3: Waterworks Part 1

Gwen shivered as a stiff breeze blew past her. She stood in her black, two piece bathing suit among the other campers, all sporting their own swimwear as well.

Almost right after lunch, they had been told to go get into their swim suits. After they had, they were quickly herded to the top of a mighty cliff that stood on one side of the island. The cliff was flanked on one side by the beach, and on the other, sharp, jagged rocks. No-one knew exactly what they their first challenge would be, but everyone soon realized that it would definitely not be as easy as they had originally thought.

The young goth allowed herself a quick glance towards Joshua. The mighty titan of a teenager seemed even more gigantic without his shirt, and he didn’t look too shabby at all in his tan and black camo swim trunks, either. Gwen’s cheeks reddened at the sight, curling her lips up in a small smile.

Unfortunately, this caught Heather’s attention.

“Keep dreaming, fatty,” She muttered, crossing her arms and eyeing her with a smug expression. “Joshua is way out of your league. I doubt you could even get Harold or Ezekiel to like you.” She chuckled evilly.

Gwen glared at the bratty Asian girl, though she knew she was right. The pale goth never stood a chance against her or the other girls. Sure…she had a better disposition then Heather and was much smarter than Lindsay; but from what she knew, guys didn’t care, they cared about looks; period.

“Watch this,” Heather said, strolling confidently over to the mountainous aussie. She spoke to him for a few moments. Gwen figured she was asking if she looked good in her swimsuit, because she posed for him once.

She heard the aussie chuckle and nod, further lowering the goth’s lingering self-esteem. She turned her attention over to Chris in an attempt to rid her mind of the thought.

Their ever-gleeful host stood near the edge of the cliff, next to a crate with the picture of what looked like a chicken painted on it sides. Atop the crate was a red megaphone and a clipboard.

“Okay campers!” The host began, strolling past the teams once with his hands behind his back, “Today’s challenge is threefold, with your first task being to jump off this thousand foot cliff and into the lake.”

Definitely not fun…Gwen mused, Mclean’s maniacal smile sending chills down her already cold back.

“Piece of cake,” Bridgette proclaimed. The goth had expected that, the surfer probably did stuff like this all the time.

“If you look down,” Chris continued, turning and making his way back to the crate. “You will see two marked areas. The wider area represents the part of the lake we have stocked with…” The TV star let out a small chuckle as he stopped next to the box and spun back around. “…killer sharks.”

Everyone’s eyes went wide. Were they trying to kill them?

“The smaller ring inside that area is your target zone, which we are pretty sure is shark-free.”

That’s reassuring…Thought Gwen.

“Pretty sure?” Joshua repeated, looking a little worried.

Chris paid no heed to the aussie’s comment, “With each member of your team that jumps and actually survives, there will be a crate of supplies waiting on the beach below. Inside those crates are the supplies you’ll need to complete the second leg of the challenge, building a hot tub.” The host stopped to survey the camper’s expressions before continuing, “The team with the best one gets to have a killer hot tub party tonight!”

A wave of excited murmuring washed over the two teams.

“BUT,” Chris started, waiting for the whispering to die down. “The losers will be sending someone packing.”

The teens started glancing around at their team mates.

If we lose, Heather is so gone. Gwen decided, glancing at the brunette once and smirking before turning back around.

“Now let me see…” Mclean shut one eye and pointed towards the Screaming Gopher campers. “Eenie,” He then thrust the same finger towards the Killer Bass, “Meany,” Then the Gophers again, “Miney,” And finally, the Killer Bass. “Moe. Alright! Killer Bass, you’re up first!”

Bridgette was the first to peek over the edge, her confidence visibly lowering. “Oh, wow…” She muttered, “So who’s going first?” she added, looking back up at her team.

Not one camper on either team spoke.

Until Owen decided to break the silence, “Don’t sweat it guys. I heard that these shows make the interns test the stunts first to make sure they are survivable.”

“Makes you feel sorry for the interns, eh?” Joshua remarked with a small laugh, Heather joining him with a mock giggle.

“Well…someone go already!!” Barked their host, crossing his arms and tapping his foot impatiently.

“Ladies first,” muttered Duncan, the only camper to not seem even remotely interested in the death-defying challenge.

“Fine,” Bridgette finally said, “I’ll go first.” She turned towards the edge and prepared to jump. “I mean…its only an insane cliff dive into a circle of angry sharks!” She added nervously before dove off the rock face.

A few seconds later a splash echoed up from the water, and Gwen expected to hear the surfer girl cry out in agony.

