors slammed shut. The candles started floating off the table. Tessa ducked as plates started to be thrown around the room.
"Let's hide in the kitchen," Jasper yelled. "There might be a way out."
The three dragged a still unconscious Vance back into the kitchen.
"Phew," Tessa sighed.
"We're still trapped," Lita said. "Any ideas where an exit would be?"
"Have you tried the meat locker?"
From the freezer stepped out the shadowy figure...
"I hope you've enjoyed living here," he said, in a distorted voice. "Because I'm offering a full-time stay."
"It's the Phantom of the Pentagram!" Lita shouted.
"Sorry, but I haven't enjoyed my stay," Jasper said. "You could use some better service."
Jasper tossed a plate at the Phantom's face, knocking him down to the ground. He stood up, revealing his face...now a withered skull. He brandished his knife.
"I insist that all my guests leave with a smile," the Phantom said. "Allow me to give you one. Permanently."
Tessa jumped up, standing between the Phantom and the others. "Go!"
"What are you doing?" Lita asked.
"I'm slowing him down," Tessa replied. "Now grab Vance and get out of here while you can!"
The Phantom chuckled. "It doesn't matter. None of you will be leaving this hotel."
"Let's dance you Scream knock-off!" Tessa yelled.
Lita and Jasper grabbed Vance by the arms and ran back out into the dining hall.
"The doors are still locked," Lita sighed.
"We'll have to bust it down," Jasper said. "We just need something to use as a battering ram."
The two looked around, until both were looking at Vance in-between them.
Tessa grabbed a kitchen knife from a nearby drawer. "News flash; there are knives all over this kitchen? Do you think you really scare me?"
The Phantom shrugged, tossing aside the knife and holding up his hands. A chainsaw fell from the ceiling into his arms. He revved it up, raising it above his head.
"Okay, maybe that scares me."
Jasper held up Vance at the front while Lita was in the back. They ran forward and rammed him into the door, busting through the dining hall.
"Thank god he has such a hard head," Lita sighed.
/
Lita and Jasper ran to Lita's room and slammed the door. They found Ness, Weston and Ignacio in there. They threw Vance on the bed and dropped to the floor.
"What happened to you?" Weston asked.
"What do you think?" Lita asked.
"Um...fun new exercise routine?" Weston asked.
"Where is Tessa?" Ignacio asked.
"She saved us from the ghost," Lita sighed.
"I think this might actually be a horror movie now," Weston said.
"You think?" Lita asked.
"Grrrr…" Vance sighed, coming to. "Why does my head hurt so much?"
Lita and Jasper shared a look. "Uhhhh…"
"We need to do something!" Ness stated. "This ghost has already got Melissa and Tessa."
"And Kalino," Vance sighed.
"I haven't seen Riley either," Ignacio admitted.
"Or Diamonique," Jasper said. "Wait...do you think she's still in the penthouse suite?"
"Only one way to find out," Weston said.
Weston's stomach grumbled. "And fast. I haven't eaten dinner yet…"
"I think we need to set a trap for our phantom," Ignacio stated.
"That means we'll need bait," Weston said. "If this is a horror movie, then there's one kind of bait that our killer can't resist."
"What?" Lita asked.
"A couple making out!" Weston stated.
Everyone immediately blushed.
"Lita and Iggy should make out," Weston said. "They're the hottest!"
Lita and Ignacio both looked at each other and turned away.
"We can't do that," Lita stated. "For a lot of reasons."
"As the third hottest person, and perhaps hottest given my personality, I volunteer myself as bait," Vance stated.
"Okay," Weston said. "Then Vance and Ignacio will make out! Ness and I will activate the trap when the killer shows up!"
Ignacio sighed and facepalmed. "I guess if we don't have another option."
"Relax," Vance said. "I'm an amazing kisser."
Lita stood up. "While y'all do that, Jasper and I will find a new place to hide."
"Actually," Jasper said, "I think we should investigate the penthouse suite."
Lita shook her head. "Jasper, I can't! This is too much for me...I'm too scared."
Jasper reached out and grabbed Lita's hand. "I know. I'm...I'm actually really scared too. That's why I need you to come with me. And that's why I'll be there for you. We'll do it together."
"...Okay," Lita replied, nodding.
Ness, Ignacio, Weston, and Vance all shared a look.
/
The four began planning their trap. Grabbing the sheets from Lita and Ness' beds, they headed to the game room. Ignacio grabbed tools and got to work on re-configuring some of the games to help with their plan.
"Alright," Ignacio said, standing up from the skee ball machine. "Now I guess all that's left is for Vance and I to…"
"Head to smooch city?" Weston asked.
"Why do we have to this again?" Ignacio asked.
"Cause slasher movie villains hate make-out sessions," Weston replied. "Slashers are like nuns...with anger issues. The only lust they like is bloodlust."
Ignacio shrugged. "I guess let's just get it over with."
"Ooh, flirt with each other too," Weston stated. "He'll hate that."
"I'm not really comfortable making out with anyone," Ignacio stated. "But with Vance? I think I'd prefer to meet the killer than kiss that mustache."
Weston and Ness slunk off to their corners, leaving its secret passage open.
Vance jumped on top of the bill table and struck a model pose.
"Hey hot stuff," Vance said with a wink. "Are those space pants? Cause your butt is out of this world."
