Somewhere during time gap between Dodgeball challenge and campfire ceremony
Night began to settle over the island. And as producers cut costs of production, there weren't too many sources of the light, so darkness in the camp also grew larger and larger with every minute. Shortly after sunset, the lights in team cabins became like a large lanterns, making everything brighter. However, if you came closer, you'd see, that both of them shared different energy. The one on the right, that was belonging to Gophers, seemed to be deadly silent, while from the Bass' one you could hear a sincere and friendly laughter.
That difference in the atmosphere was easy to explain. You only had to know, that the Killer Bass for the first time in this show won a challenge and didn't send anyone home.
And on the occasion of their victory, whole group gathered on the male side of the cabin. As they themselves stated, from the first day of the program, they needed a moment of loose integration. And it was the right time for that, since none of them had a bitter taste of loss in their mouth or was stressed about risk of going home.
And also, during tht meeting some people started to discover, that apart from their mutual dislike towards food served in canteen or Chris's challenges, they had something else in common. Everyone in Bass loved winning and had a great motivation to keep on doing that. Also, as all of them were more or less getting along, then excluding musty smell all over the cabin and physical injuries gained during a dodgeball match, this could be called as a one of the best moments of their camp's life.
But unfortunately, those kinds of moments never last too long, and someone sooner or later had to end this idyll.
And that person was none other than the host of the show himself, Chris McLean, who suddenly walked inside the cabin. As he asked everyone there for silence, he told them, whispering, quite surprising sentences.
"Hey, dudes! Sorry, that I broke into your party, but I forgot to mention before about something important. In one hour, you're going to get a special prize for winning today's challenge."
All nine teenagers stared with silent confusion at the host. None of them could understand for now, why had he come there without prior notice or permission. Not like Chris was the one to ask for anything like that, though.
"I need you to prepare a place for one person more, because the losers are not going to send someone home, but to you. And don't tell anyone else. I don't want any of Gophers to find out, that all of them still stays in the competition, before the ceremony." and then he left, as if nothing happened. But obviously, it truly changed the atmosphere in that room.
"We're going to have the same amount of people as them? Only thanks for winning one challenge? It's awesome." finally one of the Bass, Harold, decided to comment McLean's words.
"No, that's not awesome, if that's their weakest spot. And that's what we will probably get."
"I think that's going to be either the dumb blonde or Mr. Complainer. Yeah, that prize is so fucking cool." a guy with dyed hair said, while scraping a skull on a wooden wall of the cabin.
"Duncan, please. You could be more grateful and optimistic. If we lose, we have one more person to vote off." Courtney said, not hiding her irritation with his attitude.
In opposite to him, brunette was actually quite glad with what they won. And not only because of an additional person to vote off before her, but for another reasons, that she'd rather keep unspoken. Since everyone here was more or less Courtney's rival, she couldn't trust them with every single thought and tell them, what could give her leverage.
"Hey, no voting for my girl, if she's the one to join us." Tyler interrupted, just to make sure that his crush would be safe and sound.
"I doubt, that we will get Lindsay. From what I've seen after the match, I'm pretty sure Noah is going to join us. And I think that I have already an idea, how to welcome him." a devilish grin, that appeared on Duncan's face, meant everything, but good news.
"You are not thinking about that, aren't you?" freckled brunette asked, not being too fond of what was he implying.
"Come on, can't you simply try to believe in us a bit more? Nothing wrong is going to happen, Courtney. Not, when I am here" DJ tried to calm her down, but from brunette's face it was easy to see, that it didn't work.
"We will. But please, don't kill him or anything. We don't need any problems with law." blonde girl, Bridgette, cut Courtney's words, and slowly pushed darker skinned girl away, before everything would turn too toxic.
"Katie, Sadie, I think that she needs a bit of relax and freedom from guys. Are you going to help me?" she asked two other girls remaining in that group.
"Bridgette is right. You should loosen up a bit." one of boys interrupted her.
"Yeah, our C.I.T has to take a stick out of her ass." Duncan laughed.
"I don't have to!" the topic of this conversation yelled, at the same time trying to get closer to Duncan and punch his face.
"Of course, Bridgette! We will help you in taking her away from there!" Sadie answered to blonde girl's request, grabbing at the same time Courtney's hand. " Also, I think that after we get out of there, we should clean up our part of cabin a bit and then paint our nails. That totally works on me, when I'm stressed!"
