Killer Lovin: episode 6

Rick wraped the tape mesure around his waste as he looked at himself in the mirror. He'd thought back to last week, good enough, he had to at least be passable. Rick looked at the tape mesure frustrated, an inch, he'd only lost an inch. He peered at the medication he'd been taking, slight anger filling his heart as he chucked it back in the cubord. sleepiness, light headedness, all for what? an inch.

Rick heard a knock at the door. He shoved the mesure back into the sink droor before awnsering his door. Jackson bardged in, hiding himself behind the now open door. Mitch charged through the hall anger on his face as he looked around. his eyes met Rick's who kept Jackson's location to himself.

"what are you looking at FUCKERSON!" Rick shook his head nervosly.

"nothing..." he wasn't ready for a confrontation, not right now. Mitch kicked the door closest to him screaming before charging down the stairs.

"SON OF A BITCH!" Rick sighed at Mitch disapeared downstairs. Jackson looked at Rick thankfully.

"sorry, I was just trying to talk to him." Rick looked at his bathroom nervosly.

"it's fine, did he say anything."

"not this time, if anything, I think I made him mad." Jackson said crashing could be heard downstairs as the owner of the near by door poped his head out tiard from the screaming. His beutiful brown hair was messy as his brown eye drowzly looked towards the two.

"what did you ask him anyways." Chas asked trying to wake himself up. Jackson shrugged.

"Walker, I asked about Walker." Rick looked at Jackson confused before remembering, thats right, Six, Walker, the first to get kicked off.

"I don't know why but it seems like talking about Walker or Jarvis seems to throw him off." Rick nodded once again peering to his bathroom.

"but why Walker? I thought you were looking for Shelly." Jackson looked around the room scaning the area before taking the mirror in Rick's bedroom placing it face down.

"the last time I heard her was over the phone, she was mad that I called her. I heard someone in the background, no, I heard a man. he was panicking... I still remember that voice."

"and you think that was Walker?" Gordon finnished as he made his way out of his room, Jackson nodded. Rick looked between the three, a part of him upset they were having a conspiricy meeting in his room. Chas looked around makeing sure no one saw him as he joined the other two. Gordon closed the door behind him as they listened to Jackson with baited breath.

"I figured it out the first day I pulled him to the side for a bit to ask him about what happened that night. He didn't really give a clear awnser, it was like I triggered something. He kept repeating that it was to late... we're all ready in the devil's snare. That's what he told me..."

"well thats not crpitic as hell..." Gordon muttered grasping to each of Jackson's words. Jackson nodded

"Right? so I tried to get him to say somthing, I tried to calm him down a bit, talk about how everyone seemed so happy... that seemed to work a little. he asked about my kid, it seemed to be going okay, I tried to circle back to the topic. I think we were talking about honesty, thats how it went. He said the truth is painful, I told him sometimes we need to hear it though. Then I used it to shift focus back to Shelly."

"And?" Gordon asked his eyes wide with excitment. Jackson shook his head.

"nothing, I didn't get a word... but he did say somthing that caught me by suprise. 'I made up my mind, you deserve better.' I don't know, it just sounded, important... like he was going to do somthing, somthing stupid." Rick looked at the outdoor area from his window. something important...

Walker was a quiet person. From the first moment they met he didn't seem interrested in anything. No, that wasn't the right wording. more like he was desensitised to everything around him. as though nothing mattered anymore. the only time he'd seen any emotion on the man's face was when they asked about Beverly.

Gordon thought to himself an odd expresson making its way to his face.

"we should go swiming today..." The group looked at Gordon confused. Gordon looked towards the feild of flowers that surounded the manson.

"I want to cheack on something..." Gordon rushed out of Rick's room grabing his swimsuit as he looked towards the cameras the others fallowed behind intreged by the man's sudden lively spirit. The walk was long but they managed to make it to the pool. The pool sat as refreshing and cool as always. Gordon charged towards the changing rooms shuffling around until a small clicking sound was heard. Gordon left the room triuphantly carrying a computor under his arms. Jackson looked at the device baffled.

"where'd you get that?"

"it's Mitch's he lost it during the second week." Gordon opened the lap top peering at the recent history. An empty file drive sat on the device. Gordon's eyes seemed to brighten as he looked at the screen, Rick was used to quiet Gordon, snarky Gordon, stole his notebook that one time Gordon. This man before him though was different, it was as though Gordon had come to life with a sentience unexplainable to anyone there. Gordon laughed excitedly.

"I KNEW IT! Look! Look at THAT!" The group peered at the empty file, the title read 'elimination!' in capital letters. the group looked at it surpised.

"elimination? like, the show eliminations?" Chas asked confused, Gordon nodded Jackson's eyes went wide.

"Mitch gose into the dressing room... and when he came out-"

"he wants to go home." Gordon finnished excitedly. Rick peered at the file confused.

"why eliminations though? No one went home yet." Gordon smerked as he peered closly at the files.

"unless their was a way to see things as they happened..." the group looked at Gordon confused. Gordon clicked on the file, the computor began glitching a frozen image of Walker on his knees was seen on the screen.

"For example, creating a virus with the spicific person of hacking into nearby equipment, giving you the ability to see everything said equipment recorded..." Chas patted Gordon on the back the man absorbed into the computor.

"way to go Gords, are you sure your not like a programer or something" Gordon sigh reluctantly closeing the computor.

"I wish, maybe I could get what we need off the server... We need the origonal compotant to make any real progress." Jackson looked at Gordo a serios look on his face.

"origonal compotant?" Gordon nodded nonchelontly.

"this wasn't made by the computor the only way for a virus like this to exsit would have to be through a flash drive, this is only the remants. if we want to know what was on this, we need that drive. Asuming it's still intact..." Rick looked at the computor thousands of questions ran through his brain, some he wasn't sure he wanted awnsers too. the rustling of foot steps came from the distance. Jackson shoved the computor into a bag he brought, as the host's smiling face apeared along with the lenses of cameras.

"my, my, arn't you all up early." Chas spoke up first, trying to seem as calm as he could.

"we decided to go for a morning swim. I mean if you have a pool, why not enjoy it... sorry if its inconvenent." Noah shook his head.

