CHAPTER 8

BE GENEROUS

That day was especially sunny and hot, it was that much that the campers were bubbling in sweat while climbing wearily one of the many mountain trails of the McLean´s Island. While it was clear that they wouldn´t have to do a challenge in the dark this time, they weren´t feeling better. On the contrary, fatigue was beating them down while Chris was full of joy and energy from his cart pulled by interns, giving them an occasional sadistic whip from time to time.

- Come on! We don´t have all day! We must climb about two more kilometers before we stop.- Chris crooned, pointing at the steep climb that was waiting for them.-

- I can´t feel my legs.- Mike said wearily. He looked at Shawn besides him, who seemed like he was grilling because of his vest.- Don´t you think you should take that thing off, bro?-.

- Are you nuts? My vest is carefully designed to use it as a lifejacket if there´s a Zombie invasion! If I take it off, I´ll be completely exposed.-

- And exactly in which river or lake are you supposed to use your lifejacket, Zombie guy?-. Anne Maria mocked him.-

- For your information, there´s a lot of water reservoirs in this mountains, that´s why…-.

- I don´t want a class, okay? And don´t take me for a dumb. I may not know much, but I know that water is close to the sea, the beach, the sun and people with fabulous tans.- Said Anne Maria, closing her eyes and dreaming about the scene she was describing.-

With no wish to discuss with no one, Shawn swallowed his words.

-SHAWN´S CONFESSIONAL—

- Yikes! Is it me, or girls like Anne Maria are the ones who make men wish to stay single?-. He sighed with nostalgia.- I admit it, I still miss Jasmine a lot. I feel that right now my only allies are Zoey and, partially, Mike. I´m still attentive about the danger and threats that Mal promised me. I haven´t slept very well neither, and last time´s challenge surely didn´t help about that!-.

Alejandro was climbing nimbly with long and elegant jumps. He stayed a little in the back on purpose to be able to talk to Scott, who was cursing openly at the mosquitoes that weren´t stopping biting him. His mentor had left him behind in order to ignore him better. They were still in some delicate terms, and Alejandro had all the intention of taking advantage of the farm boy.

- Some people say that mosquitoes tend to bite people with sweet blood. Is there some sweetness in your personality that you´re hiding from us, Scott?-. Alejandro said, walking alongside the redhead keeping his pace, where the other contestants couldn´t hear them.-

- If you´re talking to me to get me to be your partner, you can go away at once. I´ve got plans on my own, and I need to stay as Zoey´s student to achieve it.-

- Really? I always thought your strategy was to lose over and over until you eliminate anyone who doesn´t suit your taste.- He mocked him.-

- Hmph.- Scott snorted.- It must be tough knowing you depend on me, Anne Maria or Topher to sabe your own neck. None of us likes the idea of helping you, you can ask them if you don´t believe me.- He pointed forwards.- And you can be sure none of the others would help you either.-

- Certainly. Mike and Shawn are very close, I couldn´t separate them; you and Zoey are obviously the best redhead couple in all Total Drama History, I wouldn´t dare to step between you two.- Scott snorted again against that joke, starting to lose his patience.- Heather wouldn´t help me even if her life depended on that, and Dawn is totally non influenciable. It´s logic that I must stay with the most treacherous players. Even so, that´s not the reason I´m talking to you, Scott.-

- Then what the hell do you want?-.

- I precisely require of your trecherous nature.-

- Keep talking.-

- How do you feel about Mal´s return?-.

Scott kept quiet for about a minute. Sure, he had the intention of taking Mal´s return for his own convenience, but Alejandro seemed to be talking about something more personal.

- I suppose you´re talking about kicking him out?-. His interest in the conversation was only growing.-

- I´m not talking about eliminating him, I´m talking about us taking revenge on him for everything he made us experience back in "All Stars". Don´t you think he deserves a little suffering that balances the scales before we see him jump in the next elimination ceremony?-.

- Dude, that guy used me as a shark´s punching bag in that season. Anything involving Mal suffering is okay for me.- He smiled at him archly.-

- Something´s telling me you had already thought of something.-

- Yes. Mal isn´t the only one who has played bad pranks on me, all Multiple Mike seems to hate me… and I find him stupid and annoying. Everyone knows the most efficient way to affect him directly is…-.

- …affecting Zoey.- Alejandro completing his sentence, proving they were on sync.- We can´t understimate his new friend, either, the Zombie guy.-

- He´s the one who´s right in Mal´s eye now, and mine too.- He looked at Shawn, who was leading the group.- He´s scared of him, I bet that if we play our cards nicely, we can get him to betray Multiple Mike.-

- ALEJANDRO´S CONFESSIONAL—

- Mmmm, so Shawn feels intimidated by Mal. It couldn´t be more perfect! Mike´s two principal allies will be ambushed and put against him without them suspecting anything.-

- I´ll gladly take care of Shawn.- Said Alejandro, already planning his strategy.-

- Hey! My plan was to sabotage them both and let caos do it´s work.- Scott began to whine.-

- But you have an even more powerful weapon to use against Mike. Your friend "caos" will help more tan you think, but while I´m working on Shawn´s mind, you can work on Mike´s making him believe that you´ll steal Zoey away from him.-

- What?-.

- SCOTT´S CONFESSIONAL—

- The only girl I´ve had something in the Show was Courtney, and she hated Zoey. If I even pretend to like her, she would hit me right in the face at the moment I arrived home!-. He exclaimed with fear in his eyes, looking nervously in all directions.-

- Forget about it, Zoey is too suspicious. I´d rather blackmail or sabotage her. That´s why I agreed to be her student in the first place!-.

- It doesn´t matter if Zoey thinks badly of you as long as we convince Mike of the opposite.-

- You aren´t insinuating I should…-. He made a disgusted face.- …Kiss her, right?-.

- We´ll keep that in mind as a last resource.- Alejandro laughed because of Scott´s reaction.- But you make sure of giving me the perfect scenario and I´ll create the perfect misunderstanding for Mike´s mind. Don´t feel bad, Scott. After all, Mike owes you this, don´t you think? Last season he made Cameron Kiss your girl…-.

- You´re right! I´ve got to do the same so Multiple Mike learns that he better not mess with other people´s girlfriends!-.

Scott withdrew into himself and kept walking and stumbling away, thinking about what he should do next. On the other hand, Alejandro was pleased with the new Alliance he had formed. Scott wasn´t precisely the most brilliant of the prospects, but he would do for now. He walked a little forward and then slowed down his pace to match Anne Maria´s.

- Had anyone told you that today your tanned beauty is more radiant than ever?-.

Maybe Anne Maria was crazy about Vito, but Alejandro knew very well that there was no girl who could ignore him when he was close. It has always had been like that, and he knew perfectly how to use his charm to tame the most alienated beast. Anne Maria, trying to hide her perplexity to him, rolled her eyes and then looked at him defiantly.

