A/N- Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Day Four (2 of 2)
"Ah, look who finally decided to join us?" Chris frowned as Mike and Zoey arrived at the Elimination Ceremony.
"Sorry," Zoey murmured quickly as they both took their seats in the bleachers.
"Anyways, as I was saying," Chris kept talking. "Courtney!"
"Hmm?" She looked up at him, completely disinterested.
"This is the first episode where Gwen hasn't done something terrible to you, how does that make you feel?"
"Swell."
"Courtney," he frowned.
"Oh, fine," she was clearly annoyed. "The day isn't over yet."
"Ah, a fascinating statement from Courtney," Chris was satisfied.
Gwen, who was sitting on her left, gave her a pat on the shoulder.
They really must be good friends…
"Now, I have a special announcement to make!" Chris declared. "After reviewing the footage, the Heroes did NOT win today's challenge?"
What?
Mike leaned forward to his seat.
Did I hear that right? We didn't win?
Vaguely, Mike could hear murmurs of confusion from his teammates.
"Sam!" Chris called him out. "Please stand up and empty your pockets!"
Slowly, Sam did just that. The Heroes watched on in shock as two large chunks of pancakes fell out of his pockets.
No way…
"Awe, I'm sorry guys," Sam sighed. "I just wanted to take some food with me in case I had to go back to Boney Island."
But if we lost the game…
"Heroes, to the voting booths!" Chris announced.
I still have a chance.
Mike quickly stood up and surveyed his teammates. Zoey caught his eye and frowned, clearly upset at their newfound loss.
"You have to move fast," Mal was on it. "Get Sam and Cameron alone."
Right.
Unfortunately, Zoey walked right over to Mike before he could do anything.
"I feel so bad for Sam," she frowned, looking over at their teammate. Sure enough, he looked dejected.
"Ah, yeah, poor guy," Mike tried to figure out how to end the conversation.
"Maybe you could go talk to him?"
"I know, he- oh! Talk to him?" He saw the opportunity. "That's such a great idea Zoey, I'll go talk to him."
"Great!" She smiled. "I don't want him to feel too bad."
"Of course, we wouldn't want that."
"Lucky break, mate," Manitoba noted.
Good thing that she cares so much.
"Hey, Sam," Mike jogged over to his teammate as they made their way towards the voting booth. "Can we talk for a second?"
"Hey, Mike," Sam frowned, then sighed heavily, completely dodging the question.
"We don't have time for this shit," Mal urged him.
"Um, hey," Mike pressed on. "So like I said-"
"Hey, Cameron," Sam noticed their teammate walking over.
"Hey, Sam," Cameron looked nervous to approach him. "Sorry about…um."
"Alright, guys, please," Mike tried to regain control of the situation without betraying any hints of frustration. "Really quick, we need to talk about how we're voting," his voice dropped at the end so nobody would hear.
"Oh, right," Cameron nodded as he moved a branch out of the way on the path to the voting booth.
"Cameron, did you talk to Sierra?" Mike asked him.
"Yes."
"Great," Mike smiled. "Then it's settled. We're all voting for Duncan."
Cameron slowly nodded at this idea.
It's over. I can't believe I actually did it.
"Great job, mate," Manitoba congratulated him.
"Now you stop worrying, Mischa, da?" Svetlana told him. "You know I do not like to see you worry."
Worry? Please, the rest of this trip will be just like a vacation.
"Wait," Sam stopped walking.
"Hmm?" Mike looked over at him.
"I can't do it."
"Can't do what?" Mike furrowed his brow.
"I can't," Sam scanned the trees to make sure the other contestants were far enough away, "vote for Duncan."
Mike's mouth almost dropped open.
"Oh, ah, what?" He tried to prevent his voice from shaking.
"I can't do it," Sam echoed, more resolute this time. "I won't."
What the hell is this? What's his problem?
"Bro, I told you this guy sucks," Vito wasn't surprised.
Mike felt the floor start to give out underneath him.
"Why not?" He pressed.
"Because," he took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "It wouldn't be right. That's why…I want you guys to vote me off."
Mike could only stare at him.
"Afterall," Sam continued, "I'm the one who cheated. If anyone should go home, it should be me, and I take full responsibility for that."
"Wow, Sam," Cameron nodded. "That's really admirable of you."
"Thank you, Cameron."
Has everyone lost their minds? What the hell does he mean, he's going to vote himself off? What's wrong with him!
"He thinks it's the right thing to do," Mal cooly explained.
But it's not the right thing to do, it's the stupid thing to do. How do I stop him?
"You have to try and convince him you're right."
"Maybe you bring up the video game again?" Svetlana offered. "You remind him?"
"Alright, Sam," Mike nodded slowly as the three of them started to walk again. He felt his palms start to sweat. "I see what you mean, but are you sure you're making the right choice?"
"Hmm?" Sam asked him.
"Well," Mike considered his words carefully. "I know you didn't eat the pancakes, but isn't Duncan much worse? After all, he broke your GameGuy."
Sam's face faltered for a second, but he quickly recovered.
"Mike, I hear your concerns, and I totally get it," Sam affirmed. "But I lost the challenge for us. It just wouldn't be right."
Oh, fuck off, 'it wouldn't be right.'
"Probably wants to go home and jerk off with a GameGuy in his hand," Mal posited.
"Bro, that's sick," Vito was appalled.
"Now," Sam kept going, "can you guys do this for me?"
What do I say…
"Last resort," Mal frowned, "start crying."
