The episode starts with Don narrating. "Last time on the race around the states, Stephanie went on a tear in self defense class, but came up short when Jay managed to pin her down, with only one hand." "The following day, something bad happened." "It turns out that Carson Matthew has escaped from prison, and we know how dangerous this guy is, as three of the contestants found out the hard way." "Also, we think that he may have stolen the bus, that we've been using to get from state to state, so we had to take a ride on one of the most famous locomotives in history." "We were soon in New Jersey for a race across the Appalachian trail, and Harold expressed how he is more vulnerable than he seems, and acknowledged that if he wants to win the whole thing, he has to start playing more carefully, and take less chances." "The one thing that he did not hold back on, was lashing out at Chris, for ruining his life." "By the end of the challenge, Ryan was able to nab his second win in a row, and and greatly increase his points lead." "The challenge happened to be taking place on Junior's birthday, and somehow, Sanders was able to get Denny Hamlin to make an appearance, and Junior got to meet him in person at last." "We also have a new bus, so the show will continue, despite the danger that is present." "Could this possibly effect the way the contestants compete?" "Find out on this episode of, the race around the states."

Intro consists of a shorter version of the final countdown.

As everyone else was in self defense class, Junior and Sanders were having a dinner date, in a fancy restaurant. "So, do you feel any older?" asked Sanders. "Not really, but I do feel worse, my concussion is becoming more painful ever day" said Junior. "I wouldn't worry about it too much, you just need to do the same thing that I did when I had a broken arm" said Sanders. "Don't think about it, and the pain will go away." As this was Junior's birthday, Sanders decided that dinner was going to be on her. But rather than be greeted by the waiter, they were greeted by the owner of the restaurant. Knowing that it was Junior's birthday, and taking into consideration that this was a couple from a famous reality show, the owner decided that their dinner would be on the house.

(Room 6- the daters)

"Oh my God, you are really starting to piss me off" said Stephanie. "I have no idea, what I just did" said Ryan. "You're at the top of the standings with three wins, and i'm not even in the top 20" said Stephanie. "Oh come on, with how much he's been underperforming since his injury, Junior doesn't stand a chance against you" said Ryan.

(Room 9- the reality tv pros)

This was another one of those nights were Emma was swapping places with Owen, so she and Noah could have a private night together. Emma was once again wearing nothing but her bra and panties, and this time Noah wasn't wearing a shirt. Noah insisted on not taking off his pajama pants, he just didn't feel as though his fiancé needed so see him up close like that. However, he wasn't going to stop Emma from resting her head on his bare chest.

(Room 4- the sisters)

"I screwed up big time, it's my fault that Harold wants to file a sexual harassment lawsuit" said Owen. "I really don't see how you can blame yourself, I don't see how you had anything to do with it" said Kitty. "Something that definitely fueled his anger, was his unfair TDA loss, that I caused" said Owen. "I feel as though had he gone all the way that season and won the million, he would have felt that his life was complete, and that he didn't need to redeem himself." "Listen Owen, you know Harold more than I do, but i'm pretty sure I have a better understanding about what's causing his anger" said Kitty." "Harold is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder." "He's more afraid than he his angry." "For several years of his life, he's had to put up with several health problems, and several near death experiences." "He's afraid, that nobody wants to accept him as a human being, and that nobody wants to be there for him when he's having problems." "In his mind, if people are going to refuse to accept him as a human being, then he's going to force people to accept him." "He doesn't see a reason to be polite to people around him, when they aren't treating him the same way." "Because of this, his mind is poisoned, and he views nearly every person in the world, as a bad person."

(Confession cam- This a really interesting way of describing it)

Kitty- "Harold needs to accept the fact, that not everybody in this world is going to mock him for his problems." "There are people who do care, and do acknowledge that he is a human being." "I mean for crying out loud, the number one person ho respects him in life, is someone who used to be wanted by the government." "If a person as crazy as that is willing to understand him, than that just goes to show, that he isn't as under appreciated as he thinks he is."

**End confessional**

The next morning, everyone got on the brand new bus, and while this looked very similar to the one that they previously had, is was a different vehicle. The only difference the buses had, were so minor, that you actually had to try and look for something, in order to notice it. The differences were like easter eggs in a movie.

When they got off the bus, the were standing in front of a small river. "We are in Missouri, the state famous for the Missouri river" said Don. "Your Job is to swim to the other end of the river, and then Kayak back." "This river is 700 feet wide, so it's a total of 1400 feet." "With how small of a distance this is, this challenge is going to guy by fast, so you'll have to be quick."