"oh no, I just wish I knew so I could get things set up... "the group laughed nervosly as Noah stare into each of their souls. He looked at Jackson's bag curiosly.

"whats that?" He asked Jackson clutched the bag laughing off Noah's question.

"just a couple of books, Gordon, ran out of things to read so I just grabed some things I thought he'd be interested in." Gordon nodded smileing timidly as he placed the book he currently had with him in the bag. Noah looked at Gordon. Gordon looked away his eyes focused on the toster at the bar his focus unwavered as his brain seemed to center on the aplience. Noah snaped his figers annoyed. Gordon came back to reality nodding apologeticly.

"sorry, I was just- I just do that some times... what were we saying?" Noah smiled

"I was asking about your book bag." Gordon nodded hesitantly looking at the bag.

"what about it?" He said trying to keep a straight face. Noah stared at Gordon, Gordon stared back trying not to break eye contact with the smiling man. Rick looked between the two. Noah broke eye contact sighing.

"never mind, anyways I've got a nice suprise for you boys... I think its just the thing to lift your spirits." the group looked at eachother. Mitch came through the bushes breathing hevily as his eyes met Jackson's. his face red with anger, anger that quickly subsided when he saw Noah. their host shot a toothy grin at Mitch who did his best to look unphased by his suroundings.

"glad you could finally join us, how was your night?" Noah said an oddy sharp tone in his voice. Mitch glared at him making his way to the other contestants as he ignored Noah's comment. Noah chuckled as he looked at the group reasureing him self no one was missing. Rick took a deep breath as he along with the others stood akwardly. Noah finally spoke unerved by the group's silence.

"well, you should probly head back to the house, so we can get things set up." Noah turned to walk away Gordon looked at him timidly pipeing up.

"Mr. Grand, what we're YOU doing here?" Noah stopped in his tracks peering at the trees behind them a look of frustration on his face as something sprinted into the bushes. Rick turned only catching a glimpse of green eyes.

"Do- You don't want to look at that, the wolf problem! I-I didn't want to say anything but we missed some of the pups and they, relocated down here. that must have been one of them. disgusting things, wolves, it grabed a squirl tore it to shreds... it still has it in its mouth.. you wouldn't want to see a mauled animal would you. Rick looked at Noah somewhat suprised by his hesitation.

"I, guess not?" Rick responded unsure. Noah pushed Rick away from the pool area the other crew proceeded to do the same. Gordon looked over his shoulder as the largest of the men pushed him off towards the house. An odd look in his eyes as he squinted at the bushes.

The group walked back to the house Gordon sprinting ahead of them, the others fallowed confused as he looked around the area as they walked. Rick looked at Jackson unsure if he should say anything.

"so... your wife used to work here..." Jackson nodded reluctantly.

"Are you sure that- I mean, you don't really think someone on staff-" Jackson sighed as he looked at Rick.

"you don't understand whats going on, none of us do. All I really know is whoever killed Marcus, who... took Shelly, is sick in the head." Chas looked back at Jackson doing his best to laugh off the anxiety building in Jackson's voice.

"We don't even know that, I mean you've never met the guy..." Jackson paused a thoughtful look in his eye. Chas and the others stopped looking at Jackson.

"You've never met them, right?" Jackson shook his head hesitently a look of fear in his eyes as Chas' stare burned into the back of his head.

"well, I- danmit!" Jackson tried to focus on the path quickly running ahead of the others. Chas ran after him determined for an anwser. Jackson swung the house door open quickly bolting inside. The group soon caught up to Chas as he neared the door, as he did. Jackson's voice rang through the air

"AHHHHH-" before being cut off. Panic set into the goups mind as they charged into the house Rick grabed a rake from the outside holding it over his head as a weapon.

"Jackson?" Rick clutched his wepion unsure what monstrosity made its way into the house. Gordon sighed as he wander into the house unphased before taking the Rake from Rick's fingers. He made his way up the stairs to the houses bathroom motioning for Rick and Chas to fallow. Rick looked at the door considoring just leaving the house. Chas grabed Ricks hand showing him a conforting yet uncertin smile. He had to be brave, for Chas. Rick clutched Chas' hand tight as the two made their way up the stairs. Jackson stood in the bathroom a hand over his mouth as he stood in shock Gordon sat on the floor trying to keep himself conses. Rick's eyes met the sorce of the mute panic.

A man sat in the bathroom tub. If you could say he was a man, Rick had trouble telling his skin covered in burns, his face being the worse as small hints of blonde hair stuck out of his head. His green eyes looked at the group nervosly before pulling the bath curtin shut.

"sorry, I, didn't" The figure hesitated Gordon managed to stand himself shaking off the surpise. Jackson however stood still unable to prosses what he was looking at.

"W-What the hell?" Gordon smiled sadly at the closed curtin.

"Brock, I- your okay, thank god." Brock scoffed happily

"Of course I'm okay, nothing holds the BROCKSTER BACK!" Brock's normally strong voice sounded weak as his siloute sat itself down. Rick felt a slight pain in his cheast as he looked at the curtin.

"Brock, what happened?" Brock laughed his laugh faltureing a bit as the hand behind the curtin began to shake.

"oh, what? THIS it's nothing, its just like burning your toung in coffee. No big deal." Rick remembered what Brock told him the night he was sent home. This was yet another act to convince them and maybe even himself. Brock's head leaned itself against the ring of the tub, he took a sharp breath holding back the true pain he was in. Jackson shook his head saying what everyone was thinking.

"No Brock, this isn't nothing, what happened? did you see who did it?" Brock chuckled shaking his head.

"I told you its fine, and I don't even know who did it. so why worry about it." Rick laughed nervosly patting Jackson on the back.

"yeah, this is nothing, he's FINE." Jackson opened his mouth a desire to debunk Rick's words. Rick gave Jackson a look motioning him to be quiet. Brock already knew, he knew he wasn't okay.

"so you don't know who did this?" Brock sighed shaking his head.

"well, the dude driving the limo is NUTS he had an EYEBALL in his car dude." Gordon covered his mouth at the menton of the word eyeball. Rick felt his nerves stand on end. Brock continued trying to be careful with his words like he was telling a child their mom died.