I can't cry in front of these guys.
"Then fake it."
"No, no," Svetlana stopped that train of thought. "Is not convincing."
She's right. I'm not good at that…But I'll try something else.
Mike sighed loudly, slumping his shoulders.
"What's wrong?" Sam frowned at him.
"It's just," Mike paused for effect, "if you go, we're really going to miss you."
"Awe, Mike," Sam walked over to him. "You're a really good friend. I'm going to miss you too!"
Without warning, Sam pulled him into a bone-crushing hug. Mike tensed immediately, trying to put as much distance between the two of them as possible.
No no no, get off me-
"You're a good guy, Mike."
Then, he mercifully let go. Mike stepped back, wiping his palms on his jeans.
"Bro," Vito sighed. "It's over."
It's definitely over.
"Alright, I'll vote for you," Mike said in the hopes that Sam would end the conversation so they would never have to speak again.
"You know, Zoey is really lucky to have someone like you."
Mike tried and failed to smile.
"I believe that's what they call 'the final nail in the coffin,'" Mal supplied.
Yeah, yeah.
"At least you only sacrificed your dignity."
And where did that get me?
Mike suddenly felt incredibly stupid.
Oh, I hate this. I shouldn't be taking everything out on Sam. I can't believe Duncan's making me do this. We have to get this straightened out by tomorrow so I can get rid of him and calm down.
"Well, you better think fast," Mal didn't acknowledge the first part of Mike's rant. "You just lost Cameron."
Huh?
Apparently, Cameron had spoken.
"Sorry, Cam," Mike smiled widely at him. "What did you say? I got distracted there."
"I said, um," Cameron paused, "I said next time I think I want to vote for…Sierra."
"Oh?" Mike marveled at how quickly this entire conversation had derailed.
"As long as we're saying who we're voting for," he rubbed his hands together like uttering his opinion could be likened to a mortal sin. "Sorry. I just thought, I know with the GameGuy, but Sierra won't leave me alone, and she keeps talking like I'm Cody, and I…don't really like it that much." He took a deep breath like he had just run a marathon. "And, so, can we maybe at least consider it?" He pleaded to Mike with wide eyes.
"Oh, sure, Cam," Mike trailed off weakly.
"Why would you say yes?" Mal hissed at him.
What else can I say?
"Take what you want!" Mal urged him. "Push harder! It's fucking Cameron, he'll crumble right away!"
"But, actually," Mike grasped for something to say, "I think we should vote for Duncan first, and it's not because of the GameGuy."
Fuck, fuck, what am I doing?
"Really?" Cameron was intrigued. "Did he do something else?"
"Maybe," Mike answered with a complete lack of confidence. "Possibly."
"Bro, did he? What did I miss?" Vito frowned.
"You miss nothing, Mischa is just lying."
"Oh, thanks bro."
"What do you mean?" Cameron was puzzled.
"I'm saying it's possible he did something…something really bad."
"What did he do?" Cameron almost whispered.
"I can't tell you."
"Why not?"
I haven't thought of it yet.
"Because," Mike noticed they had just about reached the voting booth, "I don't want him to hear."
"Ohh," Cameron nodded. "That makes sense."
"But I'll tell you after."
"Awe," Sam frowned, "now I wanna know…but hey, that's how it works when you're eliminated, I guess."
The trio arrived at the voting booth, where Zoey, Duncan, and Sierra had already gathered. Sam entered the booth first. Since the campers rarely spoke during the elimination process, Mike gave himself permission to internally crumble.
My life is a fucking nightmare. Mal, why did you tell me to say that?
"Are you kidding-I told you to freak Cameron out, not tell him that Duncan did something!"
Maybe! I said he 'maybe' did something! What else was I supposed to say?
"I don't know, anything else! Tell him Duncan's haircut scares you, or he gives off an aura of crime. Now we have to create some sort of incident!"
"Oh, bro," Vito was dismayed, "not an incident!"
"An incident," Mal answered in a grave tone of voice, "that will freak Cameron out so badly that he'll vote Duncan off the show without question, and get Sierra in on it too."
The very idea caused Mike to break out in a sweat. He rubbed his palms on his jeans.
"Mate, that won't be easy," Manitoba chimed in. "He might want proof."
Proof, how do we find proof of something he didn't even do? Mal?
"I have some ideas…think about what we did last time."
Break the GameGuy? So what, we break someone else's GameGuy? Two GameGuys!?
"No, no, but what I'm saying is that if the process isn't broken, don't fix it. Look at Sierra."
Mike glanced over at the girl in question. She was idly picking at her nails.
What about her?
"Where's her phone?"
I think it's charging in the Spa Hotel.
"Then…do what you need to do."
Mike physically backed away from her.
No way. She'll kill me. Absolutely not. Sam is one thing, but Sierra?
"Bro, she won't find out it was you," Vito insisted.
Sam stepped out of the elimination booth, Sierra taking his place.
Mike averted his gaze.
"Mate, listen to me," Manitoba started. "If you're doing this, I reckon you've got about five minutes until you need to vote, alright? You have to move fast."
How am I supposed to get over there?
"Just say you need time to think," Mal offered, "or you feel bad about Sam, or you need to piss in the woods, any stupid thing."
Mike took a deep breath, trying to think through his options with the crushing awareness that he didn't have seconds to spare.
"Mate, you have to decide right now. What do you want?"
I want…
He glanced over at Duncan, who looked bored out of his mind.