"Yeah," Vance said, "I'm an expert flirt. I have to keep my admirers back by hitting them with a stick. Some of them like it. I just hope Ignacio doesn't fall hopelessly in love with me."
Ignacio shuddered. "Uhh...your face is like a...pineapple?"
"Pineapple?" Vance asked.
"Cause it's...so sweet," Ignacio replied.
Vance smirked. "Aww. Why don't you come here and give me so sugar?"
Ignacio shuddered again but slowly got closer to Vance. The two got closer and closer...until Ignacio backed away.
"I don't think I can do this," Ignacio stated.
"Oh, I get it," Vance said. "You're worried my kiss will be too powerful. It tends to be."
Ness stood up. "Vance, why don't you work the trap. I think Ignacio might want something a little less…"
"Euphorically sexual?" Vance asked.
"Sure," Ness replied.
Vance shrugged and walked off. Ignacio started blushing deeply as Ness approached.
"Are...are you sure?" Ignacio asked. "Not that I mind. Not that I want to kiss you either! Not that you aren't kissable, you're really cute...I mean objectively speaking."
Ness blushed. "Um, thanks? I've never actually kissed anyone before, but it's for the challenge. And we're in this together. So...let's do it."
Ignacio started blushing even more. Ness stood on her tipy-toes but still couldn't reach Ignacio. She sat on top of the billiards table as Ignacio knelt down. He wiped off the sweat from his forehead. The two leaned in closer…
"I found you!"
The Phantom of the Pentagram jumped through the door, right before the two kissed.
"Really?" Ignacio asked. "Now?"
"Now!" Weston shouted.
Vance and Weston turned the skee ball machines to the door and hit the start button. The machines started pelting the Phantom with balls. He dropped his chainsaw as he fall to the floor. Once the machines ran out of balls, Weston and Vance ran around the ghoul and tied them up in the sheets.
"We did it! We did it! We did it!" Ness cheered.
"Yeah, but we have one problem," Weston said.
"What?" Ness asked.
"Chicken butt," Vance said, laughing to himself.
"Oh," Weston said. "I guess that. I was talking about that other phantom."
"Other phantom?" Ness and Ignacio asked.
Weston pointed to the secret passage, where another Phantom of the Pentagram stood wielding a chainsaw. He wore a top hat like the current phantom, but he was shorted, more hunched, with a face like a zombie and dressed in a trench coat.
"What in heck is that?" Vance asked.
The captured Phantom shrugged.
"GET OUT OF MY HOTEL!" the new Phantom screamed. "AND NEVER COME BACK!"
"What's our plan now?" Ness asked.
"Well," Weston said. "This is the point in the movie where we RUN!"
Everyone dashed out of the main door as the new Phantom chased after them. Vance fell, almost tripping over a candy wrapper. He picked himself up as he nearly dodged the new Phantom's grip.
The captured Phantom shrugged, freeing himself and slinking off into the secret passageway.
/
Lita and Jasper stood outside of the penthouse suite. The door was ajar. They looked at each other and nodded.
The room was in shambles; pillows ripped and tossed, the curtains pulled down, furniture knocked over and even the painting of the founder was slightly askew.
"Looks like he came for Diamonique," Lita stated.
Jasper stared at the bedside table, where Melissa's cockroaches slept peacefully in a bowl. "I guess so."
Lita stood by the hearth, staring at the fire. She looked up at the painting and cringed. She grabbed her scarf tighter.
"Why do you do that?" Jasper asked.
"Huh?" Lita asked.
"Grab your scarf," Jasper said.
"I don't know," Lita replied. "I guess it's just a comfort thing. When I get nervous and stuff. This scarf helps me relax or something."
"Why?" Jasper asked.
"Why do you care?" Lita asked.
Jasper blushed and looked away. "I just...I heard some interns talk about how you got it."
"So?" Lita asked.
Jasper shook his head. "Why do you wear it? Why does it bring you comfort if it came from some guy who lied to you and used you?"
"Because," Lita replied. "Because...it was from someone who loved me. It makes me feel loved."
"But he didn't love you," Jasper replied.
"I know!" Lita said. "It's so stupid. But, I thought he did. It just...it makes me feel like I am loved. Or like I was loved at some point."
"I just think you're better than that guy," Jasper said. "You don't need him or his scarf."
Lita blushed. "Like I said, it's so stupid."
"No," Jasper said. "That's not...I don't think your stupid. It makes sense to me."
"Really?" Lita asked.
Jasper nodded. "Truth is sometimes I don't feel like people like me."
"That's not tru-"
"-No," Jasper said. "It is. My own parents couldn't show up to the loved ones visit. I understand; I'm boring. I know they won't say it, but they like my brother more."
"I understand what that's like," Lita admitted.
"I didn't get on this show because I'm good at anything," Jasper said. "I didn't even get cast to be an early boot...even though I was. I was only cast because of who my brother is. I'm pretty sure Rhonda only brought me back hoping he would be at the loved one's visit."
"That can't be true," Lita said. "Your brother can't be that famous. Who is he?"
Jasper shifted his eyes. "If I tell you who my brother is, could you not to tell anyone ever? And...no."
"And what?" Lita asked.
Jasper shook his head. "I would just like if you didn't tell anyone, even Ness."
