“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 eachshoulder 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.”
Chapter Thirty Nine
Landon
We head east in the direction of our key. Technically, this route looks like it may be a little longer than some of the other, more direct paths, but the terrain also looks flatter. I mean, it’s not like the map they gave us came highlighted with elevations and obstacles.
I glance up at the sky. The sun is beginning to set, but we definitely have a few more hours of sunlight left. We’ve been going for five or six hours, honestly maybe more. I’ve lost track. I know, logically, we’ll have to find somewhere to make camp for the night, but I want to push until our bodies can’t take any more.
Savannah and Noah got a head start on us, and it’s anyone’s guess where they could be. Courtney and I have a few advantages working for us, though. One, Savannah is prissy and won’t fare well in the wilderness overnight. Two, we’re both too fucking stubborn to do anything but win.
We both decided on a light jog to conserve energy while covering as much distance as possible. Since we have to cross the entire island, it’s not physically possible for us to make it to thekey in one shot, but that doesn’t mean we can’t cover as much ground as possible in this first stage.
