TWENTY-SIX
Ryder
“We were all shocked that he eliminated Rachel. I mean, she is his sister. I never thought he would do it.”
Ari Harper
Jury interview
Day Thirty
Its sounds so weird to say this, but I am in the final three. I know that’s crazy right. But the last five days have gone by in a blur. Caleb won a food reward challenge. Lucky him. I won, quiet possibly the grossest elimination challenge ever. I will never look at the line from that Disney song, about grey stuff, the same again.
It was a slop eating contest. Every time it was our turn, we had to pick a randomly numbered box, inside was something else that was put into your blender. After all the boxes were chosen, our blenders were used to make our slop. Then we had to drink it. Yes, I said drink it. The first person to finish and not throw it up, won elimination.
Of course, I only won, because Caleb, William and Zach all threw theirs up. Meaning they were disqualified, and I won, by only drinking a quarter of my slop.
That night, Zach was eliminated. Only because I won immunity. I know this because I know, from the last vote that I was wanted out. Everyone, including me, voted for Zach and poor Zach voted for Caleb. Which I knew was a close second to me.
Seeing Ari again, made me happy. It lifted my spirits, because without her at camp, I do feel lonely. I feel sometimes like I am going insane from not being able to see her. It makes me excited to know that she is there. That she will be there to watch me at each elimination. Even if she isn’t by my side.
Just like the first elimination that she witnessed I tell her I love her at the end of it. I don’t want her to doubt me. I don’t want her thinking like I don’t love her. I am already trying to find my way to her after the game. I don’t know where she is from, she doesn’t know where I am from. I need to get that information and soon.
Yesterday, William won a fucking car. Yes, I said a car. He won a slide puzzle and got a Dodge Charger. A Charger. My dream car. Though I fought hard in that puzzle challenge, I still lost. There was no way I would have won. I am not good at puzzles, hence why Ari did all the puzzles when we were just a team of two. But at least William won something, right?
Now today, I have to say I am nervous. Today is a challenge, one that will determine who will be in the final two. One that will determine who will be in the running for the million dollars. There was no clue as to what the challenge would be. There was no hint at anything. Just that we are to go to the challenge arena for today’s challenge.
I am in shock. There waiting for us in the clearing, that is oddly empty, is the jury. All of them. Ari included. They are all sitting on their little stumps and watching the three of us walk in. I am confused because the jury has never been allowed to be present at an elimination challenge. They are only present for the eliminations themselves. So, I don’t understand what is happening here.
This didn’t happen in the season I watched with Rachel. In fact, most of the stuff this season didn’t happen that season. So, I shouldn’t be surprised at this, but oddly I am. I mean, what could Chris have in store for us? What is going on?
I mean, it could possibly be a jury member is going to be voted back in the game. If that’s the case, I know who I want to have back in the game. But knowing the other two people standing beside me, I don’t think that Ari would be voted back in the game. Even if I tried to get her back, it wouldn’t happen. They know that she and I would dominate if that was to happen.
I am pulled from my thoughts as Chris comes into the clearing.
“Welcome to today’s elimination.” Chris says. “I am sure you are wondering why there is no challenge set up. I am sure you are curious as to why the jury is here.”
What else could he be announcing? That one of the players in the jury could be coming back. That they have to fight their way back? What could they possibly have up their sleeve now?
“This season has had one twist after another. Well this isn’t one of them.” Chris says. “In previous seasons, the jury voted for the winner of the million-dollar prize. Well like I said at the beginning of all of this, the jury will choose who is in the final two. Leaving America to decide the winner. You better hope that you have some friends on that jury.” He smiles at us. “Your fate is now in their hands.”
How could I have forgotten this? Now that he said it, I can remember him say it at the beginning. But I just brushed it off. I was too caught up in Ari to really pay it any attention. Now I wish I would have paid more attention at the beginning. Because then I would have known what to expect from today.
“But because we don’t expect the jury to know who they want to vote for. I am going to give you each a few moments to tell the jury why you deserve to be in the running for the money.” Chris says, pulling me from my thoughts again.
I nod. I can deal with that. I can deal with explaining why I should be in the running for the money. I just have to figure out what I will tell them. I know that I do deserve to be in the running for the prize. I deserve it because I have played hard. I won a few challenges. I single handedly eliminated my sister. Who else could say that? I can tell them that I never expected to fall in love. I can tell them I never expected to find someone who I could love so easily after such a short time. I just have to make sure they believe me.
“Let’s start with William. Tell the jury why you think you deserve to be in the running for the prize.” Chris says.
William steps forward and takes a deep breath. “Let me start by saying, I am so excited to be here telling you why I deserve to be in the running… I deserve to be in the running for the prize because I am a college student with ample college debt. I could use the money to pay off my college debt, my medical school, and help my parents with the money.” He takes a deep breath. “I know everyone needs money, but I came here to prove to myself and my family that I could do it. I came here to play a very great game. I have to admit, my game hasn’t been too great, but I have helped in a few blindsides.”
