Chapter 16 #2
I read the parchment once, twice, three times, making sure I’ve gotten all the information I can out of it.
Then I put it in my pocket, resolving to burn it later when nobody is looking.
I don’t want to take the chance that one of my tribemates will find it and discover my secret.
Meanwhile, I turn the idol in my hands over and over again, still grinning like a loon.
I can’t believe I found it! It’s been five days since we got the clue.
But then, we were all looking near the ocean, and I found it at the well, essentially the complete opposite end of our living space.
What did the clue say again? I don’t remember the exact language, but it was something like “look low, not high, and as you draw closer, remember to stay dry.” How could that … ?
Then it dawns on me, and I smack my forehead with my palm. Draw, as in draw water from a well. Of course! And “look low, not high” was meant to be taken literally—the idol was just a few inches off the ground. “I’m an idiot,” I mutter, shaking my head. “I should have figured this out days ago.”
But that doesn’t really matter. Now I have a hidden immunity idol, and since Randy played his last night, it’s the only one in the game.
For a second, I’m tempted to tell the rest of my alliance, if only so they know they don’t have to worry that one of the Sikas found it.
Plus, we can all share a laugh about how we completely misunderstood the clue.
On second thought … If I tell them, I can’t un-tell them.
And having the idol will put a target on my back.
Maybe not right now, but definitely once the numbers start to dwindle.
I don’t know what I’d do if the positions were reversed, but I’d at least consider voting out whoever had it once we’re down to six.
No, it’s probably better to keep this to myself for now.
Maybe I’ll tell Rhonda or whoever later on, but not until I’m sure I can trust them.
It bothers me that I’ll have to lie to my alliance, even if it’s by omission.
And that’s not even counting how I lied to Jenny about wanting to work together just now.
I stare out into the water, still idly turning the idol in my hands. This game just keeps getting more and more complicated, and I have quite a few decisions to make.
By the time we get to the challenge area a few hours later, the cloudy weather has progressed to a drizzle.
It’s not full-on rain, like on day four, but enough to make us all wet and cold and miserable.
Hopefully, there’s some sort of reward to go along with immunity today.
Not that I’m likely to win, but it’s nice to have something to look forward to.
Today, the challenge area has nine balance beams, each painted a different color.
At the near end of each beam is a barrel, and at the far end is something that looks like a gate made of wood and rope.
Past that is a single large, stepped structure with three levels.
Each level is about ten feet high, and there are nine ropes hanging from the second level down to the first, and another nine hanging from the third level down to the second.
Alex is waiting for us as we file in and take our places on the red mat. I swear he must be part robot, because he’s still smiling despite the rain. “Are you ready to get to today’s challenge?” he asks. “First things first—Jenny, I’ll take back immunity.”
He pauses while Jenny walks over to him and turns around so he can unclip the necklace, then places it on the podium. “Once again, you are playing for immunity at tomorrow night’s tribal council,” he continues. “You are also playing for reward.
“The winner of today’s challenge will stay overnight at a spa, where you’ll be treated to a full-body massage and a hot shower.
After that, you’ll have dinner and get a good night’s sleep in a nice, soft bed.
This is a chance to rest and recharge, which could be just the thing you need to give you an advantage in this game.
Sound like something worth playing for?”
We all cheer and clap loudly at his pronouncement, myself definitely included. Sleeping in an actual bed and not just on a pile of bamboo logs sounds sublime, and that’s not even counting the real food and all the spa treatments.
Alex nods, apparently pleased with our enthusiasm.
“In that case, let’s get to the challenge,” he continues.
“You’ll each fill up a bucket with water, then carry your bucket across a balance beam, making multiple trips, using the water to fill a second, larger bucket.
Once you’ve filled up the second bucket, a gate will drop.
You’ll then use ropes to climb all the way up to the top of the platform.
The first person to reach the top wins immunity and a reward.