Mike curled his hands into fists.
I want him out of here.
"Hey, Cameron," Mike nudged his friend, "I'll be right back, alright?"
"Hmm?" Cameron looked surprised at this. "Where are you going?"
"I feel bad," Mike whispered, "about…" he trailed off and looked over at Sam, then back to Cameron. "I just need a second."
"Right," Cameron nodded sympathetically. "It's not easy."
"So if anyone asks," Mike kept going, "I'll be right back."
"Sure."
Mike smiled at his friend, took a few steps into the woods, checked to make sure nobody else was watching, and broke into a sprint, moving through the trees as fast as he possibly could.
Shit, shit, are we going the right way?
"You're going the right way," Manitoba reassured him. "I always pay attention to our surroundings."
Sure enough, Mike could see the dark outline of the Spa Hotel looming in the distance. He doubled down on his efforts and broke through the treeline, racing up to the front door and shoving it open. Frantically, he looked around, trying to figure out where he was going.
"The stairs?" Mal suggested.
Right, thanks.
He took the stairs two at a time then dashed for the girl's bedroom, desperately looking for Sierra's phone.
It's probably in her duffle bag…
Mike paused, considering the ethics of rummaging through a contestant's luggage, but he knew the mission was too important to let that stop him. He opened the bag.
Clothes…pictures of Cody…phone!
He unplugged her phone from the portable charger she had smuggled in her suitcase and held it up in triumph. He flipped it open and stared at the screen.
"Great," Mal approved. "Now-"
Mike snapped the phone nearly in half, then smashed it against the nightstand by her bed.
"Nice."
Let's go.
"Hang on," Mal stopped him. "Pry a few buttons off. You'll need them for proof."
Proof?
"You saw Duncan walk by you and drop these buttons. That's your cover story."
"Bro, you're a genius!" Vito was amazed by this idea.
"Agreed, is good idea," Svetlana added onto the praise. "Is perfect story."
"Thanks, guys."
Quickly, Mike pried a few buttons from the phone, plugged it back in, buried it at the bottom of the bag, and zipped it close.
Now, we run.
Mike made it back to the voting booth just as Cameron stepped out. It took all of his energy not to appear out of breath, and the moment he closed the door, he let himself briefly gasp for air.
As promised, he voted for Sam. When the contestants rejoined the elimination ceremony, he let himself relax slightly.
"Good job," Mal praised him.
It had to be done.
Still, Mike smiled to himself as he took his seat next to Zoey. Immediately, she leaned in and whispered to him.
"Hey, I think I'm gonna suggest that we all go apple picking tomorrow, alright? And Duncan can bring his friends- well, hopefully he'll only bring Gwen, but…it's out of our control."
Mike's heart started to pound again.
"Ah, sounds good," he answered.
"Not good, bro," Vito spoke up.
"Alright, campers!" Chris announced. "Welcome back to tonight's Elimination Ceremony!"
Mike tuned out the ceremony to discuss his impending doom.
That has the potential to be a disaster…every time we fix one problem, another appears out of nowhere. Who knows what he told Gwen? What if she brings something up, even by accident?
Mike looked over at Duncan and Gwen, who were making faces at each other.
I can't trust her. I don't even know her.
"But you know who does?" Mal chimed in.
"I don't know, Mate," Manitoba caught on. "Will Courtney want to do us any favors?"
"Bro, seriously? Courtney?" Vito voiced his displeasure.
"I'm just saying, if you need someone familiar with the situation to stop things from getting out of hand, she's right there. Unless you can trust yourself to keep everything in check?"
"Oh, Mikey, that's a good point," Manitoba conceded. "You aren't good at keeping things in check."
Mike ignored the slight.
What if she asks for something in return?
"You can always say no," Manitoba shrugged him off. "She's already got you by the balls, what else can she do?"
Mike couldn't believe he was considering it.
"And the following campers are safe! Duncan, Cameron, Mike, and Zoey! That means Sam and Sierra, you're in the bottom two!"
What? Someone voted for Sierra? Maybe Duncan?
"Unless it was Cameron," Mal proposed.
Mike glanced over at Cameron, who was fidgeting in his seat.
It was him! Are you kidding me? Why am making all these promises when other people don't keep up their end of the deal?
"He was probably just anxious, mate," Manitoba noted. "Didn't want to vote for his friend so went for the next best option."
"Fuck that," Mal responded immediately. "You can't trust a word that comes out of his mouth."
"Woah there, mate. Reel it in," Manitoba tried to calm him down. "Cameron isn't out to get us. He's a fidgety fella, but he's more of a spooked sugar glider than a dangerous dingo, yeah?"
While Mal and Manitoba argued the merits of Cameron's character, Mike watched as Sam was eliminated from the show. Sam gave a half-hearted wave to the Heroes before he was led to the Flush of Shame.
"Who will be the next contestant to take the Flush of Shame? Find out next week on Total. Drama. All-stars!" Chris signed off the show.
Out of the corner of his eye, Mike could see Duncan get up from his seat and walk over to Gwen, where they both started whispering to each other. Gwen started laughing, then quickly stopped herself.
Mike discarded the entire interaction, realized something, and paused to think for a moment.
"Well," Mal kept arguing, "I guess we'll see what happens when we have to make some hard decisions on who we vote for. I'm sure Cameron will do whatever Zoey wants, of course."
It's weird they aren't sitting together…
"Uh, bro," Vito was lost. "Zoey and Cameron are literally sitting right there."
