A/N- We're back! Enjoy.
What the fuck was that?
Duncan sat up in bed, frantically looking around the room. When he realized there was no threat, he slowly let out a breath.
Nothing… there's nothing there. Jeez, I hope I didn't wake anyone up…
He squinted around the room using the minimal light coming from the window. He could barely make out the faint outline of Cameron sleeping, then his eyes came to rest on Mike's empty bed.
He's gone?
Duncan instinctively reached under his pillow to grab the knife and lighter he always kept there, but he couldn't find either of them.
Wait, what… did he take them? What's he doing?
Duncan laid back down and rubbed his eyes. He drew his blanket up to his chin.
Who cares? It's none of my business what he does. I wish he wouldn't steal my shit, though…
He heard the sound of growling in the far off distance.
Bears…
Duncan closed his eyes, figuring he'd go back to bed.
Wait… I've never heard bears from inside before…
His eyes snapped open. As carefully as he could, he slid the blankets off and rolled out of bed, landing lightly on his feet. He looked to make sure Cameron hadn't woken up, but his teammate was still in a deep sleep. Creeping towards the window over Mike's bed, he ran his hands along the wooden windowsill to find that someone had cracked it open. He could feel the cold air against his hands as a gust of wind made its way into the bedroom.
This definitely wasn't open before… It would be freezing in here, and I can hear the insects, which were silent last night. Did he open it? He must have, right? Unless someone kidnapped him- no, stop that. He definitely climbed out the window and left it open so he could get back in.
Duncan peered out the window. It looked like a long way down, but then again.
Svetlana could easily do it.
He stood there in the middle of the bedroom for a good few seconds. He glanced over at Cameron to make sure he was still asleep, then he looked back at the window.
What am I doing… I'm not going out there to look for him. He's an adult, he can look out for himself… There's bears out there. Does he know that? I'm sure he knows that. Where is he? Why did he take my… Chris' mansion. He must have gone there to find the footage from today… There's no way he can find the place. It's on the edge of the island, he'd have to go through the woods… Well, I can't go out there. That would make no sense. He can deal with it. Where would I even find him?
For a moment, Duncan considered locking the window closed just to fuck with him, but decided against it. He went back to his own bed.
Nope… this isn't my problem. I'm going back to sleep.
He dug his way under the covers and opted to stare at the ceiling. At some point, his exhaustion overtook him, and he fell into a deep sleep.
By the time Duncan woke up again, faint streaks of sunlight were streaming through the window. He looked around and found both of his teammates asleep in their beds. He reached a hand under his pillow and felt his lighter and knife.
Mike's window was closed.
Maybe I dreamt the whole thing…
He could hear someone walking around the kitchen.
Well, I'm not going back to bed… But do I want to talk to whoever's in the kitchen? What if it's Sierra? That would suck… But maybe it's Zoey. I don't want to stay here… I'll just go.
Careful not to wake his teammates, he got out of bed and made his way towards the kitchen, quietly closing the bedroom door behind him.
For her part, Zoey was sitting at the kitchen table alone.
Sierra and that stupid rat-thing… No, it's not Cody Junior's fault. He doesn't know any better. He doesn't know that he's not supposed to chew on my pillow while I sleep. It's her fault for not training him. Irresponsible pet ownership…
She sighed and stood up, trying to forget her frustration.
It's too early for breakfast… Maybe I'll make some tea. I should've brought my tarot cards in here, at least that'd give me something to do…Does Chris even keep tea in here? I'm sure it has to be here somewhere…
She stood on her tippy-toes and reached into the back of the cabinet, searching for her target.
"Hey, Zoey."
"Oh!" She almost wacked her head on the cabinet door. "Hi," she spun to face Duncan, who was standing in the middle of the kitchen. "I didn't hear you come in."
How long was he standing there?
"Sorry," he smiled. "I didn't want to interrupt you."
"It's fine," she sighed. "I've been looking for tea, but I don't think Chris has any in here."
"Ah, you're a tea girl?"
That makes total sense.
"Yep," she blushed, "but I can't find any now."
"It's in there, I'm sure. Chris drinks a ton of the stuff. Did you check the top shelf?"
"Ah, I couldn't reach."
"That's a problem."
"Do you want to try?... Actually, nevermind," she realized that he was barely taller than her.
"Hmm…I'll pull up a chair?"
"You really don't have to," she insisted.
"No, no, it's a challenge now," he dragged a chair from the kitchen table over to the cabinet. "There we go."
"Ever the gentleman," she climbed up onto the base of the chair.
Is it rude that I didn't offer to grab it for her? I think that would be weird. Too chivalrous. Right? I'm overanalyzing this.
