Cody moaned in pleasure, the taste of actual food for the first time in weeks nearly stopping his heart.
"Barbecue…" He said dreamily, "The king of chip flavors!"
The chip bag, unfortunately, didn't last very long - between his starved state and the fact that it was already half-eaten after Beth had abandoned it, Cody had scarfed it down faster than even Owen could have.
He didn't notice the trail of crumbs that he had left behind for any… unwanted predators to follow.
"Mmm," He hummed, finishing the last of the bag before noticing a pile of… something on the ground, "Berries?"
He tossed the empty bag away, forgotten, as he reached down to collect the pile of fresh blueberries from the ground.
This was too good to be true!
Unfortunately, Cody was right about that last part.
A growl that forced every primal instinct inside his body to activate and scream run emerged from behind him, making Cody involuntarily stand up straight and face the thing that had made the noise.
He should have just ran.
As Cody came face to face with a bear, he knew he was fucked.
"Hey, big fella," he said foolishly, burning any time he had left to try and run, "Want some berries?"
It roared, and Cody finally got the hint and started running, screaming for help as he did.
The bear was faster.
And as it came down upon him in a whirl of claw and fang, all Cody could do was scream for help until he lost consciousness.
He wondered if he would ever wake up.
–
Why did Beth leave him on the dock? Why did she bring that totem back from Boney Island?
Why did she not help him when he fell into the water?
If Cody could have screamed, he would have. Too bad the bandages around his mouth were airtight.
He didn't know how he wasn't dead after the bear had finished with him. All he knew was that he had woken up in a medical tent, unable to move his body at all, with Chef looking at him regretfully.
He guessed that since the bear had failed in killing him, the universe was taking a much more direct approach this time around.
Cody had heard drowning was a peaceful way to die - he couldn't remember from where, but he now knew from firsthand experience that that claim was bullshit.
His lungs burned. Every second that passed was a new level of torture on his bruised and battered body. Everything was on fire. His face tingled hotly, despite the ice-cold water surrounding him. His limbs felt like pins and needles were being stabbed into him.
Why was this happening to him?
Black spots were starting to form at the corners of his blurred, murky vision.
Was this the end?
As his eyes slowly dimmed for what seemed like the final time, a voice burst through the silence to offer him one last farewell.
The machinations of the weak-minded are so interesting, don't you think?
–
Cody gasped for breath as he woke up, forcing as much air into his lungs as humanly possible and then some.
All of a sudden, he felt the all too familiar urge to vomit rise, and he made a mad dash for the cabin door to get out and at least puke in the grass instead of in his bed.
He had just burst out into the crisp, cold morning air of Camp Wawanakwa as the bile in his throat forced itself out, barely managing to turn his head and spew vomit and blood over the side of the cabin's deck. In his frenzied state Cody didn't even notice Trent and Owen, frozen in the cabin, who had watched all of this play out.
After a few moments of pure agony where Cody was simultaneously hurling, trying to breathe, and feeling all his old injuries from when he was mauled come back to haunt him, his body eventually calmed down enough to realize that he was okay.
He wasn't mauled by a bear.
He didn't drown.
He was… pretty cold. He should probably get some clothes on, and get back in the cabin.
He wasn't a fan of the stares that greeted him as he walked back into the boy's side of the Gopher's cabin.
"Dude…" Owen half-whispered, "You good?"
"Y-yeah," Cody replied quickly, "Must've had something bad at dinner last night or something."
Trent shook his head. "No way man. You were having some sort of crazy dream - or maybe a nightmare. You were screaming in your sleep and then got all quiet and still, almost like you died! Then you just woke up out of nowhere, and well…"
Cody sighed. There goes any chance he had to downplay it.
"Look," He said, voice low, "I get nightmares a lot. This is nothing new. The best thing for me to do is just suck it up - they never go away."
That was technically the truth - ever since he was a kid, he'd have nasty dreams of whatever thing had tormented him most recently. Whether it be bullies, the bear that mauled him… Sierra… Alejandro…
His parents…
Owen and Trent shared a look, still visibly concerned.