"I promise," Lita replied.
Jasper nodded. With a sigh, he leaned into Lita's ear and whispered it. She raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
Jasper whispered it again.
Lita stood there for a few moments. "Oh! That guy. He's a celebrity, right?"
"You've never heard of him?" Jasper asked.
"I don't really know famous people or stuff like that," Lita admitted. "I don't even own a television."
"He's a big deal," Jasper said. He went off looking into the bathroom.
"Hey Jasper," Lita said.
"Yeah?" Jasper.
"I like you."
Jasper blushed, almost tripping over a wet towel.
Lita giggled. She stopped as the fireplace went out. The hearth spun, revealing a staircase...and the first Phantom of the Pentagram standing there.
"Hope I'm not interrupting," the Phantom laughed. "But I just wanted to make sure you were cozy for your long stay."
"You were interrupting," Lita replied. "Thank you very much."
Lita tossed a vase at the Phantom. The Phantom caught it, setting it down on the hearth and dusting it off. When he looked up, Jasper and Lita were running out the door. He growled, revved his chainsaw and chased after them.
"I guess that means the others didn't catch him," Jasper stated.
"We tried our best!" Vance shouted.
Lita and Jasper looked over to see the other four running.
"What are you doing?" Lita asked.
"Running from the Phantom," Weston replied. "You?"
"Also running from the Phantom," Lita replied.
"They're actually two Phantoms," Ness said.
"Two?" Jasper and Lita asked.
"You can never leave this hotel!" the original Phantom shouted at the end of the hall.
"Leave this hotel and never come back!" the other Phantom shouted from the other end.
"We're really getting a workout today," Ness said.
/
Now in the grand tradition of chase sequences, Total Drama Genesis is proud to present a classic; The Scooby-Doo Doors Running Gag. We suggest that you find some corny 60s bubblegum pop music that in no way matches the tone of horror as you read this next part. (If you have no such songs nearby, we recommend searching for "Happy Haunted Sunshine House" by Van Partible on Youtube). Please enjoy, and thank you.
The newcomers ran down into a hallway of doors. Everyone split up and went into a different door. The killer ran into the first door on the hall.
Ignacio ran out of a door with the killer after him, running across the hall into the next door. At the same time, Ness ran across the hall from the other killer.
Lita ran out of the door chasing Vance with a wheelbarrow. At the same time, Weston and the first killer rode out of a door on a tandem bicycle.
Now Vance ran out of the door pushing the second killer in the wheelbarrow. Jasper and Ness rowed a boat out of a door, with the first killer chasing after them in his own row boat.
Ignacio ran out of a door chasing Weston as the original killer pushed the second killer in a wheelbarrow out of another door.
Lita, Vance, Ness and the second killer exited a door in a conga line, while Jasper and the first killer fenced from door to door.
Ignacio surfed out of another door, while Lita and Ness swung from a vine into another door.
The original Phantom and Jasper tangoed from door to another. Weston and Vance Russian squat-danced shortly after.
Lita rode on a roomba as the second Phantom pogo-sticked after her. The two were interrupted as a familiar horse ran across the hall with Vance chasing after it.
Ness and Ignacio ran out of one door as a giant penny chased them. Weston and Jasper skateboarded away from the original Phantom who chased after them in a taxi.
Zipporah ran out of a door, being chased by the second killer.
"Why am I even in this montage?" Zipporah asked. "I'm not on this show anymore!"
"You think that's bad?" said a girl with purple braids. "I'm not even in this season!"
"I'm not even in this fanfiction!" yelled an obese kid wearing a shirt that said 'Puber T'.
"I'm not even in this fandom!" screamed what looked like a blue hedgehog.
"I'm so confused by everything," Jasper admitted.
/
Lita, Vance, and Jasper ran out of one door and down the stairs.
The first killer stepped out of a door, scratching his head.
"Phew!"
Riley exited a door, stretching her arms. "Note to self, avoid eating seven brorritos and drinking Code Red Mountain Dew at the same time. At least before lunch. Hey Edgar Allen Bros, did I miss anything?"
"Not much," The Phantom of the Pentagram replied.
"Oh good," Riley said. "Wait...oh. Oh."
/
Lita, Jasper, and Vance stood in the lobby.
"So you're saying that someone had been in Rhonda's files when you were in her office?" Jasper asked.
Vance nodded. "I think...or it was just sloppier than a bear in a bee's boudoir."
"Something is not adding up," Lita stated. "I don't think this is a simple intern."
"Must be the butler," Vance said. "It's usually the butler. Weston would say that...do you think he's still running?"
"I think he, Ness, and Ignacio were probably captured," Jasper said. "I think you're right Lita. These two ghosts...they don't agree. I don't believe they're working together. We're so close to solving this mystery, I can almost taste it…"
"What's it taste like?" Vance asked.
"Uhh...mystery flavor," Jasper replied.
"I'm with you," Lita said. "I'm developing my own theory, but we need more clues. I have no idea where to find them though…"
"I don't know what Weston found in the library," Vance stated. "Maybe we should check there?"
Lita and Jasper shrugged.
/
Moments later, the three teens stood outside the library. They peeked inside, only to see the second, shorter Phantom standing in there. They were throwing books off the shelf, one right from the other.