No, not those two. Courtney and Duncan. I thought they were supposed to be the three musketeers or something.
"When Duncan went to talk with Gwen earlier, Courtney wasn't there," Mal noted.
"Bro," Vito started, "when we saw Chris, and he mentioned Duncan, I thought Courtney looked pissed off."
"Something that I think is weird," Svetlana added her own anecdote, "when you met Courtney in the woods, she only said that she doesn't want Gwen voted off, da? But she never mentioned Duncan. Is strange."
I'm starting to wonder…
Mike watched as Zoey leaned in to talk to Cameron. Seizing his opportunity, he stood up.
…maybe they aren't as close as we think they are.
"Mate, where are we going?" Manitoba asked.
I'm taking Mal's advice. He's right. We don't know nearly as much as we think we do. Hell, Scott voted us off last time. If I'm supposed to get Courtney into the final five of this competition, I need to know what the real dynamics are. This is our best place to start.
"Exactly!" Mal was evidently pleased that Mike was listening to him for once.
Mike located Courtney on the bleachers. Thankfully, she was sitting alone. He took a seat a few feet away from her, trying to appear nonchalant about her presence.
"Hey, Courtney," Mike spoke in a low tone of voice while staring straight ahead.
He looked over at Courtney to make sure she had heard him. She narrowed her eyes at him, then looked ahead as well.
"What do you want?"
"She likes being straight to the point," Mal cut in. "Just tell her everything."
But I don't want her to think I'm rude, or demanding-
"Bro, she already doesn't like you," Vito argued. "Who gives a shit at this point?"
"Somehow, I agree with Vito," Mal decided. "It's already over."
"I need you to do something," he abandoned his usual string of platitudes he usually used when he spoke to her.
Courtney sighed under her breath, clearly annoyed.
"What is it?"
"Zoey wants to hang out with 'Duncan and his friends' tomorrow. Right now that means Gwen, but I want you to be there."
"Yeah?" She crossed her arms and leaned back. "Why?"
"Because," he forced himself to keep talking, "I need someone to be there if the conversation goes somewhere…" he struggled for the right word, "unfortunate."
"Do you think that it will?"
"Do you?" He felt bold enough with his alters' feedback to question her.
"Hmm," Courtney considered the question. "Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Duncan doesn't always think before he speaks."
"I know he doesn't, and I don't know what Gwen-"
"They're best friends!" Mal jumped in.
"-well," Mike restructured the sentence with that thought in mind, "I'm not sure what she knows-"
"Nothing," Courtney hissed, "she doesn't know anything. If she did, she would tell me. We tell each other everything."
"Alright, alright," Mike sensed the conversation going somewhere he didn't intend. "I'm just worried someone will say something accidentally."
"I hope you're including yourself," Courtney added, "since you always look so nervous," she took the opportunity to dig at him.
"Fine," Mike gritted his teeth. "I'll include myself."
"Then," Courtney decided, "it sounds like a you problem. I have no intention of hanging out with you more than is strictly necessary, especially when he's around. Sounds messy."
Well, I'm out of ideas. Anyone?
"Mate, this sheila is one tough nut to crack," Manitoba was also at a loss.
"Nyet, I have this one," Svetlana insisted. "You give her nothing in return, why would she help you? Is not how she operates."
"Svet's right," Mal agreed. "You have to scare her a bit."
Scare her?
"It's just a little bit," Mal echoed.
Sensing no other opinion, Mike did just that.
"I wouldn't say it's just a me problem," Mike rubbed his hands together. He tried to envision what Mal would say. "Did you forget you're in this as well?"
"Please, I just said that I would stay out of your way."
"Right," Mike nodded, then went in for the kill. "So if something happens tomorrow, if- oh, I don't know, Duncan goes off the rails, I would have no choice but to mention I spoke with you. But, since you just said you tell Gwen everything, I guess nobody will be surprised. After all, she must know everything- but wait, didn't you mention she didn't know anything? But, you tell her everything? So, which is true?"
"Yes!" Mal was enthralled. "That's exactly what I would have said!"
"Bringing up Gwen," Manitoba was stunned, "mate, I have to say, that's really impressive."
"Well," Courtney paused, clearly struggling for words, "she doesn't- I didn't say anything. Which is what you want, so."
Mike knew that he had her.
"Because if you told Gwen," Mike followed her line of thinking, "she would go to Duncan, and this entire thing would fall apart, and then I couldn't help you win. Right?"
"Hang on," Courtney was flustered. "First of all, I don't need you to win, but-"
"You know that if I didn't get you switched off the Heroes team, you would have gone home tonight."
"Excellent," Mal praised him.
I'm not laying it on too thick?
"No way, bro," Vito reassured him.
She huffed, then regained composure.
Mike glanced over to make sure Zoey and Cameron were still distracted.
"Look," she sneered, still looking straight ahead. "I just don't want to owe you anything, alright?"
"Then help me out tomorrow. Isn't that how alliances work? They go both ways, no?"
Courtney had a sour look on her face. She adjusted the collar on her shirt.
They sat in silence for several moments.
She's gotta hurry up, I don't know how long Zoey-
"I don't like the food in the cabins," Courtney stated.
"Uh, what?" Mike was lost. "But you're not in the cabins tonight."
"But I will be someday. Just saying."
"That is hint, da?" Svetlana suggested.
"Oh!" Mike realized. "Oh. Breakfast! Sure, I can do that!"