Zoey swept the back of the cabinet with her arm.
"Oh! There we go," she grabbed a box. "Ok, I've got it…"
"Here," Duncan offered her an arm. She grabbed on and stepped down from the chair.
"Thank you," she smiled and let go, putting the box on the counter. "Want some?"
"Green tea?" He read the label. "Dunno. I've never had it."
"What? Really?" She began to fill a kettle with water.
"Nah. I don't come from a green tea family. Different vibes."
"And what are green tea vibes?"
"I dunno, but it's not my family. The Scots aren't big on green tea."
"Oh, you're Scottish?"
"Yes ma'am," he nodded. He didn't offer more information.
"Well, I'm sure you'll like this," she lit the stove. The two of them stood there quietly.
I hate silence when you're with someone… I need to think of something to say.
"You said Chris drinks this stuff?"
Duncan's face darkened for a brief moment.
God, I hate Chris so much right now…
Oh jeez, should I not have said that?
He quickly recovered.
"Yeah, he says it makes his voice sound better on camera… I don't know, he's probably full of shit. But enough about him…" he tried to think of something else to talk about. "I don't know. What do you do?"
"What do I do?" She raised an eyebrow. The kettle started to whistle. She quickly took it off the stove so it wouldn't wake anybody else up.
"Yeah," he shrugged. "I dunno."
Do I tell him? Will he think it's weird?
"Well…Not much, really. I make my own clothes?"
"Shut up. Really?"
"Yeah, I know it's weird, but-"
"That's so fuckin' cool. How do you even do that?"
"I just sew the fabric, really, it's not that impressive."
"Nah, you're downplaying it. It's really impressive. Did you make what you're wearing?"
"This?" She looked down at her clothes. "Oh, yeah. I made it for this show, actually."
"Woah, really? That's pretty legit. Wait, you got to choose what to wear for Total Drama?"
"Um, yeah?" She picked up the kettle.
"Lucky," he opened up a cabinet to look for mugs.
"Did you not get to choose?"
"Nah," Duncan's voice was muffled by the cabinet. "Chris chose my outfit. Jeez, where are these mugs?"
Wait, what? That's really weird, right?
"He chooses what you wear?" She asked cautiously.
"Yep. You know how it is," he was still rummaging around the cabinet.
"Yeah…" she lied.
Something about that seems a bit off… Does Duncan think it's weird? He doesn't seem to mind…
"Ah, here we go!" He found the mugs and offered one to Zoey. "Hey, are you good?" He caught the look on her face.
"Hmm? Yes, sorry, I was just thinking for a second. Thanks," she took the mug from him.
Huh, she seemed freaked out for a second.
Zoey took the kettle off the stove and poured steaming water into both mugs. Then, she opened two teabags and placed them in the water.
"I wish I had my tarot cards," she sighed. "I left them in the bedroom."
"Tarot Cards?"
That tracks.
She nodded her head and handed Duncan a mug of tea.
"Yeah, I like to read them sometimes…"
"Are you into astrology and stuff?"
"Of course. And I read palms."
"No way," Duncan took a sip.
"Do you like it?"
No. This tastes like grass.
"Yep," he forced a smile.
"You don't have to lie."
"I think it's an acquired taste."
"Fair," she took a sip. "Oh, this is disgusting," she wrinkled her nose.
"Chris spares no expense. But you were saying you read palms?"
"I'm not an expert or anything, but I dabble."
"I'm not sure how much of that stuff I believe. No offense."
"You're a skeptic?"
"Is that the term?"
"Fine," she smiled and put down her mug. "Give me your hands."
"What?"
"I'll read your palms."
Would that be weird? I mean, it's not like I instigated it. She offered. And I can't just say no.
"Alright," he smiled and placed his mug on the counter. "Go for it," he offered his hands. She took both of them.
Her hands are so warm…
"Your hands… they're very interesting," she looked over his skin.
"Really?" He was staring at her as she stared at his hands.
"Let's see here. We'll start with the left one."
"Is there a specific order?"
"Of course there's an order," she was engrossed in what she was doing.
"Right. My bad."
"Your left hand shows your potential," she murmured. "While your right hand shows what you've done with your potential."
"Ah," he wasn't listening.
I feel like I should be holding my breath right now…
"We'll start with your life line…" she dropped his right hand and used her newly-freed hand to trace his palm. "This line shows health and well-being. This curve here means that you have boundless energy."
So this is bullshit.
"Well, that's a relief."
"Your heart line shows that you have a good handle on your emotions."
"Hmm."
"But your head line is the most interesting."
"Do tell."