"Look," Trent began cautiously, "If that's just how it is, I understand that. We'll give you your space. But if you want to talk about it, or need anything at all, we're here for you."
Cody nodded, grateful as ever, feeling his chest tighten in a way that was becoming all too familiar these days.
"You got it."
Owen smiled, wiping a tear from his eye as he watched the scene. "This is so sweet!" He cried, blowing his nose. "I love you guys! Group hug!"
Cody and Trent couldn't even blink before they were crushed into a hug by Owen, but all they could do was laugh.
…
"Is it just me, or does that sound like a helicopter?"
–
"Are you ready," Chris asked, the energy in his voice rising, "For today's extreme max impact challenge?!"
"We are ready!" Owen responded with a cheer, which Leshawna could only shake her head at.
"Incoming!" Chris shouted back, tossing a can of beans into the crowd of teenagers.
It looked like it was going to land squarely on Gwen's forehead (which would have left a downright nasty bruise), but right as she flinched back Trent reached out and casually caught it with one hand.
"This," Chris began, "Is breakfast."
Heather scoffed - did she ever stop doing that? "No, breakfast is crepes! Croissants! Even Chef's subpar burnt eggs!"
Chris definitely heard her - she was too loud and obnoxious to ever possibly be ignored - but kept on trucking along anyways.
"Today's challenge is about survival," Chris said, pulling out a paintball gun from who knows where, "We're going hunting!"
Chris didn't know it, but Cody knew from firsthand experience just how exactly right the man was on that survival comment.
"That's more like it!" Duncan praised, seemingly excited about a challenge for the first time.
"Isn't that a paintball gun?" Harold asked.
"Why yes," Chris nodded, before pointing it right at him, causing Harold to lean back in fright, "It is!"
The fact that a single shot from the gun knocked Harold over was pretty funny - although it was really more sad than anything. How was it even possible for Harold to be that frail?
"So we won't be killing anything?" Bridgette asked, slightly nervous about the hunting insinuation from earlier.
"Negatory. Legal could clear us on a lot of stuff, but not that!" Chris responded enthusiastically, "Therefore, you'll be hunting each other in a little game I like to call 'Paintball Deer Hunt'! I'll announce the teams once we get into the woods, so finish brekkie!"
Owen burped in satisfaction, several dozen cans of beans emptied out behind him.
"Got any more?"
It was at that moment Cody decided going hungry for the day was a small price to pay for lowering the chances of a bear finding him.
And if worst comes to worst, he always had that small spray bottle of bear mace in his pocket.
He prayed to God that he didn't have to use it.
–
"And now for the team breakdowns!" Chris prattled, the rules taking forever to go over, "For the Bass - Bridgette, Geoff, and Harold, locked and loaded with Bass blue paint! And using orange paint are the Gopher hunters! Leshawna, Beth, Owen, and Lindsay!"
"Wahoo!" Owen shouted in excitement, "This is awesome, man!"
"You also get these stylin' glasses and wicked camo caps!" Chris explained, "The rest of you - you're now deer. Here are your antlers, noses, and little white tails!"
"Yeah right!" Heather spat, "There is no way I'm wearing that!"
"Ditto." Duncan shook his head. "There is no way I'm gonna be a deer!"
Chris just laughed. "Take these off, and your team is toast!" He taunted, "So I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you're ready to say goodbye to one-hundred big ones."
Owen snorted as Duncan, very reluctantly, adorned the deer outfit, causing him to shoot the blonde a dirty look.
"What're you looking at?"
"Oh, nothing," Owen snickered, "Bambi."
Damn. Owen was ruthless. Too bad he was definitely not catching any 'prey' today.
"You better be a good shot, tubby!" Duncan threatened, causing Owen to jump back in fright.
Cody barely noticed.
–
"Ugh," Gwen groaned, "This may be the lamest thing I've ever done in my life."
Smartly, Cody decided not to comment this time around. He was too busy glancing around the woods to really keep up a conversation at the moment, anyways. His paranoia was finally paying off!
Well, maybe. There was still the chance of no bears showing up today. That would be nice.