- Your girlfriend doesn´t pay attention to you yet?-.

- Heather and I have a complex realtionship. There are many things forcing us to stay apart from the other, almost like you and Vito.-

The trigger had worked. Anne Maria inmediately seemed to pay more attention to him.

- You know nothing about that. You weren´t in that season.-

- But I was in "All Stars", and maybe this didn´t get pass the cameras, but I know that Vito´s still fighting against all the other people inside Mike´s body in order to return by your side. Isn´t it wonderful?-.

- You playing with me, handsome jerk?-. She defied him.-

- Won´t you believe this face?-. He dedicated her an irresistible look.-

Anne Maria looked troubled.

- I think I haven´t asked you yet, Anne Maria, but what would you do if you win?-.

That made the voluptuous girl relax herself. She now seemed to have much confidence in how all was going to end.

- Of course I would buy gems, a yacht, a private beach…-. She said with dreamy eyes.- Everything I need to keep my beauty in the standarts it deserves and, of course, I would take Vito with me. I´m convinced we are made for one another.-

- But what if Zoey tried to step in your way?-.

- I would use my money to give that annoying redhead a restriction order.- Se added frowning.- I would send her to another country to live her sad existence if it were necessary.-

- That sounds evil and… manipulador.- Smiled the Spanish man.- You know something? I want to help you. I have a certain weakness against misunderstood love stories. So, now you know it, you´ve gota ll my support and I´ll gladly help you so Zoey doesn´t get between you and Vito. After all, she might not be a problema since she and Scott…-. He faked surprise and covered his mouth with his hand.- I think I´ve talked too much.-

- Wait a sec, what´re you muttering there?-.

- Well, I didn´t plan to say it because I don´t wish to see a violent showdown between Mike and Scott.- He lied.- But Scott is very much in love with Zoey, and she is starting to understand that her relationship with Mike will never work as long as Vito exists.-

- ANNE MARIA´S CONFESSIONAL—

- Would someone please explain me what´s so wrong with men in this island?! Scott and the redhead? I would have never imagined.- She seemed thoughtful.- But… it is true that they seemed quite close during the previous challenges, and they are mentor and student now… Is Alejandro playing with me? But if it were like that, why would he do it?-.

- ALEJANDRO´S CONFESSIONAL—

- I only need plant the seed of doubt into the most meddlesome person in the island and very son everyone´ll know that there´s something going between Scott and Zoey. The more obfuscated Mike is, less he´ll be able to concentrate, ending his good friendship with Shawn and leaving him without allies very son.- He concluded.- It´s a shame that Dave didn´t get a hold of my brilliance to become a better student, don´t you think?-.

Chris finally stopped and enjoyed the camper´s fatigue. Chef, not too far from him, had just reached the place carrying all of the host´s unnecessary stuff. He was all sweaty and tired, even more than the campers. Even so, it didn´t stop him from passing the megaphone to Chris so he could speak.

- You don´t pay me enough for this. What am I? An Intern?-.

- Easy, Chef. It was just for this time.- Chris calmed him, without sounding sincere at all.- Attention, campers! I´ve brought you to this wonderful mountain ´cause here is where grows an odd assortment of tropical berries, which are believed to be the most delicious fruits of this part of the globe.- A giant screen showed with detail the mentioned fruit. It certainly looked appetizing. More than one contestant felt hungry just by seeing it.-

- What was supposed to be the reason for bringing us here? You´ll only talk about those stupid berries?-. Asked Heather, wiping her sweat from her forehead.-

- Not exactly, Heather, but the berries are indeed important. Today´s challenge will be a culinary and merciless race to find your own berries and the perfect accompaniment for them. Each team must gather 20 berries, put them inside one of the baskets designed with the team´s name, and then present them with an edible accompaniment of your choice in order for your carismatic and favorite host: Me! To eat them.- Chris concluded with an exaggerated pose with his arms so everyone could admire him.-

From his place, Topher frowned and stayed thoughtful.

- TOPHER´S CONFESSIONAL—

- This competitions get´s more fierce everytime. The one who concerns me the most is Alejandro. His physical attractiveness and attitude makes me suspicious. Today he was even talking about a supposed romance between Scott and Zoey.- He emite dan incredulous laugh.- Come on, please, when you are an aspiring host as good as me, you know who is relationing with who and how, and I´m pretty sure there´s not even a minimal attraction between those two. I don´t plan to deny it though. I´ll just watch how the other dogs chase their tails while I drag Anne Maria with me so we accomplish this berrie´s challenge. It doesn´t sound so difficult, after all.-

- And where can we find these berries?-. Asked Zoey, lifting her hand shyly.-

- The berries grow on the top of the most leafy tree´s of this mountain, and they are guarded by the birds known as "Tooth breakers".- Chris laughed, showing an adorable birdie inside a little cage. It looked defenseless and small and it was of a beautiful light blue color.-

- Is that a tooth breaker bird?-. Exclaimed Scott.- As if that little fella could break…-.

Before Scott could finish his sentence, the Chef opened the cage´s door and the bird flew in less than a second against his face. Scott was fighting among painful screams to get the bird that was now pecking his tooth off.

- Ouch! Hey! Arrrghhh! A little help over here?-. He screamed.- Mentor?!-.

Sighing in resignation, Zoey picked a wooden stick from the floor and hit the bird away from her student, hitting him too in the process. Everyone else laughed without holding while Scott rubbed his remaining lip wounds from the bird attack. He looked reproachfully at Zoey.

- Couldn´t you have been a little more delicate, woman…?!-. His gaze met Alejandro´s for a Split of a second, and he understood his meaning at the moment: "Take advantage of the situation".- I mean… wow, Zoey, thank you very much, you´re always so efficient and accurate. I´m so lucky to have you as my mentor!-. Then he meant to thank her for the help by hugging a confused Zoey.-

While Alejandro nodded with satisfaction, there were others who reacted differently. Mike and Anne Maria couldn´t believe what they just had seen.

- ANNE MARIA´S CONFESSIONAL—

- Oh, boy! Then it´s true! Those two have something going on!-.

- MIKE´S CONFESSIONAL—

- And now what the hell is going on? Scott can´t expect me to believe this act. Come on, Mike, focus, obviously Scott just wants me to think that he´s now closer to Zoey than I am. As if that was possible.- Even when his words tried to mock the situation, his mouth twitched with disgust and impotence while he looked down the floor.- I swear I can´t stand that guy… I hate it when he tries to play with people that way. It frustrates me so much…!-. He took a Deep breath while his eyes expanded widely. Inmediately, his back curved in a hump that belonged to Chester.- Young folks these days and their stupid romantic problems! Don´t they have anything better to do than getting their own hormones wild?-.

- Okay, Scott, I think it´s enough… Everything´s okay, right? I mean, Enough!-. Zoey shouted before pushing Scott away from her.- Sorry. We´ll have to think of a way of outwit those birds, but I think we can do it if we work together as a team, right, guys?-.

