Total Drama: Inferno Island

by Space Zodiac

Fourteen campers have been invited onto Inferno Island in order to try their luck against each other to win a 100,000 cash prize. However, it wouldn't be any fun if they were just handed it. Watch as dramatics take place, as people form friendships, relations and strategies in order to walk with this prize. All on a volcanic island? Someone's bound to be burned. (11/14 REMAIN)

4. Ep 4: Wildlife, Wild Thoughts

As in his usual fashion, Chris stood on the dock, his showman smirk as wide as ever. Stars sparkled throughout the sky, and a low rumble could be heard from the looming volcano. The fire from the surrounding torches provided a threatening ambience.

"Last time on Total Drama," Chris welcomed, tossing his hands up into the air with a palpable energy. The camera feed cut to static, quickly transitioning into recap clips from the prior episode. The omnipotent voice of Chris still boomed over the clips.

"Our campers were allowed to take it easy when we let them go up against each other in our variety of beach challenges," Chris explained. Chris was then shown blowing his whistle, with the contestants all standing on the soft sand in their beach wear.

"Divided into three teams, each group showed us what you should do on the beach," Chris began, with a clip of André blocking the volleyball from Jolt and Maddy collecting shells.

"And also what NOT to do," Chris continued, with clips of Kendra and Kai crashing into their sandcastle and Malcolm getting pinched on his toe by a crab.

"In the end, the Cutthroat Crabs took the win amidst all the drama," Chris then said, showcasing Rina thrusting her finger into André's chest, Aakira confessing that she read Indigo's diary to the poet and Malcolm scowling at Ian from across the beach.

"And with her deeds revealed to the world, Aakira the segue master left us in thirteenth place. And yes, my producers have decided to tell me that the word is segue and not segway," Chris said with a frown, finishing his explanation. Aakira was then shown reading Indigo's diary, Malcolm talking to Ian and finally, Aakira tapping Indigo on his shoulder before she left the island.

"With twelve contestants left, who won't make it to the final eleven? Find out here, on…"

"Total!"

"Drama!"

"Inferno Island!"

---

Theme Song

---

The aftermath of Aakira's elimination was sinking in, with the members of the Perky Parrots sitting around the campfire. Malcolm was struggling to hold back his grin, sensing the animosity between the team.

Rina had a conflicting look on her face, shooting subtle glances over at André. André was doing the same back at her, although it was a lot less subtle, Rina giving him a piercing stare in return when he was caught by her. Indigo was rubbing his arms anxiously, while Ebony was glumly looking at the fire, tapping her foot against the floor in a quick manner.

Ian seemed to be the only person who wasn't at all affected, happily chewing on his marshmallow as the fire crackled in its pit.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Malcolm]

"Everything went according to plan!" Malcolm exclaimed with a shit-eating grin on his face. He rubbed his hands together as he continued. "I need to figure out who's the next best person to go. I think Clayton and Maddy are the prime targets considering their closeness with Ian."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ebony]

"Aakira was the person I felt most attached to on this island," Ebony admitted with a soft smile. "I really thought she and I were going to make it to the finals together but people are seriously playing the game!"

*Confessional End*

—

"Let's not let this one loss slow us down," Malcolm told the Parrots with a sly grin. "Aakira wanted us to go on for her so we should at least try our best to work together."

Ian nodded his head, getting off his stump and stretching his arms. "I agree although that sounds like something we can work on tomorrow. I am beat."

"That's the first good idea he's had," André said with a casual roll of his eyes, also standing up. He was about to follow Ian back to the cabins but was intercepted by Rina dragging his sleeve.

"Follow me," Rina whispered to the batter, pointing to a little more of a secluded area just off to the side.

Malcolm also had his own ideas in mind as did Ebony. While Ebony chose to chase after Ian to get in some time with the barista that night, Malcolm studied the face of a nearby poet.

Indigo was distracted with his notebook, oblivious to the fact that everyone around him had left.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Indigo]

"I didn't really appreciate Chef calling Aakira out," Indigo meekly admitted. "I'm worried that other people are going to catch on to my diary. I'm rereading it to see what I even put in here to see what others might have found out."

*Confessional End*

—

"Hey, Indigo!" Malcolm sang out causing the poet to jump out of his skin and snap the diary shut.

"Oh, Malcolm," Indigo mumbled out, avoiding eye contact with the other boy. "Hey."

"I was just thinking, you must be relieved that Aakira's gone? Since she knew all of your secrets and all. Right?"

"Uhm…" Indigo said, glancing around for practically anyone to help him out. "I don't really have any secrets. It's just poems."

"Oh really?" Malcolm asked, fluttering his eyelashes at the other boy. "I don't know, if I had a diary I'd write everything about my life in it. Stuff about how good or bad my day was, or if I was crushing on any boys. That sort of thing, you know?"

"Not really," Indigo lied, looking around the campfire. "Where is everyone else."

"Lord, do I have to spell it out," Malcolm sighed, dropping his sweet facade. "I know how you feel about Ian and Kai. Aakira wasn't the only one who read your diary."

"I… I… I don't know what you're talking about," Indigo quickly spluttered out, his eyes widening with fear.

"Unlike Aakira though, I'm not as naive as her," Malcolm continued with a devious grin. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me for now."

Indigo gulped about to protest but Malcolm swiftly cut him, a glint shining directly into Indigo's eyes from the prep's glasses.

"However, I think as gratitude, I should get something in return. That only seems fair."

"What do you want," Indigo asked, his voice cracking as he pleaded with Malcolm.

"Nothing too crazy," Malcolm responded, slipping back into his sweet tone. "Just your loyalty."

"And if I don't?" Indigo asked although he had a feeling he knew where Malcolm was about to go with his threats.

"Well, I guess the whole island will find out about your silly little crushes," Malcolm finished off with a grin. "I'm going to head to bed now. It was great talking to you Indigo!"

Malcolm strolled off leaving a worried Indigo behind. Indigo was taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself done but he was paranoid for lack of a better word.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Indigo]

"This isn't good," Indigo said through rapid breaths. "The whole reason I voted Aakira was to avoid this situation!"

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Malcolm]

"This is so good!" Malcolm cackled, rubbing his hands together dastardly. "I have a connection to practically everyone on this team now. The only person I don't is Ebony which sounds like the clear next boot if my team lose the challenge."

*Confessional End*

—

Meanwhile just off to the side of the campfire and obscured by a couple of trees, André gulped looking at Rina's cold face staring back at him. She tapped her foot impatiently, urging him to say something yet he was stumped.

"Well?" Rina asked, her arms crossed and her patience running thin.

"Well, what?" André asked, causing Rina to growl in frustration.

"You are so frustrating!" Rina shrieked, as André shook his head.

"Hey, you're the one who dragged me out here to talk," André retorted, not doing himself any favours.

"Seriously! Are all men this dense? Like hello, this is the perfect time to apologise to me!"

"Do you want an apology?"

"Yes!"

"Fine! I'm sorry," André spat out, causing Rina to glare at him with her icy eyes.

"For…?" Rina prompted leading to André to roll his eyes in annoyance.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"I'm sorry for making you feel like you were my second choice," André confessed, looking in any direction but at Rina's eyes.

"Hmm. I accept your apology," Rina said with a sly grin, turning on her heel and about to walk back to the cabins.

"Is that really what you dragged me here for?" André yelled back at her causing her to stop walking. "I just told you that I like you. Are you seriously just leaving me here?"

Rina paused, turning on her heel to face the batter. She sighed, crossing her arms.

"Listen. I think you're cute. I'd love to get to know you better."

"Why do I sense there's going to be a but?" André said eliciting a glare from Rina due to her being interrupted.

"BUT!" Rina barked out, holding up a finger at André to tell him to shut up. "I didn't come onto this island to find a life partner. I came to win some cold hard cash."

"So that means…?"

"It means it's a no for now," Rina answered softly. "Who knows what could happen after the show though."

"It's a no for now," André reiterated to which Rina nodded.

"Hey we'd make a bomb final two though," Rina joked before yawning. "I'll talk to you more tomorrow Pinky."

"Alright. Ms. Belle," André replied, watching the singer walk away. He breathed a sigh of joy with a smirk on his face.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Rina]

"I have bigger priorities than some silly teenage relationship," Rina argued, flicking her ponytail off to the side. "No offence to Kendra. Well, actually? Full offence to her. I signed up to win this money to renovate my apartment. You would not believe how expensive a duck can be."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[André]

"Listen, listen," André argued with an arrogant look on his face. "It may look like André has struck out but hey, Rina called me hot. Enough with the mushy stuff, it's time to start competing."

*Confessional End*

—

"Hey, Ian," Ebony yelled out through her pants as she ran up to the taller boy. "Wait up!"

"Oh, hi Ebony!" Ian said turning around with a large grin on his face. His hands were in his pockets and he was staring at the sky with a wistful look.

"You were in a world of your own," Ebony told him through her breaths with a smile and Ian chuckled in response.

"Just one with the woods, dog."

"That sounds like something a hippie would say," Ebony added, although paused in thought. "Or my girlfriend honestly."

"Nah dude," Ian said, stretching his arms out behind his head. "I'm not a hippie although I'd love to be. Your girlfriend sounds cool though."

"She is," Ebony said with a small giggle. "I can't tell if she'd love you or hate you."

"It's all mellow either way," Ian responded also yawning. "I just like meeting new people."

"I do want to ask you something though Ian."

"Yeah? What's up?"

"I'm just a little concerned after the Aakira elimination," Ebony confessed. "I was the only person to not vote for her other than herself."

"Hmm," Ian pondered, stroking his chin in thought. "I'm honestly not sure what you're asking me."

"I was just hoping for a little explanation as to why."

"Malcolm told me that Aakira was targeting Indigo and telling other people to vote for Rina. I didn't want Indigo to go home so that's why I voted for Aakira," Ian informed the inventor, who thought about the details of it.

"I suppose that makes sense. Aakira told me she voted for Indigo although didn't really explain why," Ebony replied with a sigh. "I just feel lonely now that she's gone."

"Well Ebony if you ever need someone to talk to I'm always here," Ian added with a lazy grin. "I may not be Aakira or your girlfriend but I think I'm pretty good company."

"You definitely are," Ebony thanked. "I promised myself that I'd try to get over my introverted habits and you seem like a great way to help with that. Indigo seems to think so too."

"Oh! I know! I could pretend to be your girlfriend. Or you can tell me all about her."

"I appreciate the offer although I think you have a little too much facial hair to be my girlfriend," Ebony rejected with a giggle. "Not to mention you aren't a ginger."

"I have so much to learn," Ian tiredly added, listening to Ebony ramble about her partner.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ebony]

"Ian is honestly a barrel of fun," Ebony laughed in the confessional, wiping a stray tear. "He's so much fun and I can't believe it's taken me so long to properly talk to him. He really is some great company and I think now that I've lost Aakira, it's time I start branching out."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ian]

"Hey isn't Clayton some part Irish?" Ian wondered to himself, staring up at the light attached to the ceiling of the outhouse. "Maybe he can help me figure out how to transform myself into Saoirse. I think if I could, Ebony would be all like 'Oh my god, Saoirse, what are you doing here!' I think that could help her stop feeling lonely. Sometimes I'm so clever I outstand myself."

*Confessional End*

—

---

Jolt yawned, stretching as she rose out of bed. She gave a quick look out the window seeing that it was barely light and grinned to herself.

"This island hasn't wrecked me yet," Jolt confidently said to herself, as she yawned. She quietly stepped off her bottom bunk. Her eyes were quickly adjusting to the darkness of the room, noticing that everyone was still asleep around her.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Jolt]

"It's annoying enough that Kendra took the bunk above me and tailed me on my run the first morning," Jolt complained with an eye roll. "I wanna look for the idol in peace. The rest of them can't keep up with me."

*Confessional End*

—

She quickly stripped off her light blue t-shirt and grey basketball shorts, putting on her regular clothes at a similar speed. She ran her hands through her hair, also tying it up into the two space buns that they were normally kept in and quickly laced up her trainers as well. Jolt nimbly made her way out of the cabin, spotting someone sitting on the porch outside.

Indigo was sitting on the steps just outside of the cabin, resting his chin in his hands and had a tired look on his face. His diary was kept underneath his skinny legs as he stared into the abyss without much focus on anything.

"Sup," Jolt greeted, causing Indigo to jump and turn around to face the runner.

"Oh, you're awake," Indigo commented through stifling yawns. "I was hoping you'd be up soon."

"Tch, any reason in particular you were waiting for me?" Jolt asked, looking at Indigo's with her arms crossed. "You know I don't swing that way."

Indigo flushed a deep scarlet, waving his hands in an attempt to toss the idea aside. "No, I just wanted to try the whole running thing out again."

Jolt paused, thinking it over as she performed her stretches on the porch. Raising her arms above her head, she finally nodded.

"You have five minutes to get ready," Jolt sharply told the poet. "If you aren't ready by the time I'm done with my stretches, I'm starting without you."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Jolt]

"Look, I stand by what I said. I wanted to look for the idol in peace," Jolt reminded with a scowl. "However, I wouldn't mind getting some intel about what the Parrot's vote looked like."

*Confessional End*

—

"No need," Indigo replied, slowly rising up from his seat on the porch. He scrambled to grab onto his diary, before nodding. "I'm ready now."