"Oh my gosh, it's helpful for me too! If you want, I can paint nails for you all!" Katie agreed, and all three girls took Courtney away from boys' part of cabin.
As first C.I.T was pretty mad at her three team mates, but after rethinking whole situation, Courtney realised, that Bridgette had actually a good idea. Without Duncan around, she became a bit calmer. And also, she had to admit, that Katie wasn't that bad in painting nails.
"Are you sure, that Lindsay is not going to be in our team? She was long time with Tyler, and I don't think that making out instead of competing is something easy to forgive." Bridgette said, looking at Katie's work. If not the fact, that she disliked makeup and whole stuff like this, then she'd definitely agree for having her nails done by her.
"If you saw, how the whole team looked at him, there's no doubt that we get Noah. But I wonder, why was he so rude. On previous challenges he tried so hard!" a answered, while putting a second coat of electric pink nail polish on Sadie's nails.
"What if he knew about the fact, that they don't eliminate anyone tonight?" her friend said, as the last nail was done and she pulled away her right hand.
"But how would he know that, if it was meant to be a surprise for everyone? He's smart, but not this much!" Courtney asked, while looking at almost dried nails, painted beige and black.
"What if he has, y'know, been working together with Chris?"
"He'd knew then about that, or he could make a change in program's schedule. What a bold move" Katie caught, what was shorter girl implying.
All four girls gasped, then stared at each other wordlessly. They couldn't say for sure, if that assumption was right or wrong. But clearly, it became more awkward, than it should.
"We should better change the topic. How do you like Katie's work, Courtney?" Bridgette asked quickly, to stop ruining whole mood once again.
"They're beautiful, thanks. If only those kind of work lasted longer in summer camps. " brunette thanked, still looking at what was created on her nails.
"Don't worry, Courtney. If you want to, I can paint your nails after every challenge. And if not me, then Sadie. She's as good in it as me, if not better!" she smiled widely, feeling proud of herself.
"That's so cool of you both, thanks, girls."
But before best friends could even react to that, someone suddenly ran into their room without knocking. Soon it became clear, that the person, who interrupted them, was Harold. And from what they could read from his face, if it wasn't for an emergency, then he wouldn't do that at all.
"That's not your room, get out of here, creep." Katie and Sadie yelled in unison at him, not understanding his behaviour.
"Gosh, I know it's not my room, but it's an emergency. Does any of you know anything about first aid?" he said, with quite concerned look.
"Yeah, I do. What's the matter?" Bridgette answered without hesitation.
"Guys knocked Noah out, and he's lying unconscious in our part of cabin. It's serious, he needs help now!" he said, then left the room, giving a sign to follow him.
Though none of fours girls trusted Harold too much, it didn't take for them too long for a proper response and leaving their part of cabin. They almost ran inside, stopping maybe a few inches from the whole scene. Before coming in immediately, they saw a large puddle of water, slowly dripping down the holes in the floor. After a short time they slowly entered the room, approaching the small crowd gathered around the unconscious short brunet.
"Just tell me exactly, what happened" Bridgette said, at the same showing everyone to move away from Noah.
"We wanted to pull a prank by throwing on him a bucket of water, but the bucket hit him too hard and knocked him out." Tyler answered with panicked voice.
His words sounded this absurdly, that if not the fact, that someone was in poor state, everyone would be, most likely, laughing at it.
"What the heck? Did you literally throw a bucket with water on him?"
"Not really, we just hung a bucket in that way that if you opened the door, then a water would spill on you. But something went wrong and not only water landed on Noah's head, but also whole construction." Geoff explained.
Freckled brunette thought for a few seconds. From whole group, only one person, who could arrange the whole situation, came to Courtney's mind as a culprit.
"Duncan, you must be proud of yourself! I know you wanted to make a joke, but that's not funny! Someone could die!" she yelled at him.
"Oh, princess. It wasn't me, who hang the bucket and didn't check out, if all was fine, but Tyler."
"Hey, it was your idea, Duncan. And out of all Bass guys, only Harold wasn't in that plan!" A teenager in tracksuit opposed quickly. And, from what could be gathered from silent faces of the rest of the group, Tyler was speaking facts.
