“We’ve got five spots open for practice. Who’s game to go first?”
Reed immediately raises her hand. I try not to look at her, but I can’t help it. When I saw her on the bus, I wanted to make sure she was okay about last night. Not talking to her is going to be harder than I thought.
“Akio, Reed, Bobby, Kari, and Raul. Step forward.”
JP positions them in front of targets. “Two rounds,” he says, holding up two fingers. “One to the chest, and one to the head. You’ll have several chances to learn how this gun shoots. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hit the target right away, and you’re usually an excellent shot. No matter how much we tried, paintball guns will never shoot like a 9mm. When I say down low, that means you hold your gun by your waist. When I say contact front, that means someone armed is approaching and you need to stop them. Ready?”
Reed grips the gun. I can tell she’s getting a feel for it by the way she moves it in her hands. I’ve never shot a gun and I kinda wish I had the chance to try it out today.
“Down low. Contact front.”
She shoots two paintballs and they fly right past her target. I want to cringe. I figured she’d have better aim.
“Down low. Contact front,” JP shouts once again.
This time she nails one in the chest and one in the head. Fucking hot as hell. She’s standing with her legs apart and she looks fierce. I wonder what it would be like for her to put me in handcuffs. I’m staring a little too long. As soon as I realize it, I shift my focus. I need to make sure I give everyone equal observation time.
Bobby has managed two solid hits to his dummy’s groin. He makes me laugh. He knows what he’s doing, but sometimes I think he’s a loose cannon. Akio hasn’t landed a single shot. I hear him say, “I’m not used to this fake stuff. If we had real weapons, I could pin a fly to the wall.”
Kari seems to be the intended recipient of his words, but her attention is elsewhere. She’s good. Really good. No surprise to me, Raul also has perfect aim. I like him, except for the fact he’s a ladies’ man. Based on the videos I’ve watched, he spends a lot more time flirting than he does focusing on the challenges. As long as he does well, I suppose it’s not really a problem, but there’s something about him that doesn’t sit well with me. It could be that he sits a little too close to Reed. Then again, he seems to have just as much interest in Tori.
After the next group practices taking shots, I head over to my mark. This could be my favorite challenge so far. Dawson is pissed that I agreed to it, but I’ve never had to be extracted before and it sounds pretty cool. I mean, I’m not supposed to be hit. That would mean someone actually killed me and who’d want to do that?
“I told you they hurt,” Dawson says as he pops an ice bag and hands it to me in the backseat of the SUV.
“It’s not bad.” I play it off for his sake, but damn, I have a welt.
“I should have insisted you wear the armor the contestants had on. At least the damn helmet.”
“Then they couldn’t see my pretty face,” I add, cringing when the ice hits my neck.
“Who the fuck shot you in the neck?” He’s pissed. I think he wants to hurt someone.
“I don’t know, man. It was a little confusing.”
“Never again. Do you hear me? I know you want this to be good television, but I will not put your safety on the line again. Standing off to the side and hoping one of these idiots can rescue you almost gave me a damn heart attack.”
“He’s right, Roman. That was frightening.”
I ignore Clark’s two cents. There’s no point in arguing with either of them. I have to admit, I’m not happy about getting hit. It was like someone was aiming for me, rather than trying to protect me.
The whole point of the game was for the contestants to work as a team to extract me from a dangerous situation. One group played the bad guys while the other rescued me and then they switched.
Reed was on a team with Tori, Bobby, and Raul, while the other team consisted of Cedric, Akio, Kari, and Logan. Cedric’s team lost major points when I got shot since they were supposed to be protecting me.
I have a feeling Raul likes me about as much as I like him. My gut tells me he’s the one who aimed for my head, but I have zero proof. I suppose it could have been an accident. The whole challenge was pretty dramatic. I plan to view the tapes later to see exactly what set Akio off. Bobby said something to him and Akio pushed him to the ground. As soon as Bobby stood, Akio did a roundhouse kick and smacked him in the face. Bobby full-on tackled him to the ground. JP and Esto had to pull them off each other. I was pretty impressed with Esto. He’s a lot stronger than he looks.
I’m supposed to meet with them at 4:30 to choose who goes home. I’d like to see Akio go, but after today, I’m guessing Esto wants him around more than ever. I only have an hour to shower and rest. That’s not enough time for a nap and I feel I could sleep for days. When I get tired, I tend to lose my temper more easily. I need to be aware of it, so I don’t make a scene.
As we drive back to the house, I yawn, and Clark takes notice. “Are you not sleeping well again? Do you want me to get you some pills?”
“No. You know I don’t like taking that shit. The one time I took it, I felt like a zombie the next day. I’d rather be tired than feel like death.”
Clark’s phone rings and he answers. I flip the cold pack to the cooler side and lean my head against the window, closing my eyes.
“What? Are you sure? But I thought you said… No, of course not. Yes, I’ll tell him. I hope that means you’re opening it up again…. Okay, keep me posted. Goodbye.”
Rolling my head to face him I can tell it isn’t good. “What now?” I ask.
“The man they arrested for the death threats is no longer a suspect.”
“How’s that?” Dawson asks.
