A/N- Alright, last chapter before we do both a POV switch AND a flashback! It will probably be a collection of chapters because a one-shot would be obscenely long…but who knows :)

Chapter Twenty-Four:

"You fucking snake!" Duncan flung open the cabin door where Mike was still sitting on his bed. He quickly stood up.

"Duncan-"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Duncan slammed the door behind him. "You rigged the votes? Why would you do that?"

"I didn't-"

"You did, I know you did. Don't lie to me."

"I don't know what to say," Mike was staring at the ground.

"Then you better think of something. Why did you rig the votes?"

"Because," he took a breath. "I thought it would be easier that way," he said in one exhale.

"What would be easier?" Duncan growled.

"I don't know."

"You can't say that! You can't say you don't know. You can't rig the votes and then lie to me about it. You know exactly why you did it, I'm not fucking stupid. You can't trick me like you trick Zoey and Cameron."

"Don't talk about them," Mike whispered quietly.

"I'll talk about whoever the fuck I want. Why'd you rig the votes?"

"Because I couldn't vote you off, alright? This was the easiest way to get you out of this show," Mike was unsteady on his feet.

"But why? Why now?"

"I can't trust you," Mike took a breath, "not to tell-"

"That's bullshit too!" Duncan was irate. "You know I won't say anything. I would've done that on day one if I really wanted to. I never got in your way. I was nice to Zoey and Cameron. I always helped you guys win. What else do you want from me? And by the way, I treat your friends better than you do. They're the ones coming to me to complain about you!" Duncan threw in that last line because he knew it would hurt.

"That's bullshit!" Mike was growing more upset. "You're the one who fucks with people's heads. What was that today? 'I like hanging out with you?' What was all that about?"

"You're the one who said you wanted to be friends!"

"But I didn't mean it!"

It was like a slap to the face. Duncan recoiled, trying to catch his breath.

Mike immediately regretted it.

"Duncan-"

"After all the shit I've done for you-"

"Look, I-"

"No. Stop it. I covered for you, I lied for you, and I kept it all to myself. I didn't say anything to anybody, I suffered in silence to protect you. Because you asked me to. And this is how you repay me? No wonder Zoey's getting cold on you."

"Could you not bring her into this?" Mike snapped at him. "You always do this. You have to cross every line, don't you?"

"Hey, as long as we're being honest!"

"This is why I can't fucking stand you," Mike glared.

"Then why are you here?"

"I- what?"

"If you hate me so much to the point where you're pretending to be friends so you can backstab me in front of everybody, then why are you even here?"

Silence.

Mike cleared his throat.

"Chris-and, the money-"

"Chris asked you to join last season. We sign contracts for one season at a time. And don't say it's the money. He has no fucking money, he was in jail for a year and we both know it. You made your money last year. And if it was really a money thing, you would have stayed out of my way completely, not whatever this shit is."

Mike sat down and started rubbing his hands together.

"Hmm?" Duncan noticed. "No answer? Because here's what I think," a smile crept across his face.

"Duncan," Mike cut him off. "Don't say something you can't come back from."

That made him pause.

Should I do this? Once I say it…it's over. We have to talk about it.

"Please," Mike whispered.

He started this. I have to finish it.

"I think you're obsessed with me."

There. I said it. Let the chips fall where they may.

Mike was standing directly in front of Duncan in two seconds.

"Shut up," he snarled. "You know that's not true."

"It's absolutely true," Duncan gave him a cruel smile. "I was the one who stayed away. I did everything you asked. I never called you, I never tried to find you, and still you followed me halfway across the country. What do you have to say about that?"

"Bullshit. If anything, it's the other way around."

"Me, obsessed with you? Don't make me laugh."

I never even think about him.

"What did Courtney say? You couldn't get over a breakup that happened two years ago? If my math is right-"

"But I kept it to myself. I never dragged you into it, I was dealing with it alone."

"Dealing with it badly."

"You weren't even there. You can say whatever you want about how I handled it, but at least I let you go. I didn't follow you around like a dog, or date some girl I don't even like."

"Don't talk about her like that!"

"I treat her better than you do!"

"You have no idea-"

"You don't even like her."

"I do."

"Well, you sure don't act like it! All you do is lie to her."

"You have no right to tell me what I'm feeling," Mike turned around and started to walk back to his bed, shaking his hands, then turned back again. "You barely know her."

Fuck it. Make it hurt. Who cares about the rest? Hurt him like he hurt you.

"But I know you. You're stringing her along. I bet you're bored of her- but, what? Too scared nobody else will want you? You might have a valid point."

"I like her because she's nothing like you. She's nice, and kind-"

"She's boring."

"She's stable, and she cares about me-"

"She smothers you."

"And you put me in danger! Every time we're together, something terrible happens, and that's not a coincidence. You don't care about consequences, you don't care about the people around you, you tried to get me to fight Scott- don't think I didn't notice that-"

"But you wanted to fight him."

"And I shouldn't want those things. It's not good for me. I'm trying my best to stay away from it all, and then you drag me back in."