Once everyone had changed into their swimsuits, they were all lined up at one end of the river. On the other side, they could see 36 kayaks, and 36 life jackets. "Okay everyone, we are about to begin" said Don. "On your mark, get set, GO!" Everybody them jumped into the water, and began swimming as fast as they could. Most of the contestants were actually going at a fast pace, while others weren't able to go as quick, and were mostly just treading water. Once they got to the other side, everyone quickly got fastened into their life jackets, shoved the kayak's into the water, and now it was a sprint to the finish. Some contestants were still swimming, and had to be careful, in order to avoid getting hit. Crimson was the first one to make it back, with Chet finishing in second, Stephanie in third, Noah fourth, Kitty fifth, Taylor sixth, Laurie seventh, Harold eighth, Sanders ninth, Geoff tenth, Jacques eleventh, Jen twelfth, MacArthur thirteenth, Jay fourteenth, Miles fifteenth, Mary sixteenth, Lorenzo seventeenth, Pete eighteenth, Ryan nineteenth, Spud twentieth, Kelly twenty first, Junior twenty second, Chris twenty third, Gerry twenty fourth, Ellody twenty fifth, Tammy twenty sixth, Owen twenty seventh, Rock twenty eighth, Carrie twenty ninth, Tom thirtieth, Brody thirty first, Emma thirty second, Josee thirty third, Dwayne thirty fourth, Ennui thirty fifth, and Leonard thirty sixth."

(Confession cam- That was quick)

Harold- "Yes, i'm back in the top 10." "It's going to be tough holding on for 11 whole challenges." "But if I can do it, i'll have a whopping 33 chase points."

Owen- "Uh oh, i've fallen to 10 points outside the top 10." "What's ironic, is that in order to get back in the chase, I have to once again make things difficult for Harold."

Laurie- "Okay, not bad, i'm in as the second wild card." "I'm only five points outside the top 10, and I still have a good chance at going into the chase, with three bonus points."

Junior- "Oh God, this brain injury is really effecting my performance, i'm nine points outside of the top 20."

Stephanie- "I cannot believe, that there was a time that I thought Junior was more of a man than Ryan." "Why is he intentionally hurting himself?" "This has gone on far enough, he needs to accept the fact that it's over, and drop out of the competition."

Crimson- "Huh, I got a win, cool I guess."

**End confessional**

The podium ceremony was now happening. Stephanie was on the third place pedestal, Chet was on the second place pedestal, and Crimson was on the winners pedestal. Crimson was just standing there, looking bored. "Crimson, do you by any chance play the piano?" asked Don. "Only on Mondays" said Crimson emotionlessly. "Well you've got something to look forward to this Monday, as you now own a Piano" said Don. "That does it for this episode episode, who will increase their chances at the million dollars?" "Find out next time on, the race around the states."

Point standings

First place: Ryan, 774 points, 3 wins

Second place: Chet, 752 points

Third place: Noah, 719 points, 2 wins

Fourth place: Emma, 712 points, 1 win

Fifth place: Crimson, 692 points, 1 win

Sixth place: Leonard, 691 points

Seventh place: Taylor, 675 points

Eighth place: Kelly, 674 points, 1 win

Ninth place: Kitty, 661 points

Tenth place: Harold, 655 points, 11 wins

Eleventh place: Laurie, 650 points, 1 wins

Twelfth place: Owen, 645 points

Thirteenth place: Sanders, 640 points, 1 win

Fourteenth place: Ennui, 614 points

Fifteenth place: Geoff, 600 points

Sixteenth place: Lorenzo, 598 points

Seventeenth place: Tammy, 596 points

Eighteenth place: Jen, 591 points

Nineteenth place: Jay, 569 points, 2 wins

Twentieth place: Stephanie, 543 points

Twenty first place: Junior, 534 points, 2 wins

Twenty second place: MacArthur, 500 points

Twenty third place: Jacques, 484 points, 1 win

Twenty fourth place: Mary, 480 points

Twenty fifth place: Miles, 450 points

Twenty sixth place: Rock, 392 points

Twenty seventh place: Pete, 387 points

Twenty eighth place: Brody, 358 points, 2 wins

Twenty ninth place: Spud, 338 points

Thirtieth place: Chris, 293 points

Thirty first place: Izzy, 272 points, 1 win

Thirty second place: Ellody, 261 points

Thirty third place: Tom, 245 points

Thirty fourth place: Gerry, 229 points

Thirty fifth place: Carrie, 191 points

Thirty sixth place: Leshawna, 171 points

Thirty seventh place: Dwayne, 170 points

Thirty eighth place: Josee, 151 points

Thirty ninth place: Mickey, 139 points

Fortieth place: Devin, 114 points

Forty first place, Dawn, 81 points

Forty second place, Lindsay, 18 points

Authors note: Everything that Kitty just mentioned regarding Harold's situation, is 100% true. Harold is too angry, too realize that what she's saying is true.

Despite what the daters are saying about Junior behind his back, they are legitimately concerned for him, and are worried that he is pushing himself too far.

As always, if you have an idea for a challenge in an upcoming state or a prize for a future challenge winner, feel free to let me know in a review.

Thank you for reading and please have a great day.