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“Need the confessional Sam?” One of the assistants asked as she began setting up the camera.
“Yeah, if you don't mind,” he said, placing down the extra sticks of bamboo he was gathering for their shelter on the ground. He took a seat on the tree stump that served as a makeshift seat and waited for the okay to start. He discretely stared at the complimentary water cooler that only staff can drink from and tried not to let the envy show on his face.
“If I did, I wouldn't be here,” she joked. The other camera crew members around her chuckled.
“Heh. You’ve got a point there.”
“Alright, you're good to go!” she said, shooting up a thumbs up and walking away with the rest of the crew. It was a small courtesy that they left so it wouldn't be as nearly as awkward for the contestants to do their daily monologuing. Although, Emily probably would’ve said it made the footage feel more raw. Yeah, the big fancy studio camera shoved into his face definitely gives raw.
Sam cleared his throat. “Seriously, what is it with Ren and climbing? This is the second time now and today it was over an hour! The view up there can't be that interesting,” he put on a sly smile for the camera, “unless there was something up there.”
He laughed to himself. “Doing it in plain sight is ballsy. I bet he thinks she’s slick trying to snoop around, but they're gonna have to do better than that. Looks like I can't catch a single break,” he sighed.
He’s about to divulge into a possible plan of action before he hears some commotion from outside. It sounded like it came from the direction of his camp. He picked up the bamboo sticks, dropping a couple in his haste before gathering them all up and left the confessional area to the fan’s sad excuse of a shelter.
“一It’s ‘cause I'm always expecting people like you!” Damn, looks like he was only able to catch the tail end of the conversation. He slowed down to a halt and watched the scene before him. He could see Dunia walking off into the forest the opposite direction of where he was coming from. Just then, a lone cameraman jogged up to her, trying not-so-subtly to guide her towards the direction of the confessional. The glare she shot at him was enough to scare him into thinking she’d cast a curse on him if he didn't drop it. She crossed her arms and continued to stomp off.
No one looked his way yet and he used the opportunity to waltz right onto the campsite as though he wasn't eavesdropping.
“Hey guys, I uh, got the bamboo…” he trailed off, pretending to only just now notice the tense expressions on everyone’s faces.
“Oh! Thanks Sam… really appreciate it. I’ll… I'll help you chop them up! Y-yup!” Bruno awkwardly laughed and tried to look anywhere but at Nura. Hm.
He looked around himself and narrowed his eyes. “Wasn't Dunia here before I left?” he asked innocently, pointing his finger from side to side. He made sure to throw in a touch of concern into his voice for good measure.
Bruno blanched at her name and Nura for the first time had an expression that wasn't complete disinterest in everything and everyone around her.
“She went out for some air…” she lied, guilt stricken on her face.
‘We’re outside, we’re surrounded by air,’ he almost snarked.
“Huh. That’s odd.” Her face twisted deeper with guilt. She held onto her arm, dragging it up and down.
Yeah, this was definitely her fault. Serves her right for being an ass the entire time she’s been here. It would’ve happened sooner or later, I just didn't expect Dunia of all people…
“Well when she’s ready to come back she’ll do just that, but this shelter isn't going to build itself! Bruno?” he said in a chipper voice just to rub more salt on the wound.
“L-lead the way!” Bruno quickly said, eager to get out of the stressful situation Sam was pretty sure he accidentally found himself in the crossfires of.
He left Nura to stew in the consequences of her own actions and used to the monotonous task of cutting bamboo to think.
What was the last straw for Dunia? Nura would vehemently argue against it if he said it aloud, but he viewed her as he did Ara and Finn, just people who were overly rude for no reason. He could almost roll his eyes. For a group of fans, they should know better that your social game was crucial if you wanted to get far. Neither of those three were doing themselves any favors in that regard and it didn't help that none of them were particularly strong challenge wise either.