"I don't care, whose idea it was, but for how long does he not response?" Bridgette asked, putting fainted teenager in safe position.
"We can't say for sure, but we reacted as soon, as we realised, that he's unconscious. Is he going to okay, Brigde?"
"If not, don't worry. I've seen shovels in the boathouse, so it shouldn't be a problem to hide a dead body!" green-haired teenager half-joked.
"Duncan!" almost everyone in that room, besides Noah and Duncan, of course, yelled in unison at punk, disapproving his idea.
"He's breathing, so I think that if he wakes up soon, everything is going to be fine. But make sure to tell Chris about that incident. Also someone should watch out for him for some time. There's risk, that he got a brain injury." Bridgette answered Harold's questions.
And maybe a few seconds after surfer girl moved backwards to give free space for Noah, bookworm opened his eyes, slowly gaining consciousness. He stared with visible confusion at people around him, then sat up, holding head in place, where had he been hit.
"What the fuck, guys? Why do you stare at me, as if I was a ghost?" teared out from bookworm's mouth.
"So you don't remember, what had happened, when you entered the cabin?" Bridgette asked him, at the same time trying to find out, how badly did new Bass suffered consequences of being hit.
"Not really. Could you enlighten me, please?" Noah answered with bored and confused voice.
"We pulled a prank on you, that went wrong. You were hit on head and knocked out. Sorry, Noah. " DJ quickly described to him whole situation.
"That explains, why my head hurts so bad."
"That's what you deserve for cheating!" Katie fired thoughtlessly, gaining everyone's attention.
"How I love accusations based on nothing. Why are you so sure, that I am a cheater?" he stated, waiting for explanation.
"Why am I so sure? Because of everything! Not participating in challenge and not being voted off! It's like you knew, that you're going to be safe." Tall and tanned girl continued her accusations.
"Oh my gosh, I think the same! It's so suspicious! There's no way, that Noah didn't work with Chris"
"Totally, Sadie! He must be a traitor. And you're just so good with matching whole together!"
"Same to you. Wow, it's like we read in each others thoughts or share the same brain!"
And then everyone hid their ears, to prevent themselves becoming deaf from piercing squeal, coming from those two girls' mouths.
"One brain for two people? That explains, why both of them are equally dumb. " Duncan scoffed, making Tyler, Geoff and DJ chuckle.
"You all should be embarrassed! Traitor, or not, everyone deserves better treatment, than a risk of their health or life!" Courtney broke in, again being on the edge of losing control over herself that night.
"I appreciate your care a lot, but tell that to our host and cook. They definitely want to get us killed with food, that we get, and at least half of our previous challenges were life-threatening. But actually, I don't care if I die on national TV. " Noah deadpanned, slowly getting up and going into the exit direction.
"Hey, don't leave! What if you got a brain damage? "
"I need some fresh air and I won't get it there. Also, if any of you think that I need a babysitter, because I fainted, then go follow me."
"No- Noah!" but cynic didn't listen DJ's and Bridgette requests. He was already out.
"I know that everyone can consider Noah to be a traitor, but are you going to kill someone just because of that, or just in the name of fun?" Bridgette asked, giving almost everyone in the room unexpectedly cold glare.
"I'm sorry." Tyler said, ashamed of his mistake.
"Duh, already killing someone. If not for this guy's clumsiness, nothing bad would happen! You're overreacting!" And if Courtney had any hope for Duncan to learn from his mistakes, it was gone now.
"I agree. This wasn't such a bad prank. And nobody planned throwing a metal thing on his head."
"Hey!" Tyler interrupted, not liking the fact, that large part of his team tried to put all blame on him.
"You all are such children. And I, as a Counselor in Training, had seen kids, that were more responsible than you! Anyways, I'll go outside and try to find Noah, before he faints somewhere between bears or anything like that." Courtney snorted, then left the cabin, slamming the doors.
Actually, she didn't abandon her team to look for a missing fish, but to be alone. Everyone from this group managed to push her in the edge of her own feelings. Not surprisingly, she was mad at her team. Out of all people there, only one person was bearable, and that was Bridgette. The rest behaved so irresponsible, that if she spent one minute more with them, she'd completely freak out.