"It says you will need to make a momentous decision."
"A momentous decision?"
"Yup," she nodded her head.
"Well, I'll be on the lookout."
A momentous decision? What's that supposed to mean? Is this a sign? A sign of what? Ok, hang on. Don't tell me you actually believe in this stuff. Chill out.
"I wouldn't put too much stock into it, by the way," she looked up at him and smiled sheepishly. "I learned all of this from WikiHow."
"Right, it doesn't get more reliable than that."
"I guess I should practice more."
"Well, I've got two hands."
"Yes, you do… Shall we see what you've done with your potential?"
"Sure," he switched out his left hand for his right.
"Let's take a look-"
"Hey guys."
She yanked her hands away from Duncan and turned to look at Mike, who was standing in the kitchen.
He's back… let's see if he says anything about last night.
"Oh, hi!" She smiled at him.
"Hey."
I feel kind of weird. Why is that? We weren't doing anything…
"I was reading his palms," she tried to explain.
"Cool," Mike shrugged. "How'd you sleep?"
He doesn't seem to mind… Jeez, he looks exhausted.
"Cody Junior was running around all night, then he tried to eat my pillow."
He's acting normal…But he's a good actor to begin with. He looks tired, that's for sure.
"Would anybody be opposed to voting off Cody Junior?" Duncan offered. "I feel like he's not contributing to our success as a team."
"Speaking of…" Zoey trailed off. "We were thinking about voting for Sierra? If you're cool with that. At least, that's what the three of us were discussing earlier."
"Woah, you guys are letting me in on the plan?"
"It's not a big deal, really," Mike commented. "But, you know, she's got to go."
"Look at you two!" Duncan smiled. "My favorite power couple being sneaky. Scheming. Planning. I love it."
"Oh, jeez," Mike stared at the ground. Zoey was blushing.
Ugh, it's so embarrassing…
"But anyways," Duncan kept going, "I'll vote for Sierra."
"Are we talking about…Sierra?" Cameron walked into the kitchen. He barely whispered her name.
"Yup," Zoey confirmed. "I think we're all in agreement."
"Oh, great," Cameron breathed out a sigh of relief. "Finally. She's gone."
"We should still try and win, though," Zoey insisted.
"Right, right…" Cameron seemed unbothered by the idea of losing. "We should always try to win."
"Hey guys!" Sierra walked into the kitchen holding Cody Junior. "What's going on?"
"Nothing," Cameron spoke quickly. "Just talking. About nothing."
Real subtle.
"Anyone want breakfast?" Duncan covered for him.
"Yeah! Cody Junior already ate- um, sorry about your pillow, Zoey," Sierra smiled sheepishly.
"It's fine," Zoey sighed.
Just grin and bear it- she'll be out of here soon enough.
"I'll make breakfast," Mike offered. "Scrambled eggs?"
Gross…
"Sure, thanks!" Cameron smiled.
"I'll pass," Duncan decided. "I'm more of a toast guy." He walked over to the cabinet where he knew Chris kept the bread.
"Suit yourself," Mike shrugged. "Cody Junior can have your portion."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure he'll love it," Duncan walked past Mike, then paused for a moment.
That smell… What is that? It's familiar…
"Cody Junior does need his protein," Sierra nodded. "He requires a balanced diet."
Zoey took a seat at the kitchen table, Cameron doing the same. Sierra pulled up a chair for Cody Junior.
Holy shit, it's strong… But only over here. The others don't even seem to notice it…
Duncan inhaled deeply, then started coughing.
Oh God, I know what that is…This is getting pathetic. Should I help him? Hmm… I am trying to be the bigger person, right? I can help out. Right? Yeah.
"You good?" Cameron asked.
"Yup," Duncan choked. "All good. Mike, didn't you say you had cough drops in your bag?"
"What?" Mike was concentrating on cracking eggs into a pan.
"Your bag," Duncan checked to see if any of the other contestants were watching, then grabbed a bottle from the cabinet. "Don't you have cough drops?"
"Why would I-"
Duncan grabbed onto his wrist.
"I swear you said that you did."
Mike just stared at him, eyes wide.
"Alright," he nodded, jerking his wrist away. "I think I do. Hang on, let me shut this off-"
"I can keep cooking," Zoey offered. "But Duncan, you have to try them!"
Ugh, damn her for trying to be nice…
"Yep," he forced a smile. He was already walking backwards.
When the two reached the guy's bedroom, Duncan shut the door.
"Dude. Did you burn the tapes from yesterday?"
"What?" Mike feigned confusion. "What tapes?"
"Don't play dumb. The cassette tapes with all of the footage in Chris' mansion."