So honestly, it could’ve been a number of things that would’ve tipped Dunia over the edge. Although this could provide for a great opportunity for himself. It would do the team no good if she was caught up in whatever Nura said to her, but if he had a chance to talk to her, perhaps cheer her up, not only will she be back in good spirits, but he’ll grow closer to her and potentially gain himself an ally…
Simple plan, yet it'll yield great results. She’d be good to invest in. Dunia showed herself to be a great team player the first challenge and charming at that. Minus those who shot themselves in the foot socially, she seemed to get along with pretty much everyone, much like himself. Not only that, deepening the rift between them basically assured him an easy vote down the line. Now whether he can execute his plan is another story. Best to prepare before he actually speaks with her.
“Hey, Bruno?”
“Yes?”
“I noticed earlier, things seemed a little…” he trailed off, letting Bruno figure out the rest.
“Oh, that. Yeah. Things got wayyy more than a little heated.” He waved his hands around and ducked his head down to continue speaking. “Nura talked about how we all had,” he held up his hands to do air quotations, “‘brand identities that made us feel special,’ and Dunia didn't like that at all. Said that this was serious for her and it was her religion,” he said in a hushed whisper, his hand cupped around the side of his face to look more discrete.
One of the few things he appreciated about Bruno was how freely he gave out information. That and he was practically a walking textbook on all the previous contestants, which was a match made in heaven for him. He definitely earned himself a place in his good graces by willingly listening and encouraging his many rather one-sided fan discussions. Their stay hasn’t been long, but he already has a much better grasp on all the other colorful characters he’s trapped here with.
“‘This’ being?”
“Her being a witch.”
“Ah, I see. Well, I don't really get that angle, that’s just who she is,” he tried to put it lightly. It honestly made no sense to him, if that were the case, why would Dunia pick something that’s so easily looked down upon and ridiculed to “feel special?” It was completely backwards if you asked him.
“That’s what I was thinking! And I don't know how being a personal assistant would make me feel special either. Like it’s a hard job! But I only talk about it because一”
The problem with Sam was that he could get bored very easily when people talked to him, but at the same time he needed to focus in case they actually said something that could be useful. This game especially, small anecdotes of their personal lives could come in handy down the line, but he won't know until the time comes. Thus, he had to listen to as much as people would offer him, which in Bruno’s case was a lot, and hoped he didn't waste space in his mind for nothing.
So Sam had to balance listening to Bruno talk animatedly about how his boss borderline abuses him as he thought over Dunia’s plight.
So that’s what’s bothering you… She probably has to deal with people all the time about her job. He can admit he doesn't really “get it” either, but it’s not like it’s his life. This should be easy enough, let her vent out her frustrations, agree with everything that she says, and they’re back in business.
He should let her have time to herself first though. If she left because she needed space, then he shouldn't interrupt that lest he makes things worse. He might not even have time to anyways, Emily’s probably gonna call them all down for today’s challenge any minute now.
“Hey everyone! Filming’s gonna start in half an hour! Follow me down to the challenge area!” An assistant said before promptly walking away, fully expecting them to drop everything and follow, which yeah fair, what was there to do on a deserted island?
Honestly, it’s a strategic move from a television aspect; don't give them any time to talk it out like normal people and let the emotions fester until it all comes crashing down. Maximized drama which equals maximized profit, simple. From a competitive aspect, not so much, Sam’s not particularly in the mood for a meltdown or argument mid-challenge. Some people were here to win after all.
Welp, here’s to hoping we can turn this game around.
That was too close for his liking. Without Bruno serving as Manu’s confidence boost, they could’ve potentially lost. Which is almost unbelievable to Sam, the favorites got slowed down back to back in the first half. But best not to linger on the what-ifs.
Happy face, Sam. Happy face.
He was still catching his breath, but he forced himself to crack a smile after hearing Emily declare their victory.
He walked towards the end of the cart where Manu was celebrating. “That’s our MVP, that was awesome.” He raised his hand up, expecting a high five in return. “Hey, can I ask what do you to wo一” Suddenly, he was caught up in an all encompassing hug, even being lifted slightly with his sandals dangling off his heels. He felt all the air leave out of him. He did not like sweat or musk mixing, at least not now. He was hoping if he had to get more physical, it’d be a manly chest bump.