The "Survivors" lifted their fist in the air with a sign of empowerment, strongly shouting for the victory they wanted to achieve. Dawn stared longingly at them, while Heather pulled her in the other direction.

- Remember, Dawn, you can´t fraternize with the enemy no more. You´re with me now and we´re going to win no matter the cost.-

- But… won´t the teams fuse very soon? It would be meaningless to search for enemies at this rate.-

- You´re right.- Heather smiled at her with her typical act of manipulation and fake friendship.- You´re very Smart. At this rate, everyone is an enemy, except for you and me. We´re an unbeatable team of two people and we´re gonna resist against any odd, eh?-. She passed her arm around Dawn´s shoulder.- You trust me and follow my lead, and I assure you everything will be okay. But if you don´t… I can´t guarantee you staying in the show, are we clear, Dawn?-.

- DAWN´S CONFESSIONAL—

- Heather is trying to turn me into her slave. I can´t allow that, my instinct tells me that bad things are about to happen, and I must be aware of any change. There´s just so much I´d like to warn Mike about…-.

- You´ll have exactly two hours to make your gourmet creation and bringing it right here to the start point. Chef´ll give you a signal five minutes before time´s up so you can come back safely. The first team to arrive will have inmunity for them and their whole team, while the loser team will see me tonight at the dishonorable elimination ceremony by the waterfall. And don´t even count on me helping you up with my cart!-.

Mike tried to breath normally and concentrate himself. Shawn looked at him with dismay.

- Hey, mentor… don´t pay attention to Scott. Devious farmer, remember? You know better than anyone that you´ve got something special with Zoey.- He said, touching his shoulder with comforting posture.-

- You´re right, Shawn. I´ve got to focus on the game. Thank you very much.- He smiled at him.-

- And, please, stop breathing that way. I feel like something malevolent it´s going to come out any second.- He said nervously.-

- What do you me…?-.

- And go! The culinary challenge against time begins now! Move, campers!-. Chris interrupted them, letting the cornet´s sound deafens half the campers.-

Each challenge always made them run, and almost every time Shawn took the lead. He considered himself fast, and his survival skills made him move around with much more agility. There was only one thing that worried him at that very momento: Mal.

- SHAWN´S CONFFESIONAL—

- I promised Zoey that I would take care of Mike when she couldn´t. But who the heck is supposed to look after me against Mal?-.

Without him noticing it, Alejandro had already reached him and was now running by his side.

- Shoulnd´t you…ummm…run with your team?-.

- I´m a one man machine, Shawn. Soon you´ll confirm that.- Said Alejandro nicely, but with a warning tone that put Shaw on alert.- I´ve come to warn you. If I were you, I´ll think about looking for another mentor.-

- And I suppose you´re not saying this because you´re available, ah?-.

- Of course not. Maybe I´m from the "Manipulators" team, but I´m deeply concerned about your safety right now.-

Shawn´s surprise reaction was enough for Alejandro to keep talking.

- Mal is hunting, and I don´t think you´ll like being his prey. If you´d got half a brain, and that´s only if some Zombie hasn´t eating it yet, you´d watch him out and leave. At long terms, is better and safer for you.-

- I don´t need advices right now, okay? I´ve already got a mentor for that.- Shawn covered his ears and outraced the Spanish, leaving the last with a smile on his face.-

- ALEJANDRO´S CONFESSIONAL—

- As I said, planted seed.- He arched an eyebrow and smiled.-

- What was all that with Alejandro?-. Asked Mike, worried about how he saw Shawn´s face.- You okay, buddy?-.

- What…? Yeah, I´m cool. Let´s go for those berries, we must be near those trees now.-

Mike and Shawn were the first to reach the trees. The top was clearly guarded by those infernal birds. Anne Maria and Topher arrived soon after them and were cut by the same problem.

- There must be a way to distract those "Tooth breakers".- Said Topher.- Don´t they have a weakness, favorite food or something?-.

- It looks like their favorite food are those berries. There´s no way they neglect them for us to take them away.- Said Anne Maria.-

- Step aside, I want my revenge against that malignant flock.- Said Scott when he reached the same point as the others along with Zoey.-

- Wait, Scott. If you climb the tree directly, they´ll hunt you, remember? It´ll be painful.- Zoey warned him.-

- Awwww, maybe you´re worried about my safety, mentor?-. Scott grinned at her and lifted his voice so everyone could hear him. Zoey looked uncomfortably at him.-

- I´m just saying it´s not a good plan.-

- I can go against those birds. They took me off guard before, but I won´t be defeated twice the same way. I´ll climb and distract them while you take the berries, got it? Let´s go to that tree over there.- He pushed Mike off his way.- Excuse me, I´m passing by. Let´s go, Zoey.- He pulled her before she could said anything.-

- Zoey looks uncomfortable.- Said Shawn.-

- She´s not the only one.- Said Mike with a dismissive gesture against Scott.- You think you can climb fast enough, Shawn? I think I´ve got an idea.-

- ZOEY´S CONFESSIONAL—

- And now Scott is weirder and unbearable than ever! I rather have him ignoring me. He hasn´t left my side for hours. What the heck is he planning now?-.

Scott began to climb the tree with his eyes fixed on the top. The berries, of an intense and juicy red color, kept guarded by the "Tooth breakers". At the very momento the birds saw Scott trying to reach their position, they flew directly at him to peck him. The boy got to connect some fast fists against some of them, but soon he was outnumbered and they began to hit some deadly wounds over his whole body. Right away, Scott cried for help.

- What´s taking so long, Zoey?-. Some bird pecked his eye, so he screamed.-

- I´m coming! Must finish this thing first.- Zoey answered very concentrated.- Finished!-.

If Zoey had learned something through her whole "Commando" experience, it hade been to make a decent and resistent arc to shoot wooden arrows. In a few minutes she had the necessary material to bring some unprotected berries down. Zoey pointed at the top and did a perfect shot that hit a whole bunch of berries.

- That´s right!-. She celebrated.-

Unfortunately for her, the bunch was catched by Heather, who had been waiting for the precise momento.

- Wow, such a kind present.- Heather mocked her.- Thank you, Zoey, I won´t see you at tonight´s ceremony at all!-.

- Hey! Come back here with those!-. Zoey prepared to shoot again at Heather, but she dissapeared among the thick vegetation. Angrily, she hit her arc against the floor.- That wasn´t polite at all.-

Heather pulled Dawn and made her run along with her.

- Heather! That was awful! You stole their berries!-.