"That's crazy," Mike shook his head. "What are you even talking about?"
He does this. He lies until the very end.
"Yeah?" Duncan raised an eyebrow. "Then why'd you leave through the window in the middle of the night, take my lighter, and not tell anyone where you were going? And more importantly, why do you reek of burnt plastic?"
Mike didn't have an answer for that one.
"Fine," he crossed his arms. "Maybe I destroyed the footage."
"You think?"
"I don't know," Mike sighed. "I just panicked about all that stuff you told me…I didn't want the whole world watching that, I guess."
I can understand it. Honestly, I don't either. It's jarring to have everything on camera like that, and Chris can be malicious…
Take this," Duncan handed him the bottle.
"What's this?"
"Vinegar. Shower with it."
"Seriously?"
"It's the only way to get rid of the smell. It clings to everything."
"Right, because you would know that."
"Oh, you want to go there?"
"No, no," Mike quickly backed down. "Thanks for the help," he took the bottle. "You didn't have to do this."
"Yeah, yeah," Duncan wanted him to stop talking. "And change your clothes," Duncan opened the bedroom door, leaving Mike alone.
In a way…In a very weird way, I don't think I want Zoey to find out about this right now. I'll stay on good terms with Mike, just to keep the peace. I'm heroic like that.
Back in the kitchen, Zoey was poking at a plate of scrambled eggs.
Hmm… I don't think I'm cut out for cooking.
"Hey, Duncan," she greeted her teammate as he walked back into the kitchen. "Did Mike have any cough drops?"
"Hmm? Oh, nope. He forgot them at home."
"Oh," she slid some of the eggs onto a plate. "Where is he?"
"Showering."
"Really?" She tilted her head.
"Yup. Said he felt gross from the last challenge."
"Well, we were in the woods," she accepted his explanation. "Here, take a plate," she handed a serving of scrambled eggs to Duncan.
"Ah, thanks," he eyed the food with distrust.
"Here, Cameron," she placed a plate in front of him.
"Thanks, Zoey!" He beamed.
"No problem," she walked back over to the pan on the stove.
I'm glad Mike and Duncan are getting along… Damn it. I'm supposed to be distancing myself from Duncan, aren't I? But if the two of them aren't fighting, then does it really matter? Shouldn't I be able to hang out with my teammate without feeling bad? It's not like I'm having an affair. Wait, why would I even think of that? Calm down, Zoey. You're overthinking this.
The doorbell rang.
"God, is someone always at the front door?" Sierra complained.
"I'll go see who it is," Duncan offered.
Anything not to eat this.
Before he could even leave the kitchen, Duncan heard footsteps thundering through the Spa Hotel.
"What's that?" Zoey looked on in fear.
"Home invasion!" Cameron dove under the kitchen table.
"I'll protect you, Cammy-bear!" Sierra threw herself on top of him.
Chris appeared in the kitchen doorway.
"Chris? What are you doing here?" Zoey stared at him. Chris completely ignored her.
"Duncan," he hissed through gritted teeth. "Can I speak to you for a moment? Outside?"
Well, I know what this is about.
"Sure, Chris," Duncan smiled.
"Wonderful."
Duncan followed Chris out of the kitchen, down the stairs, and outside the Spa Hotel. The entire time, Chris didn't even look at him. He slammed the front door closed and turned on Duncan.
"Have you fucking lost it?" Chris seethed.
"Woah, woah," Duncan put his hands up, "what are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about. The footage from yesterday. I went to review it this morning and it's burned to ash. Now, who could have done that?"
"Not me."
"Then who?"
Duncan could feel Chris' breath on his face.
"...Dunno," he almost whispered.
"I know you do. Tell me."
I don't want to take the fall for this. Chris will freak out on me, and I can't handle that.
"Mike."
"What?" Chris pulled back from him. "Really?"
"Yeah," Duncan shrugged. "He's taking a shower right now. You know, to get rid of that burnt plastic smell."
"Now," Chris smiled and threw an arm over Duncan's shoulder, "that's what I like to hear. Walk with me. It's been a while. We need to catch up."
Back in the Spa Hotel, Zoey, Cameron, and Sierra were sitting at the kitchen table.
"I wonder what that was about," Cameron poked at his breakfast.
"Who knows?" Sierra waved him off. "Chris is weird like that. Cody Junior, eat your eggs or I swear you're not getting dessert."
"He looked so angry," Zoey shivered. "I've never seen him like that."
"Really?" Sierra tilted her head. "That was nothing."
"Hey guys," Mike, freshly showered, walked into the kitchen. "Thanks for finishing breakfast," he took a seat next to his girlfriend.