Between her stretches, Jolt studied Indigo's appearance with a tight look of concentration. Between the poet's general outfit of a pair of skinny jeans and clutching onto his diary as if someone was trying to steal it from him to the deep black bags underneath his eyes. Jolt, while not typically the empathetic person, had concern laced into her expression.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" Jolt quizzed, to which Indigo shook his head.

"I tried, but the vote was a lot."

Jolt sighed, hopping off the stairs and gesturing for Indigo to follow along. "Let's go."

Indigo sighed in relief and quickly stepped down to the ground, although, much to his confusion, Jolt wasn't jogging or running like she normally was. She waved her hands as she casually walked into the woods and Indigo followed quickly behind her.

The two quickly reached a clearing not that far from where the campsite was. Jolt casually leaned against a tree while Indigo stared around the clearing.

"This isn't like yesterday's run," Indigo said while Jolt grinned back at him.

"I told you that I normally run to clear my head," Jolt explained catching the poet's attention once again. "It works for me and I can tell that it's only a distraction for you."

"I'm not good at the feelings thing," Jolt continued without letting Indigo disrupt her. "I am a good solver of problems so why don't we start with that? What happened with the vote yesterday?"

"It was Aakira," Indigo answered and the track star had a real look of confusion at that comment. "Rina and I were the last two to get our marshmallows."

"What was the reasoning for Aakira going and for the two of you to get votes?" Jolt questioned.

"I'm not sure about Rina or I. Aakira got voted out because she read my diary and now everyone knows about it,"

"Is that why you didn't sleep at all?"

"Partially," Indigo sighed. "I guess I'm just paranoid about someone else reading my diary and knowing the things I don't like about myself. I still think that coming onto this show was a mistake."

"Why did you sign up?"

Indigo paused, rubbing his arms gingerly as Jolt studied his expression carefully.

"I'll start," Jolt prompted much to the relief of Indigo. "I signed up because I know I have what it takes to win. I'm very competitive and I like proving that I'm better than others. Despite the fact that I'm gay, or that I'm short, or that I'm a girl, or that I'm Asian."

"I also signed up because I have something to prove to myself and to my family and friends. Ryuuko is my closest friend back home and when he came out to his parents, they didn't take it well. I'm not out to my own parents yet because I'm scared of how they'll react. I have my own issues and I'm not going to let anyone else define me."

"Don't spread this around," Jolt threatened with a huff, as Indigo nodded. "It's not something I go around talking about to everyone."

"This show wasn't my idea," Indigo told Jolt. "It was my sister's idea and my…"

Indigo paused, taking a deep breath in before continuing. "And my therapist's idea. They thought that it would be a new place where I could try things out for the first time and learn new things about myself."

"I have a hard time talking to people and understanding myself. It's not something I like talking about so forgive me for not sharing fully. I do write about it in my diary and that is something that gives me some piece of peace. After yesterday though, I feel like I can't trust anyone but myself."

Indigo finished and was met with silence. He looked up at Jolt who was standing there with her eyes closed and deep in thought. A warm breeze blew through the woods, although all it did was send cold shivers down Indigo's spine.

"Get some sleep," Jolt advised, tapping Indigo's shoulder with a nod. "I won't talk about it with others but I can't help you if you get voted off. Be ready for the challenge and let me think about how I can help."

Jolt saluted a goodbye to Indigo, before jogging out of the clearing. Indigo stood there, letting out a breath that he didn't realise he was holding. He sighed, moving his way back to the cabin.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Indigo]

"I don't know how to feel after telling Jolt about everything," Indigo confessed, chewing on the sleeve of his jumper. "I guess I feel a small bit of relief but it's instantly coupled with my stupid paranoid brain."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Jolt]

"What Indigo told me is a lot to digest. I'm not a people person normally," Jolt explained. "I want to help him but my mind doesn't work like that. I really need to run and think about things now."

*Confessional End*

—

---

"Are we hiding?" Maddy asked Clayton.

The two were on the beach, just under the dock. The sun had risen up at this point although the pair of Crabs were still under the shade of the wooden boards, slight cracks of light beaming down on them.

"Nonsense!" Clayton incredulously deflected. "Who would we even be hiding from?"

"Kai?" Maddy prompted, looking up at the klutz with a disapproving look. Well, as disapproving as Maddy could appear.

"Okay fine," Clayton dramatically gasped, hiding his face behind one hand. The other was stuck out behind him, as he spiralled around Maddy. "You caught me out on my little white lie! Oh, what woe is me."

Maddy couldn't help but giggle as she joined in with the theatrics. "That's right! Don't you think you could keep the truth hidden from me!"

"Have mercy on me! Please!"

"Never! Mwahahaha!"

"How could you!" Clayton cried out. "You'll have to catch me first though!"

Clayton took off in a run, his feet going through the sand of the beach. Maddy instantly chased after him with a squeal of joy. Turns out running in the sand is a surprisingly hard task, as Clayton took a quick fall almost instantly and an unprepared Maddy went toppling over him.

The two were in a heap in the sand, laughing uncontrollably as they did so. Clayton wheezed as he got up, dusting himself off and extending an arm out to Maddy who graciously took it.

"Thank you for being stupid with me," Clayton said with a grin.

"It's my deepest pleasure," Maddy giggled, jumping up and down and shaking off the sand from her own outfit.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Clayton]

"Listen as soon as I get home from this island, the troll in Maddy's chats better watch out!" Clayton defended, putting up his fists. "I'll hit them with the old one-two!"

Clayton proceeded to throw some weak jabs at the camera, without any sort of form at all, being anything but intimidating.

*Confessional End*

—

"Seriously Clayton," Maddy directed, placing her hands on her hips and looking at the other boy. "I thought we were in the presence of Clayton 2.0! Why are we hiding from Kai?"

"I thought we agreed that Clayton 2.0 was shut down after what happened on the beach yesterday."

Clayton bit his lip, before sighing. "I don't know. Honestly, I don't know what good shutting him out will do. It hasn't done any good so far."

"Exactly! Who says you have to rush into a relationship straight away? I think the two of you are good friends as it is and I don't know why you're pushing him away."

"I know, I know," Clayton lamented. "I don't know, I guess I've just been feeling inadequate lately."

"Inadequate?"

"Yeah, I think it started after the treasure hunt challenge. I feel like I can be myself around you and Ian but I don't know. I think it was Toxa and Kendra flirting with every guy on our team except me. I don't know why I even care, neither of them is my type."

"What is your type?" Maddy innocently asked with genuine intrigue.

"I don't know I suppose. I feel like I find it hard to tell when I like someone as a friend and when I like someone romantically. Maybe that's another reason I've been pushing Kai away. The subconscious and all that."

"Possibly," Maddy hummed, deep in thought. "I mean I talked to Kai yesterday and I don't think he has many friends. It's something that I can relate to and I think you shouldn't shut him out."

"Wait, slow the roll," Clayton paused, turning his attention directly to Madison. "You relate to Kai not having friends?"

Maddy nodded although she still had her classic smile on her face. "I think after I started making vlogs, I found it hard to tell who wanted to actually be my friend and who just wanted to become famous. It's not that I feel lonely. There are so many people who say they're fans of me. I just think it's hard to draw the line between fans and friends."

"You know, as they said in Toy Story, you have a friend in me!" Clayton cheerfully told her, pulling the influencer into a hug. "You're right too. I'll talk to Kai at breakfast or during the challenge."

Maddy grinned, although the sound of stomach grumbling caused a chain reaction with Clayton's stomach. The two of them caught each other's eyes and instantly burst into another fit of laughter.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Madison]

"Honestly that talk to Clayton was really eye-opening for me," Maddy admitted with a soft smile. "I want to make new friends and while I love Clayton and Ian, people are going to keep getting voted out and I need to get around and talk to more people. Also, all my Glamazons watching at home! Know that I love you all!"

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Clayton]

"I can't disassociate like that! I'm Clayton Lunar, the star of this inferno!" Clayton claimed, thumping on his chest. "I am getting my priorities straight and sorting out this crush before it spirals out of control. Honestly, I can't be the love-sick one this season. Kendra exists!"

*Confessional End*

—

---

Ebony hummed away to herself as she put her glasses back on after her shower. She quickly got dressed in the girl's side of the communal toilet and stepped outside feeling the sun on her skin.

"Greetings Ebony!" Someone called out, catching the inventor's attention.

Ebony turned to see Kai grinning at her with a wide smile. She smiled back giving him a wave as she walked up.

"Hey, Kai!" What are you doing here?"

"Is it not obvious?" Kai asked back with a carefree smile. "I had a shower and am preparing myself for the day."

Ebony blinked in confusion, looking at Kai's appearance. His hair was completely dry and he was still wearing his signature three-piece suit. His dress shirt was still tucked into his pants and his every button was fastened as was in typical fashion for the prince.

"You… just… showered?" Ebony asked in disbelief.

"That is correct," Kai responded with a nod of his head.

"When did you come out?"

"I believe it was approximately one minute before you did. I was simply enjoying the sun, once again, similar to how you were."

"What on earth is your showering routine? How are you completely dry? I would've guessed that you showered hours ago and were just chilling out here."

Kai let out a hearty laugh. "I am afraid I do not possess the answers you are searching for. I believe that my bathroom routine is similar to most other teenagers my age. A mixture of cold water, shampoo, conditioner and a body scrub which is then coupled with a hair mask, a face mask and finally a cleansing serum."

Ebony blinked in confusion once again, raising her glasses and trying to rub the shock out of her eyes.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ebony]

"I don't know what scares me more about all that," Ebony yelled out, flailing her hands crazily. "It's either the fact that Kai does more in the shower than I ever do, the fact that he came out completely dry or the fact that he showers with cold water!"

"Y'know, it probably is the cold water. That is terrifying!"

*Confessional End*

—

"André was also in the communal toilet and informed me about the departure of Aakira," Kai continued, oblivious to Ebony's concern. "I apologise. I understand that Aakira and yourself were close comrades."

Ebony shook her head after recovering from the shocking information that Kai had revealed to her. "Thank you. Yeah, she was honestly my best friend here and it still doesn't feel real that she's gone."

"I understand. I would feel in a similar manner had it been Clayton or Kendra who did not receive the marshmallow on our team. However, we were spared by the victory of the Cutthroat Crabs and I do hope that the victory streak will continue with the upcoming challenge."

"You don't have to rub it in!" Ebony joked although Kai had immediate concern on his face.

"I apologise Ebony. It was not my intention to wish ill will upon your team."

"No, I was just- Never mind. Actually, what are Clayton and Kendra like? I haven't really had a chance to talk to either of them but it seems like you're close with them," Ebony asked, wanting to avoid the awkwardness of her joke not landing.

"Clayton is similar to the moon," Kai explained, carefully choosing his words. "He composes himself with an effervescence that is mystifying and magical. He sparks up a conversation with a confidence which inspires a world of freedom and imagination."

"Woah…"

"Kendra on the other hand is the polar opposite," Kai continued, smiling as he reflected on his two favourite people he had met. "Kendra reminds me of the sun. She possesses a loud and captivating personality coupled with a headstrong mind and a desire to shine brighter than everyone around them."

"That's such a beautiful way to put it," Ebony exclaimed, wiping away a stray tear. "It reminds me of the way Saoirse would compliment me."

"Who is this Saoirse you speak of?" Kai asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's my girlfriend and honestly the love of my life," Ebony said with a giggle, unaware of Kai's shocked face. "I feel like I keep talking about her now but I know she'd be happy to know that I'm thinking about her even more now that I'm on this island."

"Apologies Ebony. I have some business to take care of," Kai abruptly stated, moving away from the toilets and leaving Ebony alone.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kai]

"I did not mean to leave the conversation with Ebony so suddenly," Kai explained although he had a weird look on his face. "I was not prepared to learn that Ebony had a girlfriend. Father drove the point that men should marry women and women should marry men and warned me that those who stray from that path are not those who should be trusted."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ebony]

"Was it something I said," Ebony panicked in the confessional. "Oh God, what if everyone thinks I'm annoying because I won't shut up about Saoirse!"

*Confessional End*

—

---

Kendra was staring out of the curtains in the girl's cabin, carefully making sure no passersby were watching her and Toxa from the outside.

"Are you sure we're alone?" Kendra asked, causing Toxa to sigh and roll her eyes.

"Maddy went out with Clayton. Ebony went to shower. Rina went to the mess hall. Aakira was voted out," Toxa said, counting the people on her hand. "Jolt is on a run or something."

"I don't like the confidence in that," Kendra said with a huff but ultimately did walk over to sit on her bed.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Toxa]

"Toxa carried the team yesterday, no help to Kendra," Toxa spat out with a glare. "She's an insufferable ally but Toxa is an asshole so it works."

*Confessional End*

—

"What did you want?" Toxa abruptly asked with her focus more so on her guitar. She ran her fingers along the strings, emitting a low harmony as she tuned it once again.

"I wanted to talk about our game plan!" Kendra exclaimed, lazily looking at her nails. "We won yesterday but that doesn't help me get Maddy out of here."

"What's your issue with her anyway?" Toxa inquired, turning her head up to look at Kendra.

"She's such a pick me!" Kendra said with a huff and crossed her arms. "I know her type. She acts all cute and innocent but girls like that can't be trusted at all."

