6:00 AM

The players are seen entering the bus, and sitting down. Each player took a different seat. Apollo sat in seat number one. Phoenix sat in number two. Ike sat in three. Trucy sat in four. Lucina sat in five. Simon sat in six. Fredrick sat in seven, and Miciah sat in eight. On the bus ride most players were writing in their journals. Some however, were doing other things.

I need to find out who took those barricades. There's still a chance that someone could have them on their person. - Fredrick

"Just ask your neighbors to show their pockets." Fredrick instructed to Ike

"Fred said to ask your neighbors to show their pockets." Ike told Lucina

I'm pretty sure that it's one of them five. I think think Fredrick and Ike would be the type to sabotage. Especially considering that they helped us win the last challenge. - Lucina

"Can I see your pockets?" Lucina asked Simon

"I don't have anything you'd want, Lowell." he growled

"Prove it then."

"There. You happy?" he yelled while showing her the empty pockets

"Hey Miciah."

"Hi Fredrick. Do you need something?"

"Can you just show me your pockets?"

"Yeah sure. What for?" Miciah wondered while showing her empty pockets

"Ike, Lucina, and I are trying to see if anyone has the missing-"

"HEY! GIVE ME MY HAT BACK!"

"OH MY GOD! I FOUND THE BARRICADES!" Ike called out showing them to everyone

"What?"

"No way!"

"Where?"

"Who took them?"

"They were in Trucy's hat!"

"You don't understand! I was framed!"

"Why should we believe you?" Lucina interrogated

"When you searched me earlier, you checked my hat!"

"You could've hid them before the search!" she quickly retaliated

"I didn't hide them, because I found them when-"

"That's what ALL thieves say! I'm not falling for your bull-"

"HOLD IT!" Apollo and Phoenix both yelled together

"We don't have any proof she took them." Phoenix defended

"And Trucy was with me searching the south generator area for supplies." Apollo added

"For how long?" Lucina asked

"Only for like ten minutes after Nick finished his instructions, but-"

"AHA! TEN MINUTES! We noticed the barricades were missing THIRTY minutes after Nick gave us the instructions. So where was Trucy at the other twenty minutes? Huh, Apollo?"

I didn't expect Lucina to point out a contradiction that fast. For the first time in my defense career, I'm stumped. - Apollo

Lucina has a valid point. No one saw Trucy for twenty minutes, and she was leaving her post during the attacks. I hate to say it, but Trucy needs to be my top suspect. - Phoenix

Ever since Maya left, I didn't know who needed to be my top suspect. Now, I have a clear idea of who needs to claim that top spot. - Ike

I wasn't the one who took those barricades. I found them on accident in the middle of the challenge. - Trucy

7:00 PM

US-MEXICO BORDER

EL PASO, TEXAS

Challenge #18 - Struggle For Freedom

Everyone is seen next to each other with their backs against a fence. All the players are also cuffed together at their ankles. Lucina was at the far left, followed by: Ike, Fredrick, Miciah, Trucy, Phoenix, Apollo, and Simon to the far right.

"Welcome to your next challenge, "Struggle For Freedom." In order to win $40,000 for the group pot, everyone has to escape these stainless steel chains before midnight. The key for the cuffs is right here in this cell, that's a few feet away. Every ten minutes, the cell will open for one minute. However, you're all tied up in such a way that only one of you can reach the cell at a time. Once you unlock yourself, you must put the key back into the cell so the next person can go up to get it. You'll then be escorted to our hotel where we'll be staying tonight. That sounds easy, right? Well, it's not. In this challenge, trust is everything. You'll want to think carefully about who you will pick to reach the key, because right next to the key, I'm placing an exemption ticket. If a player takes the exemption, a few things will happen. First, they'll be exempt. Second, no money will be added to the pot. Third, they'll head back to the hotel with the other freed players. Finally, any players still in chains will be spending the night here. Good luck everyone. The cell will open in ten minutes starting… NOW!"

"So, what are you guys thinking?" Phoenix asked

"I'm not going to take that exemption." Miciah answered

"Me either." Apollo added "Us three need to go first. In fact, let's do the exact same order from the arrow challenge."

"I'm not going last again!" Simon retaliated

"Yeah you are." Ike told him "You took two exemptions in a row. I'm not going to let you go in any position that's not last."

"Yeah." Fredrick defended "I'm not going to watch anyone sleep out here all night."

"Me either." Lucina agreed

"Of course, it HAD to be you three to go against me. I want to hear what everyone else-"

"NO!"

*BEEP* YOU ALL!"

The exemption changed everything in this challenge. I know everyone will do whatever to get one. Hello! It's a pass to the next episode! - Miciah

"If you guys don't have a problem with me, I want to go first." Miciah proposed

"Fine."

"I trust you, Miciah."

"Go ahead."

The cell opened, and everyone stood back so Miciah could walk to the cell. She eventually made it up there, and grabbed the key.

"Good luck to you guys. Apollo, Phoenix, you guys stay behind so you can be the voices of reason."

Miciah left the area, and the players started debating again.

"I swear, I won't go for that exemption." Simon growled

"Name one reason." Lucina demanded "Oh, wait a minute. YOU DON'T HAVE A REAS-"

"I KNOW WHO THE MOLE IS!"

"Stop lying!" Ike laughed

"No, he's just trying to be funny." Fredrick added

"It's neither. I genuinely know who it is, so I don't need an exemption anymore."

"The joke is over Simon." Lucina told him

"I'm not joking."

