From Broken Branches to New Roots

Chapter Eight: Lost Thoughts

It had already been a few hours since Oliver spilled the tea about the condition Kristal gave him. She didn't get into his face about it. She was actually understanding and it of course inspired her to do things like this more often. It means complete and utter chaos for each contestant trying to jump back into the competition by being nice to everyone's favorite demon child.

Oliver wasn't surprised when she brought up that reason. He knew it was just a matter of seconds for the gears in her head to turn towards that idea.

"What about Karol and Lill? They're still participating right?" He asked.

"Why of course Oliver, they're still secure in their spots. We're just going to watch everyone else squirm to earn their place back into the competition." She smirked evilly.

Oliver knew he shouldn't have left her to hang out with Derek, he was really pushing her in the wrong direction.

"Err, alrighty, I'll get back to working on the other set pieces for next week's episode." He left the tent immediately. As he walked past Derek, who was grinning and excited for his next big idea to share with Kristal. This wasn't going to end well.

Meanwhile with the campers just arriving back to the camp grounds, everyone returned to their areas. Ashley and Jake spoke to one another as Ally said goodbye to Tess for that moment. She noticed her teammates making their way back.

"Hey wait up guys!" She claimed, rushing towards them.

Both Ashley and Jake turned to her direction.

"Oh hey Ally, we were just talking about you." Ashley smiled.

"Good or bad?"

"Good, we've got something in store that'll help us all make our way to the merge."

"Oh?" Ally seemed curious.

The two began explaining their new friendship with Grett.

"So, you think Grett might join us?" Ally looked at the two.

Jake nodded his head.

"Yeah, I believe so, we just have to be nice and maybe she might realize her alliance with the villains might not go well."

Ally crossed her arms, a little confused.

"But guys, you're forgetting one thing." Ally began. "Just because she's having a hard time with Yul, doesn't mean she's having problems with the others, right?"

Jake looked at Ally.

"You're right, but think about how they're doing so far." He told her. "If they lose one challenge, then they'd have to vote for each other out, which would be difficult considering they're an alliance."

"Jake's right, there's only so far those four will make it for the merge." She nodded her head. "Besides, if we find a totem of some kind, we'll be able to either spare of them, which in this case it'd be Grett."

Ally listened, continuing to walk.

"Uh-huh."

"I even overheard Kristal and the others talking about an advantage that could vote two people out."

Jake looked at them.

"You think that's possible."

"Yes sirree," Ashley said with a nod. "Derek was suggesting it be three, but Kristal talked him down to two."

"If we find a totem like that we could get rid of two of the toughest competitors." Ally said out loud.

"Exactly." Ashley said proudly. "We just gotta stick together and make it another few rounds."