"Toxa doesn't have a problem with it."

"Good. After Maddy goes, we can do Clayton next."

Toxa sighed, narrowing her eyes at Kendra once again. "What's the issue with Clayton?"

"He's the exact same!" Kendra argued, growing agitated. "He confronted me and basically ridiculed me on international TV yesterday. He's also like besties with Maddy and that's a no-go!"

"Toxa sees," Toxa replied, placing her guitar back on her bunk and turning her full attention to Kendra. "So what's the plan?"

"Uhm, weren't you listening?" Kendra bluntly said. "Vote Maddy and Clayton out! It's not hard."

Toxa twitched, rising out of her bunk and walking towards the door. "Toxa gets that dipshit. I'm asking about the votes."

"Hey wait!" Kendra yelled back, running up and yanking Toxa's sleeve to get her to turn around. "What do you mean votes?"

"Toxa means. We have two of us. There are six of us on this team. Do the maths, because Toxa sure as fuck isn't going to."

Kendra stood there in thought before her eyes widened in realisation. "Oh shit!"

"Exactly," Toxa said, pleased at the progress the duo was making. She leaned against the door with her arms crossed and stared back at Kendra. "So what's the plan."

"Oh God, let me think!" Kendra quickly said, fanning herself with her hands. "Okay, what if I work on Kai's vote and you get Jolt's vote."

"Do you really think Kai would vote for Maddy for Clayton?"

"We don't need him to do that," Kendra maliciously stated with a grin. "We just need the three of them to not vote together."

"Explain."

"So let's say that the two of us and Jolt vote for Maddy. That's three votes, which is half the vote count. But, if I continue to piss off Clayton and get him and Maddy to vote for me, but woo Kai into not wanting to vote me off, and vote for you or Jolt, then we can send Maddy out of here."

Toxa smirked with a nod of her head. "Toxa thought you were just another blonde bimbo."

Kendra flicked her hair over the shoulder and gave Toxa a wink in return. "I'm warning you. Don't try to get in the way of me and true love."

Toxa rolled her eyes but still had a smirk on her face.

"Now come on! Kai should be in the mess hall now!"

In an instant, Toxa's smirk was wiped from her face as she sighed in exhaustion. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kendra]

"Toxa opened up my eyes to the reality of this team," Kendra solemnly said with a shake of her head. "I clearly haven't done myself any favours so far so it's time to put on a fake smile and be buddy buddy with everyone. It's gross, I know, but it has to be done."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Toxa]

"Toxa doesn't like love," Toxa bluntly said, filing at her nails in the confessional booth. "I don't like Kendra's priorities. Toxa also doesn't like losing. Kendra is my best bet. It's gross."

*Confessional End*

—

---

As Kendra and Toxa entered the mess hall, everyone else was already munching away on their breakfasts inside. Enjoying it as much as they could.

"I don't know how you eat so fast," André said to Jolt, watching her slurp through her soup. She took spoonful after spoonful of the floating, what he hoped were vegetables, and gulping through the broth.

"Food is fuel," Jolt replied, quickly wiping any remains of her breakfast off her lips with her wrist.

"I'm an athlete too, I know," André quickly said although he looked back down at his own soup with a grimace. "This looks rancid though."

"Beggars can't be choosers," Jolt bluntly added once again, taking a gulp of water to wash down the taste of the soup.

"Hey, are you okay?" André asked. "You're a lot more… Well, aggressive than normal."

"I'm fine," Jolt declared with a sigh. "Just a lot on my mind."

"You know, you can talk to me if you want," André said with a faint blush on his cheeks. "I can't promise I'll be any good at it but you did help me yesterday."

"Is Pinky getting sentimental with me," Jolt said with a grin, jabbing her elbow into his side.

"Never mind. Forget I offered," André retorted, although he had a sly smile on his face.

"I guess I'm just confused on the elimination still. I know the reasons but Aakira won her part of yesterday's challenge."

"Hey, I was just doing what you told me to. Make sure that Rina and I are the ones who make it out of that elimination."

"I know, I know… Still, Ian was right there," Jolt pointed out, as the two glanced at the barista who was laughing about something with Madison. "He was no help for you guys at all."

"Hmm. It's weird. He wasn't even an option," André replied, looking over at Ian with a confused look.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Jolt]

"I want to play with the best of the best and Aakira was a solid competitor," Jolt firmly said, slamming her fist into the palm of her other hand. "I don't have my time to keep carrying everyone and I don't want this to be even easier than it needs to be. Where's the competition?"

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[André]

"Jolt has a good point and Ian was one of the people called out during Chef's speech thing," André remembered, confusion laced into his face. "It doesn't make sense that Ian was completely safe from the vote and I don't even know who started pitching Aakira as the name."

*Confessional End*

—

Maddy was laughing at another joke that Ian had just told him, wiping away a stray tear from her face.

"I feel like I'm such a pessimist next to you!" Maddy exclaimed, to which Ian tapped on his temple in response.

"Like an Anti-Hero? It must be exhausting rooting for you then," Ian quickly replied to which Maddy shook her head, struggling to bite back her laughter.

"Ian Manachevitz. The biggest Swiftie to ever exist," Madison proclaimed to which Ian nodded wholeheartedly. "When I first met you on the boat, I really didn't predict this coming from you."

"She has just great songs!" Ian defended, placing his hand on his heart. "I think it was mainly because of one of my friends back home. She would always blast Taylor Swift songs that I feel like she transformed me into a Taylor Swift super fan."

"You definitely owe her a lot," Maddy added with a giggle. "A lot of the people in my comment sections always ask me to do a tribute to Taylor Swift with a lot of different things."

"It just means that they have good taste," Ian proclaimed to which Maddy couldn't help but burst out into another laugh.

"They do. I've only done a Lover-inspired make-up look. I think it was just because it had such a pretty colour palette."

"Oh! I feel like I have to see you in a Reputation-inspired look. I think it'd be really fun for you!"

"In what way?" Maddy asked curiously. "I'm not that well-versed in my Taylor Swift lore."

"Well, it's pretty much a revenge album! Its colours are black and green and snakes represent it. Although really, it's more of a love-themed album and has some really romantic songs on it," Ian explained with a smile. "It's like the opposite of you aesthetically but deep down it's the same as you."

"We should definitely do it together! Maybe we can bring Clayton and your Taylor friend!"

"That sounds amazing!" Ian happily agreed with a big grin.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ian]

"It feels so great to have my interests justified," Ian cheerfully said in the confessional although paused. "Although I don't know how to tell Maddy that my friend is actually my ex-girlfriend. I mean it shouldn't matter! Hi Skylar!"

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Maddy]

"I know what I said," Maddy sheepishly admitted, although had a determined smile on her face. "Ian is just such a funny person that I don't even realise that I've been talking to him for ages!"

*Confessional End*

—

Indigo was struggling to stay awake at the table he was at, his grasp still tightly on his diary and him sitting at the table with his food shoved off to the side. Ebony was using her spoon to push around the lumps in her own broth without much appeal.

"It'll probably taste like Irish stew, right?" Ebony persuaded herself, raising the spoon to her mouth. "Just like Saoirse- Damn it!"

Ebony slammed her spoon down onto the table, startling Indigo and causing him to immediately righten his grip on his notebook. Ebony glanced up with an apologetic look.

"What?" Indigo asked in between a yawn, looking down and sighing in relief seeing his diary still in his possession.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," Ebony bashfully said. "I just keep messing up."

"What do you mean?" Indigo asked, rubbing at his tired eyes with the sleeve of his sweater.

"I feel like I keep talking about my girlfriend too much and I'm getting on everyone's nerves. Kai gave me the weirdest reaction when I told him about her," Ebony explained with an anxious look. "I don't want to annoy everyone."

"It's okay, I know what you mean," Indigo replied with another yawn. "I don't mind listening to you about her."

"Thank you. I did go off on a tangent to Ian about them last night. It's weird since I usually don't see them. They live in Ireland. I feel like I'm just missing them more now since I don't have a phone or anything to text them with."

"You could always invent one?" Indigo prompted much to Ebony's surprise.

"That's such a good idea! How can I make it up to you?"

"Get me off this island," Indigo muttered under his breath. Ebony didn't hear this as she snapped her fingers in excitement, reaching inside her tool belt and plucking out a lock of some kind.

"I did want to give you this! I was working on it yesterday after Aakira told me about your diary. I call it the Lock-Inator!"

"Isn't this just-"

"It'll let you seal your diary and you can wear the key to it around your neck so you don't have to worry about losing it!" Ebony happily explained, handing Indigo a piece of string with a small key attached to the end of it.

"Thank you," Indigo breathlessly said looking down at the Inator in awe.

"Hey, I told you! We're friends now," Ebony said with a cheerful smile, picking her spoon back up and taking a deep breath.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ebony]

"It was honestly a bit hard to sleep last night without Aakira on top of me, so I let myself get distracted with that project. I hope Indigo likes it!" Ebony said with a hopeful smile.

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Indigo]

Indigo fastened the Lock-Inator around his notebook, sealing it shut. He twisted the key to make sure that it was actually locked, and then placed the key necklace around his neck. He let out a sigh of relief, loosening his grip on the diary for the first time since last night.

*Confessional End*

—

Kendra took a deep breath, preparing herself for putting herself out there. She was sat across from Kai who taking his time with his soup, eating it in a pristine manner.

"This is a very different experience in comparison to the gruel that were having over the past few days," Kai commented, letting the flavours of it dwell in his mouth. "There is a distinct smoky flavour that I am curious of the origin of."

"Really? I think it's pretty rank," Kendra replied, her own bowl not being that touched at all.

"I am afraid I do not understand the meaning of the word you just used," Kai told Kendra with a frown. "Would you mind sharing the definition?"

"It pretty much means awful," Kendra explained with a smile towards Kai who graciously nodded.

"I suppose that I do understand your perspective. However, I have decided that the experience that I am partaking in on Inferno Island is one that I wish to cherish, despite the oddities."

"It's honestly amazing how you stay optimistic throughout everything!" Kendra gushed with a wide smile, before pausing and narrowing her eyes.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kendra]

"It's now or never!" Kendra confidently reminded herself with an assured nod. "I need to ask him out since you miss one hundred per cent of the shots that you don't take and I am not missing out on my shot with Kai!"

*Confessional End*

—

Kendra took a deep breath in before continuing. "Kai, I do have something that I want to ask you."

"You may certainly ask me your question," Kai replied with a smile, sending butterflies into Kendra's stomach.

"I like you," Kendra immediately blurted out, gauging Kai's reaction as she said it. "I've really loved getting to know you better on this island and I have had this big crush on you. I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me."

"Pardon me, Kendra. I am afraid I also need an explanation of what the phrase 'Go out' means," Kai bashfully replied.

"Will you be my boyfriend," Kendra continued with a wistful look.

Silence is what immediately followed. Kai bit on his tongue as he decided how to reply while Kendra had beads of sweat dripping from her brow as the world moved at a snail's pace for her. Kai, sensing this, instantly had a look of remorse on his face.

"Apologies Kendra," Kai quickly added. "I was not expecting this piece of information to be dropped upon me."

"Truth be told, I am unfamiliar with the aspects of a romantic relationship," Kai continued. "I will admit that I do enjoy your company and I am already privileged to be considered as a potential suitor for you."

"Is that?"

"I would be honoured to be your boyfriend," Kai concluded as Kendra let out a loud squeal, pulling Kai into a tight hug.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kai]

"My prior discussion with Ebony caused a realisation that to experience the life of a regular teenager fully, I must partake in a romantic relationship," Kai explained with a careful smile. "Father has predisposed me to a multitude of suitresses back at the kingdom however he failed to be satisfied with any of them. Kendra is someone I have no qualms with and I am extremely privileged to be the boyfriend of her."

*Confessional End*

—

"Yesterday's plan went off perfectly," Malcolm celebrated to Rina with a sly grin.

"It was a necessary move," Rina joyfully replied, wrapping her hair around a finger and simply toying with it.

"I'm surprised you're just as pleased as I am," Malcolm said with intrigue.

"I'm very pleased," Rina answered back with a smirk. "I'm glad you stopped me from making the rash decision of taking André out."

"How come!" Malcolm asked, interested in any gossip he could get from the singer. "Did the two of you talk it out?"

"We did," Rina informed Malcolm with a smile. "I told him that I'm not looking for a relationship on this island, but I'd like to get to know him better after the show."

"That's great news for you!" Malcolm cheerfully told the singer, who winked back at prep.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Malcolm]

"That is shit news for me!" Malcolm griped with a scowl. "I am trying to solidify as many final two deals as I can and I have one with Indigo, Ian and Rina. I need to make sure that I'm looking out for myself and not letting those two cut me off anytime soon."

*Confessional End*

—

"I think the three of us would still make a great group sitting at the end of the competition," Malcolm continued, urging more details from Rina. "I'd still take you to the end of course."

"I can't wait for that to happen," Rina challenged with a confident smile.

"Would you still take me?" Malcolm asked gingerly, ready to pounce on the wrong reaction.

Rina narrowed her eyes at the preppy boy, rolling them back. "I don't think we ever solidified a final two deal. That's still ways off from now though. My focus is on winning the next challenge and making sure that we have a target in mind for if we lose."

