AN: Thank you for all the lovely comments so far! I will try to give you a chapter a day, but I cannot guarantee a chapter tomorrow because Sunday night is my day off to bask in the glory of my favorite show, The Walking Dead. :) Anyways, enjoy this chapter and prepare for a bumpy ride. :) *Notice this is a revised chapter, please re-read, thank you.*
"Good morning, folks, great day, isn't it?"
No one replied to him as they pushed their breakfast around their plates. None had slept that well and they had lost their appetites knowing one of them was going to be hunted down in cold blood. This could be the last time they would be a family of seven.
"Now don't be so glum, if my quarry eludes me for twenty-four hours you'll be saved."
"And if not?" the Skipper asked.
He only grinned.
"How about we get started? I will give you an hour to get to your spot on the island before I send up a flare to indicate the race has begun and your ending target is the cave on the center of the island with a native totem pole next to it. Ramoo and I will wait in front of it with provisions."
"How will we know who wins or in this case loses?" Gilligan wondered.
"You'll know."
He wouldn't elaborate because he wanted a challenge and didn't want the others to cheat to protect the women.
"Now I want the Professor at the west end of the island, Skipper at the south end, Mary Ann at the east end, the Howells at the north end, Ginger at the west end by the cliff, and Gilligan at the north end at the base of the volcano."
They reluctantly stood and eyed each other sorrowfully before embracing each other in hugs. The women were getting emotional and the men tried to reassure, but words failed them as Kincaid cleared his throat. They stared at each other one more time before heading to their designated positions on the island and Kincaid grinned widely, anticipating the hunt.
An hour later outside the cave Kincaid signaled for the Castaways to begin their trek.
"What if you not kill prey in a day?"
"Ramoo, have I ever missed?"
"No, but..."
"Don't worry about it."
"Are we still rescuing them?"
"No."
"What plan to do?"
"No one knows they're here."
"And?"
"I may hunt them all down, but I haven't decided yet."
About thirty minutes later, Skipper arrived at the cave first and Ramoo led him in. He handed him a cup of water and went out to wait for the others as Kincaid entered.
"Does this mean I'm the prey?"
Kincaid let out a hearty laugh.
"No, Skipper, you're too big a target."
"Thanks a lot. Then who will it be?"
"The last one to the cave."
"Wouldn't that mean the slowest person?"
"Actually, no, because I placed you and the Howells a little closer to the cave knowing you three weren't the fastest."
They heard voices coming from outside making Kincaid smile as he heard the socialite comment on Ramoo's attire.
"Speak of the blue bloods themselves."
He moved to exit.
"Wait, Kincaid, I don't understand."
The man sighed with resignation, any eight year old would understand his plan as he turned back to the captain.
"The last four are fast, but there are two among them who are the fastest and I placed them farther from the cave. If my calculations are correct they'll arrive in about ten minutes."
He left just as the Howells entered and noticed the Skipper.
"Are you two alright?"
"Yes, and I guess congratulations are in order or is it regrets?"
"Maybe congratulations, Mrs. Howell, because Kincaid is waiting for the last person to arrive at the cave."
They sat down as the Skipper offered them water, but they turned it away and he offered them fruit instead. They each took a banana, peeling it before taking a bite.
"Oh, Thurston, I'm glad we made it. I wouldn't know what to wear for a hunt."
"You're so right, Lovey, and besides people hunting isn't even in season."
"How can you two think about clothes at a time like this?"
Mr. Howell was about to respond when they heard coughing and watched as the Professor stumbled in. The Skipper handed him a cup of water and he greedily drank it while he explained the situation to the intellect.
"My poor little buddy is out there."
"And the girls, why they may not stand a chance against Kincaid."
The millionaire's wife chuckled at his comment and primped her hair from underneath her hat.
"Professor, never underestimate a woman because we can be just as cunning and devious as you men."
"Yes, but, Lovey, how will that help them if they're being chased?"
"Thurston, darling, I had men chase me all the time when I was younger."
"With a gun?"
"You used a horse didn't you?"
"That was different, Lovey."
They heard voices and one was female. They all smiled when Ginger entered and she sat down next to the Professor out of breath. He handed her some water and she drank it like it was going out of style.
"When I get back to Hollywood I'm going to tell my agent not to cast me in any movies that require running. My poor feet are killing me."
"Well, in those heels, my dear, it's a wonder you didn't sprain your ankle."
"I'm used to running in heels, Mrs. Howell, but not this much."
She took her shoes off and rubbed her feet as the Professor explained Kincaid's plan.
"Gee, Professor, that's going to be tough, they're both pretty fast."
"Yes, but who do you think would have a better chance?"
"That's easy, Professor, my little buddy knows this entire island like he was born here."
"That's true, Captain, but my bet is on Mary Ann."
The Skipper glanced at the millionaire surprised by this admission and didn't realize he thought so highly of the brunette.
"How so, Mr. Howell?"
"She knows how to cook and knows all the food on this island."
"Thurston, how can you think of food at a time like this?"
"Easy, my stomach just growled."
They chuckled and Mrs. Howell gave him a mango to quell his hunger.
"Mr. Howell has a point and Mary Ann knows most of the island, not as much as Gilligan, but well enough to stay hidden," Ginger commented.
The Skipper was about to speak up when they heard voices and commotion. The Castaways ran to the entrance of the cave only to find it barred and guarded by Ramoo.
"What's going on?"
Kincaid heard the old sea dog's voice and he turned, smiling wickedly.
"Change of plans, Skipper."
They glanced at a frightened Gilligan and Mary Ann.
"They arrived at the exact same time, so I have decided to hunt them both and if one or both should survive I will rescue you. Time limit is still twenty-four hours, but I'm betting I'll have you both within half that time. I'll give you an hour to rest, eat, drink, and say your goodbyes."
"Kincaid, just hunt me, I got here a minute before Mary Ann."
The hunter turned to the young sailor who was standing protectively in front of the brunette.
"That's noble of you, Gilligan, but Ramoo witnessed both of you arriving at the exact same time."
"I'll take her place."
He turned back to the imprisoned Castaways and shook his head.
"Sorry, Professor, you'd be too easy because by the time you'd make a move I'd have you in my bag."
"Isn't there some way we can change your mind?"
"Sorry, Skipper, it's both or no deal."
The group was silent as they gazed sorrowfully at the youngest Castaways noticing Mary Ann clutching Gilligan's arm and trying to hide behind him.