"We should split up!" Heather said suddenly, causing the rest of the group to pause, "If we're all together and the Bass hunters find us, we're screwed. There's no way I'm losing this challenge because you're all so buddy-buddy."
Gwen opened her mouth to retort, but stopped herself. "That's… actually not a terrible idea."
Trent nodded in agreement. Shit.
"Great!" Heather said in her fake-sweet tone, not fooling any of them, "So you two can go off and make-out or whatever it is you do, and me and Cody will stay here and wait for Beth and Lindsay!"
"What?" Trent asked, putting a hand up to stop Gwen from trying to maim Heather, "Why would you and Cody want to be around Beth and Lindsay? Shouldn't they be, you know, hunting the Bass deer?"
Heather rolled her eyes. "No," She said simply, "I'm going to make them protect me for the whole game!"
"And right after I compliment her, she's right back to being a braindead idiot."
Heather rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything. Gwen glared at her for a moment, before giving up and stomping away, Trent hot on her heels.
Cody turned to face the queen bee, who had sat down on a stump and began to file her nails. "Uh, not that I'm complaining or anything," He began, causing Heather to give him a sour look and a raised eyebrow, "But what do you need me here for exactly?"
"To talk strategy, duh!" Heather said with another eye roll, "Don't think I haven't seen you and Gwen getting all chummy again the last two days. What did you two do, kiss and make up?"
Cody shrugged. "More or less."
"What!?" Heather's eyes bulged, practically popping out of her skull. "Are you serious? After all the shit she wrote about you, you're gonna brush it off? Just like that?"
"Look, we had a heart to heart on the canoe trip to Boney Island," He explained, "She talked about how she understood what she wrote was uncalled for, apologized, and we -"
"I'm gonna stop you right there, idiot." The glare Heather was giving him would've been enough to put him six feet below at pretty much any other point in his life, but Cody stood his ground regardless. "Do you really think that psycho actually likes you? She's just using you to stay in the game longer."
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Cody protested, the veins in his forehead starting to bulge, "We are friends! Just like I am with Trent, Leshawna, Owen, L-"
"You are unbelievable!" Heather proclaimed, throwing her hands out in exasperation, "They are not your friends! People didn't come here to make friends!"
"Funny, because that's exactly why I came here," Cody said, his rage simmering over into a calm facade, "Maybe if you weren't such a spoiled brat, you could learn to make some friends yourself. Lord knows you need some."
Cody couldn't take her anymore. He didn't care if it was dangerous to be alone at this point, he needed some time away from this utter asshole. He stomped away, uncaring of the surprised expression on Heather's face.
"Uh…" Beth spoke up, having caught most of the argument, "Is this a bad time?"
Heather was momentarily frozen following Cody's outburst, but she quickly turned back to Beth, a scowl on her face.
"There you are!" She groaned, "Took you long enough! Where's Lindsay?"
Beth suddenly blushed, unable to look Heather in the eyes.
"She's, uh, hunting deer right now, I think."
"Ugh!" Heather screamed, "Can this day get any worse?"
—
Confessional: Tyler
Tyler was still in his deer outfit, a small splotch of orange paint on his red jumpsuit that contrasted well with the red lipstick smears all over his face.
"Yeah…" He said, a dopey grin on his face, "I think me and Lindsay are all good."
He gave the camera a thumbs up.
—
Cody didn't know how he found himself by Beth again, but he really didn't want to be around her. That bag of chips still gave him nightmares.
But he steeled himself. He needed to have this talk with her.
"How goes it?" He asked cautiously, taking plenty of time to ensure there were no bears in his peripheral vision.
Beth rolled her eyes. "I'm so done with this game!"
"What happened?" He asked, feigning naivety, "Have you bagged any deer yet?"
"No, but I did risk my life to steal a bag of chips for Heather!"
Cody sighed. "You really should stand up to her. She needs a lesson or two in humility."
"Easy for you to say!" Beth groaned, "She's so… so… mean! And bossy! And bitchy!"
"And can hear you!"
Wonderful.
Cody and Beth rolled their eyes as one, both sick and tired of Heather's shenanigans by this point.