"You're bluffing." Phoenix added

"Totally bluffing." Apollo agreed

"Bluffy the Vampire Slayer." Trucy teased

"FINE! Don't believe me. But just so you know, this is the first time you can trust me in this game. This is also the LAST time you trust me in this game."

"I want to go next." Fredrick volunteered

"Absolutely not!" Simon grunted "I'm not having you, Ike, or Lucina go up!"

"I swear on Cynthia. I'm NOT taking that exemption!"

"Swearing on your daughter doesn't mean anything!"

"Just let him go up there." Apollo begged

"UGH! OK!"

The cell opened up again, and the players stepped back to allow Fredrick to go up. The players took a sigh of relief as Fredrick took the key, and unlocked himself.

"I told you Simon."

"Whatever Lewary."

I would never swear on my family, unless I really meant what I was saying. - Fredrick

"I wouldn't mind going next." Trucy volunteered

"No way!" Lucina yelled

"Why not?"

"You took the barricades!" Ike explained

"I was framed!"

"And we're supposed to believe you?"

"Yes, Ike. You guys should believe me! Daddy and Polly do. Right?"

"I trust you Truce." Phoenix assured

"Me too." Apollo added

"You two don't count!" Simon mumbled

"Excuse me?" Phoenix growled

"You're her father, and Apollo's her brother."

"For once, I agree with him." Ike said happily

"Me too." Lucina added

"You don't believe me? Alright. But just so you know, you'll see a red screen if you vote for me as the Mole."

"I just want to get out of here." Lucina moaned "I want to go next."

"Is everyone good with that?" Ike asked

"Yes." everyone but Simon said

"Come on, Simon. The sooner we all cooperate, the less time we'll be spending out here." Lucina pleaded

"I'll let you go, ONLY because I want to leave too."

Lucina walked up to the cell. As soon as the door opened, she grabbed the key to free herself.

"Let Ike go next!" she suggested before disappearing down a corner

"I wouldn't mind being the next one." he agreed "You guys know I'm not sabotaging. There's no way I'm the Mole."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Simon objected "You know what you did at the Fortress."

"What did I do?"

"You let your guard down, so the aggressor could turn off that generator."

"I got distracted!"

"From what? Were you thinking about Soren again? Huh, you little fa-"

"I SWEAR TO GOD! IF WASN'T IN THESE CHAINS RIGHT NOW, I'D COME OVER THERE, AND *BEEP*ING KICK YOUR ASS!"

"I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT!"

"DON'T *BEEP*ING TALK ABOUT MY BEST FRIEND LIKE THAT!"

"I DO WHAT I WANT!"

"WOULD YOU TWO CALM DOWN?" Apollo screamed

Both men turned to him, in utter disbelief.

"JESUS CHRIST! YOU GUYS MAY BE GROWN MEN, BUT YOU'RE ACTING LIKE A BUNCH OF *BEEP*ING KINDERGARTENERS! YOU GUYS SHOULD HONESTLY BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!"

"No, HE should be ashamed of himself." Ike corrected

"YOU started this whole drama on day one!" Simon countered

"THAT IS IT! IF YOU GUYS CAN'T WORK THIS OUT, I'M GOING NEXT!"

"Why?" they both asked

"BECAUSE I'M SICK, AND TIRED OF ALL THIS *BEEP*ING DRAMA BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU!"

Phoenix and Trucy held Ike and Simon back as the cell opened. Ike and Simon watched in sadness as Apollo walked up to the cell, and used the key to unlock himself.

"Simon, I just want to go next. OK?" Ike pleaded

"Whatever. As long as you stay out of my way."

"I accept your deal." he groaned

A few minutes later, the cell opened again. Ike took that opportunity, and grabbed the key.

"Thank you Greil." Simon said as Ike started walking away

"And then there were three." Phoenix sighed

"Simon, I swear I won't go for the exemption." Trucy promised "I wouldn't leave Daddy out here to suffer."

"Prove it." Simon urged "Take the key."

"I will."

The trio sat in silence for another few minutes, until the cell opened once again. Trucy got up, and took the key to free herself.

"I'm going next." Phoenix demanded "I'm not going to let you-"

"Go."

"What?"

"Go, and take the key."

"Who are you, and what have you done with the real Simon?"

"I'm not leaving you out here. Even I'm not that heartless."

"So, you ARE going for the-"

"No, Wright. I told you already."

"How do you know who the Mole is?"

"I have my ways."

"What does that mean?"

"It's a basic process of elimination. That's all I'm saying."

The two talked for a few more minutes, until the cell opened up. Phoenix went up, and took the key. Simon was the only one left. When the cell opened for the last time, he took the….

STANTON HOUSE

8:30 PM

Simon walked into the hotel, and was greeted by his fellow players.

"As you all can see, Simon was the last one to make a crucial decision. He either has a dollar bill, or the exemption ticket in his pocket. Simon, please reveal what is in your pocket."

Simon slowly went into his pocket. The players watched in nervous anticipation. He took the item in his hand, and covered the item with his other hand for a minute. He then lifted his hand to reveal a folded up dollar bill.

"WHAT!?"

"YEEEEEEEES!"

"OH MY GOD!"

"Congratulations! That's $40,000 added to the pot! The group pot now stands at $428,000! Get some sleep, because you'll need it for the Quiz tomorrow night."

I told them I wasn't going to take that exemption. Of course, they didn't believe me. However, I showed them all. - Simon

I'm amazed! My mind obviously like exploded when I saw that dollar bill! I thought for sure he took that exemption. - Miciah

I'm not sure what Simon's doing right now. He didn't take the exemption! That's not like him at all. - Ike

Maybe, I ended up getting to him. Maybe, I finally let his soft side come out. - Apollo