"You wanted me to. Don't pretend that you don't love it."

"I don't."

"You did once!"

"And then you left!"

There it is.

"You wanted me to leave!"

"I-"

"You what? You wanted me to stay?"

I'm so tired. I wish I could go to sleep.

The two of them paused for a moment.

Mike took another breath.

"You put a lot of pressure on me to make sure you're not falling apart. I can't be responsible for your well-being, that's on you."

"I never asked you to do that."

"But you'll starve yourself, or stop sleeping, and it's too much. I can't deal with it."

"Then why'd you come back? You didn't have to see me ever again. I wasn't your problem anymore. But you showed up here!"

"I don't know what you want from me," Mike sighed.

"I guess I'm sorry that you hate me so much that you'd betray me like this."

I feel so empty.

"I told you to keep the statue so you'd stay on!"

"I ditched the statue, and you only did that because you were caught," Duncan stared him down.

"I don't hate you, I just…"

"You just what?"

"I look at you-"

"And?" Duncan cut him off.

"You remind me of the worst parts of my life!" Mike snapped. "Happy? Is that the kind of honesty you wanted to hear?"

For a moment, Duncan swore he couldn't breathe.

I…can't…

He forced himself to gasp for air.

"Well," he paused, ready for the kill. "Since we're both being honest, I can't wait for Zoey to realize how fucked up you are and leave you. You're such a fraud, and if anyone here knew what you were really like, they would never speak to you again."

If I hurt him as much as I can…

"I fucking hate you, Duncan," Mike sneered.

…maybe it'll feel better somehow…

"Well I hate you too. You're the exact same as you were two years ago. You never change."

…but for some reason…

"I wish I'd never met you," Mike fired right back, tears welling in his eyes.

…it's not working.

"I wish I'd never met you either," Duncan choked.

Mike didn't answer. Duncan took the opportunity to turn away. He rubbed his eyes and noticed that he'd been crying. When he turned back around, Mike was gone and Mal was standing in his place.

That could be the last time I ever speak to him…And that's how it ends.

"Hey," Mal stared at him. "Um, he was panicking, so-"

"I can't do this."

"Take a breath."

Duncan tried, but instead he felt himself sobbing.

Pull it together…

"Sorry," he gasped.

"It's alright," Mal looked unsure if he should step closer. "Just try to catch your breath."

"It hurts so much."

"I know it does."

"Attention, campers!" Chris' voice echoed. "Please gather at the beach for the elimination ceremony!"

Duncan laughed for a moment, then sobbed again.

"I have to go deal with this," Mal frowned. "But take a minute and try to breathe, alright? We'll deal with this later."

"There's nothing left to do," Duncan was shaking.

Mal fixed him with a serious look. "Of course there is."

Duncan sat down and tried to breathe.

"Is there anyone who can watch you tonight? I don't want-"

"Gwen."

Now I have to put her through more shit…

Mal nodded at that.

"Fine," he ran his hands through his hair. "Get it together. I'll see you out there."

He opened the cabin door and left Duncan sitting alone.

I've done it again…Something else I've destroyed. Of course he hated me the whole time. How did I ever think otherwise? I'm so pathetic. I'm such a disgrace. I can't believe…I liked him so fucking much. This is my punishment for pushing it down for so long. It all blows up at once and it's so, so painful.

Duncan stood up.

I have to go out there. I know I look like shit but at least I can leave after I'm eliminated. I can't stay here anymore.

He started to pace in circles, taking deep breaths and rubbing his eyes.

"Campers!" Chris announced. "To the ceremony! Let's go!"

Get it together…You need to get it together…They're waiting for you.

Duncan ran to the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. There were streaks of eyeliner running down his face, and his eyes were a dark red. He spit into the sink, still tasting the faint trace of stomach acid. He grabbed a paper towel and blotted his face. Then, he took his eyeliner from his pocket and applied it, trying to mask his red eyes. He stared at himself in the mirror.

This is as good as it's going to get.

He took another breath and left the bathroom, walking towards the elimination ceremony.

Do not think about it. Do not think about it. Get it the fuck together.

When he reached the bonfire, everybody was waiting for him.

This doesn't feel real. Is this really happening?

He stood next to Courtney.

"Finally," Chris complained. "Now we can start! Campers, welcome to tonight's elimination ceremony!"

"Hey," Courtney whispered. "Are you alright? Your eyes look red."

Duncan turned to look at her, felt himself start to cry, and quickly stared in front of him again.

All the damage I cause…She'll be so happy to see me go. Everyone will.

"Nothing," he hissed through gritted teeth.

Can I move my hands? What am I supposed to be doing right now?

"Tonight, Mike won the challenge, making him safe from elimination!"

I hear the words, but I don't understand what he's saying…I can't…

"However, one unlucky camper will be sent home!"

Alright, alright, five things I can see…Fire. Chris. Trees. Dirt. Sticks.

"I have the votes here in my hands!" Chris smiled.

Four things I can…touch? Lighter, knife, pockets, bleachers.

