Deal Breakers

Round 8

Today was the day, Peter and I would walk out of here winners or losers, and honestly no matter the outcome I could not wait to leave this godforsaken campground. For the final round, we were all provided with matching outfits. My blue shorts with red trimming hung a little loose around my waist, while the blue shirt with a huge red DB on the chest was tighter than need be. A large yellow number five was on the back of our eyesore attire. Cabin five. That's all we were; if we lost, that would be all we remembered from this experience.

I was pulled from my impending feeling of doom by the van coming to a halt, my body jerking forward and my face almost making contact with the headrest in front of me. The nine of us were all quiet, the silence was not awkward but like a warm blanket over all of us as we arrived at our destination. Peter and I were the last out of the bus because we'd chosen to sit in the back, we hadn't spoken much since yesterday. Something about the way Peter looked at me when Chase walked away was telling, like he knows more than I think he does.

Today's round was a massive obstacle course, we'd gotten the memo in an unfamiliar handwriting. When we cleared out of the bus, I was in awe. When they said giant obstacle course they weren't kidding.

twenty tires lined up, waiting to be run through. A tall wall made of blonde wood, with handles for climbing, and tunnels to climb through that looked like bobbed wire was lining the inside.

I winced at the thought. I hope that isn't real bobbed wire.

Past the tunnels was a running track, which I assumed would be like a handoff for our partner to run. Passed the track were glass tanks filled with a thick red substance that looked a lot like blood or red Kool-Aid, somewhere in the tanks was a key to the giant metal shipping containers near the finish line. The memo explained that the first team to get their key, unlock the correct box, and take the item inside passed the finish line would be crowned winner of the first-ever season of Deal Breakers.

"Whoa," escaped Peter's lips as he took it all in, his mind racing with thoughts. If I knew Peter at all, I knew he was thinking it all through, each obstacle and the best plan of attack. I nodded in agreement with his amazement, it was something to see. 

"This is bigger than the one with the swimming," Jacob said to Timothy who was also taking in the massive structures.

"I wonder," Timothy said in his thick accent. "Has this always been here?"

Samantha and Jacob shrugged in response.

The camera crew was waiting at the starting line, Todd in his usual white shirt and suit jacket. I could not understand how he wore that in this blazing heat. Today was a hot one, the sun was beaming down on us so closely I could probably cook an egg on top of my head.

"Everyone, line up for the opening," Diana ordered us from her chair beside Oscar. It was strange seeing them after I overheard their fight yesterday. I wondered if they'd end up getting divorced or if this was something that happened a lot between them.

As we lined up behind Todd in our matching uniforms it was like we were once again about the enter the Hunger Games, the final game. The DBs were not in the shot, I found that interesting. They must already be getting ready to sabotage us, which brought a heavy ache to my stomach. This course looked hard enough, what exactly would they be doing to make it worse?

"Hi, I'm Todd Thomas and this is Deal Breakers. Tonight is the final round, one couple will be going home with a hundred grand, while the other two teams leave with nothing but the shame of losing."

"Harsh," I whispered. I wouldn't say losing is going to make me feel shameful, but sure it would hurt.

Jesus, Todd.