"yeah, good call Gords, I probley wouldn't be here if I was still in the car." The group looked at Gordon confused, Gordon nodded now fully recovered from his inital reaction.

"I knew it! I'm glad your alright, I was worried about you." Jackson looked at Gordon confused

"okay? OKAY? Gordon, he looks-"

"Perfectly fine." Chas interupted quickly picking up on what was happening. Brock laughed weakly. the bathroom door opend once more, Mitch looked at the others confused.

"are you guys having a baby revil party of some shit why's everyone in th-" Mitch stoped as he laied eyes on the curtin Brock lifted his head.

"dude, sup!" Mitch's eyes went wide as fear filled his bones.

"why are you... here?" Brock didn't awnser Jackson finally snaped out of his state of shock calming himself down.

"I doubt any of you have a mediacl degree but I think we could use one about now." the group looked around at eachother Mitch looked at the curtin peering around the room before reluctanly responding.

"I do, actully" Everyone looked at Mitch suprised. Rick looked at Mitch confused.

"your a doctor."

"well, I'm a plastic surgion, but I did go to med school." Jackson looked at the others in the room.

"well, your the best we got right now." Chas peeked through the window Brock had used to climb in stareing at the two camera men who had fallowed them.

"maybe we should get the medics involved, I don't think we can-"

"No, I got this." Mitch intrupted as his face went pale. Mitch took a deep breath pulling back the curtin. Brock sat in the tub his skin red with blisters and burns, nearly a walking skeliton as small peices of bone poked through his skin. Gordon rushed out moved himself out of the room in hopes of not passing out.

Brock's green eyes looked at Mitch sadly as he struggled to sit back up. Mitch hesitently examned Brock best he could as the group tried to smile for Brock's sake. Mitch pulled away nervosly unsure weather to respond. He smilled at Brian.

"yeah, its just gonna take a bit to heal up, dumbass is fine." Brock sighed Mitch nodded his voice straning slightly as he tried to keep his calm tone.

"I'm gonna get us some breakfest... would you want anything." Brock looked at Mitch slightly excited.

"I hope its not to much trouble but pancakes sound pretty good." he rasped as he once again repositioned himself to be comphtable. Mitch smiled pulling the curtin shut as he lead the group out of the room. his smile quickly fadeing as he shut the door.

"Okay, he's not alright." Jackson looked at Mitch in disbeleaf.

"I could have told you that." Mitch put a finger over his mouth his body shaking as he looked at the door.

"But we can't tell him that, to much mentel or physical stress could seriosly hurt him right now." Rick looked at Mitch concerned.

"Wait, when you say hurt him,"

"this could kill him Fuckerson." Mitch said bluntly, silence filled the hall as the relization came to them the image of Marcus' body in the grass flashing in Rick's mind. Die, Brock, could die... Chas rushed downstairs Jackson looked at him.

"where are you going?" Chas looked at Jackson suprised.

"to find Noah, we need to get him help! He needs to go to a hospital!" Chas began opening the back door ready to yell to the camera crew. Mitch grasped Chas' arm tightly looking him in the eyes. his face went red as he stared Chas down.

"DON'T. YOU. FUCKING. DARE." Mitch's nails dug into Chas' arm as he desperately grasped onto him. Chas opened his mouth to tell Mitch off. only to stop. When he met Mitch's face. pure fear drenched the man, the normally antagonistic man replaced with a terrified child. Mitch's hand tremmbled as it held tight to Chas, like a corspe despretly grasping its last hope for life.

"Shut the door Chas." Chas looked at the others before slowly shutting the door. Mitch sighed slowly letting go of Chas' arm.

"calm, we just have to stay calm..." he muttered more to himself then anyone around him. Gordon reached out to confort Mitch, a concerned look on his face as Mitch took a deep breath.

"your on breakfest, right Fuckerson." Rick quickly walked to the kitchen scared of further antagonizing the unstable man. Mitch got the pancake batter from the fridge the fealing of exsauston taking over his body as he poured it into a bowl. Chas smiled sadly

"do you need help?" Rick nodded doing his best to shake off the sadness. That was the last thing Brock needed, what he needed right now were pancakes and Rick was going to make the best pancakes ever. Chas grabed the mixer from one of the droors as they hurried to finish the perfectly fluffy treats. Rick wiped his forehead covering it in flower as he looked proudly at the batch.

"now thouse are pancakes!" Chas laughed Rick smiled at Chas. Chas leaded towards Rick. Rick felt his face go hot as Chas' warm eyes brought life back to his soul. Chas rubed Rick's forehead with his sleave doing his best to wipe off the flour. Rick looked at the pancakes slightly disapointed. Chas chuckled before giveing Rick a quick peck on the cheek as he took the plate of pancakes. Rick smiled as Chas went out the burning in his heart growing as he looked at him. The wheels in his head still trying to figure out how to tell-

"good morning." Beverly entered the kitchen her Viloet eyes stareing at Rick as she yawned. Rick felt light headed as he looked at the natrally beutiful goddess.

"oh, Beverly... good morning, what are you doing up so early." Beverly smiled as she walked towards Rick.

"I heard everyone else was up so I decided I'd try it too." She laughed as she boped Rick's nose in a teaseing manner. Beverly looked at the messy kitchen.

"have you been baking?" Rick laughed nervosly unsure what to say. Brock was upstairs in the bathroom. Beverly did need to know that, it may be best if she didn't for now.

"just, trying to make pancakes..." He started trying to think of what to say next. Beverly looked at Rick confused.

"pancakes?" She asked eyeing the messy counter Rick nodded finally finding a good excuse.

"yeah, Brock used to do alot of the cooking, I decided to give it a shot... I threw them away because they wern't very good." Beverly laughed shaking her head.

"oh, yes, of course not, I'm the one whose suposed to make, what were they called again?" Rick looked at her suprised.

"you don't know what pancakes are?" Beverly smiled inocently shakeing her head. Rick grabed a rag from the counter as he began to clean up.

"their flat, and round? Thouse things Brock made two weeks ago during the senarios. Beverly's eyes lit up as though she had discovered some new found secret.