"Right, right," Malcolm clarified, adjusting his collar. "Who do you have in mind?"

"I have practically no connections to Indigo as it stands," Rina continued, looking over at the poet who was talking to Ebony. "I don't have much of one to the other two losers on our team but I do know that Indigo is close with both Ebony and Ian, while I haven't seen much of a connection from those two."

"I see, I see."

"I also don't think Indigo adds much to the strength of our team. André and Ian work as our muscle and at least Ebony has a smart side to her," Rina continued, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't think it'll be that hard for our group of three to vote for Indigo and have the other three vote whichever way they please."

"You are one hell of a strategist," Malcolm commended with a look of admiration.

Rina scoffed, flicking her ponytail back over her shoulder once again. She looked at her nails with a smirk on her face. "You don't become the Queen Bee by just sitting around and doing nothing."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Rina]

"By eliminating Aakira this early it's shown that I need to make the best moves in this game to make it to the end," Rina confidently stated, her legs crossed in the confessional with a smirk still plastered on her face. "I'm not as naive as Malcolm to be mapping out every elimination but I am prepared for whatever McClean brings on."

*Confessional End*

—

"Sup," Toxa greeted Clayton who was sitting alone with his own meal. Clayton had the gruel that they had been served like the other days although there were the vegetable pieces that were floating around in the soup in it today.

"Hmm. Oh…" Clayton said, grimacing at Toxa. "Hey, Toxa."

"You don't have to be so upset," Toxa laughed, taking a seat across from the klutz. "Toxa is a pretty cool person to be around."

"It's not you," Clayton replied, shovelling his spoon into his gruel. "It's this food."

"Why don't you have soup like the rest of us," Toxa asked, lounging back in her seat. "You above us or something?"

"I wish I was," Clayton joked with another grimace at his meal. "You know, as bad as Chef is at cooking, I'm glad he's at least accommodating. He used a beef stock in the soup and had this for me when I went up."

"It's probably just what people didn't eat yesterday," Toxa rebutted which prompted Clayton to shove away his bowl.

"That's the part I was willing myself to forget," Clayton groaned, hiding his hands in his face. "What has you joining me anyways?"

"What has you sitting alone?" Toxa clapped back to which Clayton smiled in response to.

"Alright. I wanted to sit with Kai but Kendra beat me to the punch. She practically pushed me out of my seat when you walked in and I didn't feel like arguing with her this early."

"She's such a dumbass," Toxa bluntly said, as Kendra's squeals echoed around the mess hall. "Anyone would be lucky to sit with you."

"What do you mean?" Clayton asked, raising an eyebrow at Toxa.

"Toxa thinks you're cute. You know how to have fun and you're nice to everyone. I wish I could be like that."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie?"

"I'm going to stop you right there," Clayton butted in, crossing his arms and staring at the punk much to her surprise.

"I don't know if this is all a little game to you but it's not going to work on me," Clayton continued, carefully watching Toxa's reaction.

"Game?" Toxa asked although her nice facade was quickly dropping.

"I've seen it in action," Clayton replied. "I may be in a world of my own but I'm not stupid. I saw what happened with Sal and with Jolt. I'm not another pawn in this game."

Toxa sat there in a shocked silence, before bursting into a loud cackle. This caught Clayton off-guard. He glanced around the room to see if anyone was paying attention but couldn't see anyone listening in.

"Toxa has to give it to you," Toxa replied with a genuine smile. "I didn't think you'd stand up to me. Seems like these tricks won't work on you."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Clayton]

"Honestly it was a swing and I was just hoping I'd hit," Clayton admitted with a relieved look. "I was only half paying attention to what Toxa had been doing but her sitting and flirting with me was the bait I needed to try to call it out. There were probably a bazillion ways that could've ended badly. Maybe even more!"

*Confessional End*

—

"You got that right," Clayton said with a smirk back. "I'm not falling for whatever this is."

"I'll do you one better than. What about working with Toxa?"

"Working with you?"

"No tricks, no thievery. None of that. Toxa has specific goals and she thinks that this could benefit both of us."

"What do you have in mind?" Clayton asked, intrigued by the offer that Toxa was making to him.

Toxa blanked, blinking in confusion. "Toxa didn't think that far ahead."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Toxa]

"Toxa thought he'd say no and I could have Toxa be the target for Clayton," Toxa confessed, scratching her head. "I need to think this through carefully. Clayton could replace Sal as Toxa's ally."

*Confessional End*

—

Clayton went to add something else to the conversation but was interrupted by Chris barging into the mess hall. "GOOD MORNING CAMPERS!"

"I think we've all been awake a little too long for it to still be morning," Malcolm interjected but as if on cue, Indigo fell asleep at the table once again, whacking his head off it and instantly startling himself back awake.

"You stand corrected," Chris laughed, sticking his tongue out at Malcolm's sour expression.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Malcolm]

"It's like the whole universe is against me!" Malcolm griped, crossing his arms in agitation.

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Rina]

"This is so Candace from Phineas and Ferb coded," Rina chuckled in the confessional. "Y'know, in the movie Candace Against The Universe? Watch a movie!"

*Confessional End*

—

"How are we all doing today? Ready for another challenge?" Chris cheerfully asked, with Maddy gasping and raising her hand.

"I've had a great mor-"

"I wasn't asking," Chris rebutted with a smirk.

"Oh… I'm sorry!"

—

*Confessional Start*

[Madison]

"I could've sworn he was asking about our day," Maddy exclaimed, her brow furrowed in thought. "I probably heard him wrong though."

*Confessional End*

—

"Bring it on!" Jolt roared out and André similarly yelled out a cheer of approval.

"I'm glad you're having fun," Chris said with a wide grin. "Now, for today's challenge, you all will be appreciating the wildlife that this island has to offer."

"What's the catch?" Rina asked, narrowing her eyes at the host in suspicion.

"Rina! I'm hurt," Chris feigned, placing his hands on his hips and looking over at the singer. "Can't I just make an enjoyable challenge for you guys?"

"Bite me, McClean," Rina answered back, keeping her cool stare on the host.

"In specific," Chris continued, ignoring Rina and pulling out two Polaroid photographs and handing them to Ian and Madison. "You'll be getting these specific animals and bringing them back to the campgrounds."

"Alive," Chris added, rolling his eyes. "Something about PETA and violations. Whatever!"

The campers diverged in the mess hall, with the Perky Parrots gathering at the right bench and looking at the photo in detail. A large feathered bird with lime green feathers was shown although the photo was pretty blurry. Around one of its legs was a neon pink band attached to it.

"Perky Parrots, you'll be recovering Kiwi the Parrot. He was released around the clearing in the woods where you found the chests from your first challenge."

The Cutthroat Crabs had a photo depicting a shelled crustacean with a red body. It poked out of a dark rock in which it dwelled in. It also had a similar neon pink band around one of its visible legs.

"Cutthroat Crabs, you guys are in charge of Herman the Crab. We left him on the beach that was used for your second challenge."

"How is this fair!" Malcolm protested with a sour look. "Our animal can fly. As far as I'm aware, none of us can."

"Suck it," Toxa retorted, sticking her tongue out at the prep.

"Simple enough challenge for you today," Chris finished off with a smile. "We're going to provide cages for you guys to transport the animals in. The first team to recover their animal wins this challenge."

On cue, Chef Hatchet walked out of the kitchen with two large cages. They were ultimately the same from the exterior, with wheels attached the the bottom and a door on each side. The difference was in the interior of the cages. One had a small tree and bells hanging from the cage, with a bowl of water and a plate of crackers. The other was filled with sand and other small pebbles, with a larger tank of water just off to the side.

"Pardon me, Mr. McClean," Kai interjected looking at the cages. "May I ask why the cages are of such a substantial size?"

"I'm glad you asked Kai!" Chris replied with another evil grin. "Both of these animals aren't the typical sizes you'd expect. They're both the size of a cat, give or take."

Chris then laughed at the surprised faces of the campers. "Come on! We gave you a treasure hunt and then a beach day. There's a hundred thousand dollars on the line. Earn it!"

"Chris, we need to talk," Chef whispered into the host's ear, to which Chris nodded in response.

"Good luck campers. You're going to need it."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ian]

"Y'know, I did want to see the wildlife of this island when I signed up," Ian mentioned with a big grin on his face. "This challenge is going to rule!"

*Confessional End*

—

Chris left the mess hall, following Chef Hatchet into the kitchen. He was straight-faced as Chef opened up the refrigerator door, shutting it and reopening it again. The inside of the fridge, normal upon the first opening of it, had a staircase that led downwards into some room.

Chris and Chef solemnly walked down the flight of stairs, coming into an office room. In comparison to Chris's public office which had regular security cameras, this one had one single computer screen that was looking down into the burning volcano. Bubbles spewed hot magma and popped violently and despite the glitchy quality the camera was providing, heat could be seen spiralling out.

"How bad is it?" Chris asked, furrowing his brow as he stared at the charts that Chef had kept in a binder on the desk.

"It's not good," Chef huffed back, showing the host the data. While Chris really didn't understand much of it, it was easy to make out that the magma had been steadily rising over the past few days.

"How much time do you think we have?" Chris continued, pulling out his phone and checking his calendar app.

"I'd say a week. Eight days at best," Chef replied with a shake of his head.

"You can't be serious!" Chris proclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Chef, we have an episode quota to fill and another eleven campers left to eliminate before we have a winner."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Chris]

"It's like no one wants me to have fun anymore," Chris said with a pout and his arms crossed. "I thought it was a great idea to make this island our setting. It was cheap and had a fun gimmick. How was I supposed to know that it was a scam and the volcano was going to erupt? This isn't my fault!"

*Confessional End*

—

"Look, man," Chef interjected, looking back at the screen. "I don't know what you want me to do. At best, I can buy you one more day but I'll need everyone in the water one of the days. There's this scientist from Russia who sent this powder that apparently reacts with the magma to slow it down. She didn't sound so confident though."

"Okay, let me think," Chris thought to himself, as he paced up and down the small room. "How long 'til you're ready to use that powder thing."

"I'll need a day to get ready."

"Okay. I can work with that. We can just do the next challenge during the night after today's challenge and then immediately do the next one. I'll take the campers the next day to the water for the challenge after that and that should give you time to do your stuff."

"You can't be serious," Chef replied appalled. "You can't expect these teenagers to do a challenge today, stay up at night doing another one and then go into a third one immediately after."

"It's that or burn," Chris coldly retorted, shaking his head. "Look, man. I'm just trying to work with what I have here."

On that note, Chris walked back up out of his partner's office and back towards his own. Chef sighed, shaking his head as he took a seat back at his desk. He stared at the bubbling magma once again, jotting down another note about its new height.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Chef Hatchet]

"Not a damn soul said anything about controlling an active volcano when I signed up for this cheffing gig," Chef Hatchet complained, his brow tightly knit together. "Still, Chris and I go way back. I owe it to him."

*Confessional End*

—

---

Chris came out of the kitchen and walked straight back out of the mess hall, while the campers were still set around their benches. As soon as Chris left though, the Cutthroat Crabs immediately got up and ran out the door.

"This isn't good!" André aggressively pointed out. "We need to get a move on."

"Slow down Pinky," Rina rebutted with a shake of her head. "We need a solid plan first."

André grumbled about it but obliged, something that Malcolm took note of. He shook his head turning to Ian. "Aren't you good with animals?"

"Yessir!" Ian replied giving a salute to Malcolm.

"So…?" Malcolm asked, waiting for a plan to come from Ian. "Do you have any ideas?"

"Nope!" Ian happily said with a dumb look on his face. "I just like animals."

—

*Confessional Start*

[André]

"Jolt has a point," André mentioned, shaking his head. "Aakira would've been a lot more helpful here than Ian is proving to be. I don't have high hopes for us. That's strike one for Ian."

*Confessional End*

—

"What about you two?" Rina asked, shifting her focus over to Ebony and Indigo. "Do you two have any ideas?"

"Uhm! Maybe I could make a device that we could use to capture Kiwi?" Ebony suggested, which was met with a nod from Rina.

"I have yarn that you can use if you need it," Indigo told her, which caused Rina to grin.

"Perfect! André, darling, you can take Malcolm and Ian and go scout out what the clearing in the woods looks like and see if you guys can capture the parrot. Indigo, Ebony and I will head to the dorms and see if we can make something to help you guys."

"But-" Malcolm went to protest although bit his tongue. "You know, that's a solid plan. Let's roll with it."

"About time" André cheered, jumping to his feet and tugging Malcolm and Ian up as well. He grabbed the cage, wheeling it along and signalling to the other two boys. "Let's get a move on and not go back to elimination."

Rina rolled her eyes, slowly getting out of her seat. "Boys being boys. Anyways, shall we get started?"

—

*Confessional Start*

[Rina]

"These pairings were intentional on my behalf as well as for the benefit of the team," Rina simply with a glint in her eyes. "I know that Ebony voted for me and I need to ensure that if we end up losing once more, I'm not the person who she casts her vote against."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Malcolm]

"This is an iffy situation to be in," Malcolm groaned, shaking his head. "Ian is a solid ally but is incompetent. This is a challenge I can't afford to lose but the odds aren't in my favour."

*Confessional End*

—

---

"Alright, we're on the beach," Clayton pointed out. "What do we do now?"