” He pauses to let it sink in. “I’ll give you a minute to prepare, and then we’ll get to it. ”
Nothing in Alex’s description or the obligatory walkthrough makes me feel any more confident that I’ll actually win this challenge, but as I line up at the beginning of the course, I’m willing to give it my best shot.
Immunity would be nice, but real food and a good night’s sleep sound like just what I need.
I look up just in time to see Alex raise his hand. “Castaways,” he intones. “Ready … set … GO!”
At the last word, I sprint off to where my first bucket waits, quickly filling it with water from the barrel.
Once that’s done, I make my way to the balance beam, moving a little slower so I don’t spill any of the precious water.
The fewer trips I have to make, the better chance I have at winning.
I manage to get across the balance beam without falling, although occasionally I slip or misplace my foot, and some water spills.
When I get to the other end, I run to pour what’s left in the second bucket.
Splashing noises from my left and right indicate that at least some of the others have made it across, too.
Picking up the pace slightly, I make another trip, and another and another.
As the second bucket fills up, it grows heavier, making it sink lower and lower each time.
On my fifth trip, it finally reaches the tipping point, and my gate begins to lower.
I hear a shout off to my left, and quickly glance over to see that Alina’s gate is lowering too.
To my surprise, we’re the only ones who’ve gotten this far. Maybe I can win this!
I only get a second to bask in my lead, because my gate finally drops.
As soon as it does, I run over to the stepped structure, and I grab the rope and begin to haul myself up, using my hands to pull while my feet scrabble against the wall, trying to find purchase.
It’s slippery, and I’m hardly the strongest person out here, but I persevere, and eventually I make it to the second level.
As I run to the next rope, I see frizzy hair out of the corner of my eye, which means Alina is still right with me.
Panting hard with exertion, I grab the second rope and pull myself up.
My arms are starting to hurt, and my legs are already cramping, but I push through the pain.
Keep going, Ryan! Just a little further!
I’m halfway up to the third level, so close I can almost taste it, even as I struggle to climb faster, each additional foot becoming an ordeal as I reach for the top.
And then I hear a scraping sound off to my right, and almost involuntarily, I turn to see Cole seemingly flying up the wall, his muscles taut as he pulls himself up. A pit forms in my stomach, and I redouble my efforts, pushing myself harder and harder. You can do this!
But just before I reach the top, I hear Cole haul himself over, immediately followed by Alex shouting, “Cole! Wins immunity and reward!”
My limbs suddenly feel like jelly, and I barely have enough energy to heave myself over the top of the wall, just a few seconds before Alina does the same.
Cole is on his feet already, his arms raised in triumph, but instead of congratulating him, I just collapse onto my back, too exhausted to even sit up.
After we’ve all had a chance to recover, we make our way back to the large mat at the beginning of the challenge.
Once we’re all ready and the cameras are on, Alex points at Cole.
“Cole, come get your necklace,” he says.
Cole goes over to him, grinning widely as Alex clasps the immunity necklace around his neck, the rest of us clapping politely.
Alex waits for the applause to die down before he continues. “Cole, along with immunity, you’ve also won a reward.” He gestures towards the rest of us. “Choose one of your tribemates to join you.”
Hope flares in my chest, temporarily getting rid of the ache in my sides from climbing those ropes. Pick me, I silently plead. Come on, Cole. I need this.
Cole looks at each of us in turn, his eyes seeming to linger on me while my anticipation grows higher and higher. Then, with a small shake of his head that seems almost apologetic, he turns away from me. “I’ll take Tamika,” he says. “She deserves it.”
Tamika lets out a loud whoop and runs over to join Cole, and the hopeful feeling in my chest snuffs out like a candle.
I know choosing Tamika is the best move from a game perspective.
As military as it sounds, she deserves a reward for her voting with us last night.
Plus, it means the three Sikas will have less time to try to convince her to rejoin them.
At the same time, that doesn’t mean I’m happy with it, and I look down at the ground to hide my pained expression.
But then I hear Alex say, “Cole, choose one more person to join you on the reward,” and I look back up, the flame of hope suddenly burning again.