Bookview Valley 4

Chapter Eight: Elimination

June 15th, Saturday

The air is filled with a chilled silence. Everyone is anticipating what will happen in the next couple of moments. Fear spreads through all of us as we wait and wait. The fire is cackling in the hearth that's set at the far end of the room. Some of us are spread on the couple of sofas, some on the carpets, but many standing in huddled groups. This is the moment, the beginning, the end, and it's taking way too long.

I huff a sigh of impatience, "I wish they'd hurry up already."

"What if we get sent home?" Ben questions, "You're really ready to find that out?"

"It's not like taking longer will stop the inevitable," I point out.

"She's right," Harper nods, "They need to hurry up." 

Finally the chosen six come to stand before us in front of the warm fire. All of our heads are turned to them as they each hold a single slip of paper. It's like the whole room is holding their breath.

"These six have chosen a single person each from their group that will be going home. They will be announcing their chosen person one by one. If your name is called please come stand to the side by me; I'll be giving you instructions on what to do next," Director Lockewood says as he stands to the far right of the room. I know everyone's eyes have just skittered over to him; mine definitely have. His salt and pepper hair is perfectly in place, and his black eyes are trailing over all of us; not a single glimpse of sympathy can be seen, "Cheryl please go first."

Cheryl steps out of the line that forms the chosen six and her eyes skim over the paper in her hand. She takes a steady breath, pushes her red braid over her shoulder, and eyes us with confidence. This can't be easy for them either.

"From my group, the Eager Beavers, I have chosen to eliminate...Ruth Reagans. She was the least willing to participate in Capture the Flag, and she managed to get her teammates out in Dodgeball. I'm sorry Ruth, but we're sending you home," Cheryl seems to remain calm and collected as she announces this. I can hear some commotion not too far from me and figure it's probably Ruth and her friends. We all watch silently as the girl, I'm assuming is Ruth, strides over to Director Lockewood. He bends down to whisper to her, but she seems pretty pissed.

Cheryl steps back into the line and the next guy steps forwards. His black hair sticks out in a couple places and his green eyes are wide, kind of like a deer in headlights. His hands are both holding the wavering paper.

"I'm James from the Outstanding Octopus group, and I have chosen to eliminate...Jace Lienurs," He goes on to say more, but I tune him out as I get a glimpse of Rachel. She spots me and gives me a relieved smile. I guess she's from his group. I return the smile and a little wave.

"This is so harsh," Harper whispers next to me, causing me to jump, "I'm just glad Cheryl didn't pick me."

"I forgot you were in her group," I sigh in a hushed tone, "I'm really glad you didn't get picked either." Bri nods in agreement with me, giving Harper's hand a little squeeze.

"I'm Mari from the Slithering Snakes and I've chosen to eliminate..." We hold our breath, my eyes are fixed on Flynn and Sebastien. They're in this group and if one of them have to go home this would be devastating, "Lisa Buerns."

Our small group seems to let out the biggest breath. Nick's hand gives my arm a reassuring squeeze as Flynn and Sebastien hug each other. Bri shakes her head, "That was way too close."

"We'll be great counselors," Flynn waves her off.

"I'm Max from the Brave Bears and I've chosen to eliminate..."

"Please not Tom," I hear Bri mutter under her breath.

"Jane Hemswin." Bri lets out a sigh of relief and looks like she's about to jump for joy. I watch her scan the crowd then give Tom a thumbs up. They're so cute. I really hope this works out for her.

"I'm Paige from the Loyal Wolves and I've chosen to eliminate..." Our breaths are held again. This is it. I find out if I'm going home or not. Well, I guess, if we're all going home or not. Nick gives my arm another squeeze, and I pull his hand into mine, "Stacy Cooper. Not only was she not fully willing to participate, but she was cruel to her teammates and helped the opposing team."

I almost laugh, "Serves her right." Paige's eyes find me and she gives me a wink. Part of me feels like Paige won't eliminate me, even if I was really bad at the games. Maybe she feels like it's her duty, since she dated my brother once, but she owes me nothing. I'm still very grateful.

"I'm Parker from the Rowdy Ravens and I've chosen to eliminate B.O.B." There's not even a pause for breath holding. No suspense or anything. He just straight up gave us the answer. Parker's grey eyes trail over us with the sense of boredom, they land on me for a second. Our eyes hold, he gives me a smirk, and then continues to glance around before continuing his speech, "Not only does she have a weird name and insist I add on 'the llama' at the end of it, but she's also sarcastic and mean."

Weird, but I ignore the rest of his speech as my eyes find my friends. We're all almost vibrating with joy. We made it; we survived! As the speech winds down and Director Lockewood walks to the front, our excitement has calmed.

"I know all of you who were chosen to stay are probably over the moon happy right now, but don't forget...there are a couple more of these before you're set for the summer," Director Lockewood's words hold menace, but I can't help still being happy.

"He's a buzzkill," Flynn hisses, and we all let out our laughs.

"Alright, alright," Director Lockewood holds his hands up, "Everyone please make your way back to the rooms. We have a full day ahead of us tomorrow."

My eyes trail over to the six people that are leaving tonight. Stacy's eyes find mine and she gives me the ugliest scowl. Serves her right, she could've been nice. I turn away from them and follow my friends up the stairs. This is going to be a long summer.

. . . . .

Later that night...

It's already been a couple hours since the big announcement and everyone's gone to sleep. Well, almost everyone. A single figure slips through the shadows and finds their way up the many stairs to the attic. The door creaks open and they creep inside.

"You're very noisy," A voice says when the figure closes the door behind them.

"How have you managed?" The figure asks.

"Fine," the voice seems upset as they hide on a couch, facing the window that shows out into the forest, "but for once could you bring me hot food? I had to eat a cold hot dog. Do you know how disgusting that is?"

"I'm sorry, but I'd really rather not get caught."

"Oh, I'm sure," The voice growls, turning around the face the figure.

"Are your eyes real?" The figure asks, crossing their arms as they stand in the shadows.

"Of course my eyes are real," The voice snaps.

"Violet just seems like an odd color to be natural," The figure shrugs, "It's uncanny how much you look like him."

"Do you have a plan?" The voice changes the subject.

"Yes. Are you ready to hear it?"

"More than ready, my knife is itching to be used."

"I'm sure it is, Erin," There's disgust in the figure's voice, but they sit down next to Erin Quinn, and they tell her their plan.