Jolt shrugged, stretching her arms. "Find the rocks are root through them?"

"I suggest we opt for a plan in which we split up into groups and adopt a ground search method," Kai mentioned and the team nodded along to it.

"Should we go in the pairs from the last challenge, boyfriend?" Kendra asked, shooting a pointed look at Maddy (who didn't notice) and Clayton (who very much did notice). She also gave a wink to Toxa as well.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Clayton]

"Boyfriend?" Clayton scoffed, shrugging it off. "As if."

*Confessional End*

—

"Well, girlfriend," Kai replied, causing Clayton to clasp his hand around his dropped jaw. "I think that is a suitable plan. However, I do believe there may be a benefit in assuming pairs that we have not worked in before now."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Clayton]

"GIRLFRIEND?" Clayton yelled, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. He groaned, sinking into his seat. "I'm so stupid, argh!"

*Confessional End*

—

"Do we have to work in teams?" Jolt asked, shaking her head. "It'd just slow me down."

"Toxa thinks Kai has a point with this," Toxa argued with a shrug. She jabbed her thumb into the cage that she had been dragging along. "This isn't easy to drag along in the sand and we only have one of these cages."

Jolt huffed, crossing her arms but agreeing. "Fine. Whatever."

"If it would please you, I do not have an issue being your partner in this challenge," Kai mentioned to Jolt, much to a seething Kendra from behind him. "I shall try my best to not slow you down."

"Works for me," Jolt replied with an assured nod.

"I guess I'll go with Toxa," Kendra lamented, although Toxa shook her head.

"No. Toxa thinks she'll go with Maddy," Toxa refused, looking at the influencer.

"Alright!" Maddy happily agreed, nodding her head.

"Wait, but that means-" Clayton said, looking at his surroundings. He made eye contact with Kendra, both of them having venom in their eyes.

"Kai, my sweetie-" Kendra interjected although Jolt had run off already dragging Kai with her.

Toxa and Maddy also left, heading in the opposite direction.

"This is so fu-"

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kendra]

"I know I need to be nicer, but I don't like that boy at all," Kendra spat with anger stitched into her face. "I guess I will settle with what my boyfriend has decided is the best thing to do."

*Confessional End*

—

---

"You know, you're not doing half bad with keeping up," Jolt commended, as she fired rocks behind her back at rapid speed. "You could pick up the pace a small bit though."

Kai let out a grin, as he carefully checked the base of each of the rocks. Upon seeing no crab-like creature, he neatly placed them in a pile behind him. Despite his precision, he was making a solid attempt at not slowing Jolt down.

"I believe I am following the common American phrase of not leaving any stone unturned," Kai answered back, continuing his search carefully.

"God, no one says that anymore," Jolt scoffed. "It's almost like you researched all of that shit before coming over here."

"There may be a possibility that I would be charged guilty with such a claim," Kai replied with a bashful smile. Jolt rolled her eyes once again, continuing her quick pace with the rocks.

"I do have to ask why you chose me though," Jolt asked. "I mean, I'm not complaining, I think Toxa is the only other person who could've kept pace with me."

"I simply wished to interact with those I had failed to speak to that much in these prior days. On the Cutthroat Crabs, those people would be Toxa and yourself."

"I get it," Jolt said with a soft shrug. "I mean I'm not usually a team player. I like doing things on my own."

"That is surely an impression you have made thus far," Kai responded with a laugh.

"Still," Jolt continued with another light-hearted scoff. "You've been doing a solid job as this team's leader. It was a good decision to split the team like that and in that order. I wouldn't trust Maddy and Clayton to be alone together again."

"Do you have an issue with Madison and Clayton?"

"Nah, not really. I just don't think they're competition. I haven't really talked to either of them so I don't know for sure but I want to have only strong people on my team."

"That is an understandable perspective," Kai agreed, nodding his head. "Is this partially the reason accredited to your vote for Salamander?"

"Yeah. Sal fucked up the challenge much worse than anyone else and Maddy at least came in clutch with her make-up shit."

"I fear I am also not that familiar with the materials she uses to beautify herself."

"You and me both," Jolt added with a genuine laugh, nodding her head at Kai. "Still you're making this team into quite a solid group. Romancing your way too, huh."

"I assume that this is in reference to my romantic relationship with Kendra."

"Mhm. I don't really care about it. So long as you two don't slow us down."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kai]

"I am very appreciative of the company of Jolt and her appreciation of the captain role I have settled into on this team," Kai said, fixing the sleeves of his shirt. "Jolt is a competitor who I carry much respect for."

*Confessional End*

—

---

Rina was lying on her bunk, painting her nails in a baby blue colour and supervising Indigo and Ebony who were scrawled out on the floor with the yarn that Indigo had brought in. The two were weaving something out of the deep blue wool, attaching rocks to the four corners of the invention.

"How's progress looking?" Rina asked, looking at her nails and satisfied with the layer she had just applied.

"We are almost done," Ebony replied, her tongue sticking out her mouth as she twisted in another knot into the edge of the fabric.

"Good," Rina replied, blowing her nails and letting them dry in the warm air. "Hopefully the boys have made some progress on that bird."

"I wouldn't have high expectations," Indigo mumbled to himself.

"What was that?" Rina snapped, looking down at the poet who instantly shrivelled up into his sweater.

"Nothing," Indigo muttered, shaking his head and working on the Inator.

"No!" Rina sharply said, narrowing her eyes at Indigo. "You said something. Repeat it!"

"I… I said…" Ian stuttered, gulping as he did so. He took a breath in before continuing. "I said that I wouldn't have high expectations."

Rina paused, but then burst out in laughter, fanning her eyes with her hands. "You are so right!"

Indigo sighed in relief, sharing a small smile at the singer.

"Who knew you could be funny," Rina commented, standing up and looking over the pair's work. "Oh, it's a net? That should work just fine."

"No, it's a Capture-Inator!" Ebony proclaimed, proudly picking up the woven invention by its corners and tossing it over her shoulder. "Another Ebony original!"

"It's not a net?" Rina asked, met with a shake of Ebony's head. She narrowed her eyes at the smiling Ebony, sharing a questionable look with Indigo.

Indigo shrugged. "Don't question it."

"Alright, we should get going," Rina ordered, opening the door to the cabin and waltzing outside. "Those three aren't going to be doing anything useful and we gotta bring the net-"

Ebony coughed catching Rina's attention. Rina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in exhaustion.

"And we gotta bring the Capture-Inator to them so we can win this challenge."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Indigo]

"I can't believe that I actually made Rina laugh," Indigo exclaimed in shock. "It was like she actually cared about what I had to say. I didn't think that'd happen with a girl like that!"

*Confessional End*

—

---

Toxa watched as Maddy looked through the rocks, gasping at the beauty of each individual one. She rubbed her temple, preparing herself as she made me way next to the influencer.

"So, Maddy," Toxxa started, as Maddy beamed at her showing her a rock.

"Isn't this one so pretty!" Maddy exclaimed.

Toxa shuddered at the sheer amount of positivity that the other girl had. She looked down at Maddy's hand in which a dull rock with a slight orange twinge was shown.

"Toxa doesn't get it."

Maddy shrugged, her smile not fading. "It's just a pretty rock. It's always fun to see what type of beauty you can find out in the wild."

"Right," Toxa continued, not impressed by it. "Anyways. Toxa wanted to get to know you better."

"Oh, sure!" Maddy cheered, grinning up at the taller punk. "I'd love to make another friend. I'm so glad Kai paired us together."

"He really didn't… Never mind," Toxa said with a sigh, her eye twitching in agitation. "How do you feel about Kai and everyone else anyway?"

"Kai is great! So is Clayton!" Maddison chirped back, tucking a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear. "I haven't talked to Jolt that much but she's so athletic and great at the challenges. The two of you did amazing yesterday!"

"Toxa thinks you're pretty amazing yourself," Toxa flirted back, although it completely went over Maddy's head.

"Awh, thank you! I just had fun collecting shells with Clayton and Ian," Maddy honestly replied much to Toxa's dismay.

"I think you're not giving yourself enough credit," Toxa continued, shifting up closer to the influencer. "We would've lost without you."

"I'm just glad we didn't! I would've hated to vote anyone out. Everyone is so awesome."

"Right," Toxa agreed with a shifty look in her eyes. "I wouldn't vote for you."

"I wouldn't vote for anyone! I hope we find the crab, Clayton said that crabs are his favourite animal."

"If we were to lose though," Toxa repeated, biting her lip sensually. "I'd want us to stick together."

"I'd love to stick with the whole team!" Maddy once again said as Toxa groaned.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Toxa]

"Clearly, my strategy isn't going to work," Toxa sharply spat. "This fucking blows. Toxa doesn't like having to come up with a plan B."

*Confessional End*

—

---

Malcolm and his group were surveying the clearing without much luck in simply finding the bird. Malcolm huffed, staring around at the trees in desperation.

"This is so stupid," Malcolm yelled out, kicking a rock and sending it pretty much nowhere.

"Listen, we haven't searched for that long. We still have this," André comforted although it wasn't helping much.

"Well I don't know what the others are making," Malcolm sharply said back to the batter. "Unless it's a parrot tracker, we need to actually find this bird to use it."

"We still have time," André argued back, shaking his head. "Besides, Rina thought of this plan. I trust her judgment."

Malcolm scowled at this behind André's back, turning back around with a big smile plastered on his face. "What's the deal with you two anyways? I didn't know you liked her."

"Hah, yeah," André said with a grin. "This island definitely made me think about love in a way I wasn't expecting."

"Come on, don't be coy," Malcolm teased, tapping on his glasses with a knowing look. "You're pretty much a jock. From my experience, I rarely met a jock who stayed single for long."

"Yeah but it's always flings," André said with a shrug. "Maybe it's living on top of each other on this island or Kendra pouncing on me on the very first day but I really like Rina."

"Wait, slow down," Malcolm interrupted with surprise. "Kendra was flirting with you on day one?"

"Yeah," André recounted with a laugh. "It feels like that happened so long ago. I mean, I was crushing pretty hard on Jolt that first day too. There aren't that many sporty girls in my school."

"Jolt too? You were getting around!"

"Nah man, none of them amounted to anything," André said with a shake of his head. He started counting them off with his fingers. "Kendra isn't my type at all. She's very dependent and that's not for me. Jolt on the other hand shut me down. She's gay so that was a lost cause."

"But with Rina?" Malcolm prompted, waiting for a reply from the batter.

"Rina wasn't my third strike," André joked with a smile. "She didn't agree to start anything up with me but I think that after the show, I do want to get to know her better."

"Awh, I'm so happy for the two of you!" Malcolm gushed, clapping his hands excitedly.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Malcolm]

"I'm really not happy for them," Malcolm huffed, crossing his arms and pouting. "All I'm hearing is that if I stick with this duo, I'm bringing myself to a third-place finish. The only thing I have going for me is that André and Rina are far from the most popular people."

*Confessional End*

—

"Thanks, man," André appreciated with a smile. "Still, I'd like to win this challenge just so we can keep balling. I'm all tied up with Jolt and I don't want her to pull another victory on me."

"Hey, things have been unusually calm," Malcolm pointed out to which André nodded his head.

The two stood there in silence, thinking about why they were able to have a pleasant conversation without any ruckus. At the same time, both of their eyes widened and they made direct eye contact in panic.

"Ian!" they both yelled out at the same time. The two spun around, looking for the missing barista.

"You have to be kidding me," André eventually said, his head shaking in disbelief.

Malcolm looked at André in confusion, noticing that his head was tilted upwards. He followed the other boy's eyes upwards and noticed Ian hanging from a branch on a tree above them.

"Oh, hey guys!" Ian yelled down with a dumb smile on his face. "I didn't want to stop your guys' conversation."

"IAN!" Malcolm shrieked, seeing the boy up there. "What are you doing?"

"Well, I thought that to find a bird, you had to be a bird," Ian explained, clutching the branch tightly. "That's what a bird's eye view is right? So I climbed the tree. I kinda get why birds can fly now though, I'm kind of stuck..."

"He's stuck. Of course," André griped shaking his head.

—

*Confessional Start*

[André]

"Strike two," André simply said, holding out a hand with two fingers raised on it.

*Confessional End*

—

---

Kendra and Clayton were less friendly with each other, both of them silently checking the rocks on the beach without much conversation between them.

"I wish I was with my boyfriend," Kendra moaned, recoiling from a rock after scraping it with her nails. "He's so amazing."

"Is that really needed?" Clayton spat back, shaking his head.

"What do you mean?" Kendra innocently asked in a saccharine tone. Clayton grunted in return, shifting away from Kendra.

"Hey, don't think you can get away from this," Kendra taunted, looking down at Clayton with her hands on her hips. "You better be counting your days. You're not getting in the way of me and my lover."

"Firstly, I don't really care about you. I thought I made that clear," Clayton clapped back giving Kendra a dirty look. "Secondly, I don't know what you think is going to happen. You might be going out with Kai but he's not going to vote for Maddy or me."

"Well he's less likely to vote for me," Kendra sneered with a laugh. "I'll make sure that he doesn't vote for Toxa too and all of a sudden it shouldn't be hard to get Maddy and you out of here."

"You can drag me down all you want," Clayton argued glaring at Kendra with venom in his face. "Don't you dare bring Maddy down too."