He schooled his shock expression and grinned at Manu. “You trying to show off? C’mon man, put me down,” he laughed, toying the line between joking and commanding.
Manu let out a full bellied laugh and eventually put him down. “Oh no man! It’s all thanks to short stuff up there!” Bruno always seemed to have a perpetual blush across his cheeks, but they deepened further at his compliment.
“Me? Nooo, I’m just standing here!” He looked away, a hand on his cheek, the other fanning up and down.
“How about this, you both did great today,” Sam supplied helpfully, shooting them a double thumbs up. He really was being genuine. Bruno was a great cheerleader and he understood the importance of proving your worth in a team unlike others. And Manu had the brawns without trading off too much brain, but just enough for someone like Sam to come in and influence him without having to break too much of a sweat.
Satisfied with himself, he deemed himself done here, and went on with the next interaction. His jaw stiffened realizing what he had to do next, it was fast enough that even the cameras wouldn't even catch it, and looked down at Evie. She was still whining on the ground. His eyes hardened for a second after a particularly loud sob, before softening.
He bent down on one knee, meeting her at eye level, or sunglasses level. “Oh Evie, cheer up! We made it! You made it! And in those heels too, you should be proud of yourself,” he said, forcing himself to be in awe. He felt like he was talking to a five year old and not someone who could be his… grandmother. The work on her face made it hard to tell.
It did help slightly that he actually found it impressive to run in heels. He had to do it once for a fantasy football punishment. He did not do well.
She sniffled rather pathetically, but her hiccups seemed to be few and far between now. If only he had a handkerchief in his pocket, it would’ve been a perfect scene. His next best option was to stand up to his full height and stretch out a hand to her. He gave her a soft smile and she returned it, although with some snot in her nose.
“You're right Sam! Thank you so much! I really needed to hear that. Whoo! Take that!” Who she was talking to now, he had no idea but he wished she’d stop. She was too close to his ear to be hollering like that. She took his hand and he felt pride rumble in his chest when he lifted her up with ease. Although, he might’ve overshot her weight and it worked a bit too well as she fell forward onto him, but he caught her easily.
“Oh! Sorry一but also not sorry! You are solid!” Evie giggled as though she was still in her twenties, the hands on his chest splaying themselves. Oh how he wished this was a woman in her twenties clinging on him, or literally anyone else.
He chuckled, a little deeper than usual to feed into the fantasy. “Glad you’re feeling like yourself again, Evie.”
He really, really wanted to roll his eyes, but there were too many people around. He could roll them all he wanted when he was alone, but he still had one more interaction to squeeze in and he’d better do it fast. The fans’ cheers were dying down and one by one those in the cart began to climb out.
“Out of the way! Coming through,” Finn announced as though he was directing a stage. He and Ara jumped out first, huffing and puffing over doing the slightest of effort. They patted away the invisible dirt from their clothes before walking off to Emily. Ren did a dramatic flip to the ground that garnered a round of applause from the people that cared, plus Sam. Manu dared Bruno to jump out into his arms and eventually, the only people who were left were Dunia and Nura. He watched Nura reach her hand out, about to land on Dunia’s shoulder to grab her attention.
Before her mouth could open, Sam pounced first. He thrusted his own hand out. “Need a hand, milady?” She opened one eye to peer down at him and smiled. He knew he got her.
Because how can a lady refuse?
She wordlessly threw her legs over the ledge, and let herself fall into his arms. He kept her there, enjoying her warmth. “Why thank you,” she purred.
“No, thank you.” He had saved the best for last.
He turned around before he let her down. She had closed her eyes once more and he allowed the sleeziest smirk he had in his arsenal to spread across his face. He couldn't help it, just imagining the disappointment on Nura’s face, the chance of making amends with Dunia being “mistakenly” ripped away from her was just too good not to revel in.
“You look like you caught the canary,” Dunia observed, but when Sam looked at her, she still had her eyes closed.
“Who wouldn't be? We’re sending one of the favorites packing.” He gave a friendly pat to Dunia’s back as they began walking lest they be scolded by an assistant. “Good job pulling up the cart by the way, I know it must’ve been so haaaaaard with Ara and Finn all up in your ear,” he said in a strangely good impression of Ara.
