Didn’t matter. When it came time for the vote, I wrote down Leslie’s name. A short time later, the votes were read, and we had a tie - two for Alys, two for Leslie.
“It’s a tie,” Chip said ominously. “In the form of a tie, we would normally go to a Judgment challenge. However…” He paused, milking the moment for all it was worth. “I am told we had someone open Pandora’s Box. Does anyone want to confess?”
Immediately, I felt the eyes of the jury looking my way. I wanted to yell out, wasn’t me! But I kept silent, watching Leslie.
The Judgment area was silent. “As a reminder,” Chip said, “We can kick people from the game for not following the rules.”
Leslie looked for a long moment as if she wasn’t going to speak, then sighed and raised her hand. “Me. I did it.”
“And what did it say?” Chip pushed.
Another huge sigh. “It said I would automatically receive a vote at the next Judgment.”
I shot Alys a triumphant look. I knew it would be bad news. I glanced over at the jury and found Jendan watching me, a thoughtful look on his face. My heart fluttered. Daring greatly, I gave him a wink and turned back to the other women seated next to me.
“That means you have three votes, Leslie. That’s enough. I’m sorry to say that you are now out of the game, and have become our sixth member of the jury.”
With heavy feet, Leslie stomped out of the Judgment area.
Chip turned back to the three of us still seated. “You’ve made it to the penultimate round of the game, ladies. Tomorrow is your last immunity challenge. Whoever wins that challenge decides who sits next to them in the finale. Are you ready?”
I practically bounced in my seat. I was more than ready. I wanted to be done with this.
If I won the next challenge, I could take this entire thing home. With a million dollars in the bank, I wouldn’t be Annabelle the Island Slut. I’d be Annabelle, the winner of Endurance Island.
No more waitressing. No more shame of being Annabelle the Island Ho.
And then…then maybe I could talk to Jendan and see if he hated me.
Chapter Twenty
“Annabelle has my vote. Always has. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and no one else has even come close to playing the same game she has. She’s out of their league – in every way possible.” — Jendan Abercrombie, Endurance Island: Power Players, Jury Interview
I didn’t win the final immunity. Naturally. Fate stepped in, and Alys beat me in a sand-castle building contest. No one ever said I was the most artistic person.
But honestly, sand castles? Come on.
Now, Alys got to decide who would go to the final two. It wouldn’t be my decision. Everything was out of my hands for the first time in two weeks and several votes.
I kept my cool, though. When we returned to camp, I let Kissy walk off into the jungle with Alys to make her plea. They were gone for well over an hour, and when Alys finally sat down in the shelter, and Kissy wandered off, I offered Alys a drink from my canteen.
“She working you?” I asked casually.
“Yeah,” Alys said, looking frustrated. “It’s a tough decision.”
“Not that tough,” I told her, and pretended to study my fingernails, totally casual. “You know you can’t take her to the end, right? It’s pretty obvious she’d win.”
Alys frowned and looked over at me. “How do you figure?”
I widened my eyes, acting surprised. “Her husband’s on the jury. You don’t think he’s lobbying to get her votes? He’s been there the entire time - every time someone’s voted off, don’t you think he’s pointing out how good she’s doing? She hasn’t made enemies. I mean, other than Kip, and he won’t vote for you because he thinks we’re working together. Which we are. And you know he hates me.”
She said nothing.
I laid it on a bit thicker before letting it rest. “I mean, she’s done really awesome so far if you think about it. She’s an out-of-shape mom who’s managed to make it down to the end. That’s pretty impressive, you know?”
“Yeah,” Alys said weakly. “If I took you…who do you think would win?”
I shrugged. “It’s a toss-up, don’t you think? I’ve made a lot of enemies. Kip, Saul, Emilio, Leslie, Jendan…” God, I hated thinking about Jendan being my enemy. “I guess it just depends on how bitter the jury is.”
She brightened. “I bet they’re pretty bitter.”
Man, I sure hoped not.
~~ *** ~~
“And have you made your decision, Alys?”
I crossed my legs and tried to look supremely unconcerned as I studied the jury one last time before the vote was read. They looked tense. Well, except Kip, who just looked pissy. He was slouched low on his bench, leaning back and making it seem like he was doing us a favor by being there. Everyone else watched the proceedings somberly.
Next to me, Kissy was trembling with excitement. She kept looking over at her husband on the jury and smiling, and I wondered if she thought she had this sewn up? Of course, I thought I had this sewn up, so we both had the potential to be wrong.
Behind us, Alys fiddled with her slate. Since this was the only vote, she didn’t even have to go to the voting booth. “I did make my decision, Chip,” she said after a long moment. “And talking with my teammates helped. I heard two different arguments, but only one really rang true. So I made the only decision I could.”
Slowly, she turned the slate.
Kissy’s name was written in a small, hesitant hand. My plan had worked – Alys was keeping me. I was going to the final two.
I couldn’t help the smile spreading across my face, even as Kissy gasped and gave me a shocked look.
“Kissy, you are the final member of our jury,” Chip said as the older woman got up and headed for the path. She disappeared into the brush and I heard a small sob break out, which made me wince. Poor Kissy. I loved the lady, but neither Alys nor I could beat her at the end, so she had to go. Chip turned back to look at Alys and me. “Tomorrow night, we’ll meet back here for the final Judgment, and the jury will have a chance to give their say.”
One more night of this. Then, either Alys or I would end up a millionaire.
Alys gave me a beaming smile and I high-fived her. “Final two, like we said.”
She nodded. “I’m ready to get this over with.”
Me too. I wanted nothing more than a shower, something to eat besides coconut…and a chance to talk to Jendan. I looked in his direction one last time before leaving the Judgment area. Soon, this would all be over.