"What are they doing?" Lita whispered.
"Looking for a good book," Vance suggested. "I suggest Henry and Mudge myself."
"I think they're looking for a secret passage," Jasper said. "Like a bookcase."
"If they're really the ghost of the hotel's maker, shouldn't they know where all the secret passages are?" Lita asked. "They designed it!"
"The other killer seems to know them," Jasper said.
Eventually the Phantom pulled the red book from the green shelf, activating the revolving bookcase and disappearing.
The three slowly entered the library and began looking.
"Ugh," Vance groaned, picking up an empty wrapper. "Someone keeps leaving these little candy packets everywhere."
"Candy wrappers?" Lita asked.
"Yeah, I almost tripped over them when that new Phantom showed up," Vance recalled.
Jasper and Lita both gave each other a look.
"Besides that trash I can't find any clues," Vance sighed.
"Maybe I can help!"
The bookcase revolved again, revealing the original Phantom of the Pentagram.
"Do you get tired?" Lita asked.
"I'm undead so...no," the ghost replied.
"You do know your ghost pal just went through there," Jasper said. "Are you guys like...friends? Acquaintances? Rivals? Secret lovers?"
"I'm not here to play twenty questions," the Phantom replied. "I'm here to play Hide and Seek. I'll hide you and your friends' bodies, while the police seek them...and never find them."
Jasper, Lita and Vance just stared.
"Too corny?" the ghost asked.
"A little," they replied.
"Fair enough," the Phantom replied. "Let's just get to the part where I kill you, okay?"
The Phantom revved up it's chainsaw and started chasing them. They ran for the door...but Vance tripped over another candy wrapper.
"Dang nabit!" Vance cried as the Phantom grabbed him.
The ghost slammed the door before Lita and Jasper could react. They ran up to the door and tried to break it down, but when they finally did the library was empty again.
"Crap," Lita said. "We're...we're all that's left."
Jasper grabbed her arm. "Come on, that killer could be back or nearby."
Lita sighed and the two ran away.
/
Later in Jasper's room...
"Jenny and Toby weren't in the editing room," Jasper said while pacing.
"Not surprising," Lita replied. "But I think I have idea of what's going on. Something didn't add up early, and now it's becoming more and more clear."
"Yeah?" Jasper asked. "I had a similar thought."
The two started comparing notes and came to a similar conclusion.
"Now what?" Lita asked.
"Now," Jasper said. "I think we have to confront our ghost. If you want to stay here, that's fine. I don't want you-"
"No," Lita said. "I'm going with you. I'm tired of running. I'm tired of being scared. I'm tired of people disappearing. I want to save our friends!"
"You aren't scared?" Jasper asked.
"I'm still pretty scared," Lita admitted. "But I'm ready to be brave. Plus, I've got you. And you need me."
Jasper smiled. "Yeah, I do. Alright, let's find that phantom!"
"But where would they be?" Lita asked. "Running into them hasn't worked for us."
"I have an idea," Jasper said. "Why is the ghost haunting this hotel?"
"Because of the treasure," Lita replied.
"Exactly," Jasper said. "He's guarding it. So where is the treasure?"
"When the owner died he said the heart," Lita recalled. "Which means...oh no."
"Right," Jasper said. "The center of the hotel...or the catacombs. And in the center is…"
"The torture chamber."
/
The two rushed off to the lobby. In the nearby bathroom they jiggled the handle, revealing the secret stairway. They nodded at each other, holding hands as they descended down the stairs.
Jasper lit the way with a flashlight. "We're getting closer."
"I smell something," Lita said, sniffing the air. "It smells...like cinnamon?"
The two reached the end of the stairs and saw eleven coffins lined up next to each other. Nine of them were closed, with screaming and pounding coming from inside.
"That must be everyone," Jasper said.
Lita gulped. "Then that must mean the remaining coffins are for-"
"-You!"
Lita and Jasper turned to see the Phantom of the Pentagram step forward, waving a medieval sword.
"They've been waiting for you," the Phantom explained. "Now you can join them in your new rooms!"
"Think again," Lita stated. "We ain't scared of you. I've seen pillowcases scarier than you!"
The Phantom charged forward as Lita and Jasper ran off in opposite directions. He ran after Lita and cornered her in front of a coffin.
"I'm afraid your time has come," the Phantom chuckled.
"I was just about to tell you the same thing," Lita replied. "You didn't forget about Jasper, did you?"
"Huh?"
Lita stepped aside as Jasper tackled the Phantom into the coffin. Lita and Jasper slammed the lid shut, trapping the ghost inside.
"Ohhhh yeah!" Lita cheered.
The two high-fived and hugged.
"Woo!" Japser cheered.
"Hey," a voice called. "Really proud of you guys and all...but could you let us out of here?"
/
Jasper opened the second to last coffin, freeing Vance.
"About time," Vance stated.
"Looks like we're all free," Lita stated.
"But there's still one coffin left," Ness said. "And-"
"They're not in that coffin," Jasper said.
Lita strolled up to a curtain. "Isn't that right, Jenny and Toby?"
She pulled the curtain aside, revealing the two co-hosts sitting at computers with headsets on.
Jenny pulled the curtain closed. "Pay now attention to the adorable girl and her loser sidekick behind the curtain!"