"No problem," she smiled at him.
"Aw, you missed Chris freaking out," Sierra realized.
"Hmm?" Mike asked through a mouthful of scrambled eggs.
"Chris came in here and started freaking out," Cameron explained. "He was angry at Duncan for some reason, then he whisked him out of here."
"Oh. Weird," Mike stared at the table. "Why?"
"No idea," Cameron shrugged.
"Yeah, that's weird…" Mike trailed off.
"Anyways, how are you doing?" Cameron stared at him. "You know, after last night. You look tired."
Jeez, way to be direct.
"I'm alright, Cam," Mike sighed. "It'll be fine."
"Are you scared to see Heather?" Sierra asked. "Since she hates you now?"
C'mon, Sierra…
"She doesn't hate you," Zoey quickly reassured him. "I'm sure she's over it by now."
"It's alright," Mike smiled at her. "Really. Alejandro isn't here anymore, and that's what really matters. These are great, by the way," he took another bite.
"Thanks," she smiled and took a bite as well.
Outside, Chris and Duncan were walking through the woods.
"So, it's been a while," Chris started. "I hope you're having fun."
"What do you want, Chris?" Duncan wanted him to get to the point.
He wants something, of course.
"What?" Chris feigned offense. "Why do I have to want something? Can't we just hang out?...Hehe. I can't even convince myself. You know what I want, Duncan. Give me the intel. How are things going? How are your team members? How's your ex-boyfriend doing?"
"Oh God, don't call him that," Duncan sealed his eyes closed.
"Sorry, does that make it seem too real?" Chris was grinning.
"Just don't…" Duncan shook his head quickly.
We're not thinking about that now…
"So? Give me the details!" Chris insisted.
"Figure them out yourself. Don't you have cameras all over the place?"
"But that's boooring," Chris whined. "C'mon. Tell me. That's an order."
"Fine, fine, if it'll shut you up," Duncan waved him off.
He's relentless.
"Let's see," Duncan pondered. "Sierra is obsessed with Cameron. Cameron can't stand Sierra. Zoey can't stand Sierra either because she let's Cody Junior destroy everything, and she's just annoying, so she's the next person we're voting off. Mike-"
"Your ex-boyfriend Mike?"
"No, the other Mike. Would you stop interrupting? Anyways, he told some huge lie to get Alejandro voted off because he's an idiot and told Alejandro everything, and he's terrified of Zoey finding out-"
"Woah, woah. She doesn't know?" Chris seemed genuinely surprised.
"No, and Mike lied to me and told me that she did- crazy, right? Anyways, now Cameron is all worried because Mike told him that Alejandro threatened to kill him or something, and Zoey keeps staring at him with this worried look on her face, and it's a whole thing. She's cool, though. I like her. Platonically, of course. And that's pretty much it," Duncan moved a branch aside.
"Ok, rewind? Can we rewind for a second? Because this is all very confusing. What I'm gathering is that Mike is lying about everything. And you're… letting him? Aren't you pissed off that he hid your existence and is basically ashamed of you?"
"I'm gonna ignore that last part," Duncan squinted his eyes. "I was angry for a moment, right? But I'm determined to not get involved. I'm a neutral party."
"In what way are you a neutral party?"
"C'mon Chris," Duncan sighed. "No matter how hard you try, I'm leaving it all in the past. I don't want to get involved. I think Mike and I have a good system right now. We just ignore each other, and it seems to be working so far. What good will come from saying anything?"
"Do you even believe what you're saying right now?" Chris stared at Duncan. "I think you want to scream at him."
"No, you want me to scream at him and cause some terrible scene."
"Why would I ever want something like that?" Chris smiled, then took a breath. "Look, Duncan, I commend your efforts to keep the peace. But have you considered that's not what you really want?"
Hmm… What do I want?
"I don't know, I mean-" he caught himself. "No, no. I see what you're doing. You're not my therapist. You just want me to go back to the Spa Hotel and lose my shit."
"Well, you can't blame me for trying," Chris smiled. "But we should go back, you have a challenge."
"What is it?" Duncan followed behind Chris as they walked back towards the Spa Hotel.
"A boxing match against your worst fear."
"Oh my God, how did you manage that one?"
"I know, right?" Chris beamed. "I hope you're ready for a fight."
"Yessir."
Oh God please don't have me actually fight anyone, I can't get my ass kicked on TV…
"Well," Chris stopped walking. They were standing outside of the Spa Hotel. "Here we are." He marched over to the front door and started hitting it with his fists. "Heroes! Time for a challenge! Get out here!" He turned back to Duncan and smiled. "Good luck today!"