"Awhh? Is the little baby scared about his friend being eliminated?"

"Shut the fuck up."

Kendra flipped her hair over the shoulder. "It's just us here. No one's going to believe you."

"I'll get Jolt's vote and force a tie," Clayton clapped back. This caused Kendra to burst out in a fit of laughter.

"Please, have you even talked to Jolt once?" Kendra asked in between wheezes.

Clayton faltered but stood his ground firmly. "At least I haven't tried drowning her."

This quickly wiped the smirk off Kendra's face, who had a vicious look on her face. "Bite me Lunar. I'm going to make your life a hell. Like you said, you don't care for me."

Clayton let out a yell of frustration stomping away leaving a gleeful Kendra standing there with a winning look on her face. Clayton sat down on a large rock, grumbling to himself.

"Stupid Kendra. Stupid show. Stupid feelings," Clayton spat out, not aware that the rock he had placed himself on was shifting slowly.

All of a sudden, the rock started darting around the beach prompting a shriek from Clayton as he hung on for dear life. Kendra, hearing the scream, turned to look at what was happening and her eyes widened seeing Clayton flailing around on a moving rock.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kendra]

"Okay, I know that I said I need to try to be nicer but making Clayton's life miserable is just as good," Kendra defended herself, wiping away a tear of joy from her eye. "Besides, seeing him squirm on that crab? Well, karma's a bitch."

*Confessional End*

—

---

"What do we do!" Malcolm screamed at André who gave Malcolm a wild shrug.

"The fuck if I know!" André yelled back, waving his arms around.

"Oh, this looks like it," Rina's voice echoed through the bushes as she pushed past the last bit of shrubbery to arrive at the clearing.

"That was a lot easier to find the second time around," Ebony pointed out, dragging her Capture-Inator behind her.

"Any luck with Kiwi?" Indigo asked although was confused just seeing André and Malcolm. "Wait, where's Ian?"

Wordlessly, André pointed upwards. The new group followed his finger and all gasped seeing Ian hanging out.

"IAN?" Rina shrieked, shaking her head. "What the hell happened?"

"OH IS THAT RINA?" Ian yelled back, letting go of the branch to wave down. Turns out, you shouldn't let go of the thing you're holding out and Ian quickly learned this as he was sent plummeting downwards.

"Quick! The Capture-Inator!" Ebony commanded as Rina and Indigo burst into action, each grabbing a different corner of the invention.

"The what?" André asked in confusion.

"Just grab the damn net!" Rina yelled back.

Malcolm and André joined in, with Malcolm jumping in at the corner that Indigo was holding. The five Parrots pulled outwards lifting the net up, and Ian went crashing down into. It immediately bounced him back into the sky as he let out loud whoops in enjoyment.

"It worked? It worked!" Ebony cheered with a wide grin and held her hand out to Rina for a high-five. Rina deadpanned, shooting her eyes up at Ian and Ebony sheepishly realised her error and quickly grabbed her corner again.

Ian was soaring through the air, although the momentum was sending him falling back down. That was until something swooped in, grabbing him by his shirt collar and flying in circles around the clearing. Ian was still whooping in glee, unaware of the peril that he was in.

"Is that?" Indigo asked and Rina grimaced with a nod of her head. "That can't be good."

Kiwi let out squawks of joy as the large parrot continued to circle the clearing. Ian's head was buried into the neck of his shirt as the bird whacked him into the low-hanging branches that were poking out from the trees around him.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ian]

"That was like a rollercoaster!" Ian exclaimed, with scratches all over his visible skin. "A painful rollercoaster, but it was still a fun ride."

*Confessional End*

—

"Any bright ideas from anyone?" Rina asked, looking at everyone that was on the ground, her focus mainly on Ebony, Indigo and Malcolm.

"Not a clue!" Malcolm rapidly spoke, following Kiwi with his bespeckled eyes in panic.

"André, try throwing the Capture-Inator and get both of them!" Ebony suggested, handing her invention to the batter.

André attempted, throwing the net up but Kiwi managed to avoid it. André dashed forward, grabbing the Inator again and chased after Kiwi from the ground. Rina facepalmed upon realising that André was just running around in circles on the ground.

"Uhm… Maybe," Indigo started but shook his head. Rina heard this, turning her attention to the poet.

"What is it?"

"No, it's stupid."

"I can guarantee you it'll be a better idea than whatever idea got us into this mess," Rina told him as the poet gulped.

"What if Ian covered Kiwi's eyes?" Indigo asked Rina.

"Better than nothing," Rina replied, yelling Indigo's directions up to Ian.

Ian listened to the commands, covering Kiwi's eyes with his hands. The now blind parrot let out an angry squawk as he tried to shake Ian off of him, digging his talons out of Ian's shirt. Ian attempted to hold on to the bird with his hands around his eyes but Kiwi easily managed to shake off the barista. Ian was sent crashing down to the ground with one final yell, as he made contact with the ground with a loud bang and shifted the dirt underneath him in a billow of dust.

Kiwi let out a cry of joy, cackling at the boy's misfortune. When he looked back on his flight trail though, he didn't have enough time to react to the tree in front of him and crashed into it. He also went plummeting down, landing in the dust cloud that Ian had caused.

It was at this moment that André finally aimed right, tossing the Capture-Inator in the direction of the two. As the dust settled up, a knocked-out Kiwi could be seen on top of a knocked-out Ian, with Ebony's invention covering the two of them and holding them down.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Rina]

Rina had a stressed look on her face, shaking her head in disappointment and covering her face with one of her hands. "That honestly couldn't have gone worse. The only good thing that actually happened is that we actually captured them."

*Confessional End*

—

"Cage. NOW!" Rina barked out, as André quickly bounced into work and transported the parrot into the cage. Rina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she marched up to Ian.

She grabbed his shoulder, shaking him in an attempt to wake him up.

"Is he still alive?" Ebony asked concerned, biting her nails nervously.

"He better be so I can kill him for this," Rina huffed, violently shaking Ian.

"Get in line," Malcolm disputed, as Ian's eyes fluttered open.

"Is Jupiter still next to Mars," Ian asked in a dazed voice.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Indigo]

"I honestly couldn't tell if Ian had something wrong with him or if that was a normal Ian question," Indigo confessed, a mixture of amusement and worry on his face.

*Confessional End*

—

---

"HELP!" Clayton yelled out, in a similar predicament that Ian was just in. He was holding out Herman as the crab scampered around the beach.

"We heard yells," Jolt yelled, skidding to a stop and seeing the scene before her. Kai was sharp on her heels. "Woah, nice find Clayton."

"Oh I'm so glad I could be of benefit to you Jolt," Clayton sarcastically told the runner with a grin on his face. "Crab-riding is actually my favourite hobby and it's great of Chris to let me live out my dreams on this island."

"I didn't know that about you," Maddy said in shock as she also jogged into the scene with Toxa.

"You are certainly handling half the battle currently," Kai commended with a wide grin.

"Oh my God, boyfriend!" Kendra yelled, running up to Kai and wrapping her arms around him. "I was so scared and confused when Clayton was taken by the crab and I didn't know what to do."

Kendra sobbed crocodile tears into Kai's shoulder. The royal patted her on her shoulder, giving her one of his signature charming smiles.

"There is no need to fret. Now that our team was united, we should be able to think of a proper way to handle this beast."

"Do it quickly!" Clayton roared, getting bucked around by Herman.

Herman had his pincers out, snipping precociously and Clayton gulped, trying to shelter himself as best as he could while still trying not to fall off the hermit crab.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Clayton]

"Listen! I don't think it's wrong of me to want to keep all my limbs while I'm on this show. That's not too much to ask?" Clayton questioned in exasperation. "Nothing against amputees but I quite like my arms and legs."

*Confessional End*

—

"I think it's time for a crab brawl," Toxa announced with a grin, cracking her knuckles in joy.

"Hell yeah!" Jolt agreed, bouncing up on the sand as well.

"No! Don't hurt Hermy!" Maddy protested, with Kendra rolling her eyes at this.

"He's hurting me!" Clayton yelled back, still clinging on just about.

"I wish to remind the two of you that we are not allowed to damage the crab," Kai pointed out to which Toxa laughed at.

"Please, who cares about all that shit," Toxa clapped back, bouncing into action.

She pounced into action, running about at Herman and stepping in front of the crab. Herman paused his sideways movement upon seeing the punk in front of him. He quickly adapted, unsheathing his pincers and swiping in Toxa's vicinity.

Toxa leapt back with a snarl on her face as Jolt quickly ran into the fray as well. Jolt stood in front of Herman, nimbly sidestepping back the crab's repeated offence of snips.

"You gotta move faster than that if you want to catch me," Jolt taunted.

With Herman distracted by Jolt's dexterity, Toxa moved to the back of the crab and gave a nasty kick to its rear. Herman turned around quickly, bucking Clayton off him and sending him flying towards the sea as Herman faced Toxa.

Jolt took this opportunity to leap forward and deliver a kick to Herman's back that was facing her now. This cycle continued until Herman retreated into his shell, dizzy from the onslaught. Toxa grinned picking the hermit crab up and placing him into the cage that Kai had just finished retrieving.

"That was a marvellous job," Kai complimented with a smile, much to the dismay of Kendra. He paused looking around. "However I am questioning where Clayton is."

"We don't have time," Kendra interjected finding her opportunity to jump in. "Boyfriend, we need your muscle to help push the cage back to the campgrounds!"

"I can't see Clayton!" Maddy cried out, looking around at the water with a worried look.

Toxa and Jolt instantly started heaving the cage forwards although the large rock that Herman was dwelling them was slowing them down. Kai had a conflicted look on his face as he debated what to do.

"Come on!" Kendra urged, running up and pushing on the cage but not doing much for the speed at which the group was going.

Kai nodded helping the rest of the Cutthroat Crabs to push the cage, leaving Maddy alone on the beach searching for Clayton.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kai]

"My decision was for the benefit of the team in order to assure that we had the best opportunity to win immunity once more," Kai said in the confessional, his voice faltering through it. "Right?"

*Confessional End*

—

---

Chris strolled out of his office after seeing the two teams capture their respective creatures. He yawned slightly waiting at the campgrounds in silence, twiddling his thumbs as he waited.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Chris]

"I could've done some announcement or whatever," Chris mentioned with a miffed look on his face. "Knowing these campers though, as soon as I would've started, they would've come barging in. Hello! It's only fun when I'm the

*Confessional End*

—

Chris stood there, whistling in silence as he observed the surroundings for any indication of either team.

"Is this going to be another case where I have to announce something before they show up," Chris asked himself, peering towards the beach and the woods without much action in return.

The host sighed to himself, clearing his throat. "Welcome back to Inferno Island and we-"

Before Chris could get any further with his spiel, rapid footsteps and shoddy wheels echoing through the grounds could be heard. Chris gave a deadpan look to the camera, looking at the emerging team.

"We're here!" Jolt yelled out, as the Cutthroat Crabs pushed their cage in front of Chris.

Kendra dropped to the ground in heavy pants, while Kai looked anxiously up at Chris for a result. Jolt and Toxa had confident looks on their faces as they also waited for the results to come from the host. Chris peered down to check the cage, nodding at the sight of Herman the Crab doing what looked like a rave from the inside of it.

"Congratulations to the Cutthroat Crabs, you have beaten the Perky Parrots to the campgrounds," Chris told them as they started celebrating.

"WAIT!" Malcolm yelled out, as the Perky Parrots also made their way to the clearing.

He led the push on the cage with Rina, Indigo and Ebony on the other sides of it. André was carrying a delirious Ian on his back, with an unenthusiastic look on his face. Kiwi was happily munching on some of the crackers inside his cage without a care in the world.

—

*Confessional Start*

[André]

Wordlessly, André held up three fingers to the camera with a blank stare on his face, signalling strike number three.

*Confessional End*

—

"They don't have their full team here and you said it was the first team to bring their animal back," Malcolm protested. "So technically, we're the first team to bring our animal back to the grounds."

Chris paused with a smirk, causing the entirety of the Cutthroat Crabs to falter.

"I'm glad you pointed that out Malcolm," Chris deviously remarked, turning to the Cutthroat Crabs causing a fearful look to spread out from the whole team.

"Hey, you didn't say whole team!" Jolt argued back instantly, glaring at Malcolm.

Chris paused, nodding his head. "That's also true. I guess I'll have to be more specific in the future."

"Does that mean?" Rina and Kendra asked simultaneously, with a look of worry on Rina's face and a look of relief on Kendra's face.

"It means that the Cutthroat Crabs have won immunity," Chris announced causing the Crabs to resume their celebrations. Perky Parrots, you all have some time to discuss the vote."

André scowled, dropping Ian to the ground and storming off in a huff. Malcolm and Rina were just as agitated, following André as Ebony and Indigo shared concerned looks. Ian rose up with a big grin.

"Hey guys, what did I miss?"

—

*Confessional Start*

[Toxa]

"Toxa's victory just means she has more time to think of a plan," Toxa bragged with a smirk. "And I know exactly what to tell Clayton now."

*Confessional End*

—

---

"Clayton!" Maddy called out, surveying the waters as she looked for her friend.