“She did it!” Shouted an enthusiastic Tyler as he peered over the ledge. “I’m next!” He announced, taking a few steps backward to get a running start. He took a deep breath, before sprinting towards the edge. “Kawabung…AH!!!” Just as he was about to leap, the wannabe jock tripped over a small rock, sending him into a terrifying freefall. He screamed the whole way down, until…

CLANG!

“Oooh-ho-ho-ho!” Chris exclaimed, gazing over the edge with a maniacal grin. “That’s got to hurt!”

“Did he make it?” Courtney asked, seeming more worried about if he made it then his own safety.

“Yeah, he just hit one of the buoys,” Mclean returned with a hearty laugh. “I don’t think he’s going to be able to have kids anymore, though. Anyway…NEXT!”

The Bass glanced amongst themselves for a few moments, until Geoff spoke up.

“I’ll go!” He declared, running towards the edge and leaping off. “WAHOO!” he yelled as he plummeted.

“I’m next,” Stated Eva, bounding a rather impressive height before falling towards the lake.

Duncan quietly volunteered to be next, slowly walking towards the edge with his arms crossed. He didn’t stop, he simply continued strolling lazily over the side, and then plunging downward.

DJ, however, was not quite so fearless.

“N-No way man, I’m not jumping.” He finally muttered after eyeing the drop for a minute or two.

“Scared of heights?” Chris asked, his trademark smirk never leaving his face.

“Yeah, ever since I was a kid,” The brick house told him with an apologetic look.

“That’s okay big guy,” The cruel host said with a momentary softness. He opened the crate and pulled out a strange looking cap shaped like a chicken. “Unfortunately, that means you are a chicken. So, you’ll have to wear this for the rest of the day.” He presented the embarrassing headpiece to DJ.

“What? No way man, I ain’t wearing that.” The burly teenager proclaimed.

“Then jump,” Mclean returned, arching a brow with a curious grin.

DJ looked back down the cliff, and then turned back around, sighing and hunching over.

Chris gingerly placed the hat on the Killer Bass camper’s short cropped head, and then thrust a thumb out towards they path they came here on. “Chicken path down is thataway, dude.”

Defeated, DJ ambled slowly past the other campers, his head and shoulders drooping in complete and utter shame.

“Poor guy…” Gwen couldn’t help but whisper.

Next up was Ezekiel, who bounded off the cliff with a loud cheer.

SMASH!

“Whoa…” Chris muttered, leaning a little further over the edge as a splash echoed up. “Uh…I hope he’s not dead.”

A few silent moments passed.

“There he is!” Chris exclaimed, running a hand across his brow, “They’d take it out of my paycheck if he died!” He grinned mischievously, turning to the remaining campers and shouting, “NEXT!”

Harold stepped up, took a deep breath, and jumped, spreading his legs out in an awkward, if not impressive, split.

That won’t end well…mused Gwen.

Sure enough, a few moments later the strange teenager let out a yelp that could shatter glass.

“Oooh! He’s gonna feel that one for a while!!” Their host announced, obviously taking quite a bit of pleasure in torturing the poor teens.

It was then Courtney’s turn. The freckled brunette looked over the edge for a mere moment before crossing her arms and looking at Chris. “Excuse me Chris, I have a medical condition.”

The television star looked up at her, his smile disappearing for a look of surprise. “What medical condition?”

“A condition that prevents me from jumping off cliffs.” Courtney answered.

Chris let out a small chuckle before a grin appeared on his stubbled face. “You can chicken out if you want… But it might cost your team the win.” Narrowing his gaze accusingly at the overachiever, he added, “And then they’ll hate you.”

“It’s a calculated risk,” The girl explained, looking over in the direction of the Gophers with a confident smirk. “I’ve seen the other team, and I doubt half of them will jump.”

Mclean only shrugged, producing another chicken cap from the crate and placing it gleefully on Courtney’s head. “Suit yourself. Now…to tally up the score…” He picked up his clipboard, examining it. “We have seven jumpers and two chickens…wait…I’m missing two.” He glanced around, quickly finding the missing Bass, and a Gopher, too.

Izzy, Katie, and Sadie stood where once the rest of the Killer Bass were gathered. The two friends clutched each others hands and looked to Chris with distressed expressions.

“I’m not jumping without Katie!” Sadie declared.

“We have to be on the same team, Chris!” Katie added.

“Please!!” They both whined before unleashing a barrage of high pitched, desperate pleas. The once cheerful Chris Mclean now pressed his hands to his ears.

“I’ll switch with her!” Izzy stated, all her words mashing into one, as usual.