"Oh! thouse, I remember that, Brock didn't do a good job they were so cold." She said laughing Rick nodded.

"well, they're normally warm Brock made them that morning. He didn't have time to-"

"well thats rude." Beverly said a sour look came onto her face. Rick looked at Beverly confused.

"whats rude?" Beverly sighed

"he couldn't bother to make new ones?" Rick put the rag down slightly stuned by Beverly's comment.

"he didn't have time to we were already-"

"I'm sure he could have figured it out. honestly, that man was useless."

"useless?" Rick stuttered shocked Beverly's face sruntched into an angery scowl as Rick watched her violet eyes turn a light pink.

"yes, I mean, men are suposed to love people. Worship people, especally women. Brock was broken, he didn't get it, between you and me, thats why I sent him home. He didn't know what love was. its like a board game, if your missing all the peices you send it back you know..." Rick looked at Beverly horrified by what she said.

That night, that awful night, poor Brock, he didn't deserve what happened. Brock was alot of things but "broken" wasn't one of them.

"you really hurt him that night, you know." Rick said mustering all the courage in his body Beverly looked at Rick shocked. She chuckled almost sweeping what he said away.

"oh, you, so has Noah anounced-"

"didn't you hear what I said, you hurt him Beverly, like, alot." he repeated, Beverly pause her cheery look turning to confusion. Rick steped towards Beverly who steped back hesitently.

"I was there, he told me. I know what you did," Beverly looked at Rick confused.

"what did I do? it was just part of the game... he's a guy, he's suposed to want that, right?" Rick felt anger burning in his heart. He looked at Beverly desprate to make her understand her actions

"what if someone did that to you?" Beverly looked around nervosly.

"It would hurt, alot, I'd tell them to burn in hell, but I'm not a guy." Beverly stared at Rick's upset face.

"I'm sorry, I made you upset, I'm sorry." Rick took a deep breath trying to calm himself down. Beverly looked at Rick a saddened expresion on her face

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad... oh! The theme for this week, do you want to know what it is? I know you like the challenge. come on, guess!" Rick sighed playing along with Beverly.

"self improvement." Beverly claped her hands smiling at Rick like he was a child.

"thats right! It'll be great we get to go in a hot air balloon, and they have drinks, good drinks, not that black stuff! oh, and theirs an ice cream shop at the landing point! dosn't that sound perfeect?" Beverly looked at Rick pure joy on her face Rick sighed the image of Brock crying still stuck in his brain.

"yeah, yeah it sounds nice." Beverly patted Rick on the head laughing. she looked at the still dirty counter.

"I've never made pancakes before? could you show me how." Rick looked at the door. Brock was still in the bathroom, the last thing Beverly needed to deal with was a medical emergency.

"sure." he said as he pulled the remaining pancake batter out of the cuboard. Beverly looked at the bag an inocent glimmer in her eyes as she touched the blue bag. Rick smiled ignoreing Beverly's odd behavor.

"could you pour it into that cup? we need it to reach the 1/4th line." Beverly took the bag in her hands carfully pouring it into the cup. Odd excitement on her face as the cup filled to the top.

"did I do it right?" Rick looked at the cup that had been filled all the way to the top slightly spilling over the sides.

"almost..." Rick said hopeing to spare Beverly's feelings. he poured some of the mix back into the bag. the reast of the prosses went in a simlar manner as Beverly proceeded to do the same the water and set the stove to the wrong tempture. Rick catching her before to much damage would be done. He poured the batter onto the pan allowing it to cook. Beverly watched in awe as the previosly liqid batter solidified. Rick looked at Beverly a wave of pity forming over him.

she didn't know what pancakes were,

she'd never been to a market before,

she clearly didn't understand fractions.

he knew she didn't get out much but still, Rick wondered what kind of life she had, before the show, before they met, before he steped out of that limo. Rick thought carfully as he poured a large pool of batter toping it off with two smaller circles makeing sure they connected. Beverly looked at it happily.

"Its a teddy bear!" Rick looked at her confused his and slightly more dishearted, poor woman didn't even know who micky was. Rick didn't think that was possible until now.

"Yep," Rick said unable to tell her she was wrong Beverly took out a small Micky head keychain made from plastic beads.

"see, its just like my charm." Rick smiled at the colorful head. a part of him wanting one for himself.

"thats so cute, where did you get it?" Beverly chuckled

"my dad got it for me, he fought tooth and nail to get it for me." Rick looked at the charm baffled it must have been pretty rare if their was so much comotion over it. Beverly shoved the charm into her pocket.

"your so weird, you know." Rick looked at Beverly.

"why?" Beverly shruged an inocent smile on her face as she focused on the pancakes.

"you like cute things and you can play baseball, you can cook." Rick sighed rolling his eyes.

"why is that weird?" Beverly turned to Rick her hair drooping over her neck.

"because its not normal..." She responded Rick shoved the spatula under the cakes fliping them over.

"and what is normal?" He retorted shoving down the insecurity in his cheast. Beverly thought for a moment looking up at the ceeling.

"well... I don't know but, its not you." Rick chuckled a little, before his questions about Beverly's life came back to him.

"where are you from?" Beverly turned to the door streaching her arms in an exagerated fasion as she yawned.

"I'm gonna go cheack on d-Noah, he's by th pool right, might even go for a dip." Beverly grabed the plate with the pancake biteing into it as excitment filled her face fallowed by suprise. She looked at Rick for a moment before leaving the room. Rick sighed slightly relived Beverly was gone though the thoughts in his mind continued to swerl as he cleaned up the mess the natural beutiy had created.

Rick felt a tap on his shoulder he turned to see Gordon's intreeged face.

"that was amazing, how did you do that?" Rick looked at Gordon confused

"do what?" He asked pressing the cloth against a piticularly tough stain. Gordon looked out asureing himself Beverly had truly left.

"she's normally really quiet, even when I've talked to her it feels like everything she says has already been planed, rehersed. like she's being told what to say, its a very common thing in court. Coaching someone into saying things." Rick sighed as his excitment grew. Gordon sat himself down at the now pancake dust covered table.