Dunia was easier to compliment, he didn't have to play it up nearly as much and doing so would’ve made her more wary than if he didn't. And perhaps it was easier because he got to throw in a little dig to boot. It was fine, Dunia didn't seem like the type to snitch anyways.
She laughed. “And they think they can win the million!” He laughed as well, not at her joke necessarily, but at the idea that anyone here who wasn't him thought they were walking away with the million.
He made sure to stand in between her and Nura as Emily gave her wrap up speech for the challenge.
Sam chatted with Dunia most of the way back, but he also made his rounds chatting up the rest of the fans. When they arrived back at camp, he found that Dunia had pulled a disappearing act, being nowhere to be found.
“Hey guys,” he projected his voice out towards his fellow teammates. “I'm gonna go find food while you guys continue the shelter?” He got a chorus of muttered approval before he added, “I was thinking crab?” The chorus got louder and took that as the okay to go.
He shot a happy thumbs up, nodded and jogged off in a random direction, hoping to find Dunia. He listened for the sound of another person’s footsteps as he looked out for ingredients he could possibly use for dinner. The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and while no matter what he made would’ve been mediocre due to their circumstances, he was sure they’d appreciate the effort.
He was thinking… bamboo shoot salad with crab? It was more of an appetizer in his opinion, but asking for something that’d actually be filling was stupid here. Maybe he could catch more seafood to make up for the lack of protein. Or maybe at that point he should just have skewers as another dish, opting for quantity rather than quality.
He was getting lost in thought before the sound of grass rustling that wasn't from his own footsteps drew his attention back to the world around him, zeroing in on Dunia. Her back was facing him as she was rummaging through a pile of rocks. He was standing relatively far away, so he took a moment to observe her.
He watched as she’d pick one up, examine it for a second with a hum before throwing it behind her. All the ones that seemed to keep her interest were flattened and on the longer side. She stopped searching, but remained slouched over.
“I told you already, I'm fine,” she gritted out into the air, her voice devoid of her usual warmth.
He jumped the highest he’s jumped yet and he’s only two challenges in. He might be on track for a heart attack like Miriam at this rate, only this time real.
“How the fuck did you…?”
She turned around, his anger quickly shifting into shock at the sight of him instead of who he assumed she thought was Nura. “Oh Sam it’s you, I'm sorry, did I make you live up to your name, scaredy cat?” she giggled, her defenses going back down again.
He couldn't help the twinge of satisfaction he felt when her expression softened, ignoring the insulting name for now.
He walked towards her in quick strides since he’d been caught snooping. “I was out looking for bamboo shoots and hopefully some herbs to use for dinner tonight. It’s a little hard, I'm used to seeing them sprayed in light, periodic mist usually. Oh and next to the prepackaged salads.” He flashed her an easy smile.
She laughed at his joke. “Well you found me out here gathering for my altar.”
“Really? Huh, cool. You know… I'm not too good at telling a patch of grass from parsley, you wouldn't happen to know would you?” Witches used that kind of stuff right? It was a harmless assumption and if anything, it displayed his interest in her craft.
“I think you know the answer to that.” He felt strangely relieved she wasn't offended. He shouldn’t act like he needed to walk on eggshells around her, she only got rightfully upset when her buttons got pushed.
“Do I?”
“You do, but if you need to hear it so badly, you're looking at a proud owner of an extensive garden! Sage, basil, St. John’s Wort, for all your intention needs! And the occasional recipe meant for human consumption.” He smiled at her behavior, a genuine one. People easily stepped into the “annoying” category when they got overly ecstatic. It made him sound like a grouch, but he simply believed in behaving appropriately in certain situations, but she had a good energy about her.
He shot her with a finger gun. “I knew I could count on you. And as a fair trade off how about I help you out with your altar? Tell me what I need to look for and I'll do my best.”
“Are you trying to be my familiar or my apprentice?”
“What? No, neither, I'm trying to get a discount on your services for when I'm in a bind.”