“Alright, ALRIGHT!” The irritated host finally exclaimed, his visage narrowing. “Katie, Sadie, you are now both on the Killer Bass. Izzy, you are now on the Screaming Gophers.”

The two girls squealed in delight, causing the TV star to shield his ears again. Izzy only shrugged and smiled as she strolled over to join the Gophers.

“Welcome to the team,” Joshua muttered as she made herself a spot in the group.

“Okay…” Chris finally said, taking his hands away from the sides of his head, “You’re up girls!”

Katie and Sadie clutched each others hand and went running towards the edge, letting loose an enthusiastic “We’re coming Killer Bass!” before leaping together.

Mclean rolled his eyes, his smirk returning. “Okay, so that’s nine jumpers and two chickens.” He turned his head toward the remaining team, “Screaming Gophers, if you can beat that, we’ll throw in a few hand carts for you to put your crates on.”

“Sweet,” Joshua remarked. “So who wants to go first, eh?”

Silence.

“I’m sorry, but there’s no way I’m doing this.” Heather declared, crossing her arms defiantly.

How did I know…Gwen thought.

“Why not?” Beth asked.

“Hello! National Television!” The brat snapped back, “I’ll get my hair wet.”

“And…your point is?” Joshua muttered, clearly not amused.

“If she’s not doing it, I’m not doing it!” chimed in Lindsay, shooting an approving glance over to Heather. Joshua slapped a hand against his face, bringing it down slowly and groaning.

“Oh, you jumpin’!” Leshawna barked.

“Says who?!” The spoiled Asian spat back.

“Says me!” The portly teenager proclaimed, waving a finger back and forth, “I’m not losing this challenge ‘cuz you got your hair done, you spoiled little bratty girl!”

“Here we go again…” Gwen muttered under her breath.

Heather huffed at the insult. “Back off, ghetto glamour, too tight pants wearing, rap star wanna-be!”

“Mall shoppin’, pony-tail wearin’, Teen Girl readin’, peakin’ at high school prom queen!”

The bratty brunette glared at Leshawna for a few moments, before smirking. “Well at least I’m popular,” She said slowly, raising a thin eyebrow.

“Oooo! Burnt!” Chris chimed in, laughing.

The portly girl clenched her teeth, growling once before hefting up the smaller teenager and hoisting her over her head.

“Hey! Put me down, ghetto trash!” yelled a struggling Heather.

Leshawna smirked, stopping at the edge of the cliff. “Alright.” She then proceeded to throw the brat down into the water below, screaming the whole way down. Dusting off her hands, the pear-shaped teen then jumped after her.

“Well…that was…interestin’.” Joshua proclaimed, rubbing the top of his head for a moment. He took a few steps forward, away from the group, before looking back with a big grin settled on his face. “See yah at the bottom mates!” He shouted, running towards the edge and bounding off, cheering as he plummeted.

“Wow. Nice form!” muttered Chris, watching the aussie drop for a few moments. “Okay, next!”

Someone shoved Lindsay forward, where the host wasted no time in dragging her towards the ledge.

The ditsy blonde eyed the near suicidal drop for a good five minutes before looking up at Chris. “I thought this was going to be a talent contest!” She squealed.

The psychotic star laughed a good bit, stopping suddenly and stating a simple, “No.”

Lindsay gulped loudly, eyes locked on the water below.

“Oh comon all ready….” Chris tapped her on the back, sending her falling into the water below, arms and legs flailing. “Whoops!” He said with a mock remorse.

Izzy was next; she leapt over the edge without a thought and with an unsettling enthusiasm.

Justin came after her, who silently strolled up to the edge and dove gracefully off it as if it was a diving board. Noah had the same confidence too, lazily hopping off the overhang.

Beth, however, was another story.

The pudgy farm-girl stared over the edge, trembling. “I…I…” She began, and then sighed, turning back towards Chris. “I can’t do it. I’m too scared…”

The host only grinned wider, producing another chicken cap and placing it gently on the thoroughly ashamed campers head.

Gwen watched Beth go down the same path as DJ and Courtney had, gazing down at her feet in embarrassment.

She decided to be nice. “Hey Beth,” The goth called out as she passed.

The glasses wearing brunette glanced up to her with an apologetic look.

“It’s okay. Me and Owen have this in the bag.” Gwen reassured her.

“Yeah! We got this!” Owen added, his expression not exactly matching his enthusiasm.

Beth grinned, baring her metal filled teeth. She then turned, trotting down the path with renewed confidence.

“Speaking of which, Gwen, you’re up!” Chris announced.