"the key to break them is to throw them off. I don't know how but you did it! you threw her off kilter, and she started going off." Rick looked at Gordon confused, he didn't really understand what throwing her off ment. All he knew was the Beverly he just talked to was different from the nameless godess he had met on the first day. Rick suddenly snaped into reality as relization crossed his mind.

"Hang on... we're you listening to us?" Gordon nodded.

"of course I was, why wouldn't I be, you know why it made so much sense to everyone that you have something to do with all of this?"

"Because I'm fat, right." Rick asked, Gordon looked at Rick slightly confused.

"no, because Beverly likes you and Noah seems to want to skin you alive." Rick shook his head, he thought back to the night on the baseball feild and the momentary flash of Noahs true feelings about him. Rick looked at his relection in the stove.

"I actully had something to ask you." Gordon said as he shuffled through his pockets. he grasped a small bottle pulling it out of his pocket and placing it on the table. Rick looked the unlabled bottle up and down. his face went pail. His medication, why did Gordon have his medication, how did he GET his medication? Gordon leaned over the table a stoic look on his face.

"I found these in your room... I'm sorry about this but considoring Brock's state I think its safe to say that Jackson's therory about Marcus is somewhat acuret. I'm just covering all the bases." Rick's face started to burn in embarrassment. Gordon shoved the bottle back into his pocket keeping Rick from reflexively grabing it.

"You went through my ROOM?!?" Rick exclamed Gordon nodded his origonal cofidence seeming to subside.

"of course, I went through everyones rooms. except Mitch, his door was locked... so, what exactly is the use of theses." Rick glared at Gordon, a part of himself told him to lock his door, why the hell didn't he listen to it. Rick took a deep breath trying to calm himself.

"Thats none of your buisness, and don't go through things that don't belong to you!" Gordon's stoic face remained on his face as he scruntched his eyebrows.

"I'm a lawer Rick, it becomes my buisness when some one dies, now what the hell are these?" Rick looked away from Gordon he needed those pills back. he sighed reluctantly giving in to Gordon's proding.

"Their weight loss supliments, I brought them with me..." Gordon looked at Rick skepticlly.

"why arn't they labled?" Gordon asked.

"so people like you wont bug me about takeing them. besides, wasn't Marcus druged with LSD?" Rick retorted angerly Gordon took the hint taking one of the pills from the container before handing it back to Rick. Rick shoved the bottle into his pocket quickly making sure no one else had over heard them. Gordon looked down almost embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, for the inconvence, I was just making sure no one had anything that could be used in a simlar fasion." Gordon took out a sheet of paper crossing Rick off the list. Rick colected himself as he went back to cleaning.

"you know, you really should be careful doing stuff like that." Gordon smiled standing up from the chair.

"I can handle a punch to the face. Besides, considoring our situation, I think risks like that are nessisary, helpful even." Rick looked at Gordon confused Gordon looked through his pokets pauseing as he prepared to leave the room.

"do you consider us to be freinds? be honest." Gordon ask Rick. Rick shrugged unsure how to respond.

"Well, I don't know, your not exactly an easy person to figure out. I don't hate you though." Gordon looked upstairs.

"what if I disapeared suddenly?" He asked Rick looked at him slightly concerned.

"I'd probly be worried, people don't just disapear." Gordon smiled content with Rick's response. He tossed something on the table as he left the room. Rick looked at the note book, his note book the drawings still intact. Gordon was an interesting person. Rick put the notebook in his pocket, as Noah's voice rang through the house.

"Alright, please make your way to the carts so we can get today started." Rick, Chas, and Jackson hoped into one of the carts. fallowed by Gordon and Mitch in the one behind them. Rick looked at the driver leaning over to Chas.

"Hows Brock doing?" Chas smiled keeping as quiet as he could nervosly shhoting glances at the driver in the front.

"he's okay, I moved him into my room so we could keep Beverly from walking in on him." Rick nodded relived Brock wasn't reasting in the bathtub anymore. Rick felt something hit the back of the head. he turned around half expecting Mitch's laughter. Gordon waved to Rick holding a peice of paper.

"read the book!" it said in bold letters. The second cart's driver turned to look at the two prompting Gordon to put the sign down. Gordon fliped through his note book comeing to a page a long list of places were writen on it. along with some crudly written words at the top.

"if you see somthing odd check the box." Jackson and Chas looked over at the page. Jackson took a pen from his shorts as he began to check a multitude of boxes. Rick checked off the castle balcony and the fair. Jackson thought for a moment before writing something on the paper. Rick read the note.

"by the Boat?" The carts pulled to a stop as the contestants let themselves off. Gordon inched toward Rick nudgeing him lightly Rick reluctantly handed Gordon the note book trying his best to be subtle as his gut twisted. he didn't know why but he had a bad feeling about this whole thing.

Beverly waved to the group wareing a violet sundress compleate with a straw hat. Mitch left the cart a small smile on his face as he saw Beverly, the smile disapearing as Noah walked towards them in his suit a pair of Aviation goggles were placed on his head. He smiled as the camera's got into place.

"I hope you all slept alright, because your gonna need it." Mitch looked around the area almost disapointed. The pool's water shimmering.

"havn't we already been here? I think your running out of ideas " Noah's eyes focused on Mitch for a moment. Mitch's face went pale as he quieted down. Noah contued

"now if you all look up I think you'll notice..." The group looked up their faces shifting as bright purples, pinks, and reds littered the sky above them. a single rope tethering the inlated creture to the ground. Beverly smiled excitedly.

"A HOT AIR BALLOON!" Noah finnished proudly, Rick looked at the balloon astounded, normally this challenge took place in town, in a carrage or somthing smaller. Noah chuckled as each of the contestansts looked at the wide basket below the vibrent colors. the limo driver got out of the car grasping the Balloon's rope as he single handedly pulled it onto the ground. The group looked at the driver terrified.

A mini bar sat in the basket along with some chairs dalilas wraped aroung the basket and the wires ataching the Balloon and the basket. The Driver opened the door waiting for the contestents to step inside. Mitch looked at the balloon his face going pale Noah smiled, tilting his head as he singled Mitch to get in. Mitch froze in place as he looked at the floating monster. Noah sighed looking at the driver who picked Mitch up placeing him in the balloon. Mitch snaped out of his stupor hoping out of the basket.