"Now's your chance!" He whispered encouragingly over to the farm girl.
"Here!" Beth spat, throwing the bag of chips at Heather's feet, "I hope you know what I had to go through to get them."
Heather wanted to say something, but her hunger won out, picking up the bag of chips from the forest floor with a nasty look in her eyes.
"There's barely even anything left in the bag!" She spat, "And they're barbecue! Go exchange them for dill pickle."
As she threw the bag back onto the ground, Beth's knee-jerk response was to bend down and pick the bag up, meekly carrying out Heather's orders.
But then she remembered that she kind of hated Heather, and that Cody had encouraged her to take a stand for herself just a moment ago.
"No."
Heather looked shocked. Cody grinned.
"What did you just say?"
"I'm just gonna leave you two to it!" Cody said cheerily, before realizing that neither of the girls were paying attention to him anymore.
He made sure to leave that bag of chips on the ground this time, sprinting as far away from the shouting as he could.
–
Every sound caused Cody to jump. Every rustle of leaves from the wind caused him to jolt and start running. He couldn't even trust himself anymore - at least twice he had sworn he'd heard the distinct growl of a bear, only to turn and see absolutely nothing.
The third time he had heard something he was pretty sure it was just Owen's stomach, but the point still stood.
Cody had taken to hiding in a tree - the only vantage point he could think of where he wouldn't be able to get snuck up on from. It wasn't pretty - the height alone was making him dizzy, let alone the clock that was slowly ticking down in his head, reminding him of his impending -
"Attention human wildlife and hunters!" Chris announced over the intercom, "Please report back to camp! It's time to return to camp and tally up the scores!"
Cody had never run so quickly in his life. Not even the threat of Sierra could get this speed out of him.
It didn't take long to wind up back at camp, even if he didn't have a clear idea of where he was running to. He knew the forest pretty well by this point, thanks to all the running he had been doing in the morning, so even though he was basically just sprinting through bushes and shrubs Cody was able to find his way after a bit of time had passed and his face had gotten scratched.
As he took in massive gulps of air, chest heaving and legs burning, a small blossom of hope bloomed in his chest.
He had done it!
He survived! He wasn't going to be eliminated tonight!
"Nice work out there Cody," Chris praised, clapping his hands, "I can always count on you to up those drama levels! The ratings for this episode are going to be wild!"
Cody wasn't sure what to make of that.
"Uh, you're… welcome?" He said cautiously, "But I really didn't do much."
Chris shot him finger guns. "That's where you're wrong, Codester!" Chris grinned, his teeth so white it gave Cody a migraine. How was that even possible? "Sure, you may have only fought with Heather a little, but who was in Beth's ear to stand up for herself? Now that was awesome!"
Cody just shrugged. That probably would've happened without his interference, but it felt nice to try and help Beth.
"And to top it all off, someone gets mauled by a bear?! This episode will be priceless!"
Cody's heart stopped.
No…
His eyes shot over to the medical tent that was hastily propped up behind Chris. He had originally thought it was there as a precaution, and that he had just happened to need severe medical assistance last time around.
Please…
"You know, we could probably sell a copy of this episode as a limited edition version, complete with deleted scenes that usually wouldn't make it onto television due to graphic imagery…" Chris pondered, "I bet we would make a killing off of it!"
Cody didn't hear him. Blood was rushing in his ears. His heart was pounding through his chest.
He couldn't see into the medical tent, but in an instant he was there, panicked, gazing into the dark room with a horrified expression on his face.
Cody locked eyes with Gwen, who had bolted up the moment she heard the flap of the tent open. Her eyes were red, an obvious sign that she had been crying, and her makeup was smeared. But that wasn't what caught his attention.
Right next to her, in a wheelchair and covered in bandages, Trent sat, unmoving.
Cody puked.
–
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Chris began, disappointed, "Stealing from Chef, eating chips in the woods, sneaking off to make out, being mauled by bears! Do you know what I see here? I see a very undisciplined group. I see a disgraceful mess! I see a massive waste of paint product! And I have to say… that was awesome!"