"In that case," she took a labored breath. "I'll tell Gwen that if she hangs out with Zoey tomorrow, I want to come with her…and if I sense the conversation turning 'unfortunate,' I suppose I'll step in."
"Really?" He beamed. "Awesome! Thanks, Courtney!"
"Stop- just," she winced, "could you not act so happy about it?"
"Ok," he tried to make himself frown, but ended up smiling again. "It's not so easy, you see."
"Go back to your team."
"Alright!" He smiled and practically skipped back to Zoey and Cameron, then realized he looked ridiculous and made himself walk.
"Oh, hey," Zoey looked up at him. "Where were you?"
"Oh, just sitting over there," he vaguely gestured with his head. "I'm still a little upset about the Sam thing."
I am so psyched right now!
"Bro, that was awesome! Courtney had no idea what was coming," Vito was just as happy.
I know, I couldn't believe it. Thanks for your help, guys. Mal, great idea.
"That's what I'm here for."
"It sucks he had to go," Zoey nodded. It took Mike a second to realize she was talking about Sam, but he nodded his head in agreement.
"Alright," Zoey added as Duncan and Sierra joined the group, "let's head back. It's been a long day."
Moments after the team began to walk down the woods towards the Spa Hotel, Cameron was right by Mike's side at the back of the group.
"Alright," he whispered, "what did he do?"
Oh, right. The cellphone.
"One second," he murmured to Cameron. "We need to be…" he gestured broadly to Duncan.
Cameron nodded in understanding. Mike didn't want Duncan to overhear everything. The two of them consciously slowed down until there was sufficient distance to speak without Duncan picking up on it.
Or Zoey, for that matter.
"Alright, Cam-"
"Oh, Cammy-bear!" Sierra swooped in before Mike could say anything.
Great.
"Ah, Sierra," Cameron dodged her grasp. "Can you give us a-"
"I missed you so much," she started to pout.
"Well," Cameron scrambled for words, "oh, hey- where's your phone?"
"I left it charging in the Spa Hotel."
"Then maybe you should lead the group?" Cameron proposed. "Just so we don't get lost on the way there."
That makes no sense.
"I don't understand," Mal began, "why he doesn't just tell her to fuck off."
It's Cameron. He would never.
"Oh Cammy-kins, that's a great idea!" She beamed. "I'll lead the group."
"Great, have fun."
The second she was out of earshot, Cameron turned back to Mike.
"Alright, what happened?"
"Oh, jeez, Cam," Mike rubbed the back of his neck as he tried to get the lie evened out in his head.
What do I say? I saw Duncan drop these buttons?
"On second thought," Mal pondered, "let Cameron reach that conclusion on his own. If you say it was Duncan, then Cameron will go right to Zoey, and who knows what happens next?"
I'll be more ambiguous, then.
"Well, Cameron," Mike started, "you'll keep this between you and me, right? Because I don't have proof of anything, and, well, I just don't know," he shrugged helplessly. "But you won't say anything, right?"
"Of course I won't."
"Then," Mike took a deep breath, "earlier today, I was walking back with Zoey," he paused for effect, "when I found these." He dug into his pocket and pulled out the buttons, letting Cameron examine them.
"What are these?" Cameron furrowed his brow. "They look like something from a keypad of sorts…perhaps a cell phone?"
"And who hasn't had their cell phone for the past few hours?"
"Sierra," it dawned on Cameron. "Wait, does this mean," he looked around and lowered his voice even more, "that someone took these buttons from her phone?"
"I don't know," Mike shook his head, putting the buttons back in his pocket. "But the whole thing really freaks me out, especially with Sam's GameGuy…I'm just not sure what to make of it. So I started to think, who could have done something like that?"
"There aren't a lot of options," Cameron shook his head. "Obviously it wasn't you, me, Zoey, Sam, or Sierra," he noted. "Which leaves someone on the other team, or…" his eyes drifted to the contestant walking further down the path, "Duncan," he whispered so quietly that Mike had to read his lips.
"You have no idea," Mal instructed him.
"I really wish I knew," Mike threw up his hands like the situation eluded him.
"I do think he's capable of something like that," Cameron affirmed to himself.
"Really?" Mike encouraged him. "Do you think so?"
"I'm almost sure of it," Cameron nodded. "We know he's guilty of past criminal activity."
"I guess you're right," Mike agreed. "That's why I was thinking- if we have to vote anyone off this team, for our own safety, it should be him. Even if we can't prove it, I'd hate to take chances on something like this."
"You're right," Cameron nodded along. "We have to be vigilant. Sierra is bad, but she would never do something like this."
"Bro, make sure this guy doesn't snitch," Vito interrupted. "He seems like the kinda guy to talk."
"Especially to Zoey," Mal added. "Make sure he won't tell her in particular."
I've already thought of that. You think I didn't worry he would say something?
"Well, we can always count on you to worry."
"I'm glad you think that…but still, promise you won't say anything to anybody? We have no proof, and I would hate to bring negative attention to him just in case he's innocent, and I know Zoey seems to get along with him, and I don't want to ruin this for her. You know how she worries, and I want her to have a good time."
"That's really considerate of you," Cameron noted. "I won't say anything."
"Thanks, Cam," Mike smiled. "I really appreciate it."
Good, right? Now, if he tells Zoey, I can just say that I didn't want her to worry. And since I never definitively said Duncan did anything, if anyone ever confronts him on it, I can backtrack and blame someone on the other team. Isn't that smart? Did I do a good job?