The driver caught him placing him back in as he gave Mitch a warning glance. Mitch crouched down in the balloon. Noah looked at the others, who quickly understood the message as each one of them got in. Beverly fallowed behind her sundres blowning in the wind as the driver held the door for her. one of the camera men entered the balloon shutting the door behind him. Noah smiled at the goup waveing as the driver began to release them into the air. Mitch glanced over the edge.

"wait, what about the pilot, isn't there-" The driver pointed to the camera man who saluted Noah as he grabed the balloon controls.

"just relax and enjoy the ride! we'll see you all soon." the driver let go of the rope release the group into the air. Rick and the others watched as the ground slowly disapeared below them. Beverly leaned over the edge in awe before quickly being pulled back in by a shaky Mitch. Rick and the others looked at Mitch who quickly tried to fake his calm nature.

"you should be careful, I mean. look at this thing, it dosn't have windows,or walls, just a basket, in the air... being held up by deadly thin wires." Jackson looked at Mitch.

"wait, are you afraid of heights?" Mitch atempted to laugh through his wimpers of fear.

"of course not, I'm okay with heights, Balloons and falling, arn't really my favorete passtime though..." The basket swayed slightly. Mitch crouched down on the basket floor burrying his hands in his knees. Gordon looked at Mitch symptheticly. Rick admittedly felt a little bad as Mitch curled into his tight ball. yes, Mitch was mean, but they didn't even ask him if he was okay.

Beverly held back her laughter as she looked at Mitch. Mitch peeked up at Beverly as he, once again forced himself to stand his knees shakeing as he kept his eyes focused on the ground. a whistle went through the air. Rick turned to the bar which was now being maned by the driver. Rick looked at the ground then the driver confused.

"how'd you get here?" Rick asked nervosly, Beverly looked at Rick an odd look on her face.

"he was here the whole time. you guys haven't really met have you, this is Cypress. He's really good a making drinks." Cypress looked at the group his black sunglasses reflecting back their anxieties and fears. Gordon looked at the man taking a deep breath as he sat at the bar. The others looked on terrified. Gordon was sitting near a murder, sure, he could just be an cessory, but the fact remained, this man was their. He was their when Marcus died. Cypress looked at Gordon his glasses glinted in the sun.

"So Cypress, hows your day going." Gordon asked the large man looked at Gordon confused by his question. Rick remembered his and Gordon's conversation about "throwing people off." Cypress looked around for a moment making sure he was adressing him.

"what can I get you?" He responded

"I'll take a screwdriver." Gordon responded doing his best to keep the streagh in his voice. Cypress took a whole ornge from the bar crushing it in his hands as he squeezed a large amount of juice into a shot glass. Gordon looked at the glass as Cypress' dominating face stared at him emotionless. Gordon looked between the shot glass and Cypress.

"wow that alot of ornge juce..." Gordon hesitated

"I'm good a crushing things." The area went silent as Cypress' words rang clear. Gordon nodded doing his best to let it fly over his head.

"you are, I'm really impressed. but, I don't need that much, just a teaspoon is fine." Cypress and Rick looked at Gordon confused.

"you want a screw driver?" Gordon nodded his face going compleately stoic. Rick looked at Gordon with equil confuson

"with, a Teaspoon, of ornge juice?" Gordon nodded again Cypress looked at Gordon for a long time. Gordon looked back waiting for his orange flavored vodka. Cypress's mouth fell open as he relized Gordon was dead serios.

"I, don't think if I'm leagly allowed to make that and if I am, it's not going to taste good." Gordon rolled his eyes as he gave Cypress a dead cold stare.

"Really? I can think of way worse things, I mean I didn't ask you for, say, a glass of LSD, or anything." Cypress and Beverly's faces went pale. Gordon looked at the large man expectingly as he waited for his drink. Cypress hesitatedfor a moment before pouring Gordon a glass of vodka pouring the smallest amount of orange juice he could before handing it to Gordon. Gordon took a small giving the driver a content smile as his eyes watered. the driver looked out the side of the balloon giving Gordon a chance to chuck his cup off the side of the Balloon.

"woops!" Gordon said loudly the driver turned to him startled as the reast of the contestants looked at Gordon confused.

"I droped my cup, can we land so I can get it?" the camera man looked at the Driver who quickly turned back to Gordon as he put the vodka back. Gordon sighed dramaticly.

"oh, well what a shame, I mean, what if it fell in the ocen, oh dear, thouse poor SEA TURTLES." Cypress paused as the word 'sea turtle' entered his brain. Beverly looked at Gordon concerned.

"sea turtles." Gordon looked at Beverly sighing once more.

"they already have so much to deal with, balloons, plastic bags. now they have to deal with an ocen filled with vodka, thouse poor turtles. they're going to get drunk." Beverly Looked at Gordon slight panic on her face she turned to Cypress.

"maybe we could land just for a a second, I'm sure Noah wouldn't mind..." Cypress gave Beverly a hesitant look peering at the area that was currently below them. The camera man nodded as he brought the balloon towards the ground. His and Cypress' eyes focused on Gordon who gave Jackson a knowing glance. Rick looked between the two suprised, they planed this out.

The balloon landed on the sands of the beach surounding the island. Gordon steped out the driver glareing at him as he scaned the beach. The large man's eyes suddenly shot open as Gordon eyes met the shot glass. Cypress hoped out of the balloon fallowed by the cameraman who had an equl look of panic on his face. Jackson hopped out of the balloon dashing into the brush by the shore. Cypress grasped Gordon's shoulder tightly. Gordon gave the driver a inocent smile.

"is something wrong?" Cypress looked a Gordon, nothing but murderous emotionless rage hidden in his stoic nature.

"wolves... their are wolves." Gordon gave Cypress a passivly confused look. Rick felt the pit on his stomach grow as the two stared eachother down. Gordon was in no was a large person, he was probly the shortest of the group. Chas looked at Rick worried.

"should we do something?" Gordon rased his eyebrow a simple action that seemed to annoy Cypress more.