- I didn´t steal them, Dawn. I just passed to catch some berries that fell from the sky for me. Don´t you think that´s a good luck sign for us?-. Said Heather while she ate a single Berry.- Well, I must admit these are pretty good. Come on, now we´ve got to fix these things in a decent plate. Go look for the other guys and bring them to help.-

- I thought you didn´t want to work as a team.-

- That´s right, but this challenge requires a single plate of berries, and we already got them. Now be a good student and go look for the others. Okay?-. Her sweet tone was overshadowed by the coldness of he reyes. Dawn twisted her lips and looked defiantly at her.-

- You have to apologise to Zoey.-

- And you have to listen to your mentor. If we lose, I won´t think it twice to push you off the waterfall, weird witch. Have you understood?-. She pointed at her even more defiantly.- Now go look for the others before I change my mind and throw you to the "Tooth Breakers" myself.-

- DAWN´S CONFESSIONAL—

- I don´t know how much longer I can handle this. I´m not a conflictive person, but I can´t stand oppression or evilness. Someone has to stop Heather!-.

Without having to look for them, Anne Maria and Topher came near Dawn. They had seen how Heather catched the berries.

- Excelent! Letting the others do the hard part of the work and then take the victory from them.- Topher exclaimed.- Now we have to fix this decently.-

- Oh, oh, leave that part to me. My style sense is unbeatable, as in fashion as in the kitchen.- Said Anne Maria without modesty.-

- Then this is the perfect chance for you to prove it.- Said Heather.- I´ll be this challenge´s leader. Where is that good for nothing of Alejandro?-.

- HEATHER´S CONFESSIONAL—

- With only nine competitors remaining, this game get´s more and more predictable. I´ve a good chance of taking advantage of all these people, and my competitive blood is more active than ever. Getting rid of Scott would be the best option right now, he can be pretty annoying if he advances too much. It´s a sure thing that soon it will be each mentor and student on their own, and after that I´ll go for those idiots Anne Maria and Topher. And about Alejandro… oh, I´ve got pland for him.- She said that with a soft and confident tone.-

Scott had finally fallen down after being pecked so many times by the "Tooth Breakers". The other three remaining members of the team were thinking about how to bring down more berries from the tree.

- I told you it would be painful.- Said Zoey, helping Scott back up.- And Heather took our berries, that thief…-.

- Doesn´t surprise me at all she did.- Said Shawn.- Now the "Manipulators" are ahead of us. Mike has an idea, though.-

Very similar to Zoey´s strategy with her arc, Mike showed a considerably big slingshot made of Wood.

- We just have to distract the birds again, we point with a big rock and Boom! We´ll have brought down more berries than the other team.-

- Don´t even dream about me climbing again.- Scott said to him.- Didn´t you see how they attacked me?-.

- You were the one who went ahead without listening to the team´s ideas.- Mike answered.-

- Well, if Zoey had picked the berries faster…-.

- Now you´re blaming Zoey?!-.

Little by little, Scott and Mike were getting closer until they stayed dangerously near each other without even blinking or showing any signs of weakness, looking at the other with deathly gazes. Shawn began to worry about them doing something crazy, so he put himself in the middle of them and tried to separate them with his hands.

- Guys, guys… wait a minute, will you? It´s a team´s challenge, remember? We´ve got to work together.-

- Shawn´s right. This isn´t the time to argue.- Zoey put her hand onto Mike´s shoulder, getting his attention.- What if I climb the tree to distract the tooth breakers and you take care of the shot?-.

- It´s too risky, Zoey.- Mike said.-

- Oh, yeah, sure! It´s risky for her!-. Scott mocked him.- Let her do it, Mike, she says she can.- He dared to put one arm round Zoey´s shoulder.- Unless you think she´s useless?-.

-SHAWN´S CONFESSIONAL—

- This thing of being in the same team as Scott is beginning to get into Mike´s and my nerves. There´s just one thing left to do.-

- I´ll do it. I´ll climb the tree.- Said Shawn.- Zoey has better aiming out of all of us, so we need her down here. Scott and Mike can help charging some big enough rocks so this´ll be a quick process. I´ve confidence that I´ll distract those birds long enough.-

- Shawn!-. Exclaimed Zoey.- It´s not necessary for you to do so… I can…-.

He lifted a hand to stop her from continuing.

- It´s okay, Zoey, really. I want to do something for the team this time, it´s that okay for you?-.

Mike looked at his student with admiration and gave him a spontaneous thanking hug.

- You´re a great friend, Shawn. I promise you we´ll get the perfect shot so you won´t get harmed.- He guaranteed him.-

- Sure, bro, no problem.- He was a little uncomfortable by the hug.- Let´s move, we don´t have time to waste.-

The idea was a succeed. Shawn climbed at the top of other tree in an unsurpassable time, so the others had to rush to charge the rocks for the shot. Zoey started to aim at the juicy berries.

- Perfect, Shawn! Keep it like that, we´re ready to shot!-.

The "Tooth Breakers" noted Shawn´s presence, making him decididely jumping from one branch to another, escaping to protect his own life. He Heard the first shot of rocks above him and saw some berries falling.

- Those won´t be enough.- Scott said.- The other team has plenty more of them. Jump to another tree, Zombie boy!-.

- But at this rate, the tooth breakers will catch him.- Said Zoey worried.-

- Come on, he´s very fast. He´ll be alright.- Scott calmed her, without giving it the importance it really had.- Keep going, Shawn!-.

- Are you serious?!-. Shawn screamed incredulously.-

His jumps had to be bigger and faster for him to catch another tree´s branch. He sure was gratefull that this was a strong point of his! Even so, he was starting to feel tired, and some wild birds were starting to catch up with him, making him feel some hits at his legs or arms. He cried painfully as he continued to jump away.

- Some other berries have fallen.- Said Mike.- But there´s still not enough of them to compete with the bunch Heather stole from us. This are a lot smaller.-

- ZOEY´S CONFESSIONAL—

- Reminder: Giving Heather a good lesson for the next challenge.- She exclaimed with a lifted fist, which didn´tgo with her innocent gaze.- And this time I won´t say I´m sorry.-

While Zoey helped at aiming again, Scott smiled for himself. He saw Alejandro a little meters away.

- Oh, wait, I think I saw more berries over there. I´ll be right back.- He excused himself.-

- Hurry up!-. Zoey urged him.-

Mike followed Scott with his gaze and felt suspicious all over again. Abruptly, his thoughts collided with a lot of voices, which left him petrified in time and space. His head began to hurt him deeply.

"That wildly dingo is planning something, I know it! ; And what´re we supposed to do? We got bigger problems here, pal, remember? ; Svetlana´d had picked those berries much quicker than that boy, such a shame! ; I can´t deal with all this frustration, my trigger is calling me! ; Wo, wo, old man, you can´t go out now… remember that…"

- What´s happening?-. Mike breathing accelerated from one second to another.-

- Mike? Mike! Are you okay? Is it Mal?-. Zoey urged him, leaving the rocks aside.-

- Guys! Help me!-. Shawn was giving it all he got left to escape the birds that were now chasing him.-

- I don´t know, I don´t know.- Mike answered her.- I feel like there´s a drill inside my head.- He said, holding his head with both hands.-

Meanwhile, Alejandro and Scott were talking behind some bushes. The redhead was receiving quite clear instructions.