Jasper opened the Phantom's coffin and shook him out, knocking him to the floor. "It's fine. We already know this is a hoax. It was all part of the challenge."
"We did?" Diamonique asked.
"Now all that's left is to unmask the bad guy," Lita said.
Jasper reached for the skull and started removing it. "This is no phantom. All along it's actually been…"
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Everyone gasped.
"Melissa," Jasper finished.
"Melissa!" the newcomers cried out.
Melissa forced a smile and waved. "Hi everyone."
"Wait...Melissa tried to kill us all?" Vance asked.
"Not kill," Lita replied. "We were never in danger. Melissa was just doing her part of the challenge, weren't you hon?"
Melissa shrugged. "And I would have gotten away with it, if it weren't for you marvelous meddling kids! Great job at the challenge!"
"We suspected it had been Melissa for awhile now," Jasper said.
"You did?" Jenny asked. "But how?"
"There were lots of little clues," Lita admitted. "Like when I threw the vase and she caught it, making it sure it was safe. Or the smell of cinnamon when we came into the dungeon."
Melissa walked over with a tray of cookies. "Sorry, I wanted to make some snickerdoodles while I was down here. I hope this can serve as part of an apology for all the trouble I caused."
"It's a start," Vance replied, four cookies already in his mouth.
"There was also the way the penthouse suite looked trashed," Jasper said. "Except for Melissa's baby cockroaches, which just happened to be untouched and peacefully undistributed. Or how the killer corned us in the kitchen with the secret passage from the freezer. The one in Melissa's room."
"But there were two big clues," Lita added. "You see…"
Earlier:
Pardon me everyone," Melissa stated. "I'll be right back. I'm going to bring Weston dinner."
Then...
Weston's stomach grumbled. "And fast. I haven't eaten dinner yet…"
"I get it!" Ness exclaimed. "Melissa never gave Weston dinner. She was actually preparing for becoming the Phantom later."
"Mmhmm," Lita agreed. "Weston's stomach is what made me really consider Melissa."
"She was kidnapped early on," Jasper explained. "Perhaps the first newcomer to be kidnapped while she acted as the killer."
"She wasn't the first person the killer 'got'," Lita said. "That was the butler, who we can assume was just doing his job as a show's staff."
The butler waved from behind the curtain till he realized Jenny's glare.
"The butler also gave Melissa an almost perfect alibi," Lita continued. "Which is why I ignored my suspicion of her...until Jasper realized something…"
Before:
BOOM.
The lights went out.
There was a sound of scuffle, and crashed noise.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
The lights came back on.
All the newcomers from the kitchen sprinted to the lobby, only to find Melissa shaking and standing over a shattered bowl and stain on the carpet.
"Are you okay Melissa?" Ness asked.
Melissa shook her head. "I...I saw the butler at the end of the hall. Then the lights went out and when they came back on...he was being dragged off by some sinister someone!"
"So?" Vance asked, scratching his head.
"Melissa screamed claiming it was because she saw the butler," Jasper explained. "She said she saw the Phantom got him when the lights came on. Yet, she screamed before the lights came back on. How could she seem him be dragged off if it was pitch dark? Why did she lie? It was to create an alibi."
"Wow," Melissa gasped. "You two have done such a super job at foiling my plot to pretend murder everyone!"
"Okay fine," Jenny admitted. "Melissa was the killer! This was all a challenge. Melissa's job was to pretend to be the hotel owner's ghost and kidnap you guys. We helped guide her through the hotel and control it while down here. If Melissa did a good enough job, she got invincibility. If anyone captured her and solved the mystery, they all won."
"But why Melissa?" Ignacio asked.
"Simple," Jasper replied. "It was Melissa's reward from last challenge."
Previously:
"Congrats again to Melissa!" Rhonda announced. "As a reward, you have the penthouse suite. And to tie into our movie project, you'll be having a special starring role in a future project!"
"Wait, you mean I'm going to be acting in a movie?" Melissa asked.
"It's a very hush-hush project," Rhonda replied. "But the director insisted that the winner of the challenge would get to play an important role in the production. More details on that in the future."
"You mean that role Rhonda was talking about was for this stupid challenge?" Tessa asked.
"Hey, we worked hard on this!" Jenny shouted. "Rhonda doesn't even have the nerve to show up."
"You mean you don't actually know where she is?" Ignacio asked.
Jenny and Toby shook their heads.
"Wow," Weston said to Lita and Jasper. "You guys are super detectives. You did the whole inconsistency thing and everything. But there's still one thing I don't understand."
"Shocker," Tessa muttered.
"So Melissa was the killer," Weston said. "But if she's the killer, then who's that?"
From out of the shadows stepped the second Phantom of the Pentagram. In their arms they held a tied-up Rhonda, her mouth gagged with tape. The Phantom held a knife up to her throat.
"Get out of my hotel!" the Phantom screamed. "Maybe I'll even give you back your friend Raina…"
"There's a second ghost?" Jenny asked.
"You mean that ghost wasn't part of the challenge?" Melissa asked.
"I said leave my hotel and never return!" the Phantom yelled.
"You can drop the ghost act," Jasper said. "We know it's you...Ms. Holmes!"
The others gasped. The Phantom tossed aside their mask, revealing it was in fact the little old lady. "Bully for you kid. You want a gold star or something?
