Page 21 of Surviving Love
While our team had the lead in the beginning, Karangalan’s tribe was filled with skilled puzzle people. They moved ahead of us at one point, but then we regained the lead. I wasn’t able to relax until, hands shaking, Harold dropped the last puzzle piece into place and shouted, “I think we’ve got it, Shep.”
Shep ran over to check our puzzle, and then he grinned at our tribe. “The Matapang tribe have won the challenge!”
We jumped up and down, cheering and hugging with relief. Our tribe might have dominated at the swimming, but the puzzle making had been way too close. We’d squeaked in a win by mere seconds.
“Matapang won’t have to go to the Fire Council tonight, and not only that, but you’ve won a delicious meal too,” Shep said.
“What’s our food reward, Shep?” Mary called out. She was a fit, ex-marine in her sixties, with cropped silver hair.
Shep faced us, and the cameras circled him. “What would you say to some pepperoni pizza and ice-cold beer?”
The Karangalan tribe gave a collective groan of disappointment.
“Pizza and beer? I’d say hell yeah,” Rob yelled, high-fiving Luciano.
I felt bad for the other tribe, although I knew this was how the game was played. One team won and one lost, which meant they had to go to the Fire Council, where they’d vote someone from their tribe off the island.
“Your food is waiting for you back at camp, Matapang.” Shep turned to the other tribe and added, “And unfortunately, Karangalan, I have nothing for you. Time to head back to camp.”
Our camera crew followed us as we made our way back. The trip home seemed quicker, probably because we had food waiting for us. When we got to camp, we found four large pizzas and an ice bucket with bottles of beer and soda.
Everyone in the tribe grabbed pizza and a beverage, and we then settled around the fire. Harold and I ended up on the end of the group, and Jack was across from me, next to Sherry. Jack focused on eating, while Sherry talked to him quietly. He’d nod now and then, but he didn’t say much.
Harold said, “One of the producers said we’re going to have another challenge tomorrow.”
Some of the group groaned.
I frowned. “I thought they usually gave us a day between challenges to rest up?”
“They usually do. Supposedly a big storm is heading our way, and they might lose a few days of filming. They’re moving the schedule up so they can try to stay on track.”
“I see.” I pulled a crisp pepperoni off my slice of pizza and tossed it in my mouth. I watched as Sherry leaned in and put her hand on Jack’s arm. He smiled at her, and she seemed to buzz with excitement. It was obvious she found him irresistible, but I couldn’t tell what he thought of her. Was he simply working her for the benefit of his game, or did he actually like her?
Harold laughed and said softly, “Jack can really turn on the charm when he feels like it.”
“I wouldn’t know. He doesn’t bother trying to charm me.”
Harold sighed. “I’ll admit, you two had a rocky start.”
“To put it nicely.” I sipped my beer, still watching Jack and Sherry. I wasn’t quite sure why the way Sherry was throwing herself at Jack irked me. What did I care if the two of them hooked up? I should be in favor of it. Maybe if Jack got laid, he’d be less bossy.
Harold glanced around and lowered his voice. “We should sneak off while everyone is distracted and go look for a Protection Talisman.”
Surprised, I frowned. “You want to do that together?”
“Sure, then we could share it. Plus, we might have a better chance of finding it with two of us looking at once.”
“How would we share it?”
He rubbed his fluffy beard. “If one of us hears we’re going to be voted off, we can bring it with us to the Fire Council for protection.”
“I see.” Most of the time, people were blindsided at the Fire Council. Timing the use of the talisman might be difficult if I was sharing it. Besides, I had no real desire tosharea Protection Talisman with anyone. If I was lucky enough to find one, it was best to keep it secret. When people knew you had one, they often tried to vote you out of the game, just to flush the talisman out.
“What do you say?” Harold nudged. “Think we can sneak off without anyone noticing?”
“Not easily. I’m sure people will notice because a camera guy will follow us.”
“I can ask him to be discreet.”