- You really think that´s going to work?-. Scott asked, not very convinced.- I really don´t want to do it, you know?-.

- Scott, I´m not any psychiatrist, but my intelectual coefficient is higher enough to ashame Freud himself.- Alejandro said proudly.- If I remember correctly all of Mike´s triggers, is frustration what makes old good Chester come out. But if my intuition is correct…-.

- What do you think it´s gonna happen if I do as you say?-.

- Mal is using the other personalities as a "route" to come out. He´s still pretty strong, but Mike´s resisting so much to him that he now needs some way of escaping outside. With this we´ll kill three birds with a single shot: We´ll get Mal to come out, we´ll freack out Shawn and we´ll get Mike frustrated, getting him out of his own game.- He guaranteed.- Trust me. I wouldn´t bet on our dear Multiple friend passing safely another elimination ceremony.-

Scott seemed to meditate about it. He made a disgusting face and sighed. He would have to listen to Alejandro this time.

- Alright, but if Courtney finds out about this, I´ll make you entirely responsible.- He said, pointing directly at him.-

- ALEJANDRO´S CONFESSIONAL—

- Scott´s so easy to play with.- He laughed.- My real goal is bringing that whipper- snapper of Mal to the finale with me. There´s when I´ll finally get my revenge for everything he has done to me. Even if this plan Works or not, I´m still winning something. Team "Survivors" is on a tightrope, they just need a little push from me.-

Scott got back to his team and Alejandro ran away to get back at his own. They still had to prepare for victory. Heather saw him coming back and didn´t wait to attack him with some of her cold gazes, but Alejandro didn´t pay attention and he rushed to help the "Manipulators" with the plate´s decoration for the berries. They had less than half an hour left…

- Where were you?-. Zoey asked Scott when she saw him coming back. She was sitted besides Mike.- You´ve to help Shawn, I´m busy over here.- She took Mike´s hand, offering him support.- Come on, Mike, get a hold of yourself.-

For a brief moment, she remembered what Vito had said to her back in the cave. Mike was restraining himself too much, but maybe the best for him was to do the exact opposite.

- Maybe you should let them out, Mike.- She said softly.- Vito said…-.

- I won´t let anyone out!-. Mike cried in despair.- What if it´s Mal? What if he hurts you?-.

- But Mike, they might need to talk, If you just listen to me…-.

- But he´s not listening to you.- Scott interrupted them.- Gosh, Mike, you know what? Zoey is right, you should let anyone who´s trying to come out do so.-

- Let anyone talk to me, anyone but you.- Said Mike, holding his anger and pain at the same time.- You´re such a clever fox, eh?! You think I don´t see what you´re trying to do?!-.

- But of course, you´re not a fool, aren´t you?-.

- What´re you talking about?-. Asked Zoey, confused.- Who´s pretending to do what?-.

- Nothing, it´s just that Mike doesn´t understand that, in order to cure himself, he needs to let all his frustration out.- Scott twiched his face, like he knew he was about to do something he didn´t want to do.-

- Scott frustrates me good enough, that´s why I´m trying to hold Chester in the first place.-

- Well, just don´t hold it anymore.- Said Scott, Rolling his eyes.- Frustrate yourself, you´ll do all of us a favor doing that instead of making us lose this challenge just because of your weird sickness. If you want, I´ll gladly help you letting all that out.-

Without a warning, Scott pulled Zoey far from Mike´s side and planted an abrupt Kiss on her lips, holding her strongly enough so her pushes wouldn´t move him. Mike opened his eyes widely and coulnd´t hold his mouth falling verticaly. He felt an infernal stitch of pain from inside, even though he wasn´t entirely sure if it came from his head or from his chest.

"OH, COME ON! You all see that? I can´t believe it! ; Hey… ; Next time I´m out, I´ll hit that stupid mangy dog! ; Hey…; That poor girl! Svetlana feels sorry for her, that guy´s breath must stink! ; HEY! Hear me out you stupid kids, I´m coming out! " .

- Stay away from me, you jerk!-. Zoey achieved to control Scott by his arm and pushed him on the ground, keeping him unable to move. She couldn´t help putting a disgusted face.- Have you gone mad?-.

- Hey! You´re hurting me! I did it for his own sake. Look, it worked!-.

They both Heard the Deep breath. Chester had come out and, taking a wooden stick from the floor, he used it to inmediately hit Scott right in his head.

- If you had done that back in my time, you´d had received such a beating that you couldn´t have seated for around two whole weeks!-. He growled, lifting his weak fist.-

- Chester.- Zoey called him, relieved.- I´m fine, don´t worry. Mike seemed to be suffering…-.

- And how wasn´t he supposed to be suffering if…?-. His face suddenly went pale as a paper because of his fear.- Oh, no! This can´t be good! Here he comes!-.

Both Zoey and Scott went pale too. Soon, an unimaginable tension didn´t allow them to move at all. They kept petrified with horror. The old Chester fell on the ground and started to convulse violently, as if he was praying for his life. Zoey got desperate and let go of Scott, who run away to hide himself from the storm he felt coming.

- Chester! Oh, Chester! Come back! Don´t let him win!-. She urged.-

But it was too late. Zoey saw some dark shadows under Chester´s eyes, and Mal´s smile came to stay.

- I must remember thanking that stupid olg hag for showing me my way out.- Mal came back to his feet with a jump and looked at Zoey for an instant, then laughed in her face.- It isn´t right to cheat, Zoey. You´ll receive some punishment later on, but now I have some business with someone else.-

Zoey saw through Mal´s plans. A single person came to her mind: Shawn!

Before Mal could run towards the slingshot, Zoey tackled him down and made him fall again, clinging to his feet to stop him from coming back up. Mal began to push her aside insistently, emiting some growls as a beast, but she wouldn´t let go. She wouldn´t definitely let go of him for anything in this world!

- Zoey, wait! He´s dangerous, let him off!-. Scott screamed at her, coming back to her side. If Zoey didn´t let go, Mal wouldn´t do what he was supposed to, and Scott would have kissed the girl in vain. Who cared for Shawn?! He grabbed Zoey and forced her on the opposite direction of Mal.- Come on, Zoey! Let him go!-.

- No! Scott, stay out of this! Release me now!-. Zoey howled wildly.-

Suddenly, Zoey felt how Mal´s rage went up. Her fear grew deeper until she realized that rage wasn´t towards her. Mal released one leg and kicked Scott so hard that he made him fly two meters back, freeing himself completely in the process. Then he went straight towards the farmer and lifted him up with a single hand. Scott cried with terror when he saw Mal´s merciless eyes.