She walked along the beach, looking outwards for the klutz before finding him lying on the sand, completely soaked from head to toe. His limbs were completely sprawled out and his eyes were shut as he stared up at the sky.

"Oh my goodness!" Maddy cried out, running up to him.

Maddy quickly fell to her knees, placing her hands on Clayton's ribcage. She hummed along to a song in her mind, pressing down on Clayton's ribcage in a repeated motion.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Madison]

"I got CPR certified after someone on one of my streams told me it'd be a good skill to have," Maddy clarified with a big smile. "I like it! I get to sing along to Hips Don't Lie by Shakira!"

*Confessional End*

—

As soon as Maddy pressed on Clayton's chest for the first beat, the klutz immediately writhed and wriggled underneath her grasp.

"Stop, you're tickling me," Clayton protested, fighting back his giggles.

"I thought you drowned!" Maddy said back, flopping down onto the sand next to the boy. "What are we watching?"

"You're watching me contemplate every single one of my life decisions," Clayton moaned, hiding his face underneath his hands.

"Did something happen?"

"Kendra is dating Kai," Clayton murmured, sounding defeated. "Then I was stranded with her and I finally was punted into the water and no one but you came."

"I think our team wanted to just make sure that Herman didn't escape!"

"If we lost the challenge, it's so over for me."

"I wouldn't vote for you," Madison said back with a smile.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Clayton]

"I don't have it in me to tell her that Kendra is going to make my life miserable by taking out Maddy," Clayton admitted, curled up in a ball while sitting on the confessional's toilet. "I know that I said I'd take initiative but at what time was I supposed to do that?"

*Confessional End*

—

"I'm so glad I've met you, Maddy," Clayton said to the influencer, turning around in the sand. Maddy was happily looking up at the sparse clouds in the sky.

"Doesn't that one look like a heart!" Maddy asked in surprise, nodding her head.

"Just the universe playing another cruel joke on me."

"I'm glad to have met you too."

---

André was trying to cool his head, waiting behind the communal toilets. He was grumbling away to himself when Rina and Malcolm eventually caught up to him.

"We lost," André told them with malice in his voice. "We're voting for Ian."

"I'm very happy with that," Rina said with a scowl on her face too. Her hand was placed on her hip and she had a harsh look in her eyes. "Like seriously. He had one job."

"Guys, are we sure that Ian is the right decision?" Malcolm asked, glancing between the two with a nervous look. "Wouldn't it be smarter to get rid of Ebony?"

"I am not voting Ebony off," André protested, shaking his head. "She was one of the MVPs of our team today."

"Agreed. While I don't care for her, Ian is actively dragging us down," Rina agreed, holding her other palm out to silence Malcolm.

"Ian was the one who technically won the first challenge for us," Malcolm interjected.

"He also was the reason we lost the next two," André fought back.

"But-"

"Face it, mon cheri," Rina interrupted, shaking her head at Malcolm. "You're outnumbered by the two of us as it is. We can't afford another loss."

Malcolm squinted at the other members, before sighing and nodding his head. Pleased at this Rina excused herself to freshen herself up while André went into the guy's bunks to get a workout in.

Alone now, Malcolm paced forward and back in an attempt to think of a plan. He groaned, adjusting his glasses and storming off to find someone.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Malcolm]

"Ian is a dimwit who has been losing the last few challenges for us," Malcolm stated. "Even then, he's loyal to me and matter of fact, he's the best shield I can use to shelter myself from catching votes."

*Confessional End*

—

---

Rina marched her way into the communal toilets where Jolt was inside toweling off her hair. Rina acknowledged her with a nod of her head, marching straight up to the sink next to her and spraying some of the cold water onto her face.

"Tough loss?" Jolt asked in an unintentionally cocky tone. Rina gave Jolt an ice-cold stare, swiftly turning off the tap and patting her face with a towel.

"Did I touch a nerve?" Jolt asked once more with Rina sighing and staring at her reflection in the mirror with an agitated look.

"My mother told me this saying that she coined up which speaks truer every single day that I'm alive," Rina announced in the toilet, shaking her head.

"Which is?" Jolt asked, curious now.

"A woman will come up with a pitch-perfect plan and it will always get messed up by a stupid man," Rina recounted, leaning against the counter and turning to Jolt.

"Amen," Jolt calmly preached with a knowing nod.

"One thing I refuse to do is take any blame for this loss," Rina continued, undoing her ponytail and running a brush through her blue locks. "My game plan was perfect and I should've known Ian would ruin it."

"Look, dude, I don't know what happened but I think you're valid," Jolt replied to her, spraying herself with some deodorant. "Surprised you ain't blaming Pinky a little bit."

"Oh no, I'm furious with every single person on our team," Rina said, shutting her eyes and sighing. "Pinky gets a pass only after he takes me out on a date though."

"That's killer for you!" Jolt exclaimed with surprise. "I had no idea that you two settled your fight."

"I guess my type is men who absolutely infuriate me," Rina joked back, before pausing. "Wait we are so not passing the Bechdel Test."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Jolt]

"I'm glad that Pinky and Rina patched things up," Jolt said plainly, lightly stretching. "Who knows if my advice to André helped yesterday, maybe my advice to Indigo will also help."

She paused suddenly, her eyes widening in realisation. "Ah shit, the Bechdel Test!"

*Confessional End*

—

---

Kai grinned, giving a wave over to Maddy and Clayton once he saw them emerging from the beach. Kendra scowled from behind Kai's shoulder which she was clung to very similar to how Clayton was grasped onto Herman.

Upon seeing the pair, Maddy gave them a wave while Clayton rolled his eyes and whispered something to Maddy. Clayton then proceeded to leave towards the showers leaving Maddy to jog up to the couple with a wide grin.

"Hey guys!" Maddy chirped and Kendra tightened her grip around Kai's bicep.

"Greetings Madison! I am pleased to inform you that the Cutthroat Crabs were in fact the decisive winners of the challenge of today," Kai informed the influencer to which she clapped her hands happily.

"Oh, that's such great news! I'm sad for the other team though."

"Of course you are," Kendra muttered under her breath with a dissatisfied look.

"I was hoping to use this opportunity to have a conversation with Clayton," Kai mentioned, looking towards the showers with a pensive look. "I do wish that he is doing alright after what he endured today. Is everything okay with him?"

Maddy bit her lip anxiously, looking past Kai and towards Kendra. "Do you think we could talk alone, Kai?"

Kai went to open her mouth but Kendra cut him off before he had the chance to speak. "Absolutely not Maddy! In case you didn't know, we're dating now so anything you need to tell Kai, you can tell me too."

Maddy looked up at Kai waiting for his okay. While hesitant, Kai nodded. "I do believe that that is how relationships function."

"Alright, if everyone is okay with it," Maddy said in her bubbly voice although there was a noticeable pause in her speech as she figured out what to say. "I think Clayton is just down because of what happened in the challenge. Y'know, with everyone but me finishing the challenge and leaving him in the water."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kendra]

"What a little attention seeker," Kendra spat out in a malicious tone. "Between Maddy trying to get her hands all over my man and Clayton playing the victim, I can't wait to make their lives miserable!"

*Confessional End*

—

"I fear that was never my intention," Kai replied to the influencer with a sad look. "I feel as if I keep pushing Clayton further from myself when I truly am appreciative of the friendship he has shown me."

"People grow and change, baby. It's not your fault," Kendra comforted, rubbing up and down along Kai's arm.

"I don't think it's too late," Maddy interjected with a shrug. "We all only met a couple of days ago and I think that you two really do need to talk it out."

"Very well," Kai stated, unaware of the grip around his arm tightening after Maddy had given him her advice. "I shall set it out as my goal to discuss these issues with Clayton as soon as the time is amicable."

"I'm glad," Maddy said with a big grin. "I don't like conflict and I really like you and Clayton!"

Maddy waved goodbye, as Kendra silently seethed behind Kai, burying her head into his shoulder.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Kai]

"I am dissatisfied with the actions I have taken that seemed to have hurt the feelings of Clayton and I shall take full responsibility for my errors," Kai clearly spoke. "I am simply hoping that I can remedy the relationship that I have built up with Clayton as he is someone I deeply care about."

*Confessional End*

—

---

Malcolm patiently was waiting outside the boy's cabin, watching as André left the inside and made his way to the mess hall. Malcolm crept his way in scanning the surroundings and seeing who was he looking for lying on his bunk bed.

Indigo was reading one of his diary entries to himself, jotting down slight notes into the book. His notebook was cast by a looming shadow and instantly Indigo closed the diary, twisting the lock and placing it back underneath his bunk.

"Malcolm," Indigo commented surprised, as Malcolm smiled back at him.

"Alright, fine, you got me," Malcolm said back shrugging his shoulders. "I guess your new entries are safe but don't worry, I remember all the old stuff."

"What do you want," Indigo asked, subverting his eyes.

"Listen, you're a smart person," Malcolm commented, sitting himself down on Indigo's bunk unprompted. "I think you should be able to tell that Ian is going home."

"I had a feeling," Indigo said with a nervous gulp. "Is that you telling me to vote for Ian?"

"Not exactly," Malcolm said back, tapping on his glances with a devious look. "I think keeping Ian for another round benefits both of us."

"You might as well cut to the chase," Indigo mumbled, shaking his head. "I'm voting for whoever you tell me."

"Hey, don't blame me for having fun with this!" Malcolm sharply said back, crossing his arms and pouting at the poet. "All you have to do is get Ian to vote for this person too."

Malcolm leaned in, whispering a name into Indigo's ear before leaping off the bed and giving him a salute as he walked.

"Pleasure doing business with you!" Malcolm called out, leaving the dorm. Hearing the door shut, Indigo slammed his head backwards into his pillow with a groan.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Malcolm]

"With how things are shaping out, I get to be the most important person in this vote once again," Malcolm explained with sheer glee. "Ebony is most likely voting for Rina again which means I have the option to either side with Ian and Indigo or to side with Rina and André. Either way, whoever I want out of here is the person who goes."

*Confessional End*

—

---

Most of the campers were gathered in the mess hall at this point, either celebrating their victory with some shoddy dinner or having some shoddy dinner to settle their nerves before elimination.

Ebony in particular was sitting alone, tapping her nails on the table in a state of panic. André joined her, sitting across from Ebony with a confused look.

"Yo, are you okay?" André asked to which Ebony shook her head.

"I'm so scared about this vote!" Ebony cried out, her pace quickening on her tapping.

"Look, I owe you an apology about the Aakira vote," André informed with a regretful look. "I think I made the wrong decision there."

"I'm not mad about it," Ebony sighed. "I'm sad more than anything because Aakira was a real friend."

"I also think you should be fine. I know I'm voting for Ian and I'm sure that Rina and Malcolm are too," André told Ebony. "He's fucked up a little too much for me to want to keep him."

"I don't think I can bring myself to vote for Ian," Ebony admitted with a sad smile. "He made me feel sane after Aakira went and I don't think I can personally vote off a friend of mine."

"I get that," André reassured. "Have Ian or Indigo talked to you much?"

"Honestly it was weird. After you stormed off, Indigo told me that he doesn't know who he's voting for but will figure it out. Ian just said he's vibing."

"I'm not surprised," André said, rolling his eyes. "I also wanted to tell you that I talked to Rina."

"You did!?"

"I basically had to," André said with a laugh. "Aakira told me I'd have a price to pay if I voted off and didn't."

"I am happy for you," Ebony told him with a smile.

"We're just like the magnets," André joked back, causing Ebony to laugh in return. She hadn't realised but her pattering on the table had also come to a stop.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ebony]

"I feel like I put all my screws in one tool belt with Aakira and I'm just upset now that we have to vote someone off again," Ebony confessed with a disheartened look. "I still don't even know who I'm going to vote for."

*Confessional End*

—

At another one of the tables, Toxa and Clayton were in a strategic discussion despite the fact that they were immune.

"So have you thought of what you want this deal to be," Clayton asked once again. Toxa huffed rolling her eyes.

"You don't think Toxa can come up with a plan?"

"I'm hoping you did. I need a distraction."

"Why, what happened?" Toxa asked, immediately pouncing on the klutz's vulnerability.

"Nice try," Clayton told the punk, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "We aren't exactly friends."

"Hmph," Toxa huffed, clearing her throat and then continuing. "Toxa thinks we wouldn't be good allies."

Clayton's eyes widened at this revelation. "Wait are you taking it back? Because we aren't friends?"

"No," Toxa disputed, shaking her head. "I know we have different plans in the game."

"Continue…" Clayton prompted, still suspicious of the punk.

"What I mean is. You want Kendra. Kendra is my ally. Kendra wants Maddy. Maddy is your ally."

"Didn't know you had it in you to strategise," Clayton pointed out in surprise.

"Watch it," Toxa growled, baring her teeth and causing Clayton to gulp.

"Go on!"

"The two of us are pretty safe and Toxa thinks we solidify it. I watch out for you and you watch out for Toxa."

"No other stipulations?" Clayton reassured although seeing Toxa's blank look of confusion, he changed his words. "No other conditions?"

"Well, we'll see how well this works out for us," Toxa affirmed, lounging back and relaxing her hands behind her head. "Toxa's crew is on a winning streak."

"Toxa's crew? Sure…."

—

*Confessional Start*

[Toxa]

Toxa still had the same posture, before busting in cackles. She showed off her hands, in which her fingers were crossed. "He took the bait. Hook, line, sinker."