"but Noah said, you guys caught all the wolves." Cypress and the camera man looked between eachother.

"yes, well, one of them got out again, he didn't want to say anything but, its actully over here some where." The camraman responded, the camera in his hands shakeing as Gordon stared the two down. Cypress picked up the shot glass from the ground grabing Gordon's shirt.

"I got it, lets go..." Jackson rushed through the brush jumping back into the ballon a nervos look on his face as he pretended he was always there. Cypress placed Gordon in the balloon allowing it to soar into the air. A loud snaping sound rang through the air as the group took off. Rick looked over the edge search for the sorce of the sound, instead he saw a trail of blood and a broken camera. Rick looked around quickly noticing the lack of the camra man who had been piloting the balloon replaced with Cypress who's large hand grasped the handle.

"wheres the camera man?" Rick asked nervosly. The driver looked down at Rick his towering face forcing Rick into fearful silence.

"home." he responded, Mitch's eyes went wide as he shook in the corner of the balloon. Cypress quickly pulled the balloon string forcing it to move up into the air the bloody mess now out of sight. Beverly smiled as she looked over the edge compleatly oblivios to the disapearence of the man.

she smiled sitting herself at the bar. takeing the drink in her hands.

"alright, lets get started." The group looked at Beverly confused. Rick's face went pail, he'd compleatly forgot the challenge was self improvement. traslation? Beverly was suposed to talk to each of them about what they need to change about themselves. This was clearly what the balloon was for, to keep them from running away. Beverly smiled her violet eyes scaning each of the people infront of her.

"over these past few weeks I've gotten to know you, your dreams, your hopes. your ideas of what a reationship should be. now we need to tackle, the eliphant in the room... your faults. its normal for people to have faults but today we're going to look at them and see how much you've grown from them." the contestants faces went white as they looked at eachother. Gordon spoke up a nervos look on his face.

" isn't this a privete thing?" Cypress looked at the group a erie smile on his face.

"Nothing here is privete." Rick sighed, he was right, as much as he wanted to deny it their were cameras every where. Even with the camraman gone, Rick was sure someone was still watching. Beverly's eyes looked at each of the guys. most of it went as expected, Mitch was critisized for his behavor, Jackson was critizied for his secrecy and how much he'd talk about his daughter. it wasn't long before her eyes fell on Chas who's frightened brown eyes said all as Beverly's wrath escaped her betuful godlike mouth.

"Chas," Chas' took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves as Beverly's stabed into his forehead.

"you seem like a very nice person... seem being the key word. you just seem kinda fake. I get the feeling you don't want to be here. their's also your voice." Chas looked at Beverly slightly taken back.

"whats wrong with my voice?"

"well, its just, you know, kinda pitchy, no, thats not the word... you know, puberty, that slidy thing guys voices do during puperty. thats what it sounds like and, its just not a good sound for you. it just dosn't match up." Chas looked at Beverly clearly hurt by the words. Rick looked between the two confused.

"I think his voice is beutiful." Beverly looked at Rick annoyed.

"oh, thats actully what I wanted to talkto you about. Rick, your a sweet guy but, sometimes you suger coat things to much. Like, I didn't want to say it, but your a compleate door mat. I don't mind it, I'm just worried your giving others around you false hope." The group looked at Rick baffuled.

"your joking right? I mean, seriously? Rick? he's a fallower, he fallows people." Mitch muttered Beverly pointed to Mitch.

"thats what I ment, theirs also, well the obvess." Beverly looked at Rick's stomach. Rick held back his desire to cry.

"I don't know you just, it dosn't seem like your actully trying." Rick felt his heart snap in two. Of course he wasn't good enough. Why did he think he was? because she hadn't kicked him off? she wasn't keeping him because she liked him. she only kept him on out of pity. Thats all any of this was, pity.

Thats why Noah didn't like him.

thats why Beverly spent so much time with him.

thats why Chas was so nice when they first met.

it was just pity, pure, honey covered pity. Gordon looked at Rick as he looked over the balloon's edge. Rick wondered if the fall was far enough to kill him. Gordon put a hand on Rick's shoulder looking at Beverly.

"your pathetic, you know that right." Beverly looked at Gordon almost suprised he said something.

"You have such a nice voice, I wish I could've heard it more. I know your just shy and I like you, but you always seem to be focused on other things. It hurts my feelings, like you'd rather focus on that book then me. you just don't know how to sociallize and, its kinda a bummer. thats really something you need to work on." Gordon's look became more stern as Beverly sipped her drink.

"I know, I've been working on it my WHOLE LIFE. I have problems with social interactions, you don't think I know that's a problem? You think you need to spell it out? lets talk about YOUR PROBLEMS. Because you seem to think you don't have any. You can be really judgementle. especilly when it comes to Rick. Heres a fun fact, he's been working harder then anyone else here to impress you and "fix himself". Its not just him eaither. I've seen how mean you've been to Chas and that thing with Brock, don't think any of us forgot about that! your a child Beverly, and imature, unstable child who dosn't understand bounderies and only focuses on herself. Thats your problem." Beverly looked at Gordon shell shock, the others had a simler look on their face. all except Mitch who looked horrified by Gordon's outburst. Beverly stared at Gordon unable to contomplate what just happened. Gordon took the shot glass chucking it back over the edge.

"you can't deny it can you, you know WHY? because everything I said is TRUE!" Beverly peered at the edge of the balloon her violet eyes turning a light pink as a look of murderous rage spred over her face. the driver looked at Beverly terrified.

"land the Balloon." she said softly Cypress hesitated as his eyes met Gordon's.

"I don't th-"

"LAND THE FUCKING BALLOON!" Beverly repeated more forcfully. Cypress brought the balloon closer to the ground Beverly pointed her perfectly manicured nail towards the trees around them. her eyes focused on Gordon.

"out, NOW!" Gordon smiled as he hopped out of the Balloon.

"Guess I'm walking, I'll see you guys later. " Gordon said way to calmly, Beverly looked at everyone in the balloon her beutiful face twisting into the monster Rick had seen on the balconey.