- I don´t recall giving you permission to do such tricks, Scott.- He grabbed him harder and made Scott cry louder.- But I guess I must thank you for letting me out too.- He put him a little closer and smiled at him.- We´ll discuss your punishment later.-

Faster as a lightning, his fist hit Scott´s right eye, and he left him laying down there. Zoey couldn´t tackle him again, just being able to watch as Mal picked some big and sharpened rocks and aimed at Shawn with the slingshot.

- Oh, I see a Shawn!-. He said with humor.- But soon I won´t see him anymore!-. And he shot.-

Shawn, urging for his life, saw how come of the birds were hit by some rocks. One was totally crossed by a particulary sharpened rock, and the sight of blood made him understand that it was real, Mal was aiming for him, and he was keeping his promise. He really could die right there. He jumped as a mad man towards the farthest trees and prayed that Mal didn´t have as good aiming as Zoey. A rock hit him in the lower back and almost brings him down if it weren´t because he get a hold of another branch. Soon, he was hanging by one hand. There were no more traces of birds near him… they had flown away. There was just the biggest predator left, and Shawn was already seeing how his life was about to end.

- Mike! Mike, come back, please!-. He screamed, feeling his hand slipping. He then reached for Zoey and Scott.- Do something, please!-.

- Nothing personal, you know? But you have to go, and if you don´t go back on your own, then you´ll have to leave because of your wounds.- Mal aimed again and started to whistle gloomily as he smiled.- Bye, Shawn.-

Shawn saw the rocks flying towards him. At the same time his cries mismatched with Mal´s tune of "The hall of the Mountain King", his hand entirely slipped and he fell down. Some of the rocks reached one of his legs during the fall and then he felt the impact of his body hitting the ground. He moaned painfully a few moments before losing his consciousness.

- Well, it was pretty close.- Said Mal still with his smile on.- It´s easier to shot a fallen bird.-

- Hey, Mal!-.

- What the…?-.

Zoey had taken the stick Chester had before and hitted Mal directly at the head, making him faint in the act. Her messy hair and her pale skin gave her the appereance of the final survivor of a massacre of a horror movie. She let go of the stick and ran towards Shawn´s fainted body, fearing the worst.

- Shawn! Shawn!-. She implored him to wake up.- Oh, you can´t let this happen. Wake up! Mike couldn´t live with himself anymore if you don´t wake up, Shawn. Come on!-.

Scott ran to her side and snatched Shawn´s body from her tembling arms. Carefully, he put one ear near Shawn´s nose and sighed with relief.

- He´s gonna be okay.- He calmed Zoey down.- He´s breathing, but we must take him to the nurse´s place right now.- He looked at Mal´s (or Mike´s, he wasn´t sure) inert body.- What do we do about him?-.

- We take him with us too, obviously. I won´t leave Mike alone.- She then slapped Scott´s cheek, letting it red and matching his bruised eye.- You don´t understand how bad`s what you did, right? You´re an idiot.-

Scott looked back at her without saying anything and, for the first time ever, Zoey thought she saw some guilt in those hurt yes.

- I´m sorry.- She apologized.- You just got hit… I didn´t think…-.

- Bah, it´s alright.- He calmed her.- Wanna know something? That kiss wasn´t worth this.- He pointed at his face at the same time he smiled.- I better stay with my bossy girl back at home… now come one, I´ll help you carry these two guys.-

- What about the challenge? I thought you…-.

- I just said I´d help you, want my help or not?-. Scott pushed.-

- Of course, let´s go then.-

The five minutes left signal sounded through the entire mountain, and when the "Survivors" reached the starting point, Chris was delighted eating a plate full of squeezed berries combined with some other wild fruits (brought up by the culinary skills of Heather and Topher). The other team was clearly counting on their winning.

- You arrived late, Survivors, I´m afraid I´ve already chosen the winning team, and it´s not yo…-. He was interrupted by his own surprise.- But what the hell happened to you?!-. His eyes opened widely.-

- We need medical attention for Shawn and for Mike, quickly!-. Said Zoey.-

- Zoey!-. Exclaimed Dawn, horrified.- This was…?-.

- It was Mal´s doing.- Scott finished.- This is all Mal´s fault, and the people´s who let him out fault too.- He condemned Alejandro with his gaze. The Spanish was as surprised with the outcome of the events that he didn´t know where to hid his own gaze.-

- SCOTT´S CONFESSIONAL—

- One thing is to cause chaos and have fun with it, and a very different one is attempt against one person´s live.- He pointed at his eye.- It could´ve been much worse. Was this in your plan, Alejandro?-.

-ALEJANDRO´S CONFESSIONAL—

- I´ve underestimated that monster. I thought that, like last year´s season, he was still obsessed about winning the million, but this somehow feels a lot more personal. He wouldn´t dare to really kill someone… I think.- Alejandro scratched his head and sighed.- Ah… this has solution, of course. I just need to do some minor modifications. At least I now know that including Zoey into the equation can be more delicated than I thought.-

- You´ll have the best emergency team of the entire island.- Chris assured them, then his gaze reached Chef´s.- Chef! Go look for your nurse suit, you´ve got two patients.-

Chef glared darkly at Chris, but he changed right away his clothes and pulled out an improvised emergency set while he carried the two wounded guys, one on each of his shoulders. Zoey ran straight after him, but Scott stopped her.

- We still have to wait for the challenge´s result.-

- What? But it´s obvious we didn´t win, Scott! Yes, yes, elimination ceremony tonight, how could I care about it? I must go see Mike.-

- Elimination ceremony?-. Asked Chris, surprised.- That´s right! I forgot to mention that today´s was a reward´s challenge.- He smiled openly.- Nobody´ll be eliminated tonight… of course, just if Shawn is still able to continue the competition.-

Heather cleared her throat and broke the uncomfortable silence. Everybody was still on shock for what had happened.

- And what`s our reward, Chris?-.

- The winning team, the "Manipulators", will have a banquet tonight, all expenses paid, fancy food and all the attention you want until tomorrow.- He announced with his classic host´s voice.- Scott, Zoey, you´ll have to tell me later if those two can continue. We can´t stop the show, you know?-. He shrugged.-

- Oh, don´t worry about it, Chris, I´ll let you know. That´s the most important thing, right? The show!-. Zoey shouted before she ran away towards the nursery room.-

Scott looked down the floor, depressed, before he started waking in the same direction. Dawn glued her hands together as if she was praying to the universe for her friend´s safety. She didn´t think she was going to enjoy tonight´s banquet at all…

It was already passed eleven o´clock when Zoey opened her eyes. She had fallen asleep after Chef told her the boys diagnosis: Shawn had a deep cut on his leg, but he couldn´t determine if it was bad enough to prevent him from competing, as for Mike, he just had a mild concussion. Even so, neither of them had woken up yet.