“He has a long history of mental illness, including fabricating wild stories. It turns out our alleged stalker was caught on video, robbing a convenience store almost thirty miles away the same night.”
“So maybe he committed two crimes,” Dawson adds.
“The time stamp on the video indicates it was around the same time the note was placed in Roman’s dressing room. There’s still a chance he had something to do with it, but for now, they’re clearing him of being the one who did it.”
“He could have an accomplice,” Dawson suggests.
“I agree,” Clark says with a nod. “They’re going to send the footage to a special group at the FBI. They want to see if the facial recognition software picks up anything.”
“I have a bad feeling about all this,” Dawson says.
“Why so quiet?” Clark asks me.
I shrug. “There’s nothing to say. It’s just another day.”
“It was an accident. I’m sure of it,” Tori insists.
Wrapping a towel around my wet hair, I flop down on the bed. “I’m not convinced.”
She whispers, “Why in the world would Raul shoot Roman on purpose? It makes no sense. Why jeopardize his position in the game by doing something so dumb?”
“I don’t know, but the fact that he begged all us not to say anything makes him seem even guiltier to me.”
“You’re being ridiculous. I think you’re bored, so you’re looking for a mystery where there isn’t one.”
“Maybe,” I say, lying back on the bed.
Tori goes to take her shower. We were both covered in paint from the challenge today.
I wish I knew if Roman was okay. He took one hard in the neck. I wanted to beat the shit out of Raul after it happened. For some reason, the production staff blamed the other team for not guarding him enough and didn’t question who shot him or why.
I hear water in the bathroom and realize I left my blow-dryer inside. I walk over to the door and knock. “Hey, can I come in a minute?”
There’s no answer. I twist the handle and it’s locked. I check the time. We have thirty minutes before dinner and the results. If I do
n’t start drying my hair now, it’ll still be wet for the show. Damn thick hair.
Confident Tori won’t mind if I borrow hers, I lift her suitcase from the corner in the closet. There isn’t enough room on the bathroom sink for all our stuff, so we’ve been keeping my hairdryer in the bathroom and sharing it. But I know she told me she brought one. I just have to find it.
As I lift her suitcase, stuff rattles around inside.
Unzipping the zipper, I find an array of odds and ends: a notebook, a tape recorder, various travel-sized bottles, and a hair-dye pen. Maybe black isn’t her natural color. I wish I had the courage to do something different. I’ve been dirty blonde my whole life.
I find the hairdryer and use it. I can’t believe I finish before she’s out of the shower. Placing it back in her suitcase, I stand it upright in the closet where I found it.
A few minutes later, the water turns off and she opens the door. Steam follows her out of the bathroom. I’ve never been one to stay in the shower any longer than I have to, and I wonder what took her so long.
“Oh my lord, your hair is down!” she exclaims, catching me by surprise. “You should always wear it down. It’s gorgeous.”
“Thanks, but no. I left my favorite tie in the bathroom.” Walking into the steam trap, I have to wave my hands in the air. It’s hard to breathe.
“Why not mix it up a little?” she asks.
“I don’t like to wear it down.”
“Why not?”
“I just don’t.” I grab the tie from the bathroom and quickly pull my hair into my usual ponytail.
“You know, I heard you’re more likely to go bald later in life if you wear your hair in a ponytail all the time. It does something to the follicles or roots or something.”
“Hm. Maybe I should shave my head now and save myself the trouble of having to lose it later.”
She sighs. “Why are you always so difficult?”
I laugh. “Roman asked the same thing.”
“He what?”
Oh, shit. I didn’t mean to say that. “Yeah, during my interview with him. He asked me why I’m so difficult. He’s such a dick.”
I figure acting like I don’t like him will cover the fact that I really, really do.
She smiles. “I’d have to agree with you there. He’s a pompous asshole.”
I purse my lips and clench my hands into fists. Those were Raul’s exact words to me not that long ago. He must be sharing his opinion with everyone. I need to get out of here. “I’ll meet you downstairs for dinner. I’m going for a little walk first.”
“’K. See ya.” she motions with two fingers like Roman does when he’s sending someone home.
A few days ago I was also convinced he was a jerk. He really does give off that vibe. Maybe it’s because he looks pissed the majority of the time. Unless you really watch him. Then you see how kind he is to the extras, how patient he is with his makeup person, and how sweet he can be when you’re alone with him.
I lean on the door after I close it and remember our kiss. I don’t regret it, but I also wish he and I had met under different circumstances. It would make this thing between us a lot less complicated if I weren’t trying to win a prize.
Rolling my neck as I walk, I realize how tense I am. Was I always this way or has the game made me more aware of it? And why does everyone think I’m so difficult?
The forum is empty and dark, except for the lights along the tapestries. It’s actually a really beautiful room. I run my fingers over the smooth tables where we sit before standing in the center of the room. I turn and face the tables to see what’s it like to be there in front of everyone, but it’s so dark, I can barely see the furniture. I decide to get a closer look at Roman’s throne while I’m up here. It’s really dark on the stage and I have to feel my way up.