"You mean it was that old lady?" Riley asked. "I took candy from her!"
"Mmhmm," Lita agreed.
"How did you know?" Kalino asked.
"Well we know this Phantom wasn't working for the show," Lita said. "That was obvious since they were yelling the opposite thing and didn't know the secret passages."
"But it had to be someone who knew about the challenge," Jasper explained. "Like someone who was supposed to scare us by telling us about the haunting."
"Vance found the real clue though," Lita said.
"I actually found a clue?" Vance asked.
"Most of them," Jasper explained. "Even if Rhonda wanted to scare us, she wouldn't destroy her files. Somebody else went looking through them, trying to find information."
"And the candy wrappers Vance kept tripping over," Lita added. "They appeared every time we saw the second Phantom."
"Like the hard candy she gave us," Kalino exclaimed. "Now I get it. But why old lady whose name I forgot? Why would you do this to us?"
"Because I can," the old lady replied. "Now all of you better stay quiet, or else your frumpy hostess gets it!"
"So you can focus looking on the treasure?" Jasper asked.
"Oh, Ms. Holmes was trying to scare us away so she could find the secret treasure," Weston said.
"Exactly," Lita replied. "She wanted the money, especially after the housing collapse of 2008-"
"-Would you stop ******* explaining everything!" Ms. Holmes yelled. "It's true, I wanted the treasure. When you wouldn't give me a tour of the catacombs, I decided I'd find it one way or another. And I'm not leaving without it!"
"But the treasure isn't in the catacombs," Toby said.
"Of course it is," Ms. Holmes replied. "He said he hid it in the heart of the hotel. That's the catacombs!"
"We haven't found it," Toby replied. "Ever since you told Rhonda about it she's had interns looking so we could add it to the budget. Not to mention the network that owns it and the cops who've searched for it. Everyone's looked in these catacombs for it."
"Well where else could it be?" Ms. Holmes asked.
"Wait," Jasper said. "What if...he didn't mean to say heart! He was electrocuted while saying it. What if he didn't finish saying it. So instead of being hid in the heart, it's in the hearth of the hotel."
"Oh," Ms. Holmes replied. "Well in that case...see ya losers!"
Ms. Holmes ran off, Rhonda in tow, and disappeared in the dark.
/
Soon Ms. Holmes found her way into the penthouse suite. Dragging Rhonda behind her, she approached the hearth and started removing bricks. From inside the hearth, she pulled out a small wooden box.
"Finally," Ms. Holmes sighed. "It's mine! All mine!"
She cackled, but was knocked back by the hearth revolving. The contestants and co-hosts climbing up the stairs.
"I hope you don't mind we took a secret shortcut," Melissa stated.
"You're too late!" Ms. Holmes laughed. "I already have the treasure!"
She opened the box and pulled out...a slip of paper.
"Now then," Ms. Holmes said. "It says… 'Guess what? Chicken...butt?'"
Kalino and Vance snickered.
"You mean to tell me his greatest treasure was this joke!" Ms. Holmes cried out.
"It is priceless," Kalino added.
"How could this be?"
"Look on the bright side," Lita said.
"Which is?" the old lady asked.
"You can add it to your book about the Pentagram."
Lita punched her in the face, knocking her down. "That you can write in the slammer!"
/
The weather had finally cleared. Outside the hotel, the police escorted Ms. Holmes away in handcuffs. Rhonda sipped a cup of hot chocolate as her cohorts and the newcomers sat around her.
"I'd say that's a wrap," Rhonda sighed.
"Yeah," Jenny agreed. "We beat up an old lady and sent her to prison, where she'll spend the few remaining years she has in a cell."
"When you say it like that it doesn't sound like a win," Lita said.
"I'd call it a win," Rhonda said. "Speaking of, let's get to the winners of the challenge! For not 'dying' and solving the mystery, Lita and Jasper both win invincibility!"
"Wooo!" Lita cheered, tackling Jasper and pulling him into a hug. He blushed deeply.
"Hey, I found a lot of clues," Vance complained.
"Yeah," Rhonda replied. "But you didn't survive or actually solve the mystery. The most important parts of a horror-mystery challenge. I will say that since Melissa got most of you and didn't give it away, she also wins invincibility."
"Really?" Melissa asked. "I feel a bit bad about it since I did lie to everyone."
"Because those were the rules of the challenge," Ness replied. "We would have done the same."
"Since you didn't capture everyone you don't get the penthouse suite," Rhonda said. "Lita and Jasper can share that. They also win two free tickets to the midnight premiere of Blood, Guts and Butts: The Twerking Terror."
"Pass," Jasper said.
"Hard pass," Lita agreed.
"The rest of you are eligible to go home tonight," Rhonda said. "We'll vote in two hours."
I can't believe it," Jasper admitted. "I've actually won two challenges at the merge! Me! I didn't think I'd win one. I didn't think I'd last this long either…"
The newcomers sat around the dining hall, talking away. Weston walked in and whistled.
"I suppose you're all wondering why I gathered you here," Weston said.
"We actually just came here for more of Melissa's cookies," Ness replied.
"Still," Weston stated. "Cynthia was betrayed by one of her own teammates and that traitor...is in this very room! And I know who it is."
"You do?" Vance asked.