“Alright, lets open up the jury to ask you a few questions.” Chris says.
Ari steps up. “You said you helped in a few blindsides. Which blindsides were you a part of and did you orchestrate them?”
“I was a part of your blindside and Zach’s blindside.” He says. “I didn’t orchestrate them. I just participated in them.”
This time Farrah stands up and smiles. “Tell me, if you didn’t orchestrate the blindsides, what did you do that was worthy of being in the running for the money?”
William takes a few moments to think about what he wants to say. While he does, I smile at Ari. She smiles at me but turns her attention back to William.
“I honestly don’t know. I mean I have made it this far.” William says.
Chris nods and comes forward. “Thank you, William. Caleb, your turn.”
I watch as William steps back and Caleb steps forward. Of the two of them, I would want to go up against William. Why? Because I know that if I went up against Caleb, that I may not have a good chance to win this game. Though, I don’t know how the show will portray us, but I know that he is a strong player. He has played hard this season and I know for a fact that if I were voting for a winner, I would vote him. But if I went against William, I could win. I mean, I would win. William didn’t play a good game. He played ride the coattails and that is the only reason he is where he is today. So, if I were to be in the final two with him, I know for a fact that I would win. I played a much better game than William. I played so hard that if I went against him, America would be crazy to vote for him.
“I deserve to be in the running for the money because I played an amazing game. I blindsided two people. I have played super hard. As evidenced in the challenges. Out of all the challenges in this season, I have won six. Some of those as a team of two with Rachel my partner. I came super close to winning other times as well. I helped keep the camp full of food and water. Let’s not forget about the fire. If the fir
e went out, I shared the responsibility of getting it going. I gathered wood, water, and I even cooked.” He says. “I feel like I deserve this. I played a super good game and if you are going by game play, I am worthy.”
“Let’s turn to the jury for questions.” Chris says.
I don’t listen to what the jury asks him. I can’t keep my eyes off Ari. She seems so concentrated while listening to Caleb answer the questions. Her eyes light up as she listens to him. She leans forward resting her elbows on her knees, almost like she wants to be closer to the drama.
“Ryder, Your turn.” Chris says.
I step forward and take a deep breath. I need to get this right. I want to be in the final two. I want to be in the running. I take another deep breath and smile at the jury.
“First, I have to say, thank you for listening to us. I have to tell you that I deserve this opportunity, because I have in fact played an amazing game. I did only blindside two people. One of those single handedly. I have won an amazing ten challenges. That’s more than anyone else. Not only that, but I survived two different votes where my name was going to be written down. For example, the vote where Rachel was eliminated. My first blindside.” I smile at them.
I pause to look at each of the jury members. If what I am saying isn’t enough for them to keep me in the running, then looking them in the eye and showing that I am serious about this, will certainly help my case.
“My game play has been amazing. I not only did all that, but I made life at camp so much better. I built the shelter, the bed, I kept up on the fire and water, with the help of Caleb. I worked my tail off to look for other edible foods in the woods around us. I kept an idol a secret from the rest of the players, but my sister. She didn’t know a single thing about it.” I give Rachel a smile. “All in all, I deserve to stay in this game, because I have gained so much from this game already, why not add in the money as well.”
“Anyone from the jury have any questions?” Chris asks.
I look over the jury as they all look at each other. I watch as Zach stands up and smiles at me.
“Why did you choose to eliminate me? Why not Caleb?” He asks.
“Because you have slid under the radar. I didn’t want to have to be put up against you and William in this type of setting. Because you and William were super close throughout the merge, and I didn’t want to risk you and him getting to the end.” I tell him.
“I appreciate your honesty.” Zach says as she sits back down.
Rachel stands up and smiles at me. “I know you single handedly eliminated me. But what I want to know is, why?”
“Because you eliminated the one person I didn’t want to be eliminated. You turned her brother against her and got her eliminated. You turned your back on our alliance, and I knew that even though this was a game, you didn’t deserve to be trusted. I had to take you out, to avenge her.” I tell her.
It’s the truth. I learned really quickly that it was Rachel who had worked hard on getting Caleb and Zach to vote for Ari. William wanted to vote Ari anyways. I learned that Rachel had told Caleb that if he eliminated Ari, they would eliminate me next and that they would be shoo ins for the final two. At first, I didn’t want to believe it, but Rachel boasted around camp like she had already won the lottery.
“Alright, that is all the time we have. Now jury, under your feet are plaques and chalk. I want you to write down the name of the person you want to take out of the running for the million dollars.” Chris says. “The person who you do not want to see America have the chance to vote for.”
All at once, the jury leans down and grabs their plaques. I watch as they all hunch over their plaques and make the decision of who will be in the final two. My palms are sweating, my hands are shaking. I can’t seem to stand still. The nerves are crazy. I hope that the jury listened to the three of us and make the best decision. I hope that I am one of the people that make it into the final two. I hope I get the chance to be in the running.
