Part III – The New Leader

There was a party raging in the newly-vacated lodge as the campers celebrated their freedom like no tomorrow. Even cynical Noah was enjoying himself, and the echoes of the excitement could be heard throughout the island.

But there was one person who wasn't having a good time. Gwen lay in the shadows of the kitchen staring uncomprehendingly at the glowing cell-phone screen before her. Her mind was numb. Vaguely, she heard Trent calling her, but she found she didn't want his company. She let him wander by her hiding space, then screwed her eyes shut against the barrage of tears threatening to tear through.

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It was four in the morning when the hubbub of the party finally began to die, although Cody, being as childlike as he was, had curled up in a corner at around eleven. Noah watched him silently, somehow remaining oblivious to the knowing sniggers of his fellow campers.

Just then, the door flew open, and everyone jumped out of their skins as Trent crashed into the room. His eyes were wide with shock and pain, and he looked more haggard than they had ever seen him. Concern and tension sparked in the air.

"She's . . . she's gone," Trent said finally.

Silence descended on the room like a cloak of terror. "Who's gone?" DJ whispered, although he, and everyone else, knew exactly who "she" was.

Trent sighed, cradling his head in his hands. "Gwen left at midnight," he muttered, confirming their fears. "She had some sort of family emergency. Her brother was hurt . . . she didn't even say good-bye." His voice broke on the last word, and he took a shuddering breath.

"Aw, man," DJ murmured, draping an arm around Trent. "That really hurts. But it'll turn out all right; we all know how much she cares about you."

Trent didn't look convinced. "I don't know," he whispered. "Why wouldn't she at least say good-bye?"

No one knew what to say to that. That is, no one but Heather.

"Well then," Heather said curtly, looking rather apathetic. "Now that Gwen's gone, we don't have a leader, do we? I think that should be our first line of business."

LeShawna sent her dagger glares. "What is your problem? Trent is dealing with the biggest heartbreak in his life, and you are talking about getting a new leader?"

Heather just shrugged. "It is the most important. And I never said Trent couldn't sulk or anything, but he should just do that after we get a new leader."

"I thought that would be rather obvious," Noah drawled suddenly. "Duncan was Gwen's major partner in crime, and he's been her co-leader for a while."

"Really?" Heather replied. "You want that juvenile delinquent as our leader? I think you need to retake those IQ tests, Noah." Noah's eyes narrowed dangerously, but she didn't seem to notice.

LeShawna crossed her arms. "Then who do you think should lead us?"

"Who?" Heather laughed. "Me, of course."

"You?" Duncan retorted skeptically. "Why in the world would you be the leader? No one wants to be under your rein."

Heather smiled, undaunted. "Lindsay? Beth?"

"What?" Lindsay looked up from her nails, looking quite bewildered. Heather raised her eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh, oh yeah!" Beth blustered hastily. "Yeah, I think Heather should be our leader."

Lindsay caught on. "Yeah, Heather!"

Heather tossed her hair loftily. "And there you have it," she said. "I have some votes, too. So, I propose we have a vote."

"A vote?" LeShawna repeated skeptically.

"Yes, a vote." Heather replied slowly, as if talking to someone with a mental disability. "It will be between Duncan and I, and we can hold it tonight, after dinner, so that those who are unsure can decide."

Noah's eyes were narrowed suspiciously, but before he could say anything, Duncan cut in. "Sure, sweetie. You can have whatever time you want, and you know I'm going to win."

"Good," Heather replied with a cold smile like poisoned honey. "Then it's decided. Now, feel free to comfort Trent or whatever you saps want to do." She turned sharply on her heel and strode out of the lodge, trailing Beth and Lindsay behind her.

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Just a head's up: my literary skills decrease significantly from here on out, because I wrote almost the entirety of this in two days to get it done in time. My teacher only wanted a summary of the parody, but chose to write out the whole thing, so don't blame him. :)