"Bro, you've been spending too much time around Mal," Vito noted.
"Or I'm just a great teacher," Mal added.
But did I-
"Yes, you did a great job," Mal reassured him. "You planned for everything."
Good.
"It's a shame, though," Cameron frowned, still keeping his voice low. "I guess juvie didn't teach him his lesson."
"Ah…what?"
"You know," Cameron pondered, "he was in there for a while, but it didn't seem to work. Maybe some people can't be helped," he shrugged.
"Oh, I know that one stung," Mal spoke immediately.
"Mischa, don't listen to him," Svetlana tried to comfort Mike. "He doesn't know what he is saying."
It's fine. It's all good.
"Maybe you're right, Cam," Mike answered weakly.
He tried not to think about Cameron's comment, but couldn't hold back the flood of thoughts in his head, reaching a peak when the team stopped in front of the cabins.
"Mischa," Svetlana cautiously spoke up as the contestants stood outside, giving their respective goodbyes for the evening. Mike was completely unaware of his surroundings. "Are you sure you are alright?"
Fine…I'm fine…
"Alright, good-"
I just don't understand why Cameron had to say that. He couldn't just leave it alone? Why'd he have to add that last part? Clearly he has no idea what he's talking about.
Mike rubbed his hands on his jeans.
He doesn't know what it's like in there…They don't teach you how to be a better person, they put you in there because they don't know what else to do with you.
His alters, having heard this speech countless times before, let him continue to rant.
What lesson was I supposed to learn? Don't get sent there in the first place? Great fucking idea, wish I thought of that one beforehand!
"Alright, that's enough, mate," Manitoba tried to get him to change the subject. "You're preaching to the choir. Don't get so angry with Cameron. He's your friend, that's what you always say."
Mike took a deep breath.
Right, I'm sorry guys. I know you've all heard this before…and he is my friend, I just-
"Ahhhh!" A blood-curdling scream echoed from nearby.
Mike nearly jumped out of his skin. Frantically, he looked around.
What? What's going on?
"Sierra?" Zoey identified the source of the noise and charged into the girl's cabin, which Sierra had apparently entered a few moments before. The other contestants charged after her. When they stepped inside the room, they found Sierra curled up on the floor clutching the remains of her mangled cellphone.
Oh, right.
"This ought to be quite something," Manitoba observed.
"Sierra!" Zoey knelt down next to her. "What's going on?"
"It's, it's," she struggled to get the words out, "just look." She held up her phone, which began to spark.
Immediately, Cameron stared at Mike, a look of shock on his face.
"Oh, wow," Zoey stood back up, looking unsure of the situation. "How could this have happened?"
"The same thing happened with Sam's GameGuy…" Cameron trailed off, still looking at Mike.
"Wait, hang on," Mike put up his hands. "So what, someone's targeting us?"
"No," Sierra hissed from her spot on the floor. Slowly, she dragged herself into a standing position. "I know exactly who did this."
Mike swore she was glaring at him.
No way, right? There's no way she saw.
He started to sweat. Mike rubbed his hands on the back of his neck.
"Uh, who?" He choked out, terrified of her response.
"Of course I know," she sounded certain. Mike's heart started pounding, and the room began to spin.
"It was," Sierra began, "you!" She spun on Duncan. "You did this, didn't you? Don't even deny it, I know it was you!"
Cameron was right by Mike's side in an instant.
"I can't believe it!" Cameron whispered. "Could it be true?"
"Hang on, Cam," Mike whispered back, watching the scene unfold.
"Me?" Duncan scoffed. "Seriously? You're crazy."
"Oh, I know it was you," Sierra stepped even closer to him. "Don't bullshit me, Duncan."
"Yeah, you also thought I broke Sam's GameGuy- which, by the way, I didn't do either."
Duncan appeared more annoyed than genuinely frustrated by Sierra's anger.
"No!" Sierra snapped at him. "This one was personal. You always hated my blog, you and Courtney! She was the one who sent you after me so I'd shut it down, right? Isn't that what you wanted? And now I'm expected to believe that you didn't break my phone? I'm not stupid! You guys were always trying to take me down!"
Cameron was furiously whispering into Mike's ear, but he was too entranced by the scene in front of him to answer.
I wonder what Sierra's talking about with this blog thing?
"Bro, I'm so curious," Vito agreed. "Like, I gotta know."
"Well, I don't blame Courtney for trying to get that blog deleted," Mal gave his input. "Why would she want some weird girl to run a blog about her?"
"Sierra!" Duncan growled her name, capturing Mike's attention again. "Be very careful what you say next."
"Or what?" Sierra smiled sweetly. "What are you gonna do?"
Oh, shit. Are they actually fighting?
"No way would Duncan ever hit a girl," Mal came to his defense. "It's beneath him."
Nothing's beneath him- would you stop praising the guy?
"Bro, it's not classy to hit a chick," Vito argued.
He's not classy!
"So you think he'd do it?"
Well…no. I don't think he'd do it.
"Oh! Look at that, Mike doesn't think he would do it," Vito declared in triumph.
Can we just pay attention for once?
"Sierra!" Duncan snapped in a booming voice. "We moved past this. It has-"
"Mike!" Cameron whispered in Mike's ear, distracting him from Duncan. "Say he didn't do it. Please, say he didn't!"
"What?" Mike was lost. He looked at Cameron, who was almost pressed to his side. "Why?"