*Confessional End*

—

Ian and Indigo were sitting at the opposite end of the table, with Indigo anxiously looking at Ian. Ian was happily eating his food, which included what Chef proclaimed were mystery meat burgers.

"Man, this is so good!" Ian commented, taking another bite out of his burger. A large squelch came as juice dripped from the patty and uneven lumps fell to the bottom of the plate.

"I think I just saw it move," Indigo said, his face turning a sickly green.

"I love having steaks rare," Ian shrugged, taking another bite out of the burger and grossing Indigo out even further.

"I wanted to say something about the vote to you," Indigo mentioned, as Ian looked over at the other boy with interest.

"Alright, shoot!"

"Malcolm had this idea to vote for-"

"Alright, I'm down," Ian said, turning his attention back to his burger.

"Wait, what? You don't even want to hear the name," Indigo asked in confusion over the sudden agreement from the barista.

"I mean, I like you and Malcolm has this alliance thing with me so I trust you guys."

"Malcolm has an alliance with you?" Indigo gasped out, stunned.

"Yeah! Is it supposed to be a secret?" Ian asked the poet without thinking too much about it.

"I think it was supposed to be."

"Awh man! I'm usually really good at secrets. I haven't told anyone that Clayton is crushing on Kai-"

Before Ian could dig himself into a further hole, Indigo clasped his hand over Ian's mouth. His eyes were shut, trying to will what Ian said out of his mind in a futile effort. Thankfully, a loud announcement boomed through the camp cutting this moment short.

"Perky Parrots, you've all got a date with me at the campfire!"

"I guess we should go," Ian muffled out to Indigo through the poet's hand. Indigo quickly retracted his arm and nodded in response. Ian was blind to the rose blush that covered Indigo's cheeks too.

—

*Confessional Start*

[Indigo]

"Why did Ian have to tell me that," Indigo groaned, adjusting his sleeves and covering his hands with them. "I feel like things are so messy now and I don't want to compete with Clayton and Kendra from Kai. There's already two too many for me to get involved in…"

*Confessional End*

—

---

Like clockwork, the day slowly came to an end and the overwhelming heat of the island settled into a warm air. The same group of campers that were gathered around the campfire last night were surrounding it once again, despite the absent Aakira. In contrast to yesterday, every individual had a confident look on their face tonight and no one was worried about being eliminated. Well, no one but Ebony who was already bouncing her leg up and down off the ground in panic.

"Perky Parrots, welcome back to the campfire ceremony. Tonight marks the third one of Inferno Island," Chris introduced shaking his head. "I wouldn't have pegged you guys to be the first team to lose two challenges. Any explanation on what happened?"

"It's honestly really simple," Malcolm spoke up, shaking his head. "The challenge was against us from the beginning. Giving us something that could fly was not fair."

"Well, you guys only lost by a couple of minutes. It surely wasn't that rigged," Chris defended the challenge shaking his head. "Anyone else have something to add?"

"I think something that we should think about is what's the best decision for the benefit of the team," André said, looking up at the host. "Since we've had a day to think about it, I think voting Aakira out was a mistake when she was one of the more capable people on this team."

"Who should have been voted out instead?" Chris asked, pleased at the interaction that he was getting from the team today.

"The person I'll be voting for today," André cooly responded, causing Chris to smirk.

"With that, I'll allow Chef to shame some of you. Trust me. You all deserve this."

Chef Hatchet walked out, narrowing his eyes at the cast before picking the names.

"Ian," Chef snapped, catching the attention of the barista who grinned back up at him. "This was supposedly your speciality yet you failed to make any worthwhile attempt, even causing a hindrance to your team."

"Hey, I just study zoology and want to be a zoologist," Ian defended although he still had a stupid smile on his face. "I don't think that makes this my speciality."

"You literally study about animals," André deadpanned.

"At least I tried," Ian casually said, stretching his arms behind his head, prompting both Rina and André to roll their eyes.

"Malcolm! You were in charge of the group that was supposed to track down the parrot and despite being the brains of that group, you didn't make any attempt at stopping Ian from climbing the tree and getting stuck in it," Chef continued, pointing to the next boy who was surprised.

"I didn't realise I was Ian's father," Malcolm argued, shaking his head.

"I mean, I put you in that group to be the brains of it," Rina clapped back.

"I chose to make sure that André and I had an idea of what to do instead," Malcolm answered back to Rina, shaking his head. "I can't be blamed for this."

Malcolm's eye twitched, recalling back to the challenge. He huffed, turning away.

"Finally, André!" Chef concluded, to which André sighed at being called out.

"What's the reason you got for me?" André asked, having predicted that his name was going to come out.

"André you were the last person who was a part of the group who messed things up for you. Combined with your arrogant attitude and the drama you brought the team with your love life, it could be enough to send you home."

"It wasn't my fault with how poorly our group did," André disagreed shaking his head. "Besides, the romance stuff is old news. I've worked it out with both Jolt and Rina and I'm here for the competition now."

"There's a lot to think about. You may now cast your votes," Chris finished off, nodding towards André. Aakira sighed, walking over to the voting booth and casting his vote.

—

*Confessional Start*

[André]

"Jolt was right earlier," André clarified, showing his parchment that read Ian. "It makes more sense to get rid of our weak links. Today, Ian proved that he's one of the weak links."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ebony]

"I feel like I'm so lost without Aakira!" Ebony groaned, shaking her head. "I don't think I can bring myself to join the others and vote for Ian. I also don't want to hurt André and Rina now that they both like each other. I also can't vote for Indigo! I guess that means that my vote is on Malcolm."

*Confessional End*

—

—

*Confessional Start*

[Ian]

"I don't think that Indigo would steer me wrong and he said that this is what Malcolm also said to do," Ian said with a cheerful grin. " Malcolm is in my alliance! Oh, maybe we can include Indigo in it too!"

*Confessional End*

—

"Alright, I have got all the votes. Before I read them, would anyone like to play a hidden immunity idol?"

The tension was thick in the air, as everyone stood in silence. André scoffed at Ian stroking his beard and Indigo gulped looking around the campfire ceremony.

"Guess not. Alright, we got a schedule to stick to," Chris continued, shrugging his shoulders. "In this game, marshmallows represent your life. Receive one, and you'll continue, but don't and that's curtains for you." Chris explained. "Tonight, the first one goes to Rina."

Rina grinned, walking up to Chris. She grabbed her marshmallow and stood next to Chris. Her confident aura was still standing strong, as she popped the marshmallow in her mouth and crossed her arms, staring at the remaining five.

"Also with no votes against them are Indigo and Ebony!"

While Indigo let out a large sigh of relief, Ebony gasped in shock. The inventor ran up to the host, graciously taking a marshmallow and happily tossed it into her mouth. Indigo followed suit, taking his marshmallow and standing next to the people he was in a group with.

"You guys all got votes tonight," Chris announced, with two sole marshmallows on his platter. "Guess you really shouldn't have been put in a group together."

Malcolm raised an eyebrow at this, confused earlier on why Rina didn't get a vote and more importantly, why he got a vote. He looked up at the people with marshmallows, glaring his eyes at Ebony. André had expected as much, crossing his arms and casually waiting there. Ian was confused but still had a smile on his face and didn't seem that concerned about not having a marshmallow yet.

"Malcolm, you also get a marshmallow," Chris told the prep, tossing a marshmallow over to him.

Malcolm let it bounce off his head and into his hand, and quickly joined the other immune people, making sure to 'accidentally' step on Ebony's toes.

"André and Ian. This is the last marshmallow that I have and the person who does not get it will be asked to board the Boat of Losers, and will be asked to leave Inferno Island."

"The last marshmallow goes to…"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

André still had a confident gaze, smirking at the last marshmallow. In comparison, Ian had sweat dripping from his brow as he stared at the last marshmallow. Ian had his fingers crossed, his arms crossed, his legs crossed, his eyes crossed and probably more.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Ian! André, your journey ends here. You have been eliminated."

"Yahoo!" Ian exclaimed hopping up, although immediately forgetting about his crossed body parts, went crashing into the ground. The marshmallow proceeded to hit the ground in front of him, and he inched forward like a worm and took it in his mouth.

"WHAT!" Rina shrieked, whipping her head around and glaring at the other safe people.

"The fuck do you mean?" André roared, shaking his head. "That can't be right?"

"Sorry!" Malcolm taunted grinning at André. "I had to send you to horny jail."

"Pipsqueak," André growled, glaring at Malcolm who ducked behind Ebony.

André groaned, hitting himself in the head and standing up off his stump. He walked over to his old teammates, ignoring Ian who was still on the ground and striding his way past Indigo and Malcolm.

"I'm sorry," Ebony said with a smile. "I didn't vote for you."

"I know you didn't," André spat out shaking his head, glaring at Malcolm. "You were a good friend."

"So were you," Ebony replied, frowning at the batter. She reached in, pulling the tall boy into a hug which he gladly returned. He patted her back and gave her a tilt of his head upwards.

André walked up to Rina, who had her body turned away facing the trees behind her. He went to pat her shoulder to grab her attention but her body was slightly shivering.

"Hey, are you cold?" André asked. As Rina turned around, André could make out water droplets on her eyelashes but she was holding them in. Rina grabbed André, pulling his face in towards hers and planting her lips onto his.

She pulled away, wiping at her eyes. "My eyes sting. That's all."

"Sure," André teased, bending down and kissing her on the cheek. He took his baseball hat off, planting it on Rina's head.

"Something to remember me by," André told the singer, with a smirk. "You were always the brain to my Pinky."

"Shut up, stupid," Rina said, pulling André in for another kiss. "They're going to pay for this."

"Get 'em for me."

"The rest of you?" André continued, turning around and sticking his middle finger up at the three other boys. "You can all fuck off."

Indigo looked away bashfully, but Malcolm and Ian didn't care as much. André walked down to the dock, Chef following behind him. He sighed shaking his head at the island.

"Man. It was one hell of an Inferno," André said to Chef as he got on the boat. The engine roared to life, carrying the batter away from the island.

Chris shook his head at the scene, turning to the camera with a grin.

"That's some good reality TV for you now. A lot of questions are left unanswered that you'll have to tune in to hear about. Maybe we'll have some answers to the following questions. Will Rina will get her revenge? Will Toxa figure out her next big move? Will Kai stop speaking like someone from the 1800s? I may not have all the answers, but you can get some of them next time on…

Total!

Drama!

INFERNO ISLAND!"

---

Voting Confessionals:

André: "Jolt was right earlier. It makes more sense to get rid of our weak links. Today, Ian proved that he's one of the weak links."

Ebony: "I feel like I'm so lost without Aakira! I don't think I can bring myself to join the others and vote for Ian. I also don't want to hurt André and Rina now that they both like each other. I also can't vote for Indigo! I guess that means that my vote is on Malcolm."

Ian: "I don't think that Indigo would steer me wrong and he said that this is what Malcolm also said to do. Malcolm is in my alliance! Oh, maybe we can include Indigo in it too! Oh yeah, my vote. It's on André!"

Indigo: "I think that even if Malcolm wasn't blackmailing me, I would've voted for André anyway. He wasn't that bad today but I still don't think he likes me and at least Rina does."

Malcolm: "This is a tactical decision tonight. I clearly don't have any sway with Rina anymore because of her crush and I can't be having any of that! Maybe André will stop falling for everyone now that he's off the island."

Rina: "I think I'm pretty well set on this team. André and I have both decided that Ian is the most logical person to boot and if worst comes to worst, we'll tie it, but I don't think that it'll come down to that."

Votes:

André: 3 (Ian, Indigo & Malcolm)

Ian: 2 (André & Rina)

Malcolm: 1 (Ebony)

Elimination Order:

14th: Salamander Ashe ~ The Cheeky Hero

13th: Aakira Jeung ~ The Extroverted Thespian

12th: André Smith ~ The Arrogant Batter

---

Teams

Cutthroat Crabs: Clayton; Jolt; Kai; Kendra; Madison & Toxa

Perky Parrots: Ebony; Ian; Indigo; Malcolm & Rina

---

With this marking the end of episode four, it also marks the departure of our third contestant. André was someone who I genuinely didn't expect to enjoy writing so much and I had so much fun with his stupid plotlines. I always knew I wanted him to be an early out and once I coined the alliance between Malcolm, Rina and André as well as Rina and André being a solid couple, I knew that this is how I wanted to handle it. Despite that, I know that aggressive jocks are a common trope so I do hope André was still enjoyable with his scenes with Jolt and Rina. If you do love aggressive jocks though, the good news is that you'll have Jolt for at least one more episode.

I'm hoping that this chapter had a little more action and I hope it's becoming more apparent on what type of story I'm trying to tell here. I'm honestly really happy with how this chapter turned out since a lot of the plot points are going into full swing and I'm enjoying how some arcs are starting up, including Chef's role in this story.

The next chapter will continue some of the arcs and might finish up a couple too. Either way, it should be a fun one that I'm honestly scared about writing since action is not my strength at all. I don't know when the next update will be (since this was all written in about a week after not writing anything for three months). Either way, I'm still grateful for all the support you've given me. Other than that, let me know what thoughts you have and if there are any predictions for [Episode 5: The Bumps In The Night].

Til then, stay stellar!