From Russia With Love

Berries

Chapter Two

Berries

Eventually we all had settled around the fire pit and the host, a young man with short hair and dark eyes, explained to us the rules.

We had no communication with the outside world, and we had to survive the winter. The winners would split the money.

If anyone decided they wanted off the show, they could push a button to call for a helicopter to come pick them up. They had to be certain, though, because once they crossed a line drawn into the grass near the button, they would be eliminated no matter what.

The camera men and crew had a separate camp and wouldn't be taping us at night.

We were to get busy setting up camp right away.

The host left, leaving us with several cameramen.

We ended up dividing into groups; the men either gathering wood to start a fire or fishing, the women looking for food.

Irene and Sabina set off looking for places to hunt, Natalie and Esther searched for mushrooms, which left Annie and I to find berries.

"Do you know anything about berries?" she asked me.

I shrugged. "Not really. I don't even know what kinds of berries grow here."

Annie laughed a little. "Neither do I."

"Do you have any idea where we should look? Do you think they might grow by some sort of water?"

Annie nodded. "That's a good idea. We can go look around the lake."

"I think I've found some berries," Annie said, examining a large bush.

"You think?" I chuckled.

"No, I have."

I knelt beside her. "Do you think these are safe to eat?"

Annie shrugged. "We could ask someone."

"Do you want to stay here? I can run over and get Daniel from his fishing."

Annie nodded.

I walked to the edge of the lake where Sam and Daniel were fishing.

"Do either of you know anything about berries?" I asked.

"A bit," Daniel said.

"Come with me."

I led him to Annie, and he examined the berries as well.

"They're safe to eat," he said, popping a berry into his mouth.

"Thank you," Annie smiled, before Daniel returned to fishing.

Annie took her black hoodie off and we used it like an apron to carry as many berries as we could.

We were the first back to camp, so we sat in front of the girls' cabin and snacked on berries.

"I like your accent. Where are you from?" Annie asked suddenly.

"Sweden. Stockholm."

"Is it nice there?"

"It's very lovely. Sweden's a wonderful country."

"I actually would really like to visit," Annie confessed.

"Hey, if you need a place to crash," I laughed.

Annie smiled at me. "Your laugh is so cute."

I could feel myself blushing. "Thank you," I managed to say.

After a moment of silence I asked, "Are you from America?"

Annie nodded. "New Orleans."

"Oh, I'd love to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras," I gushed.

Annie smiled. "It's great."

She looked like she had something she really wanted to say, but just then Sabina and Irene approached us, asking if we'd found any berries.

"Yeah," Annie said, forgetting whatever she'd wanted to tell me and gesturing to the berries nestled in her jacket.