“Alright time to reveal the votes.” Chris says as he draws the first name. “William… William… Caleb… William… Caleb… William… We have four votes William and two votes Caleb, three votes left.”
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Please dear lord doesn’t let William make it into the final two.
“William… William… The tenth person eliminated from this game is William.” Chris says. “Please say your goodbyes and leave the challenge area.”
I watch as William grabs his bag and walks off, without saying goodbye to anyone. I look at Caleb, beside me, and we both smiles. I did it. I made it to the final two. I survived the game and now my fate is in America’s hands.
“Jury you are free to go.” Chris says.
One by one they leave, and Caleb and I are left in the challenge area.
“In a moment, our doctors will be out to collect you. You will need an exit examination. You will be given a shower, and a proper meal. I suggest you do your interviews soon. Remember, stay safe.” Chris says.
I can’t believe it; I am in the final two.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Ari
“Final two. I am in the final two. I can’t believe it.”
Ryder Holt
Post-game interview
I am in shock. I don’t know how to feel. Happy because they both made it to the end. It’s so confusing. I am happy for both of them. They both deserve to be here. They both have played a strong game. They both deserve it.
The one thing I know for sure, is that I am glad that I am not going to have to choose between the two of them. That America is going to be choosing who wins. That America gets to vote and that it is taken off of my shoulders.
It would have been hard to choose between them. I wouldn’t know who to vote for. Whoever I voted for would be happy, the other would be upset. I don’t know what I would have done.
All I want to do right now is go back to my room and put on my pajamas and go to sleep. It’s been a crazy few week, it’s been insane. The game, the eliminations, my blindside, the jury villa, everything.
This game was so different than what I imagined. Not because I didn’t know what to expect, but because when I thought I had it figured out, things changed. That’s what is so crazy about it. I didn’t know what was coming next.
I won’t lie. In the beginning, I hated that I didn’t know anything about the game. I mean, I wanted to know what happened next and just what would happen when. But after the way this game was, and I realized that Ryder, who had watched a season, didn’t know what was happening, I think it was better for me. It had to have been hard for everyone else who knew or watched the show, I mean, I think I had it easy.
But other than that, I am still in shock. I found Ryder here. I fell in love with someone I hardly know. Well hardly is not the word I was looking for. I mean, I would like to think I know the real him after being in a game with him for as long as I was. But I truthfully don’t really know the important stuff.
I don’t know where he lives. I don’t know anything about his family, other than Rachel. I didn’t think to ask about where his job was located. I didn’t think to ask personal questions about little things. I don’t know more than what he games me while we were together.
It wasn’t a lot.
You would think, that as a smart woman, I would have asked him those things. I mean we had plenty of time to ask the normal get to know you kind of questions, but nope. I didn’t ask. I was just living in the moment.
Finally, we are back at the villa and I dismiss myself. This draws a worried look from both Sandra and Farrah, but neither of them comes up to me and ask me what is wrong. I don’t know if I could tell them what is wrong because I don’t even know myself.
When I get to my room, I quickly take a shower and get ready for bed. I lay on the bed and try to relax. My mind won’t stop running. I keep thinking about Ryder and Caleb. I keep thinking about the fact that America gets to decide who wins. I don’t know what to think. My mind keeps p
laying over and over again, who I will stand behind. Who will have my support at the finale?
Its times like this, I wish I could call home. I mean, I will be home soon, and can talk to my mom about this, but I wish I could talk to her now. My mom would know just what to tell me.
But the thing is, I know I can’t ask her opinion. I can’t ask because of our non-disclosure agreement. We are not allowed to talk about the show or the final two until after the live finale. Which makes this even more tough, because how am I supposed to figure this out on my own. I have never in my life, had to figure something like this out.
A sound at my door stops my thoughts. I frown, what was that? Was someone drunk and accidentally trying to get into my room? I mean, it is possible. Everyone on the jury, except me, has been drinking. So, it’s entirely possible that someone is drunk. But when the knob turns, and the door opens, I frown. Who else has a key to my room? No one besides a production assistant. And she only has it because she has to have an extra in case we get locked out of our rooms.
I am about to stand up when I see, a dirty yet smiling Ryder step into my room. He has a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. I frown. What the hell? How did he get in here? How did his key work for this room? Why does he have a duffel bag with him? This is just not making sense. I thought we all were supposed to have our own rooms.
“Ryder… What… What are you doing here?” I ask him.
“Apparently, I was assigned this room before the show began, but they gave it to you and now I am stuck without a room. I convinced Lacey to pull some strings and get me in here to be with you.” He says with a smile.
I frown. “There aren’t enough rooms?”
He laughs. “I’m joking. Well about them not having a room for me. But Lacey said she figured I would want to spend the night with you. Said that it was alright with the higher ups and that they all agreed that we deserved to have a room to ourselves.”
Playing For Keeps (Romancing The Games Book 1) Page 17