"Five bucks he says a wizard did it," Tessa whispered to Riley.
"I think we both know," Melissa stated. "We found this in the library."
From her pocket Melissa pulled out of the folded piece of paper, unfolding it to reveal the voting chart.
"Wait...it was Kalino?" Vance asked.
"What is this thing?" Kalino asked.
"I knew it!" Diamonique stated. "I always knew it had to be Kalino!"
"Had to be what?" Kalino asked.
"Don't play dumb," Diamonique replied. "You voted for a fellow Eagle. You took poor sweet Cynthia from us all."
"Uh, no I didn't," Kalino replied. "I don't even draw; takes too much time."
"I can't understand it," Melissa admitted. "But I don't know…"
"It's like I said," Diamonique stated. "If Kalino hadn't flipped, Cynthia would have been safe!"
"How do you know that?" Weston asked.
"Huh?"
"How do you know Cynthia would be safe?" Weston said.
"Obviously if Kalino voted for Griswold he would have left," Diamonique explained.
"True," Weston replied. "But how did you know that? After all, if all seven Eagles voted together and all seven Fireworks voted together it would be a tie. Cynthia wouldn't be safe for sure. But you knew there wouldn't be a tie, didn't you Diamonique? That was your plan."
"Wait," Melissa said, "Are you saying…"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Diamonique shouted.
"Allow me to explain," Weston said. "I talked to Tessa, who revealed she voted for Kalino at the first vote. Which means if all seven Eagles voted together…"
"...then Cynthia wouldn't have gone home," Melissa replied.
"She did though," Vance said. "Meaning there was traitor for sure."
"Only the traitor could know their vote was the difference between who had majority," Weston stated.
"Doesn't mean its me," Diamonique said. "I forget it would be a tiebreaker. So what?"
"The question is, why did Tessa vote Kalino?" Weston asked.
"Because he's a liar," Tessa stated.
"Because she's crazy," Kalino replied.
"If Tessa was voting with the Fireworks, wouldn't she have been told by them to vote for Cynthia?" Weston asked.
"Good point," Lita said.
"None of us talked to Tessa then," Riley added.
Weston flipped through his notebook. "Tessa said it's because she, 'was under the impression the other Fireworks were [voting for Kalino] and I hoped he would go home'."
"So?" Diamonique asked.
Weston smirked. "Why did Tessa think Kalino was going home? Someone must have told her that. The Fireworks didn't talk to her. If they did, why would they tell her the wrong person?"
Weston started pacing. "I realized an Eagle must have wanted Tessa to vote wrong, so they gave her false info."
"But why?" Melissa asked.
"I'm not entirely sure," Weston admitted. "Perhaps they wanted Kalino gone, but changed their plan. Maybe to confuse us on if an immunity flash drive was used or not at the vote. Or even provide an alibi; if they told Tessa the wrong info, how could they know the Fireworks were voting Cynthia?"
"How would I know that?" Diamonique asked.
"Simple," Weston replied. "Besides myself and Xidorn, who I ruled out as suspects, you were the only one who shared a room with another Firework. That's how you found out the vote for Cynthia."
"I room alone dummy," Diamonique replied. "There are more holes in your theory than swiss cheese or swiss bank accounts."
"It's true," Weston replied. "Swissland has a lot of holes and you don't share your room...but you were rooming with Jasper in the master suite then, right?"
Melissa turned to look at Diamonique.
Diamonique gulped. "Well...well…"
"It's funny how Jasper picked you, huh?" Weston asked. "Both of you being returnees must have given you a special connection...perhaps one that would let him spill a little info for you?"
"It must be the same connection that she used to form an alliance with me," Tessa stated. "When she gave me that false information."
"Gris Bear talked to her too," Riley stated. "Told her about the original vote for Kalino…"
"This, this, this is ridiculous!" Diamonique shouted. "Weston is obviously trying to protect his friends. Melissa, you can't believe this can you?"
Melissa frowned. "I don't want to...but…"
"I haven't lied to you before," Diamonique stated. "Have I?"
"Did you mention to her how you voted for Gris?" Kalino asked.
Lita glared. "She forgot that little detail."
"Because it's another lie obviously," Diamonique responded. "Kalino is obviously just super jelly of me right now."
"You didn't?" Kalino asked. "I mentioned it to you. Didn't I Vance?"
"Vance wasn't there!" Diamonique replied.
Kalino smirked as everyone turned to look at her.
Diamonique gulped. "I mean...uh...what about the chart you found! That's proof."
"You mean the chart that just perfectly incriminates Kalino?" Ignacio asked. "That just happened to be found and out him as the traitor?"
Diamonique frowned. "Wait, you don't think I planted it did you?"
"Let's see," Vance said. "I think the answer is...duh!"
"Come on," Diamonique said. "We know Kalino is a snake...right Tessa?"
"He's not the only one," Tessa replied.
"Jasper, you know I'm trustworthy," Diamonique stated.
Jasper shrugged.
"Ladies I'm-"
"Nope," Ness stated, while Lita nodded and Riley glared.
Diamonique turned to Melissa. "Melissa, you know you can trust me. Because I know I can trust you. We're friends."
"Cynthia was your friend too," Melissa replied.
