The episode starts with Don narrating. "Last time on the race around the states, in just his second class as self defense teacher, Jay began to make things difficult, by having the contestants spar one handed." "Taylor began reflecting on all of the bad choices she's made throughout her life." "Dwayne continued to doubt his son's chances of winning this whole thing in his current state." "Then when we went to Arkansas to do some biking in the mountains, Junior took the entire course at full speed." "There were several instances where Junior nearly fell of the bike, and he eventually couldn't take it anymore." "He got off the bike and began puking, not realizing he had already crossed the finish line." "With his fourth win of the season, Junior is now second in points behind Kelly, exactly one challenge worth of points out of the lead." "Will he be able to close that gap, or will Kelly continue to pull away?" "Find out on this episode of, the race around the states."

Intro consists of a shorter version of the final countdown.

During that day's self defense class, several contestants were struggling. They were currently trying to spar while only using one hand, while their opponent was allowed to use both. "I see what the problem is here" said Jay. "You have too much doubt in yourselves, you just need to have more faith."

(Confession cam- You just gotta believe)

Dwayne- "You just need to have more faith." "To me, it feels like I am being verbally attacked, for not having enough faith in my son." "Well excuse me for wishing for the safety of my only child."

**End confessional**

(Room 11- mother and daughter)

"It just feels wrong that I am the points leader, when the person in second is suffering from massive head trauma" said Kelly. "Mom, Junior's injury wasn't your fault" said Taylor. "Still, it just doesn't seem right" said Kelly. "Listen, if you are able to win this thing over him, it's won't make you look like a bad person" said Taylor.

(Room 12- Harold and Carrie)

As Harold walked into the room, Carrie jumped out of nowhere, and began hugging him. "Wow, did not expect this" said Harold. "I'm sorry for startling you, i've just had a rough day and I needed a hug" said Carrie. "I'm still having doubts as to wether or not Devin can win his fight against lung cancer."

(Room 3- father and son)

Junior was snoring as his father came into the room. "Okay, we need to have a serious talk about what you're doing to yourself" said Dwayne. "Dad, look me in the eyes with a straight face, and say that you love me, because you sure as hell are not acting like it" said Junior. "Son, that's a horrible thought for you to have" said Dwayne. "For once in your life, can you actually trust that i'm going to be just fine?" asked Junior. "Son, you're getting worse every day, I can't stand watching my son do this to himself" said Dwayne. "Do you know how heartbreaking it is for a child when they love their parent, and the feeling isn't returned?" asked Junior. "No son, I swear, I love you, that's why i'm trying to discourage you from doing this" said Dwayne. Junior then buried himself under his blanket, and began crying.

The next morning everyone got on the bus, and they got off behind a fence. On the other side of the fence about 100 feet from them, was a target on a tree. "We are in the state of Iowa, this state is famous for having several shooting ranges" said Don. "This challenge is going to be extremely dangerous, as it will involve guns."

(Confession cam- Shoot em if you got em)

Leonard- "Jesus Christ, this show is becoming homicidal."

Harold- "Why does it have to be for the challenge?" "Why can't we shoot Courtney instead?"

**End confessional**

"Okay, off in the distance 100 feet away, is an archery target" said Don. "Each contestant will take turns firing at the target." "The contestant closest to getting a bullseye, will be the winner." "If we have gone through all 36 contestants and not all of them have hit the board, the ones that missed will go again." "The ones that have already managed to hit the board, will be scored ahead of the ones who have yet to do so." "We'll keep going, until there is only one contestant left that was unable to hit the board."

As guns were incredibly dangerous, the rest of the contestants were required to stand far back, while waiting their turn. The order was based on where they were in points, from last place to first. The first 34 contestants, didn't come anywhere close to landing a bullet on the board. Then, it was Junior's turn. Dwayne was having a panic attack. He knew Junior would have trouble focusing all his attention to one spot, with how he could barely keep his eyes open. This was it, his son was going to die. He couldn't watch, he instantly closed his eyes. BANG! Junior had fallen backwards, the gun laying beside him. Don then went over to inspect the board. "Oh my God, he actually his a bullseye, dead center" he said. Dwayne then opened his eyes. "Holy crap, he actually nailed it?" he thought. Kelly then went up to take a shot, like several other contestants, missed the board completely. "Oh my God, he actually did it, he actually hit a bullseye" said Dwayne. It took a long time for the rest of the contestants to finally hit the board, and when it was all over Carrie ended up in second, Taylor third, Leonard fourth, Brody fifth, Harold sixth, Kitty seventh, Noah eighth, Crimson ninth, Ennui tenth, Sanders eleventh, Emma twelfth, Tammy thirteenth, Owen fourteenth, Lorenzo fifteenth, Courtney sixteenth, Kelly seventeenth, Jen eighteenth, Geoff nineteenth, Jay twentieth, MacArthur twenty first, Chet twenty second, Stephanie twenty third, Mary twenty fourth, Miles twenty fifth, Jacques twenty sixth, Pete twenty seventh, Ellody twenty eighth, Rock twenty ninth, Dwayne thirtieth, Spud thirty first, Gerry thirty second, Ryan thirty third, Tom thirty fourth, and Josee thirty fifth. Laurie ended up last by default, due to not being able to hit the board.