"And now, the following players are safe!" Chris looked at the votes.

Three to hear. Chris' voice. Animals. Crackling wood.

"Hmm. Interesting," a grin crept onto Chris' face. "It appears that tonight's votes were unanimous!"

Two I can smell. Smoke. Grass.

Zoey was watching Chris from her position on the bleachers next to Mike and Cameron.

Unanimous? How is that possible? Unless someone rigged the votes…Oh my God, could someone have rigged the votes against one of us? Scott? What if he voted for- well, Mike won the challenge, but what about Cam? Or me? I can't take this…

She looked over at Mike, who wasn't acknowledging her. He had a completely blank expression on his face.

"And the person voted off it- huh, interesting," Chris seemed puzzled. "Duncan."

One I can taste. Saltwater.

All of the campers turned to look at him.

What? Who would do that? And why?

Courtney nudged him. He didn't register the movement. He looked up at Chris.

"You have been eliminated!" Chris announced.

Duncan nodded and stepped off of the bleachers, walking towards Chris.

Take a step. Another step. Another step.

"You don't seem that enthusiastic," Chris frowned. "Don't you want to know who rigged the votes?"

Don't say a word.

Duncan just shrugged.

Zoey watched in concern.

He looks so out of it…

"Well!" Chris was clearly annoyed but knew he had to let Duncan go. "Any last words?"

Duncan mustered up all the power he could and said,

"No."

"Alright, then! To the Flush of Shame!"

As they walked over to the Flush of Shame, Duncan took the collar off his neck and tossed it to the side.

I'm done with all of this shit.

As the campers watched Duncan take the Flush of Shame, Zoey tried to contain her shock.

He's the last person I expected to get voted off…

"And that's our show!" Chris announced. "Who will go home next? Check back here on Total. Drama. All-stars!"

After he signed off the episode, the remaining contestants stared at each other.

It had to be Scott, right?

Before anyone could say anything, Mike spoke up.

"I'm going to bed," he announced, then immediately began to walk away.

What- he said he needed to talk to us!

"Hang on," Zoey jogged after him, Cameron behind her.

"What?" He didn't stop walking.

"You said you were going to tell us everything."

"What?" That got him to stop. "What are you talking about?"

"Earlier, at the bonfire," Cameron glared. "You said you were going to explain everything."

"Everything about what?" Mike was growing impatient.

"Everything about everything!" Zoey was frustrated. "That's what you said! You told us to meet you after elimination, and that everything would be fine, and you had a lot to tell us. Don't you remember?"

Mike stared at her for a moment with a completely straight face.

"Sorry," he started to walk again. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"That's what you told us," Cameron argues.

"You must have misunderstood."

"No, we didn't! Why are you being like this? What's going on?" Zoey followed him.

"Both of you!" Mike snapped. "Just, leave me alone, alright? I can't deal with you guys right now. I'll see you tomorrow."

Can't deal with us?

Zoey stopped following him and watched as he walked away.

"Zoey," Cameron sighed. "Don't even bother."

"He's never said-"

"He's been surprising us. Let's just go to bed."

"But what if he's-"

"Zoey!" Cameron begged. "You need to stop worrying about him. Do you think he's worrying about us?"

Obviously not.

"Now please," Cameron continued. "Let's get out of here. It's dark."

Zoey spent the walk back to the cabins in a trance.

I can't keep doing this…I can't…Why am I putting myself through this when he can't even be honest with us?

She opened the cabin door praying nobody else would be in there, but of course, Courtney and Heather were sitting on their beds, deep in conversation. They quickly stopped talking when Zoey opened the door.

They better not talk to me…

Heather looked like she was about to say something, but Zoey glared at her. She kept her mouth shut. Wordlessly, Zoey sat on her bed.

"Let's go to bed," Heather mumbled. "Challenge tomorrow."

Suddenly, a phone started to ring from a nearby duffel bag. Zoey didn't even look up.

"Ah! Sorry," Courtney sat on her bed, quickly dug through her bag, and pulled out her phone. She looked at the small screen. "Huh, it's Gwen." She flipped the phone open and held it up to her ear. "Hello?"

A muffled shout could be heard on the other end.

"Gwen?" Courtney stood up. "What's wrong?"

"Is she alright?" Heather asked.

"I don't know- Gwen, calm down, I can't understand what you're saying- she's freaking out," Courtney covered her other ear with her hand to hear better. "What happ- what? He's- oh, my God-" Courtney quickly scanned the room, paused for a moment when she saw Zoey, and took a breath. "Give me a second, just try to calm down," Courtney opened the cabin door and stepped outside, shutting it behind her.

Heather looked at the door, wondering if she should follow her friend, before deciding against it and crawling into bed. Zoey had other things to worry about. She buried herself under the covers and willed herself not to cry.

Is this where it ends? What about our friendship finale? How could he abandon us like this? I've tried to help him. I've always listened. What else can I do? After all we've been through…

She furiously rubbed her eyes.

…he ditches me.