Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty Eight
Courtney
Istare at a tree stump in front of me, completely focused on that and nothing else.
It looks just like Luna’s. I know because I noticed Luna’s stump before the challenge began.
I remember thinking that it would suck to trip over it if you didn’t look where you were going.
I didn’t realize then that that stump would forever be engrained in my head.
We’re all seated around the picnic table, the camera crew filming our every move while Alex speaks.
“Looks like their time was cut short, and unfortunately Shane and Luna have been locked out.”
I don’t react to his shitty, insensitive comment. He’s been making them after every death, why should this one be any different? It’s all a game to them, a joke. Whoever’s watching this film on the other side must have quite the sense of fucking humor. Or lack of humanity. Either way.
“Fortunately, that means celebrations are in order! Congratulations to our finalists of Locked In: Season One!”
Just like last time, confetti cannons come from fucking nowhere, but this time a mix of green and pink confetti fills the sky, raining down all around us. I don’t react or acknowledge it, still focused on the stump.
A crew member rushes over, offering each of us a T-shirt that says “Finalist” below the Locked In logo. Are they fucking kidding? Commemorative T-shirts?
“Courtney, why don’t you tell us how you’re feeling?” Alex asks.
I don’t break my eye contact with the stump, and I don’t say a word. Everyone waits for me to react, but when I don’t, Landon finally steps in.
“She just witnessed her best friend die at the hands of the bitch across the table from her. I think it’s safe to say she’s doing pretty shitty, thanks for asking.”
I love him.
Alex sighs dramatically. “Yes, an unfortunate part of competition.”
“Where did you even get a knife?” Landon asks Savannah.
She squirms in her seat. “I was told a tool could be beneficial. It was. I’m not going to apologize for doing what I had to in order to survive. Given the opportunity, the two of you would have done the same!” she says defensively.
That’s it. That shakes me.
A humorless laugh rips through me as my eyes swing to her. Fear fills her features, so I must look as fucking crazy as I feel.
“Do not pretend we are cut from the same cloth. You made a choice to end two innocent lives to secure your temporary safety. Hopefully you can live with that, while you’re still breathing,” I say lowly.
Savannah’s practically shaking, and it’s clearly taking everything in her not to let her fear show. “Are you threatening me?”
“I’m guaranteeing that if the showrunners don’t kill you off first, I’ll do it myself.”
Her eyes widen and her breathing quickens before she looks to Alex. “Are we done?”
“Not quite. Now that you’re finalists, the real challenge begins,” Alex says.
Noah balks. “What do you mean?”
Four crew members carry out two large treasure chests and place them in the middle of the clearing. One has a painted green heart on it, the other a pink one.
“Your chest contains your freedom. All you need to do is open it.”
“It looks like it takes a key,” Savannah points out.
Alex looks visibly irritated that his script has been interrupted.
“Very good, seems like you’re not just all looks.
Yes, and both keys are hidden inside the forest. We’ve taken the liberty of drawing you up some maps to help you locate your respective keys,” he says, handing both Noah and Landon one.
Landon frowns. “Both keys’ locations are listed on here.”
Alex smiles like he’s happy this detail was brought up. “Good eye, yes. We did this from a strategic point. To win, you must be the first person to retrieve your key… or ensure the other team cannot retrieve theirs.”
A heaviness settles around the table.
Alex nods and does half a bow. “Good luck to you all, and I’ll hopefully see two of you very soon.” He smiles at us, then he and the crew pack up once more.
For a few moments, no one moves. Then Savannah and Noah bolt simultaneously, taking off for the first break in the woods they see, then vanish beyond the tree line. Humorously, they leave behind the backpacks they were so ready to steal and kill for.
Landon and I share a look, then he reaches for them both. We reorganize the contents of all three bags so they fit into two, then each shoulder one.
“Okay, we’re here,” Landon says, looking at the map. “Our key is here.”
He points to what seems like the opposite end of the island.
“I think our best bet is to head in this direction; it looks like it may be smoother terrain,” he says, drawing an invisible path with his finger.
“Or we can go this way, cut them off over here and intercept their key,” I say, pointing to where Noah and Savannah’s key is marked.
Landon shakes his head. “We don’t need to get caught up in a game of kill or be killed. That’s what they’re looking for. We need to stick to strategy.”
I let out a hollow laugh. “Strategy? What strategy? They’re playing dirty, Landon!
Those two will lie, cheat and kill anyone that gets in their way, why shouldn’t we be the same?
You want off this island, don’t you? You want to go home, don’t you?
” I ask, my voice growing louder with each question until I’m screaming in his face.
Landon grabs my shoulders, holding me in place as he looks at me seriously.
“Stay with me, Courtney. I know you’re hurting.
You’re facing an immeasurable amount of pain and grief and trauma, but we can’t react based on emotions.
Our judgment will be clouded, and then there will be no going home.
Remember the goal, you need to get home to Lily. That’s all I want you to think about.”
I’m desperately trying to cling to the numb blanket that’s settled over me. I fear if I let it go, the pain will be too crippling and I won’t survive. My lower lip wobbles as I try and fail to keep it together.
“They’re gone,” I whisper hoarsely.
“I know, baby.” He nods like the pain is too much for him. “Lily needs you, though. I need you, and Luna would want you to fight until the bitter end.”
Crack.
I feel it inside my chest. In an instant, the numb blanket is ripped away from me, and the pain and hurt consumes me.
I let out a horrendous cry, then fall apart into another fit of sobs as Landon holds me tight.
He rocks me like I’m an inconsolable child, gently moving back and forth as he attempts to control his own heavy breaths.
I don’t know how long we sit there as I emotionally bleed out all over the picnic table.
Too long, for sure. Savannah and Noah have a head start, and we have major ground to make up.
I needed this, though. I needed to feel this so I could come at this challenge with a clear mind.
Sniffing deeply, I pull away to look Landon in the eye, and he brushes away my tears with his thumb.
“Okay,” I say. “Let’s go get our key. We are not fucking losing this challenge.”
Relief fills his eyes, and his mouth twitches as if he might smile. “We are not fucking losing this challenge.”