(Confession cam- I'm gonna shave have an inch off you)

Dwayne- "This has gone way too far, he could have shot himself."

Junior- "My head is still hurting, but i'm not going down without a fight."

Kelly- "I have got real competition now, Junior is gradually gaining on me."

**End confessional**

The podium ceremony was now happening. Taylor was on the third place pedestal, Carrie was on the second place pedestal, and Junior was barely able to stand on the winners pedestal. "Nicely done Junior, back to back" said Don. "You just got yourself a DIY outdoor pizza oven." The sound of barking was then heard. Harold then walked up with a small golden retriever. "This here is Lexi, she's the cutest pup in the world" said Harold. "She's the mascot for our band" said Rock. "We're still trying to think of a name" said Spud. Richard then helped Junior down from the podium. "Come on Junior, Paul want us to be in another commercial" said Sanders. Don then turned towards the camera. "Kelly still holds the lead and points wise, Junior and Emma are within one challenge of her, and we only have three challenges to go" he said. "Who will be the leader in our next challenge?" "Find out next time on, the race around the states."

Point standings

First place: Kelly, 2,217 points, 1 win

Second place: Junior, 2,197 points, 5 wins

Third place: Emma, 2,185 points, 1 win

Fourth place: Sanders, 2,174 points, 1 win

Fifth place: Jay, 2,169 points, 4 wins

Sixth place: Ryan, 2,164 points, 3 wins

Seventh place: Crimson, 2,159 points, 2 wins

Eighth place: Laurie, 2,154 points, 2 wins

Ninth place: Chet, 2,151 points

Tenth place: Taylor, 2,150 points

Eleventh place: Leonard, 2,130 points

Twelfth place: Harold, 2,117 points, 12 wins

Thirteenth place: Owen, 1,102 points

Fourteenth place: Kitty, 1,097 points

Fifteenth place: Noah, 1,035 points, 2 wins

Sixteenth place: Lorenzo, 1,019 points, 1 win

Seventeenth place: Ennui, 1,003 points

Eighteenth place: Tammy, 992 points

Nineteenth place: Geoff, 945 points

Twentieth place: Jen, 912 points

Twenty first place: MacArthur, 857 points, 1 win

Twenty second place: Stephanie, 843 points

Twenty third place: Mary, 769 points

Twenty fourth place: Miles, 744 points

Twenty fifth place: Jacques, 714 points, 1 win

Twenty sixth place: Brody, 676 points, 4 wins

Twenty seventh place: Pete, 624 points

Twenty eighth place: Rock, 619 points

Twenty ninth place: Chris, 605 points, 1 win

Thirtieth place: Spud, 552 points

Thirty first place: Ellody, 428 points

Thirty second place: Dwayne, 416 points, 3 wins

Thirty third place: Tom, 382 points

Thirty fourth place: Gerry, 341 points

Thirty fifth place: Carrie, 331 points

Thirty sixth place: Josee, 321 points, 2 wins

Thirty seventh place: Izzy, 272 points, 1 win

Thirty eighth place: Leshawna, 171 points

Thirty ninth place: Mickey, 139 points

Fortieth place: Devin, 114 points

Forty first place: Courtney, 108 points

Forty second place: Zoey, 101 points

Forty third place: Dawn, 81 points

Forty fourth place: Duncan, 35 points

Forty fifth place: Lindsay, 18 points

Authors note: Unless you are a professional, do not attempt what the contestants in this story just did. Guns are extremely dangerous, and can kill you if you aren't careful.

Lexi is actually the name of a golden retriever my family had a few years ago, before she sadly passed away. I miss that dog.

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.