Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter 25

Chapter TWENTY-FIVE

Autumn

Monday, 01/18, 2:42 P.M.

The Trials: Round Three, Day 8

What to write about....hmmm......well, nothing comes to mind, and it's no wonder, because I've literally been sitting in this tent doing "nothing" but staring at the light green canvas walls all around me for the past three days!!!

Needless to say, I'm going a little stir crazy. The first day was okay, because I pretty much slept most of the day and only woke up when someone brought me water to keep me hydrated or some fried fish to munch on. The next day I chose to write about everything I could remember about the attack. I even tried to sketch the "Jiger" (name I've decided to give the giant killer cat that stalked me, ambushed me and tried to kill me.) Though I'm not much of an artist, which was evident from the amount of pages crumpled up on the tent floor all around me.

On top of that, I've spent endless hours analyzing the poem and wondering who in the heck "Winter" is. I always quickly stash it away any time anyone comes into the tent, because I'm definitely not ready for the "Autumn has a secret admirer" convo with my family. Secretly, I can't help but feel its pretty romantic when I think about though, "If it wasn't for the beauty of Autumn, Winter would always be cold and lonely." (Uhhh, that's some serious courting poetry for this day and age, right?)

And since all I've had is time while I'm recuperating, I've spent countless hours investigating who I think it could be, and I've narrowed it down to three possible authors.....

First, I was thinking it could be Freddy. He hasn't really showed much interest besides treating my wounds. But, he could be the shy type and not comfortable putting his feelings out on display. He also did leave the tent shortly before Ryker came in with the note in hand saying he found it right outside the tent. Although, in the past three days I haven't gotten any flirtatious vibes, so it could just be circumstantial with the timing of when it happened, which is why I rank him at the bottom of the possibilities.

Then, I was thinking it could be Lance. I mean, we had just made up that night, and, once again, he reacted super bravely with the stun-gun on the deadly "Jiger" trying to save me. But even before that, the hug he gave me when we finally started talking again on the way to the grasslands.....Mmm, well it didn't exactly feel platonic, you know? My cheeks get a little warm just thinking about it.....(Anyways, back to the mystery poet.)

Finally, my third prospect would be Arris. This one I've based on pure speculation, because he also hasn't given me any indication that he has feelings for me. But that night at the waterfall when I leaned into him -- or whatever that was-- there really was an instant connection between us. We never once had an awkward moment when we were talking about everything. He also seems like he would be the wordsmith type that could come up with something deep and have a hidden passionate side. Lance and Freddy seem more the action types; whereas, I could see Arris doing something more subtle...like a poem.

Oh, I don't know! It's likely I'm reading too much into it in the first place. It's probably some big practical joke, like the scientists placed it there to get a reaction for the cameras, and it was only intended to stir up drama for the audiences watching at home. There might really be no one secretly pining for me at all here on the Mibhar Islands, but, then again, what if there is.....

Ugghhh, so you see this is why I'm tired of being stuck in this freakin' tent and thinking about all of this nonsense!! I would much rather be out exploring, helping out around camp or collecting food than be here stuck in my head, bored out of my mind, obsessing over who may or may not like me.....especially, when I've sworn off guys for the rest of the Trials, anyways! (WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME??)