Episode 6 Celeste
“Who voted for me?” I scan my team’s faces during our silent breakfast, unable to keep my voice level as my corporate firmness slips through. Someone wrote my name down last night and I need to get ahead of this trainwreck unlike I did the one my company’s currently facing.
My teammates freeze for a moment, then one by one, they start shaking their heads, except for one. Bo’s eyes shift side to side under my weighted gaze. “I—I thought the strategy was to vote for the strongest player?”
Dana mutters something in Spanish I can’t hear, but can only imagine.
“I told you to vote Atlas.” Lex rolls her eyes and rubs her temples.
I knew better than to react in the heat of the moment when returning to camp yesterday after Atlas went home. Today’s a new day, though. I exhale through my nostrils. Only Bo could compliment me and screw me over in the same sentence.
As if Beya picks up on my irritation, she stretches her arms. “I’m going to go foraging if anyone wants to join.”
Certainly, I could use the walk. This island isn’t big enough for the distance I need from No Show Bo right now. “Sure. I’ll go.”
To my disdain, Bo launches to her feet and beams her derpy smile. “Me too. I can check my traps while we’re out.”
I sigh. Great.
If her animal traps are anything like her handiwork on the chicken fiasco, I’m not holding my breath on eating meat anytime soon. I catch a glimpse at Lex’s teasing grin when she stands. We’re probably thinking the same thing.
Over the next two hours, we split up and explore the thick foliage for anything edible.
Now that we have fire, water isn’t something to worry about, but food is another story.
I’m the first one to return to our foraging meeting spot with nothing to show but a shirt of berries.
Beya emerges from the bush, both arms and bag full of coconuts and mangos she probably climbed for.
Beya and I’ve been waiting for at least twenty minutes. “Where’s No Show Bo?” I finally ask. She’s been testing my patience lately.
Beya shrugs. “Living up to her nickname again.”
Since we’re alone, I open my mouth to tell Beya about the relic I found. “There’s something I wanted to tell you—”
“I guess those damn chickens survived after all!” Bo shouts from the distance and does a little happy dance as she approaches. “Look what I found! Food. These eggs are enormous!” She showcases the one cradled in her t-shirt.
I’m no egg expert. I’m not sure what type of bird these originated from, but I don’t think that came from a chicken. Then again, after days with no meat, I’m not picky.
“There’s a bunch. I need more hands, though. Come on.” Bo waves her arm for us to follow.
“Wait.” Beya squints and investigates the egg closer as we hold our breath.
Her eyes go wide. “That’s not a chicken egg, you unfrosted poptart. That’s a crocodile egg.”
“Oh.” I grimace, then remember why we’re out here. Food. “Is it…edible?”
Beya answers quickly. “I wouldn’t—”
“Yes.” Bo cuts her off and points behind her then faces Beya. “Whatever. Food is food. Let’s just go get the rest and take them back to camp.”
“You think cats are protective? You don’t want to see a pissed off momma crocodile.” Beya nervously scratches her arm. “One time on a TV show, I watched a crocodile follow a man for three miles and attack him while he was sleeping.” She frowns toward the ground. “I haven’t been the same since.”
Great. Now I won’t sleep for a week.
“Don’t be so melodramatic.” Bo rolls her eyes and waves Beya’s remarks away. “I’m stealthy. I doubt Momma Croc even noticed—”
There’s a low rumbling growl in the distance. We snap our heads forward.
Beya’s eyes shoot open, fueled with panic. “We have to get out of here. Put the egg back.”
“The hell I will.” Bo shields her shirt from us.
“This is a fight you won’t win.” Beya steps toward her. “Plus, I have to make it back in one piece for my children.”
Another rumble. Closer this time.
That’s certainly not thunder or my stomach growling. The thought of returning to people I care about comes to mind—my entire company, parents, Megan, Paya. I have to see Paya again.
Beya, with a masc sass I haven’t seen from her, yells, “Bo, put it down right fucking meow.”
“I can’t.” Bo dodges backward and shakes her head. “I’ve been dreaming about protein for weeks. You will not ruin my date with boiled eggs, paprika, salt and pepper.”
“We don’t have any seasoning!” Beya hisses.
“Give me the egg, fool,” I snap at Bo. “I refuse to be responsible for an attack on our camp.”
I hold out my hand for Bo to place the egg in my palm. She stares longingly at her treasure find and then at me. Thankfully, my life is worth more than an egg we can’t even boil because she let the fire go out this morning. She places the egg in my hands without further trouble.
As if my life depends on it, I carefully rest it onto the grass and say a quick prayer that we don’t get stalked to our deaths from No Show Bo’s poor judgment.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Don’t have to tell me twice. We turn and make our way back to camp.