"When you guys opened fire on your own team? Wicked T.V., guys!"
Everyone was surprised at Chris's reaction.
Cody wasn't. He was barely able to keep it together at the moment, uncaring for the world around him.
How did this happen? Why did it have to happen to Trent? Why couldn't it have been him? Did he cause this to happen to Trent?
Cody would've gladly taken his place. No one deserved to go through what had happened to Cody. Was this destined to happen? Why, why, why, WHY -
It was simply a necessity.
What the fuck did that mean? How could it be a necessity?! No one needs to get mauled!
Cody idly realized that he was crying. He almost laughed. Here he was, safe and sound, crying while arguing with a voice in his head.
Do you truly wish to be in his place? It is not through your actions that these events have transpired. Do not presume to be in control over powers beyond yourself.
This was the first time the voice had any sort of… emotion to it. It was faint, but Cody could almost sense a twinge of empathy in its tone, despite its unwavering firmness.
Cody wiped the tears from his eyes, but it didn't help stop the floodgates.
"Well, since three members of the Gophers are dripping in paint compared to just Tyler for the Bass," Chris began, only to pause as Lindsay turned around and revealed that she was also covered in paint, "Make that four, and some of them aren't even deer, I think we have our winners!"
The Killer Bass cheered.
"Bass, you're off to a hunting camp shindig!" Chris announced, pleased, "Gophers! I'll see you at the campfire ceremony. Again."
Cody sighed, defeated, absolutely ashamed of what he was about to do.
He had some people to talk to.
–
Heather was the absolute last person Cody wanted to speak to at the moment. But he didn't have a choice.
She sneered at him, but didn't say anything as he approached her.
He had already talked to Owen and Leshawna, and despite their reservations, had agreed that this was the best choice of action.
"Can we talk?" Cody asked.
"Hmm… let me think about it," Heather began sarcastically, feigning interest, "No!"
Cody sighed through his nose. Great.
"Look," He tried, "I don't really want to do this either -"
"Then get lost, loser!" She hissed, "I've got better things to do than listen to you moan and groan about God knows what!"
Cody frowned even deeper. Time to bring out the big guns.
"Listen, Heather, I'm not asking." Cody enjoyed the brief look of shock on her face at being talked back to in such a manner, before her indifferent mask returned. "I already have Owen and Leshawna's votes, so I probably don't even need yours, this is just a formality. If I wanted to, I could be sending you home. Hell, you probably would be going home tonight if it weren't for me!"
Cody's gaze softened, but only by a fraction.
"But that isn't what should happen."
Heather's lip twitched. Maybe his words were finally reaching her.
"What do you want, geek?" The same edge her voice always held was still there, but it was slightly muted as she realized what position she was in.
"Just your vote tonight, as well as Lindsay's," Cody said calmly, "We both know who needs to go home. I won't ask for anything else."
Heather held her glare for a few moments, but nodded, almost imperceptible to Cody's tired eyes.
"You owe me for this." She said simply.
Cody laughed, but even to him it sounded hollow.
"I'm saving you from elimination, I don't think I owe you a damn thing."
–
"There are only seven marshmallows on this plate, when I call your name, come up and claim your marshmallow. The camper -"
"Who does not receive a marshmallow must immediately return to the Dock of Shame, catch the Boat of Losers and leave," Leshawna interrupted, speaking quickly, "Can't we just get this over with?"
Chris stared at her.
"Fine. Whatever, spoil the moment!" He rolled his eyes. "Cody, Lindsay, Owen, Gwen, Leshawna, Beth."
Instead of waiting for them to individually come up and take their marshmallow as he had said, Chris simply tossed them to every camper he called. It seemed like Leshawna's interruption had irked him a bit more than he had let on.
"Campers, this is the final marshmallow tonight." Chris said quietly, allowing a brief pause to let the tension sink in.
Heather wasn't worried. But it didn't look like Trent was, either.
In fact, from what Cody could make out, he just seemed resigned to his fate.
That only made the guilt Cody felt that much more painful.
"Heather."
Gwen and Beth gasped, Leshawna patting the goth's back gently as she stared at Chris in shock.
