Page 58 of The Book of Luke

“Royce and Solana,” she said. “Since we’re all doing what’s best for our own games.”

27

2004

SEASON 2, EPISODE 10:

“Never Eat the Sacred Chicken”

Do what’s best for your own game,” Barnes advised. “Reveal what she did. Tonight.”

“Right before the final Trial?” I asked. We’d just won the last Tribulation; only a double elimination remained. Our team controlled the vote and would choose two from each side.

“Luke, sheconnedyou.” He matted concealer along my jaw in the communal bathroom, spiriting away my scars before we filmed a ceremony spotlighting the islands’ Indigenous peoples (a requirement for the show’s tax credit, Helena explained). “She deserves to pay.”

When our team gathered in the colonial-chic living room for the Trial deliberation, Imogen was first to speak up. “Barnes, would you go in? You’re the only guy left who hasn’t seen a Trial. In the interest of fairness.”

Barnes’ lips twisted into a grim smile. “I can’t argue the fact.”

I’d get no better sign to intervene. After all, I knew what side of the war I’d chosen. “I’ll go in,” I announced. “And I want Arjun against me.”

Imogen stared, equal parts perplexed and defeated. “That’s a terrible idea.”

“He’s the only one on their side who saw the final last year. Keep them unprepared,” I said coldly. “It’s best for our team. Not that you care, Imogen.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you sabotaged us weeks ago with your fake cramp to help Arjun get Barnes out of the game, and I’m done covering for you.” Shock waves rippled through my team, but I was relieved to finally hold Imogen accountable for ever considering me a dumb pawn, my whole torso resonating with the zealous conviction of beingright.

Imogen sat stricken as I recounted the plot I’d heard at the waterfall. The votes rapidly locked in for her to face the other team’s most athletic female, a Polish Korean kickboxer named Moon-Lynn Kosinski.

Imogen pursued me and Barnes to the lawn after the vote, tears brimming in her eyes. She wasn’t one to cry, which should have meant something. And yet it didn’t.

“Luke, I swear, I was trying to protect you!”

“Like you’d protect yourhorse?” I sneered. “Your horse to ride to the finish?”

She whipped to Barnes. “Did you tell him that? Luke, that’s a lie!”

“How about saltine crackers? Was that a lie?” I asked, her face falling with recognition.

“I hadn’t even known you one day when I said that,” she answered, voice hoarse. “What can I do? Forget this stupid show! You are my best friend. What can I do?”

“You already did too much, that’s the problem,” Barnes said coolly. “Expensive mistake, but I guess you learned what things cost.”

Imogen’s eyes flashed. “You want to talk to me about thecostof things?”

And out came the sound bite that launched a thousand think pieces, to say nothing of a political campaign. “Oh, am I supposed to apologize for the fact that you grew up poor?”

“Are you trying to get punched in the face?!” she snapped, and I sawArjun emerge across the lawn by the villa’s turquoise gazebo, transfixed, like he didn’t recognize any of us.

“Take your shot,” Barnes baited her. “You’re going home. Get something out of it.”

Imogen grabbed me, furious and desperate. “Luke, can’t you see what he is? Are you even paying attention?!” But all I saw was him defending me against someone who’d used me, who’d confirmed my worst fears that all the world saw in me now was a hulking, broken fool.

“Cut the self-righteous bullshit, Imogen, and just hit me!” Barnes yelled.

I hoisted him around so I stood between them. “Stop, she’s not worth it.”