Chapter 32

© Copyright 2013 by Elizabeth Delayne



Alani Corsivo stood by her co counterpart host, Bryson Lee, and welcomed both teams to the next challenge. Her long, dark hair had been pulled back into a loose braid that draped over her shoulder. In her arms she held her miniture terrior, her little companion that was never really far from her side, but usually off screen.

After welcoming both teams in a variety of ways that would be sorted through in the editing room, Bryson brought up the appearance of the dog.

“Well, it seemed fitting since today’s challenge is all about being in the dog house.”

“Ah,” Bryson mused. “Team Zeke is now even with Team Tyler.”

Alani nodded, ignoring the snort of laughter that came from Team Zeke’s side. “That’s right. And since team dynamics are based on the team as a whole, it could likely change the whole make up of strategy and team rolls. It’s going to be interesting to see how our teams make things work together now that they are without one.”

“Your challenge is simple,” continued Bryson. “You’re missing a companion, and who is man’s best companion?” He looked desparingingly at the dog in Alani’s arms, then gestured as two great danes were brought out to stand on either side of them.

“Now these,” he said as he petted the one to his right, “are dogs.”

She laughed. “To get your companion home, you need to get your team’s mascot his bone.”

“It’s capture the flag meets the dog house,” Bryson cut in, “Red team has the bone for the blue team and vice versa. You will each be given team flags to tuck in-not tie on. You will also be supplied with and a tank of water, pressure hose ... and two radios. Your water is also limited. So use it wisely.”

“Divide your teams, or should I say packs...”

Alana grimaced. “You really shouldn’t.”

“And get to the dog house.”

The gravity of the game, if there was any, was stripped as they repeated the openning two more times for the camera. By the time the teams were able to step back and confer, the sun was already rising toward noon, signaling that they would have lunch before the competition.

Thessa turned to her group, her eyes wide as she looked at the crate. “What is this?”

“A challenge,” Tyler said as he bent to open the crate that they had been standing around. It was empty. “It’s just for show. Our supplies must be in our camp.”

“How do we get there?” Felicity asked.

“It looks like we follow Jessica.” Tyler nodded toward the production assistant who waved them toward a path in the woods. “Let’s go.”



“Basic game of capture the flag-guard the home port, keep the other team away, and get your objective,” Tyler said as he handed out the flags.

“We only have five people,” Felicity said as she accepted her flags.

“So does the other team. We’re all going to have to make choices, re-evaluate as the game moves on. This could last for awhile.”

“Last time we were spread out, they went for our bricks,” George broke in. “It seems that they might do the same thing this time. Take our prize outside the boundaries. Hide it.”

Tyler frowned. “You’re right. And there were no rules for them to stop. We’ve got to get there as fast as possible.”

“This is going to get physical,” Tessa said as she tucked in her flag.

“It will if Zeke’s involved,” Tyler agreed and looked at Thessa. “You up for a little roughin’ up?”

She smiled. “Bring it on.”

He looked at the radios he held in his hand, turned them on and adjusted the signal. “Use channels four or twelve. If you get the feeling the other team’s listening in ... start reminiscing about Jamie. And change to the other station.”

He handed one radio to Felicity and the other to Thessa. “You’re fast Thessa. If you get a message, get to the rest of us. George, you and Felicity stay here. Man the home front, keep them from their prize. You okay with that?”

“Better than taking on a group of twenty-somethings in a game of tackle football out in the open.” He glanced at the water hose and tank. “We’re not supposed to hose them? That looks pretty powerful.”

“Not so bad, but not good strategy. You’ve got some shovels, too. Create a mud pit that will show them down. Keep it simple until you see them coming. Keep an eye on your water supply. It’s not going to stop them, but it will slow them down, maybe give us time to get back here.”

Felicity stepped away from the group, drawing Cameron with her. “You need to watch after Tyler.”

“You don’t think he could watch after himself?”

“I think ... if things get physical, Zeke will go for him. Or do something to make Tyler come after him. It’s just what he does. And Tyler’s been on edge since leaving Dallas. There’s a short fuse there. We can’t lose Tyler.”

“All right-“ Tyler called out. “It’s time. They’re about to sound the horn.



And the race was on. Jamie heard buzzer, then the other team scrambling. Suddenly, she felt the dog house she was inside of lift up, slamming her against the side.

She had no clue what was happening outside. What the rules were, what the plan was. She only knew she wasn’t supposed to let on she was inside.

She did know it wasn’t her team she was with.

The ride was rough, bumpy. She turned and stretched out her legs, bracing herself.

Then, the dog house was unceremoniously set down with a thump. She tumbled back, and she found herself on her back, staring up at the door. She pushed herself up and crossed her legs.

And waited.



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