Unlike Cody's elimination, Heather wasn't in the mood to threaten the rest of the Gophers. Instead, she just quietly allowed Chris to flick the final marshmallow her way.
"What?!" Gwen shouted in protest, "Why would you guys vote for Trent over Heather?"
No one said anything, with only Owen having the decency to look ashamed.
"Trent, the Dock of Shame awaits bro."
Trent gave Chris a look, causing the host to rub the back of his need sheepishly.
"I guess we can help you get there."
"I'll do it!" Cody volunteered, quickly standing up.
No one said anything as Cody quietly wheeled Trent away, save a goodbye from Owen.
The walk to the dock wasn't a long one, but between Cody's sniffles returning and the awkward silence between the teens, it felt like an eternity before they reached the rickety planks of the Dock of Shame.
Cody steeled himself. What right did he have to cry over Trent's suffering?
"I'm sorry," Cody said quietly as they waited for the Boat of Losers, "You didn't deserve this."
Trent tried to say something, but the bandages around his mouth, like Cody before him, kept whatever words he was speaking from reaching Cody's ears.
"Trent!"
Gwen rushed out to meet the duo, panting as she reached Trent. She squatted down slightly so she was eye level with him, tearing up as she took in the state he was in again.
"Trent, I -" Gwen hiccuped, "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I -"
She stopped herself again, tears streaming down her face as she failed to put her words together.
Trent tried forcing something out again, but it just came out as random 'mmph' and 'nnd' sounds.
Actually, it was almost starting to sound like he was trying to say 'Cody'...
He looked at Trent, who had been staring at him for the better part of a minute, before Trent started rapidly glancing down at the bandages covering his mouth.
Oh.
"Are you sure?" Cody asked quietly, "This is gonna hurt."
Trent nodded to the best of his ability, and Cody acquiesced. He gripped the bandages that covered most of the bottom half of Trent's face and yanked.
Hard.
Trent grimaced, holding back a scream as the bandages around his mouth were roughly pulled off.
"Agh…" he groaned, "Thanks, Cody."
Cody just nodded, not trusting his voice as he stared at his friend.
Trent looked awful. His face was shredded, and Cody could even see deep claw marks on his neck. Once again, Cody wished for nothing more but to take his place as he was supposed to.
"Gwen," Trent called out gently, grabbing her attention again, "Listen to me."
Trent started speaking quietly, and Cody got the hint that this wasn't something for him to hear. He stepped back, and allowed the two to have their last moment together.
Cody smiled as he saw Gwen give Trent a kiss.
"Cody," Trent called out in his raspy voice, bringing the geek back to attention, "Listen to me. You're a good guy, don't let this keep you down. I'll get better. Focus on yourself, and maybe even -"
The Boat of Losers interrupted Trent with a honk, Chef staring impatiently at the trio from the cabin.
"Guess that's my ride, huh?" He tried to joke, to little success.
Gwen and Cody weren't exactly in the right mood.
"Alright, alright, break it up!" Chef said, walking out to receive Trent, "Cody! Get over here and help me lift him onto the boat!"
Cody nodded, and together they were able to place Trent and his wheelchair onto the boat without issue. It seemed that he would be able to prevent any unnecessary drowning related incidents regarding falling into the lake this time around.
Not that it offered Cody much consolation.
Trent tried to wave as the boat disappeared from Gwen and Cody's vision, but winced at any attempted movement of his arm. He couldn't shout either, and so he was left simply staring at the Dock of Shame and its two remaining inhabitants as he disappeared into the night.
Cody and Gwen stood there together for a long time after Trent was gone.
–
A/N:
Sorry about the shorter chapter this time around - a lot of the exposition for it that should probably go here will be in the next one.
Yeah, it's kinda cliche to send someone home in the same way Cody did in canon, but at least this time I have some plot behind it (We'll see what happened later). Trent was fun to write, and a good friend to Cody, but everyone's gotta go eventually. This elimination sort of kicks off where things will really start to spiral away from canon, so interesting times are ahead.
Hope you enjoyed it! Make sure to review!