She straight up cackled and he held his tongue about her having her own witch’s laugh. “What kind of trouble do you get into that you’d need a witch’s help?”
He knew the question was coming, but he still didn't have an answer for it. But he didn't allow the moment to get quiet, he quickly filled the air with a practiced laugh. “Nothing yet, but you never know so, explain away!”
She told him the basics of what’s needed for an altar, including the representations of the four elements among other essentials. They found some good contenders, but nothing quite seemed to be ‘the one’ as she called it. Occasionally, she’d point out herbs for him to harvest along the way and mention their uses for her own work. Overall, it was pretty interesting, it reminded him of the stories his parents told him about witchcraft they came across before they moved to the states and had him. He told her as much.
Her eyes seemed to sparkle as he engaged with her seriously and he wondered to himself how many people in her life took her work seriously. An odd feeling of anger rose in his chest, imagining if people made fun of his own job, to be trivialized on a daily basis. He tossed the thought to the side. It was stupid to compare the two of them, he had a presentable job, a job you actually had to wake up on time and prepare for or else you’d have someone up your ass about it.
Dunia probably got to be her own boss and make her own schedule, which consisted of not much he assumed. Must be nice, but at the same time, he would’ve gone crazy without a hint of struct一
“You okay?” she asked suddenly, her brows slightly furrowed in concern. Damn it, she caught him. He made a mental note to always stay in the moment with her. He had a good poker face, ask his coworkers, and could usually think the exact opposite of what he was saying or doing and get away with it, but apparently not with her.
“Huh? Yeah I'm fine,” thinkthinkthink, “actually I was hoping to ask you that question myself. You left pretty fast after the challenge.” It was more direct than he would’ve liked by a long shot, but it was what he came up with on quick notice. He should've popped the question way earlier in the conversation, but he guessed it never came up naturally. But he reasoned that he couldn't just shoehorn it in, she would’ve gotten suspicious.
She seemed taken aback by the question. “Well, the altar isn't going to make itself now is it?” she weakly joked. She was going to take a bit more effort to crack it seemed. He thought she’d just spill out all her troubles for him, but on second thought, it made sense. She hid away in the first place, why lay it all out on the table just because he asked?
So he was presented with two choices, drop the subject like she wanted or continue to pry. Unfortunately, he knew himself well enough about which option he’d choose.
He crossed his arms. “But to drop off the face of the planet? You disappeared earlier too.” He tried to strike a balance between firm and worried. He needed it to sound like it was coming out of a place of sincerity.
He watched her eyes dart off to the side and back at him, considering whether or not she should confide in him. “I… It’s just,” she sighed, “I needed to be alone.” She stared off to the side at the ground below them. At least someone at an ounce of self preservation around here.
He said nothing, drawing his eyebrows together and continued to stare at Dunia. He could tell she was uncomfortable with the newfound silence and looked up to meet his gaze. Thoughts swirled inside those deep green eyes. She let the silence draw on a moment more before she sighed, deflating in defeat. “You wouldn't get it.”
Now we’re getting somewhere. “Try me.”
“Really? The boy with a nice, fancy office job thinks he can get a tarot reading witch?”
It was like deja vu hearing his own thoughts repeated back at him. “You got me there,” he raised his hands up in surrender, “but it wouldn't hurt to talk about it.” Also she thought his job was fancy? When he talked about it during their first night in the cave, he didn't think he gassed it up that much. He guessed it showed how different their worlds are.
“You're not that close to me.” Shit, he went too far. He felt his heart drop for a second before he saw one side of her lips quirk up. “But you're not going to let this go, are you?”
He let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. “Nope,” he said, popping the p.
Her smile didn't grow like he expected, instead she grimaced, assumedly remembering the events that transpired earlier today.
“It’s Nura. You’d think by the time you're staring down the barrel of thirty, you’d know when to keep your mouth shut, but I guess not.”
Fuck, he really wanted to burst out laughing, but anger in her voice told to hold off on it. He didn't know she had it in her, shame on him. “What’d she do?”
“Act like what I do is some fucking joke.” Instead of stepping over a rock, she kicked it.