She sighed, complaining in her mind about her team, and every single person from Duncan, the juvenile, through best friends, who were equally ubereable together, as apart, ending on their newest addition, who accidentally caused a break in Bass tram. Whom had she sold in her previous life to get such a bad team?
After few minutes of slowly walking, Courtney realised, that it always could be worse. At least girl with anger issues and openly sexist guy were gone. And if Courtney played properly, everyone but her would follow Ezekiel's and Eva's way.
But for that she needed a bit of help. She had to find someone, who'd protect her own butt in voting time. Someone, whom she could sacrifice and the right moment.
And as she entered the beach, she saw the person, who seemed almost perfect for that plan.
Noah.
"Courtney? What are you doing here? I thought you were more uptight about the rules and don't leave a cabin in night time, if it isn't necessary." he asked her suddenly, as if he realised earlier than her, than none of them were here completely alone.
It took her a while to comprehend his words, since she didn't expect anyone at all to ask her anything.
And he had a point. It wasn't like her. But could she trust him enough to let him know the truth? Obviously, no. Not yet, when he also had his secrets covered.
"Well, I had to look for you. Because after that incident, you shouldn't have been left alone." Courtney half-lied.
Bookworm looked closer at her, as if he wanted to make sure, that C.I.T. didn't try to manipulate him or anything.
"Interesting, that you care." he deadpanned.
Talking to him wasn't looking like the easiest task. Sighing, brunette sat next to him. They both glared at the lake, not trying even to look at each other's eyes or anything. Neither Noah nor Courtney were in mood for that.
"Well, actually it's Bridgette, who had said, that you needed any sort of care. But she was right - since we are on the same team, if something bad happens to you, then it's bad for us all. So when any situation like that takes place, then I have to know, what's wrong. " she answered.
Noah's reaction only confirmed, that bookworm didn't buy Courtney's explanation. Just like he knew, that something was still off.
"And I have to talk." she finished.
"Like I'm in mood for being examined and questioned because of telling everyone, including myself, at last minute, that my elimination is cancelled. And after being hit by a bucket, either." he answered.
"So the sudden team swap has nothing to do with you?"
Cynic silently nodded his head.
"I think that Chris has planned this crap earlier, but to keep us motivated for take part in a challenge, he decided to not tell anyone. And no, I work with neither Chris, nor Chef. I think you're clever enough to figure out, that my words are true."
"Probably you are right, but can you give us any proof? Like, besides us there are eight different people in our team and not everyone is likely to believe you so easily. "
Noah rolled his eyes, not even trying to hide his lack of interest in continuing that topic.
"Not exact ones, but I do. First, I think our friendly host would be more interested in alliance with a beauty like Heather, Gwen or Lindsay, and not a most disliked and one of the ugliest teenager on Camp Wawanakwa. Secondly - did you think that I, the one with multiple allergies, would even try to eat that imitation of food, if I had an alliance with one of them? And the last thing - everyone's theories on me betraying you have one certain flaw - one coincidence isn't a proof, that I have a suspicious relationship with host or his helper. If you want to accuse me for not playing this game fair, you need a better one. Are you happy now? "
Courtney went silent for a moment, to analyse his monologue. And as she gained some sort of certainty, that he hadn't lied to her, she nodded her head and agreed with his words
"You may be right. We shouldn't have judged you, without any proper proof, that today's events were something more than simple coincidence."
"I'm glad that someone in this camp has any braincells. But please, don't continue that topic. I'm sick of it." bookworm snorted.
Then both of them became silent for at least few minutes. They quickly became absent-minded, thinking about everything, what had happened that day and how to get through next ones. But strategies, that were appearing in their minds, were completely different.
Noah just wanted some sort of peace. And Courtney desired victory, no matter at what cost.
Brunette glared at the boy next to her, trying to guess, how could she make him help her to win. The answer quickly to her mind really quickly - an alliance, where Courtney would be the one in control. It was undeniable, that she'd gain a lot from that. If she could make him listen to her words, then she could find weaknesses of his previous team and use it in the future. And if she had him in her hands, then smashing him would be so satisfying.
But how could she manipulate the one, who was really smart and didn't care about anything? With that attitude she couldn't even force him to own her anything.
Or maybe she could?
"Noah, what would you say, if I asked you about an alliance with me?" Courtney finally managed to ask.