A chill went down the young girl’s spine.  “O-Okay.” She muttered, wandering towards the edge and looking down.

“Whoa…” She croaked, now seeing just how tiny the target area was.
I can’t make that! I’ll be shark bait for sure if I jump! She thought, taking a step away from the edge.

“You can do it!” Called out Joshua’s voice from the beach below. “Go on! Jump it!”

“Yeah! Jump it!” Cody chimed in, “You can do it, Gwen!”

The rest of the Gophers on the shore began to cheer her on.

She couldn’t chicken out now! Not only would she doom her team, but she’d look like a complete idiot to her crush! She had to jump; it was as simple as that.

Here it goes. She thought, taking a deep breath and sprinting towards the ledge, leaping just before it ended. Instantly she began to fall, wind raping at her hair. She had to literally force her urge to panic down. She didn’t dare scream; at the rate she was falling her lungs would be filled with water in a few seconds.

After what seemed like a millennium the young goth finally hit the water, hard. The force dazed her for a moment, but she quickly recovered, rocketing herself upward.

I…did it! I’m alive! I’m alive! Her voice echoed in her mind as she broke surface, gasping for air. Almost instantly a boat sped to the edge of the small circle, and a black haired man with a white shirt with the word ‘Crew’ typed across it in black letters lowered a rope ladder over the railing and into the water. Gwen swam towards the ladder, mounting it and climbing up. She stood shivering on the deck as the vessel moved her over to the edge of the beach, past the shark infested waters. The crewman then lowered the ladder again, motioning for her to leave the boat. Quietly smiling to him, the drenched teenager then lowered herself to the beach, where she was greeted by excited cheers and congratulations.

“You go, girl!” Leshawna exclaimed, giving the girl a quick high-five.

“Yeah! That was some dive! Nice goin’!” Called out Joshua, grinning.

“Um…thanks!” Gwen returned, turning her face to hide her upcoming blush.

The giant teen laughed, striding back towards the other campers watching the cliff.

The goth then looked up to find Heather clapping her hands together sarcastically, “Hmm, I was so sure you’d drain the whole lake when you landed…Oh well.” She remarked with an evil smile before whirling around and walking away.

Gwen glared at her back, “Little bitch,” she finally muttered, clenching her fists angrily.

“Mmmhmm…” Leshawna agreed, placing her hands on her meaty hips. “You got that right.”

“Okay Screaming Gopher Campers!” Chris called out through the megaphone, “You need one last jump to win, and you have one last camper.” He turned over to Owen, and said something.

“Aww bloody…That poor bloke is so gonna die…” Joshua remarked, “Aww hell…GO OWEN!”

The whole team yelled and cheered, trying to get the fat blonde to jump. Owen took a few steps back, as if he was preparing for a running start. He stood motionless for a few moments, eyeing the ledge.

Suddenly he let out a mighty cry and rushed towards the ledge, bounding forward just as it ended. He plummeted like a giant rock, screaming in terror.

This…won’t end well. Gwen mused, watching the Gopher fall.

A massive pillar of water came up as the fleshy camper made contact with the lake, sending a giant wave straight towards the beach.

“Crikey…” The young goth heard Joshua mutter as the wall of water crashed into them, knocking her off her feet and drenching her thoroughly. Some of the water came into her open mouth and went down her throat, near drowning her.

The water receded as soon as it came, leaving campers, and the boat, scattered around the shore. Gwen sat on her knees and coughed unmercifully, trying to rid herself of the water.

Suddenly she felt a great slap to her back, causing her to hack up every last drop of the liquid plaguing her.

Letting out a few final coughs, the young girl looked up to find the massive frame of Joshua kneeling next to her.

“You okay?” He asked with a genuine look of worry.

“Yeah,” Gwen croaked, coughing one final time.

“Good. ‘ere, lemme help you up.” The aussie presented a hand to her, which she took carefully. He then proceeded to easily heft her up to her feet. “There you go.” He muttered with a smile as he let go of her hand.

“T-Thanks.” Gwen near whispered, blushing ever so slightly and looking a way.

Well, at least he gives a crap about what happens to me… Her inner voice echoed.

“And the Screaming Gophers are the WINNERS!” announced Chris through his megaphone.

Owen waded over to the beach, where he was greeted by Cody.

“Dude!” The short camper exclaimed, shooting a fist up in the air. “That was awesome!” He then noticed Owen’s perplexed look. “What’s wrong man?”

“I…uh…” The fat blonde began, “I just realized I lost my bathing suit…”

The other campers burst out into many exclamations of disgust.

To be continued…