“I don't think she’s in a position to do that.”
“No, she isn't. No one is in a position to comment on my life,” she said bitterly. It was clear the problem was deeper than Nura.
Be a mirror. “You’ve got that right.”
“But I’ve been doing this for so long, it shouldn’t even get to me anymore. Fuck, the second I start, I get like一this is why I don't like talking about it. I'm so quick to一” she groaned loudly, “I'm sorry.” She turned away from him, covering her face with a hand. From what he could see, her anger dissipated, leaving only sadness.
He could feel her slipping through his fingers and he had a sudden urge to do something about that. With his free hand, he grabbed onto her shoulder and she whipped her head back at him. “Hey, c'mon quit it. Don't say that.” She looked at him surprised and he was right there with her.
Despite that, he continued on. “You're just passionate is all. That’s way more than a depressing amount of people can say,” he searched for the next words to say, “They’re envious, and instead of sucking it up and doing something about it, they do the next best thing, bitch and moan.” Her eyes drew to the hand that was still on her shoulder and he immediately dropped it down to his side, as if burned.
He wanted to squeeze his eyes shut, turn around, and walk off the ledge of a cliff, preferably into a volcano. Where the hell did this misplaced confidence come from? Poke fun here and there sure, but full on talking shit is where he drew the line. He can have a few people hate him as long as they were unpopular in the first place, but having Dunia see this side of him didn't bode well for him. She was not like him, she would not indulge in this behavior. In fact, she might file this interaction away for later when people inevitably started putting the pieces together. Shit.
He couldn't do anything other than just stand there like an idiot and stare at her like a deer in headlights. She blinked back at him, stunned with her mouth slightly agape. After a painfully long moment of silence, she seemed to have found her words and saved the both of them. “Uhm, thank you. Sam. Really. I don't get to hear that often…”
He couldn't help but tilt his head at that last part. “I guess you do understand… in a way.”
“I suppose, but also I have an ounce of sense,” he said in an attempt to lighten the mood.
She let out a humorless laugh. “It makes me feel bad though. The cards we’re dealt aren't up to us,” she said it as though she was intimately familiar with that statement. It took all his strength not to press.
“That’s true, yeah, but it’s about how you play the hand that matters.”
“I just can't help but wonder what makes someone so miserable.” If Sam squinted, it almost looked like a spark of interest flashed across her eyes. “Do you feel like you’ve been playing your cards well?” she suddenly said, shifting her attention to him.
He stopped himself short of saying ‘uh, what?’ “I’d like to think so,” he replied, refusing to elaborate further. “But you can confirm it right? If the chance ever arises, I’d happily be your next patron.” He said it to steer her away from his life, but he might have signed up for showing her everything down the line. He was on the fence about magic, always hearing about it, but never witnessing it for himself. Surely, that would continue, right? But even then, she was scarily perceptive.
He felt his heartbeat pick up in pace, a feeling he normally loved, chased even, but now it fell and rested as a hard lump in his stomach.
She threw him a smirk. “I'll keep that in mind. Oh, and I'll throw in that discount you were bumming for.”
“‘Bumming?’” he scoffed at an abnormally high pitch for himself. “If that’s what you call people when they’re trying to help out, I don't think I want your services then.” He raised his chin, looking at her from the corner of his mirth filled eyes.
She hummed, placing her fingers on her chin. “I seem to remember you being the one declining my kind offer to take you under my wing for that discount.”
“Yeah as your pet.”
“Those are two completely different things and you know that!” She slapped at his side playfully.
He raised his shoulders in on himself in a weak attempt to protect himself. He knew he had a stupid grin on his face, biting down on his bottom lip. The moment passed. In hindsight, he didn't gather a lot of useful information, but he can say for certain she likes him a little more than she did before. He wouldn't know whether his hard work paid off, but surprisingly, he didn't find it in himself to care nearly as much.
They’d have to return back to the campsite eventually, he had dinner to cook afterall, but for now he’ll enjoy the journey. If he, and perhaps Dunia, seemed to walk a little slower than necessary, he merely chalked it up to his imagination.