Noah rose one of his eyebrows. It was obvious, that he wouldn't trust her easily.
"If you're going to accept my rules, that's it." she added quickly.
"Is your situation in team this bad, that you're asking a person rumoured to be a traitor, with a slight possibility to get a brain damage, to be in alliance with you?" he scoffed.
And as much as she didn't want to show her weaknesses and lose the argument, Courtney had to admit, that hhe got a point. Her strict attitude didn't help her in being most popular team's member. One mistake, and she'd be gone.
But actually, he also was on a chopping block. And maybe that could help her.
"Without my help, you're gonna be voted off aftef the next lost by us challenge!" she shouted at him, but from his reaction it didn't look like he bought it. Maybe because of her temporary lack of confidence.
"And what if I say that I want to be voted off?" A smirk on Noah's face didn't last too long, since as soon as he finished those words, he got slapped in his face. Now bookworm should have learnt to not mess with her.
"Nobody in my team is going to lose on purpose! I was a C.I.T, I'm not gonna let you do that!"
"Alright then, I will consider being a part of your alliance." Noah reluctantly agreed, still holding his aching cheek. "But first, what are its rules?"
"First, we both are honest with each other. No lying or losing on purpose." well, maybe that rule was obvious for Courtney, but brunette couldn't say for sure, if the bookworm also was the one to strictly follow the rules.
"Secondly, if we lose, then you are voting for a person of my choice." she continued, after Noah nodded his head.
"To prevent me from voting off someone whom you like?" he smirked.
In last second she stopped herself for slapping cynic once again. Sometimes he was more annoying than Duncan. But still, the opportunity to attach someone with such bug knowledge about what was happening this close, didn't happen every day, so she had to try to act better.
"Gonna pretend that I haven't heard that." she answered.
"But well, if it's only this, and you'll never ask me to vote myself off, then it's fine."
"That's almost it. The last thing I want to tell you, is that sometimes I will need you, to tell me some secret stuff of Gophers. If we use that against them, then we can win all challenges easily."
"Uh, new Heather is there." he mumbled. Unfortunately, person next to him those words.
"Noah?" she frowned, not certain, how to feel about being comparing to raven-haired Gopher girl.
"Were you about to ask me, if I had just insulted you? Such a wonderful and clever question, Courtney."
"Not really, I just wanted to ask about your head. Does it still hurt? And are you still mad, that I had slapped you? " Courtney tried to change the topic.
"To be honest, I've been through worse and I made through it. And, no, you don't have to apologise. I can say, that I deserved all the pain and injuries gotten today. But I guess I'd gladly go to sleep" and, as if for proving his words, he yawned.
"I'm not surprised about that. It was a really hard day and it's about midnight. I think going to bed soon wouldn't be so bad idea after all" she agreed for brunet's suggestion.
"So it was nice to talk to you. And, as Bridgette said, that someone should take care of me after being hit, it would be better, if you assisted me in my way to the cabin. Hope you don't mind that? " somehow, her heart rushed a bit, as he mentioned a name of blond-haired girl. Was it...?
Brunette quickly dismissed those thoughts, as impractical and way too distracting. Surfer girl was only Courtney's temporary team mate, and lately, if both of them would make to the merge of teams, rival. Nothing to care about.
"Oh, you're right. It would be such a shame, if I left you somewhere to die on your way to your bed. Let's go, then." she smiled to Noah, as he slowly stood up, and both of them went into cabins direction.
And as much, as what she did, was full of lies and dishonesty, Courtney was proud of the final results of what had happened this night.
She wasn't anyone's target for now and had someone to vote according to her will. Also, thanks for a few accidents, she learnt some really important things for the rest of the game.
Noah, her new team mate and member of her alliance, wasn't a traitor, but a victim of unfortunate coincidences.
At least half of their team were morons.
And only one person deserved being trusted in this competition. Bridge- No, Courtney herself.
The Screaming Gophers: Gwen, Owen, Heather, LeShawna, Izzy, Lindsay, Trent, Beth, Cody and Justin
The Killer Bass: Duncan, Geoff, DJ, Bridgette, Harold, Courtney, Sadie, Tyler, Katie and Noah (swapped teams)
Eliminated: Ezekiel (22nd), Eva (21st)