- ZOEY´S CONFESSIONAL—

- If Shawn can´t use his agility anymore… he´d be in danger because of Mal. I hate to admit it, but it´s probably better for him to quit the show. I don´t want to be responsible of a tragedy, and neither I want Mike blaming himself for what happened today.-

Scott had already left, so there were just the three of them left in the nursery room. Zoey touched softly Shawn´s forehead, praying for him to wake up soon, and then she seated back besides Mike´s body, holding his hand.

- I don´t know who you´ll be when you wake up… but if it´s Mal, I´ll keep hitting you right in the head until you´re the one to come out. Did you hear me, Mike?-.

Her words were falling into deaf ears… or at least that´s what she thought. Shawn had already woken up a few minutes ago, but he pretended to be sleeping because he felt genuinely tired. He had felt so scared about dying… he wasn´t so sure about what to do next.

- SHAWN´S CONFESSIONAL—

- My life is in danger on this island. I don´t feel able to jump trees for a while now, and Mal… Damn! That guy creeps me out real deal. I´m sorry, Mike, I don´t know if I could keep helping you out.-

- Shawn´ll forgive you, I´m sure of that.- Said Zoey outloud. Shawn was listening without saying a single word, while Mike´s body wasn´t responding yet.-

But deep inside Mike´s subconscious, everyone had heard her. Back at the personality's room, Mike was asleep too, lying down on an improvised bed Manitoba had builded. Everyone was worried, and Mal had gone back to hiding.

- He´s done it again.- Said Vito, gritting his teeth.- That dammed dude´s done it again! We´ve to stop him now!-.

- But how?-. Cried Svetlana.- We have no idea of where he is, and maybe Mike will never wake up again. Everything is going right as Mal wants it.-

- Enough of that. Nothing of that´s helping. He´ll wake up, he has to.- Manitoba moved Mike by his shoulders.- Hey, silly dog, you´ve rested long enough, how much longer you going to make Sheila wait?-.

- You´re losing your time, stupid kids.- Chester assured them, he seemed calmer and, at the same time, more depressed than ever.- He won´t wake up that easily.-

- What ya´mean, old man?-. Vito said.- Don´t be so pessimist.-

- Mal´s not the only one who feels weaker. Take a good look at all of you, all of us! Look at us! We´re all in our worst condition ever, and that´s all because we didn´t do the right thing when he had to. Mike has to learn to deal with his emotions… we can´t come out everytime he needs us and letting him come back when everything´s passed… no, he has to learn to deal with his own frustration.-

Those words were said slowly and very painfully. The other three personalities opened their mouths with surprise, but they were unable of making any sound. Vito put both of his hands on the back of his neck with incredulity, while Svetlana was sobbing loudler than ever.

- What´re you talking about, Chester?-. Manitoba asked.- Leaving Mike alone? But we´re taking care of him!-.

- You said yourself, ridiculous cowboy.- Chester answered while he gave Manitoba a soft hit with his walking stick.- That we had to move on.-

- But not this way, old man.- Vito intervined.- Not without you… not this way…-. He began to mutter.-

- Without me, Mike´ll have to explore his anger when he trips over a rock, or when he sees some scenes like today´s.- The old man smiled.- It´ll be hard and tough at first, but he had already believed we were gone one, isn´t that right? He´ll survive. And you´ll still be with him, at least for a little more…-.

- If you think we´ll let ya do this, you´re crazier than Mal.- Vito said, allowing his own sadness do the talking.- We must do this together.-

Chester lifted his walking stick and Vito instinctively covered his head in self defense. But what he received was the old man´s warm hand messing with his gelatinous hair, trying to put it a little forwards, maybe trying to make look a little more "presentable".

- I´ve always thought you´re such a funny guy, Vito.- He smiled at him.- A little mindless, no wonder, but funny indeed. Do me the favor of putting a shirt on sometime, okay?-.

Chester passed him by without telling him more. Vito looked upside with a contracted expression and felt how some salty liquid accumulated itself in his eyes, but he could prevent it from dripping down his face with his willpower. The others, noting he wouldn´t turn back, understand that nothing could comfort the pain he was feeling right now. Svetlana pounced over Chester, envolving him on a desperate hug and still crying.

- You should not go! Svetlana didn´t think you would accept such an easy loss.-

- Not everything in this world is about victory and silly medals, you noisy kid.- He separated himself from Svetlana softly.- Remember that very well the next time you go out. Remember what you told me last time?-.

Confused, Svetlana remained impassive, drowing with her own tears while Chester was giving Manitoba a paternal touch on his shoulder. The explorer tried to avoid looking at the old man by pretending to fix his hat.

- Those two kids will just bring you trouble. Maybe you´ll have to take charge and put some order around here… you know, just do as you always do. I don´t think you´ll miss me much.-

- You´re wrong, old folk.- Manitoba gave him a brief hug and palmed his weak back.- You´re wrong ´bout that last thing.-

Lastly, Chester looked at sleeping Mike with consternation. He´d have liked to see him awake, of course, but he comforted himself by telling him that it was just the same. None of those things mattered where he was going, and Mike surely would understand his motives for having acted this way.

- He´s brave, a little bit of a fool, pretty crazy and his hair annoys me too.- He said in a whisper.- But there´s no doubt that he´s kind. Yes, I don´t think I´d regret this decision. I had already taken it long time ago, I think.-

- Chester!-. Svetlana cried. Manitova retained her by one arm.- What are you doing? Don´t you see his body is…?-.

- His body has always been an illusion.- Manitoba said firmly.- It´s normal for it to disappear like that…-.

A soft light shone through the whole room, and when they looked again in his direction, they all knew that Chester had just gone out to say goodbye to one last person.

- He´s waking up!-. Zoey announced, Shawn still pretended to be asleep.- Mike, is that you?-.

- No, young girl, stil not Mike.- Chester said.-

- Chester? Well, it´s a real relief to see that you´re fine.- Zoey smiled at him. Even so, this didn´t last long. She went back to looking worried.- Is Mike…?-.

- He´ll come back to you very soon.- Chester calmed her.- But I don´t know anything about Mal.-

- I don´t know how to stop him anymore! Today he almost killed…-. Her voice wanted to break down.- Well, surely you already know about it.-

- That Mal is the most terrible youngster I´ve ever met. I won´t lie, he gives me the creeps like any other.- He admitted.- You´d do good being more careful around him. He could hurt you too.-

- I´ll fight like I did today.- Zoey said.- I´ll hit him in the head as many time´s as necessary for him to give me Mike back.-

Zoey felt Chester´s hand on her head, also messing her hair (more than it actually was). It took her by surprise, but she felt it would be rude to reject his touch. It was the first time she saw so much kindness in Chester´s face. Without thinking, her worries began to grow.

- Chester, what´s happening inside Mike?-. She wanted to know.- Vito told me something weird a couple of days ago… he told me you guys wanted to talk.- She tried to guess.- Have you come out now because of that?-.