"You have to," Cameron begged. Then, he grabbed onto Mike's arm, clinging onto him. "Please, I can't do conflict, it makes me really nervous," he gasped on the last word. "I think I'm gonna faint…" he stumbled.
Oh, you have to be kidding me.
"Mate, it looks like he's going down," Manitoba noted.
"He's so lame," Vito grumbled.
"Mischa, you do not want this boy fainting on you, nyet? Is not a good look," Svetlana added.
Oh, fine.
"Um," Mike cleared his throat, not particularly eager to speak. "It's possible that it wasn't Duncan. He was with Gwen earlier for a bit, so maybe it could be someone else? I don't think we can be sure," he tried not to take a stance on either side, letting Cameron believe Duncan was guilty without giving Zoey the same tipoff.
"Mike's right," Zoey agreed. "He was with Gwen, we both saw them."
"Sierra, I can try to fix your phone," Cameron had let go of Mike's arm and started to pull himself together. "I can't promise, but I can try."
"Oh, thank you, Cammy-bear!" Sierra's entire demeanor changed as she scooped Cameron up into a hug.
"Sure," he squirmed in her arms until she let him go.
"Here," Sierra offered her phone. Cameron took it, flipped it open, and examined the screen.
Do I give him the buttons? No, that'll look too suspicious…I'll hang onto them.
"Hmm, it's in pretty bad shape, but I'll try my best," Cameron explained.
"Maybe the two of you should go back to your cabin?" Zoey offered. "Cameron can stay here and work on the phone."
Very quickly, it dawned on Mike that he didn't prepare for this possibility.
Wait, the two of us alone? No way, absolutely not, there's no chance in hell.
Mike prepared for battle.
"Listen, Zoey-"
"Hey, don't worry about me," she smiled at him.
"But-"
"Seriously," she reassured him. "Go get some rest."
Shit. What do I say?
"There's nothing you can say, mate," Manitoba informed him. "You have to go back to the cabin, unless you sleep in the woods somewhere-"
"Absolutely not," Mal interrupted. "There is no faster way to look suspicious than to voluntarily sleep in the woods. You're doing this. You knew you couldn't avoid him the entire time. Just get in there, shut him down, and go to bed."
Deep down, Mike knew he wasn't getting out of this.
"Alright," he smiled at Zoey. "Good night," he pulled her in for a hug.
"Good night," she smiled back as they broke apart.
After Duncan begrudgingly said good night to Sierra, Mike followed him to the guy's cabin. He could feel his palms start to sweat.
Alright, game plan. End the conversation as fast as possible.
"Mischa, I do not think he will still be angry with you," Svetlana told him. "Has been years, da?"
He definitely hates me. The second we're alone, he's gonna tear me to shreds. Shit, I'm sure they'll be able to hear him screaming at me from the other cabin.
"Ok, we're getting off-topic. Take a deep breath, try to relax, and act like nothing's wrong," Mal instructed him like he was going in for a job interview. "The second you start panicking, it's all over. You have to try and be cool here. Remember, he's the weird one here. These are your friends, not his."
Mike tried to memorize the feeling of the night air on his face before he stepped through the threshold of the cabin. Immediately, Duncan shut the door, locking them both in the wooden tomb of the guy's cabin.
"So," Duncan spun on Mike, showing off two rows of sharp teeth. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Mike tried to look unbothered.
"Yeah," he waved half heartedly and kept walking. "I don't feel like getting into this right now."
There. I'm shutting this down.
"Hmm?" Duncan tilted his head, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Getting into what?"
"Oh, come on," Mike put his hands in his pockets to try and seem nonchalant while hiding the fact that they had started violently shaking.
Duncan paused for a moment, as if considering whether to press further. The smile completely disappeared from his face, then quickly reappeared. He had made up his mind.
"Let's talk about how you're lying to Zoey," Duncan grinned, taking great joy in this announcement.
"No, I'm not," Mike fired back immediately.
"Bro, chill out, you sound really defensive," Vito informed him.
Ok, well- fuck, what am I supposed to say?
"Just be cool," Vito encouraged him.
"Seriously?" Duncan was evidently not impressed by Mike's answer. "Seems to me like you're lying," he shrugged. "You're leaving out some pretty key details."
He's not getting angry…it looks like he doesn't even care!
"He's got a great poker face," Mal added. "Something that you don't have. Stop talking to us and stay focused!"
"Whatever," Mike crossed his arms. "It's none of your business."
"Ah," Duncan gave Mike the telltale facial expression that he was going in for the kill- head tilted, hint of a smile, and one eyebrow slightly raised. "It became my business when I had to start lying for you. By the way, you should be nicer to me. You have no idea what I could walk out this door and tell Zoey."
Shit, shit, shit, I knew he would do this.
"Yeah, right," Mike answered with all of the confidence he could muster. "You wouldn't dare."
For a moment, Duncan looked surprised. He glanced at the door, then back at Mike, unsure of what he should do. Then, he decided.
"Oh, yeah?" He grinned and put his hand on the doorknob. "Watch me."
Fuck, he's won.
"Ok, wait," Mike stepped forward.
"Yeah? Something wrong?"
"Just," Mike stared at the floor, ashamed at having lost this particular battle, "let's talk for a minute."
"Mike, do not let him take control of the conversation," Mal reminded him.
"Alright," Duncan took his hand away from the door, relishing in his victory. "That's fine by me. What do you want to talk about?"
"I don't know."
"Are you serious? What did I just say?"
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm really freaking out.