"anyone else?" The others shook their head scared of Beverly's wrath. gordon shruged as he disapeared into the trees. The rest of the trip was relitive silent, except for Beverly trying to lighten the mood. Rick did his best as he laughed at Beverly's jokes the fear inside of him consumed his thoughts though as he let out a small chuckled. Chas looked over the balloons edge.

"you guys think he's going to be okay." Beverly rolled her eyes.

"oh he'll be fine. Also I'm sorry you all had to see that, I don't know why he attacked me." The group looked between eachother knowingly as they forced themselves to smile.

"oh its alright, that wasn't very nice." Rick said Chas nodded his eyes still focused on the ground. Beverly laughed.

"I mean, he called me a child, A CHILD, I'm obvessly an adult." Rick chuckled slightly more unsure about Beverly's words. The lights of the fair apeared as Noah sat on the fairis wheel, he waved to the contestants as the fair began to shift and change. A paved road littered the fair grounds as an asortment of houses and restrants came into veiw. Rick looked at Beverly numb to the oddness of a town apearing out of nowhere. The Balloon landed Mitch hopped out of the Balloon quickly runing into the woods probly to vomit out the terror he had been experenceing. Noah smiled as he joined the group the cameras smothinging the five of them. Noah looked at the group a fake look of concern on his face.

"wheres Gordon?" Beverly sighed annoyed

"he was being mean so I kicked him out." Noah's cheery face seemed to grow.

"was he now? do you remember where you droped him off?" Beverly shrugged her shoulders.

"can I talk to you for a moment?" Noah looked around before nodding and turning to the group.

"well, don't just stand their, go enjoy yourselves. we'll colect you when the elimination begins." Noah and Beverly walked off leaveing a trail of unese behind them. Rick looked sadly at the nearby ice cream shop. Chas patted Rick's back smiling sadly.

"I'm sure he's fine, lets just go get ice cream." Rick smiled as he nodded, the group got their ice cream sitting themselves down on a bench outside the shop. Rick looked at Jackson

"so, about Shelly, you said all you knew was the guys messed up?" Jackson sigh puting his pastaion icecream in his mouth.

"yeah, if its who I think it is. Truth be told, Chelly was being stalked. It was awful, their were dead cats hung in trees, she'd find roaches in her backpack, and the weeds, those danmed weeds, they planted them everywhere, in the yard, the kitchen, it was a mess. one of thouse plants killed her beta fish, strangled the poor thing. I didn't even think you could stranggle a fish, its not pretty I'll say that. On the bright said I got costody of our kid, Shelly was scared the stalker would hurt her.I I tried to help, get the police involved. She told me it was her buisness."

"and you think this stalker, you know..." Chas asked a scared look in his eyes. Jackson nodded.

"I can't think of anyone else it could be. She went missing for a couple days, I tried calling her. she was scared, the guy with her, he was scared too. I asked if she was okay, She told me she was at work. That was the last time I heard her voice."Rick pated Jackson on the shoulder doing his best to confort the man. A rustleing came from the bushes behind them as a leaf covered Gordon made his way to the group.

"as expected, NO WOLVES!" Gordon said sucessfully. Rick looked at Gordon confused.

"The limo driver guy said the wolves moved right? well, I just explored that wholde area and not one wolf. lots of flowers, as expected, no wolves, not one. gotta admit I'm kinda disapointed." Jackson's eyes went wide with reaization.

"wait, man don't tell me you purously got kicked out of the balloon so you could see if their were actully wolves on the island." Gordon shruged

"that wan't the ONLY eason, I also wanted to get into Mitch's room whale no one was looking, eves drop on Noah to get more information, cheack for any more evidence of fowl play, ask Brock for a favor and cheack out the fair grounds."

"you did all that in the time it took to get here? are you even human dude." A seriosuse look came across Gordons face.

"I didn't want to admit it, but, you guys are the closest thing I have to freinds. I'm not exactly, easy to get along with you know? Someone's hurting people, and, I don't want them to hurt you guys, I don't want them to hurt Mitch... so we're gonna get out of here okay!" The group looked at Gordon touched and confused. Gordon pulled a flash drivee out of his pocket Rick looked iat it his eyes wide.

"is that..." gordon nodded hesitantly.

"Yep I've already seen whats on it... its bad, guys. Its worse then any of us thought. we need to get off this island, stat." Jackson looked at Gordon excited.

"Wait you FOUND it?" Gordon shook his head

"Brock said he saw a boat, sored under the docks, if we hurry-" Jackson looked at Gordon confused.

"hang on, we still need to find-" Gordon shook his head as he tried to stay calm. his hands slightly shaking as he looked at Rick

"She's gone, Jackson, this mess is way bigger then a missing persons case, we need to leave asap!" Jackson glared at Gordon fear hidden in his eyes.

"I'm not leaving till I find out where she is!" Gordon stuttered for a second he looked at his watch and sighed. He huged Jackson as he began crying.

"never mind, it's too late anyways." Gordon walked over to Rick pressing Athe flashdrive into his palm. Gordon looked at Rick seriosly.

"You need to see this, its going to be painful, its going to destroy you inside. but YOU HAVE TO. Promas you'll watch it." Rick looked around unsure before nodding. Gordon looked at Chas and Jackson.

"you all need to see this, this." Gordon covered his mouth suddenly swallowing before he continued.

"its under the cliff, by the palice. Go at night, and avoid the flowers." Jackson opened his mouth asumingly to ask a multitude of questions. His thought was quickly intrupted though as Noah aproached the group. Gordon went stiff as he looked at the smiling man.

"Gordon..." Noah pulled a small bottle out of his jacket a white substance sat int the tiny bag. Gordon looked at the bag terrified.

"one of our camera men found this by the stable, after some investigating, it seems like the substance in this bag may have been the cause of Mitch's injury." Rick looked at the bottle suprised. Mitch was never actully injured. he was fakeing Rick saw it, thats how he managed to jump on the horse. Gordon sighed tiaredly as though he expected this to happen.

"We also found the same substance in your room. I hope you understand what I'm saying. You broke the rules. drugging your compation? I thought you were better then that." Rick looked closly at the bottle relization dawned on him as he looked at it.

"where did you find that?"