I can’t see it, but I can feel it. I slide into the seat and gaze out at the forum. I picture his leg draped over one arm. I smile to myself as I lift my leg in imitation.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to be in here.” A sudden male voice catches me off guard.
“It’s fine. How else are we going to see what he sees?” Now a female.
I don’t dare move. Someone is coming from backstage. “Yep. He can totally see every room in the house. Even our bedrooms,” the guy says.
“Do you think he knows?” she says.
“Don’t you think he would have said something by now if he did? Or even Esto for that matter? Chances are no one will know what’s going on until after the show airs. But for now, we’d better get out of here.”
I pull my legs up and hold them against my chest as two shadows appear to my right. They move towards the door. I can’t make out who they are, but I recognize the voices. I struggle to identify them.
They open the door and hall light washes over their faces. I gasp lightly.
I’m going to figure out what you’re up to, Logan and Kari. Even if it’s the last thing I do.
“And the person with the highest score is…”
The lights dance under their feet and disappear when they come to Reed. I try to hide my enthusiasm.
“Reed Manning. Congratulations, you’ve won immunity for the next challenge. But be aware, nothing is ever guaranteed.”
I look angry when I say the words and hopefully she knows it’s an act. I told her I’d treat her like everyone else and that’s exactly what I’m doing. I look pissed at everyone.
She smiles brightly as her fellow contestants congratulate her and Bryce places the medallion around her neck. She takes her seat alone as the rest of the contestants wait for their results.
“Once again, if your shield light goes out, you are safe and can take your seat.”
One by one, the better qualified contestants sit down. After reviewing the footage from today, I’m convinced we are making the right decision.
After the final person takes their seats, I announce, “Akio and Bobby. You are the bottom two. Usually I’d tell you that you have an hour or more to figure out what you want to say, but I want to hear it now. Do you know why you’re in the bottom?”
Akio barely moves. He is solemn, and his hands are at his sides.
Bobby glances at Akio and huffs. “I know why. It’s ’cause sweet and sour shrimp over here picked a fight today.”
Akio shakes his head. “Mr. Creed, I defended myself against a verbal onslaught. I do not feel I should be punished.”
“Onslaught?” Bobby asks. “All I said was I was glad you weren’t on my team, since you couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.”
“That’s not all you said. Your tone and words indicated you weren’t going to quit until you were put in your place. I put you there,” Akio responds. He’s holding it together fairly well now, but he lost it at the challenge.
“Yeah, well, I might have also said you couldn’t hit the hay if you were tired, hit the road if you had somewhere to go, hit the spot if you were starving, or hit the nail on the head if you had a hammer the size of King Kong. But I do believe you hit something. The bottom.” He laughs, holding his stomach.
No one else is laughing.
“Come on, he missed every single target. He don’t belong here. You can’t karate chop your way out of a bullet.”
Bobby thinks he’s being funny, but there’s a time and place for everything.
“As you can see Robert has no tact,” Akio says.
“The names Bobby, Akita. Isn’t that the name of a dog, dog?”
Akio gestures to him, as if to prove his point.
“Do either of you have anything else of significance to add?” I ask, noting Akio is turning red.
“I lost my temper, but in this situation, I believe it was warranted,” Akio says, crossing his arms.
I shake my head. “I’m going to make this really easy on everyone. The type of person I look for in a bodyguard is someone who can handle stressful situations. If I wanted or needed someone who lost their temper at the drop of a hat, I’d
look in the mirror. I expect the people in my employ to be professional at all times. You are a direct reflection of me and I don’t need bad press. I’m disappointed in both of you. Fighting is unacceptable among my EPOs and shows a complete lack of respect for others. Therefore, Bobby and Akio, you’ve both been caught off guard. Your gig is up.”
There’s a collective gasp from the room. Sitting back on my throne, I point two fingers, “Get the hell out of my house.”
Bobby tilts his head at me. “You’re making a big mistake. I could have been good for you.”
Akio shuffles back a couple of steps, as if in shock. Is it that hard to believe?
“Bobby and Akio, we’ve enjoyed having you with us and on behalf of myself and the other contestants, I can say we’re definitely going to miss you.” Bryce taps them on the back and then shakes their hands. “Please follow the guards and pack your things. There’s a car waiting for you out front.”
As soon as they’re gone, Bryce steps on his mark. “Well, that was an unexpected twist. Cedric, what are your thoughts on what just happened?”
He leans forward and places his arms on the table. “I’ll tell you, Bryce, it doesn’t surprise me. Some people take this a little more seriously than others. It’s like I always say, the only thing furious and serious have in common is a fuse.”
“Well said, Cedric. Kari, as an EPO yourself, what are your thoughts?” Bryce asks, moving to stand in front of her.
“It’s sad. They both seemed to have a lot to offer, but there’s no room for sensitivity in this field. My job is to protect my principal. My feelings can get stepped on as long as he doesn’t.”
Bryce smiles into the camera. “As you can see, the remaining contestants are the best of the best and this game has only just begun. Stay tuned for scenes from next week. The tides will turn, and the contestants will be tested like never before. We’ll see you next week for the most shocking show in the history of reality TV. You don’t want to miss a thing on The Praetorian. Goodnight.”
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