"Fix it!"
"Actually," Mike corrected himself. "I do know. So. Um. Let's sit down."
Duncan seemed unfazed by this brazen display of weirdness. Wordlessly, he sat cross-legged on his bed and patiently watched as Mike sat down on his own bed. Mike tried to keep his shaking hands out of view, thankful for the cover provided by the darkness of the cabin.
"Well?" Duncan asked. "What's the deal?" A hint of amusement crept into his voice.
"It's a lot," Mike started, which was technically true.
"Fine, I'll start," Duncan sighed, annoyed by Mike's inability to get the words out. "What have you told Zoey?" Duncan leaned forward. "What does she know?"
"Alright, since you can't be trusted," Mal began, "let's work this out together. I think if you're not going to tell the entire truth, you need to double down on whatever story you're about to give."
I'm worried if I tell the truth, he'll tell Zoey everything just to fuck with me, or tell her in a moment of anger, or something I haven't even thought of.
"I think you need to tell him a story that will prevent him from ever bringing it up to her…Now, I've been thinking about this for a while, and I have a plan, but I think you're going to have some issues with it."
Just tell me.
"We're operating under the assumption that he would tell Zoey because he wants to hurt you in some way- to get back at you, embarrass you, something…Now, do I think he would do that? No, but-"
"Bro, just say the plan," Vito was sick of hearing this argument.
"Fine," Mal continued. "I think you need to shift this onto Zoey."
"I'm already lost," Vito complained.
"Would you just let me finish? Tell Duncan that you've already spoken to Zoey, and she's aware of the entire situation, but she loathes talking about it. She gets really upset whenever it's brought up, or it makes her uncomfortable, and she's such a saint but this is just too much for her. It would be too much for anyone, right? That way, he won't try to use this for shock value because he's under the assumption that she knows everything. And hopefully, he won't want to make her uncomfortable, so he'll keep his mouth shut."
Wait, hang on, Mike argued, that means we're assuming he's a good enough person to leave Zoey out of this and not hurt her feelings on purpose.
"Yes."
No way.
"Alright, then you have about five seconds to think of a new plan before he asks why you're just sitting there not talking."
But-
"Five. Four. Three-"
Oh, fuck you. Fine.
Mike took a breath and prepared his answer.
"Zoey knows enough."
Duncan did not let him get away with a vague answer.
"Enough?" He smiled. "Could you be more specific?"
"She knows the broad details, and some of the specific ones. She knows…generally, the situation."
"Really?" Duncan seemed genuinely surprised at that answer. "And what does she have to say about it?"
Alright, alright, I can do this.
"Look," Mike sighed. "She's really great. But she doesn't like talking about it- to be honest, she doesn't know what to say, so please, don't bring it up to her. I don't want to do that to her, alright? I don't want her to be uncomfortable." He frowned and looked at Duncan, widening his eyes ever so slightly, but not enough to be obviously pandering.
He watched as Duncan took in this information. He lazily swept the room with a careless gaze, not seeming to care that he held Mike's life in his hands.
Please, let me go…
Right when Mike felt like he would pass out, Duncan spoke.
"Alright," he didn't seem particularly engaged. "I won't say anything."
"Thank you," Mike beamed, trying not to make it a big deal.
I can't believe it. He's agreeing with me! I wonder why he'd do that?
"Mate, don't question it," Manitoba advised him. "Just accept it."
"By the way," the smile was back on Duncan's face. "What happened to Sam's GameGuy? And Sierra's phone?" He grinned like he already knew the answer.
"Not surprising he figured that one out," Mal admitted.
"Right, that," Mike rubbed the back of his neck. "Um, I think we both- just- don't say anything about that, alright? Cause they think it was, well, let's just leave it alone?"
"Fine," Duncan stretched out on his bed. "But that's all you're getting from me, yeah?"
"Alright," Mike was pleased with this response. "It's a deal."
Then, the two of them sat in silence for several moments.
So, now what?
"Nothing," Mal told him. "That went as well as it could have."
So, we just sit here?
Mike squirmed under the pressure of the silence.
"Be grateful you didn't start crying. Don't take any more chances," Mal instructed him.
Please, I wasn't going to cry. I would have walked out if I started to cry. There are safeguards in place.
"So, what have you been up to?" Duncan said out of nowhere.
"What?" Mike had no idea what to say.
"You know, in the past few years," Duncan was staring up at the ceiling. "Just curious."
He's trying to get inside my head…I know exactly what he's up to.
"I don't know what he's up to," Mal admitted, "but don't tell him too much. Just to be on the safe side."
Mike kept the conversation as light as possible, indulging Duncan with his questions. Secretly, Mike hoped Duncan would reveal something that wasn't publicly available, but he stuck to information about school and his job.
"Is for the better," Svetlana argued. "You are better off not knowing."
Yeah, I guess you're right.
Still, a part of him was desperate to know. Thankfully, Cameron opened the cabin door before the conversation could progress, which allowed Mike to tune out completely.
"Alright, that was good," Mal gave his seal of approval. "It could have been much worse, so let's just call it a day and move on."
"Bro, I'm exhausted," Vito complained.
I know, I know, I'm going to bed.
"Good night, guys," Mike called out before burying himself under his sheets.
That worked…but did it really work? Did he just agree with me so I'd stop talking? Is he going to find Zoey the moment I close my eyes and-
"Mike!" Mal snapped at him. "Go the fuck to sleep!"
Right, right…sorry.