"But Melissa I-"
Melissa turned away. "Please, just stop! I'm...I'm sorry Diamonique, I want to trust you...but I have to trust the truth too. The truth is, you were just using me. Weren't you?"
Diamonique shook her head, but Melissa had already walked off.
/
"I don't think we need to explain why this vote was straightforward," Rhonda stated. She tossed the final coffee cup to Kalino. He winked at Diamonique who turned her head.
"How does it feel to be voted off twice?" Kalino asked.
Diamonique responded by throwing him the bird.
"To everyone else," she said. "I am actually sorry."
No one responded, so Diamonique sighed and left.
"I'm still not sure what's more shocking," Ignacio admitted. "Diamonique was the traitor, or that Weston actually figured it out? Actually...it's the latter."
"Truth be told I wasn't entirely sure if it was Diamonique," Weston admitted. "The evidence seemed to suggest her, but it wasn't until her slip-up I was super duper positive!"
"Wait, then why did you say you knew who it was in the dining hall?" Riley asked.
"Elementally dear Riley," Weston replied. "Marathoning Murder She Wrote made me realize that someone always slips up and reveals they did it. Usually when you accuse them. It's the same way Jasper and Lita used inconsistencies to figure out Melissa was the killer."
Lita winked at Jasper who blushed and almost dropped his coffee.
Plus, she was the only one who made sense," Weston added.
"What do you mean?" Vance asked.
"An Eagle was the traitor," Weston explained. "Cynthia went home, so that eliminates me and Melissa. Xidorn is too honest, so it's not him. That leaves you, Diamonique, and Kalino. Once that chart appeared, it was obviously a decoy for Kalino. You and him wouldn't do that; it just leaves her."
"Makes sense to me," Kalino replied.
"I knew Diamonique was trying to frame me," Kalino admitted. I mean none of my other old teammies would vote against Cynthia. So I drew that chart to frame her. Worked too. I told Weston he'd find something in that library. Sorry D. You were cool, but not ice cold. Maybe they'll give you a third chance..not that it'd help you."
Diamonique pouted as she sat in the back of the Public Transportation of Losers.
"Surprised to see me again?" Diamonique asked the driver.
The driver didn't respond.
Diamonique rolled her eyes and slumped in her seat.
"I guess I played too hard," Diamonique admitted. "Maybe I shouldn't have been so obsessive...kind of like that old broad. I guess if I wasn't I could've actually defeated Kalino, or won a challenge...or not have lost my friends. At least I was more impressive this time, right?"
The driver did not reply.
"But instead of being good I could have been great," Diamonique stated. "A little late. I suppose I should apologize to everyone I voted off when I arrive."
Diamonique gulped. "Especially Cynthia. Although...she doesn't know I voted for her, right?"
The Public of Transportation of Losers stopped.
The driver turned around, staring Diamonique down with their unblinking eyes. "She knows."
Author's Note
So I just posted the last chapter, but I couldn't help posting this chapter! Like I said in the last note, if I had to pick a favorite chapter it would be between this one and another. (It also has one of my favorite chapter titles). I was really trying to edit that last chapter so I could post this for Halloween, but alas I was too late. I hope whenever you're reading this you enjoyed it though!
I feel this was a very anticipated chapter given the setting and it had a lot of set-up, but I feel it paid off. Everyone had a fun or enjoyable moment for me, and it's this chapter I felt the characters wrote themselves. It's where I feel Genesis found its voice.
I'm not sure when I decided for Ms. Holmes to be the second killer, but I think it was when I decided to make her a recurring character at all. She was just a random old lady for the first chapter, but reader response was positive and the competition is in a city, so it wasn't impossible for her to show up again.
As for Diamonique, I'm sad to see her go. I planned for her to return since I started the series. She was meant to be a bigger character and go further. I don't regret the choice though. Plans changed and other characters grow to be more important and need more spotlight. I think Diamonique had some fun moments and drama with her return too.
Head's Up
Finally, I want to give an important heads-up about next chapter. I don't want to spoil too much, but next chapter does crossover with another fanfiction from the Total Drama Island Fanfiction Wiki. Total Drama Tides is the second story in the Season series. The first story, Total Drama Frozen, is at least partially up here. I'm bias, but I really recommend the series! It has a lot of drama and the continuity between seasons is not something you find in a lot of OC competition stories (or canon).
As the second story in the series, and the crossover being in the middle of the story, there are spoilers for Tides and Frozen. I don't think anything in the crossover needs prior reading to be enjoyed, but if you want to read the series first I would.
Also, the crossover itself was originally the longest chapter of Genesis. To make it easier on you and myself, I'm splitting it into a two-parter. That means two chapters and the first chapter won't have an elimination. Still, this crossover has a lot of great moments that I can't wait to share. Until then!
Appendix: Elimination History
Bethany (Eagles)- 22nd
Diamonique (Eagles)- RETURNED
Jasper (Fireworks)- RETURNED
Tessa (Fireworks)- RETURNED
Zipporah (Fireworks)- 21st
Hayden (Eagles)- 20th
Frannie (Eagles)- 19th
Aiden (Eagles)- 18th
Pascal (Fireworks)- 17th
Easton (Fireworks)- 16th
Seraphina (Fireworks)- 15th
MERGE
Cynthia- 14th
Griswold- 13th
Xidorn- 12th
Diamonique- 11th