- A little bit, yeah.- Chester answered her.- Inside this body is all chaos right now, girl. It´s like smoke and mirrors… just when you think you´d found the beast, it get´s away. That´s right, and Mike has so much guilt inside him, so much frustration… frustration that I have dealed with instead of him.-

- Are you talking about your trigger? Sure, you come out when Mike feels frustrated.-

- It´s been like that for a couple of years now, but not as much as you might think. Don't repeat this, but the truth is that I was the last personality to be born. Funny! The oldest, but the youngest, indeed.-

- I didn´t know that.- In fact, she didn´t know a lot about Chester.- And how was that, exactly?-.

- Oh, we had already left the juvie.- Chester began to tell her.- All the other kids were doing whatever they wanted and Mike was bullied by some bad youngsters, as always.-

- ZOEY´S CONFESSIONAL—

- Did he just say… "as always"?-.

- That coward didn´t do anything aside from crying and feeling miserable with himself. Those were hard times and there wasn´t anyone who´d give those fools some scolding. He often got upset, but he didn´t say it outloud… then there was a day when he couldn´t take it no more, he locked himself in his room, drowning in frustration, anger and despair. He couldn´t deal with it because of his good character, it has always kept himself from saying things more directly… so I came out for the very first time.-

Chester gave her a sweet smile that almost broke Zoey´s heart. A little tear slided down the old man´s face as he continued with his story.

- It was always easy for me to do so! I don´t restrain myself when I feel like telling what I think, I´m sincere and direct. Maybe I´m a little rude, but I´m just trying to be genuine. I´ve always been like that, just like grandpa…-.

- You mean… Mike´s grandfather?-.

- Ah, an old grumpy man who was always hitting everyone with his walking stick. An authentic nightmare with a hump and a bad eye.- He pointed at himself.- But Mike secretly admired his sincerity. Someone who told things to whoever deserved it! Mike had my help everytime he needed it. I´m good dealing with misfortunes, not like him.- He made a brief pause.- But is he pretends to take good care of you, he´ll have to learn how to do deal with heataches like today´s.-

Zoey seemed angry now.

- Tell Mike he doesn´t have to worry. When I see Scott again, I´ll hit him again right in…-.

- Why don´t you tell him yourself? You kids shouldn´t always leave all the responsabilities to the older guys.- He told her off among laughs.- It´s time to grow up… for both of you.-

Zoey finally seemed to understand what was about to happen. She covered her mouth with one hand and shaked her head from one side to another.

- What does this mean, Chester? Why´re you leaving Mike?-.

- I´m not leaving him. I´ll go back to my rightful place. I´ll go back inside and become the part of Mike that can deal clearly with his pain, like it should have been from the very beginning.- He looked at Zoey and felt sorry for her sadness.- You know? Being the first one taking this decision is very important. Those kids have so much abilities, so much strength, so much spirit… but they´re no more than a bunch of crying babies! Someone had to take the first step and move on. I hope that they can use my example for this single time.-

Chester took Zoey´s hand with confidence and a fatherly gesture. His grip was trembling lightly. Zoey felt a brief chill of fear.

- Are you afraid, Chester?-.

- Don´t be ridiculous, girl, if you don´t want me to hit your head.- He told her off again without being rude.- You have that look in your face, just like Svetlana´s. I left her so confused and perplexed… I bet she doesn´t even remember what she told me that time! You know what I mean, girl?-. Zoey denied with her head.- She told us Mike was the best to be in charge, and she was right. She compared every single one of us with him, and she said something that´s very true: he´s more generous than me. Not even back in my youth would I think about risking myself as much or doing so much crazy things just for someone´s sake… Mike has done so many things in order to help those silly friends of him: the bubble kid, the game boy, the delinquent, you…One must be too generous to give everything away for friendship and love. I don´t think badly of him because of that. On the contrary, I admire that part of him. When you see him again, tell him that´s and will always be my advice for his life: be generous.-

Zoey held Chester´s hand tightly and took a deep breath so her voice would sound natural when she answered.

- I´ll tell him, Chester. I promise.- She said this with sadness.- Thank you for talking to me.-

- It´s been a pleasure, and it was better than talking with any of the others guys, you can bet on it.- He exclaimed, then stretched his back, trying to relax.- Would you ming staying here with me until I fall asleep?-.

- Not at all.- Zoey smiled at him.- I´m here if you need anything.-

- Mike knows that. Remember to pass my message to him.- He reminded her.-

Zoey nodded and watched how Chester closed his eyes slowly. His grip got weaker and weaker until he fell asleep peacefully. His peaceful and happy expression on his face made Zoey end up crying over him without being able to stop herself. Even so, she ordered herself to smile with her wet eyes.

- You look so happy now, Chester. There´s no more suffering or frustration where you are now, right? I´m just so happy that you can finally take a break from those things.- She whispered for herself before she continued crying.-

From a moment to another, the grip was strong again. A gentle and delicate hand went straight to Zoey´s face, cleaning her tears away with a big surprise.

- Zoey? What just happened? Where are we?-. Mike asked, worried at seeing her in that state and without knowing where he was.- Wait a minute, I remember what happened!-. He tried to sit down abruptly.- Oh, when I find Scott…!-.

- Mike, wait… don´t rush right now.- She urged him.- I´ve got something important to tell you.-

- What has happened here, Zoey?-. He asked, more confused than ever.- I feel weird… my head hurts, but it feels light too… and…-. His voice sounded like it wanted to break.- Why do I feel as if someone very important has left?-. Chester´s tears were still on his face, but they had passed to be Mike´s tears too.-

- Chester´s gone, Mike.- Zoey told him.- He has learned from you.- She smiled.- He was generous with you and he´s giving you a life lesson. I don´t think you should waste it.-

Mike buried his face into his hands and, after her delicate insistence, he found himself crying in her lap. He cried longly and bitterly for a while. From his nurse bed, Shawn had turned to the other side of the room and was holding his own tears. The scene taking place by his side felt like a family member´s death. Somehow, he was sure it felt that exact way for Mike.

- He´s not coming back? But… the therapies…-. He was talking to himself.- No, this time I feel it´s true… I couldn´t properly say goodbye to him, there wasn´t a button this time.- He continued sobbing.- I feel so… so…-.

- You´re free, Mike.- Zoey told him.- Chester wanted you to be free, don´t be afraid of that. Don´t ever be afraid.-

They stayed silent for a Little longer. Zoey stayed by Mike´s side until he fell asleep again. It was past midnight and she felt pretty tired. She tucked Mike with a thicker blanket and looked back one last time before turning off the nurse room lights and heading back to her hut.

- Farewell, Chester.-

There´s no more frustration trigger. Good luck dealing with that, Mike.

Maybe it was a dream or a hallucination because of his tireness, but that night Mike did felt how Chester took his leaving and said a proper goodbye to him, so he could sleep peacefully.

TO BE CONTINUED…

I really wanted to get to this chapter. I hope you liked it See you next time!