The sun was bleeding red across the horizon when Anabelle finally walked back into the camp.
Her backpack was light. The straps hung loosely on her shoulders.
The atmosphere in the camp was toxic.
As she dropped the bag onto her cot, every pair of eyes locked onto her. There was no more mockery. There was only raw jealousy and fear.
Kody sat in the dirt near the fire pit. He glared at her empty backpack, his jaw clenching so hard his teeth audibly ground together. He didn't dare say a word.
Camila took a tentative step forward, forcing a weak smile. "Annie... you're back. Maybe we could—"
Anabelle shot her a look so cold it physically stopped Camila in her tracks. Camila swallowed hard and backed away.
Suddenly, a loud, piercing burst of static erupted from the loudspeakers mounted on the trees around the camp.
"Emergency gathering! All contestants to the fire pit immediately!" Trey Vance's voice boomed through the speakers.
Anabelle frowned. Her thumb instinctively went to her index knuckle.
Trey Vance drove into the camp in a dust-covered Jeep. He jumped out, holding a freshly printed clipboard. He looked nervous. Sweaty.
"Listen up," Trey yelled, making sure the drone cameras were positioned perfectly. "Due to the explosive ratings of the last few hours, the network has secured a massive new title sponsor. And with new money, comes new rules."
Kody leaned forward, a desperate hope lighting up his eyes.
"Rule change number one," Trey announced. "To simulate true economic hardship, a fifty percent 'Camp Tax' is now instituted on all private transactions. You sell an egg for fifty bucks, the camp takes twenty-five."
Kody let out a loud, ugly bark of laughter. He pointed right at Anabelle. "Take that, you greedy bitch!"
Anabelle didn't react to Kody. Her mind was spinning. A camp tax? That wasn't a reality TV producer's idea. That was a corporate penalty. Someone who understood high-level economics was pulling the strings.
"Rule change number two," Trey said, his voice dropping. "The new sponsor has sent an executive overseer. He has absolute authority. He can change the rules, and he can eliminate anyone, at any time."
A low, rhythmic thumping sound echoed off the mountains.
The sound grew louder, vibrating in Anabelle's chest. The trees began to whip violently back and forth.
A massive, matte-black AgustaWestland helicopter crested the ridge. It hovered directly over the camp, kicking up a blinding storm of dirt and dead leaves.
Anabelle raised her arm, shielding her eyes from the stinging debris.
The helicopter touched down. The side door slid open.
A pair of polished, handcrafted Italian leather shoes stepped onto the mud.
Glenn Ryan stepped out of the chopper. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, no tie, the collar of his crisp white shirt unbuttoned. Dark sunglasses shielded his eyes. He moved with the terrifying, effortless grace of an apex predator.
Six massive men in tactical gear fanned out behind him.
The sheer force of his presence sucked the oxygen out of the camp. Kody stumbled backward, his arrogance vanishing instantly.
Trey Vance practically bowed as he approached. "Everyone, this is Mr. Glenn Ryan, CEO of the Horizon Group."
Anabelle's heart stopped.
The blood drained from her face. Her lungs seized.
She stared at the tall, broad-shouldered man standing in the dirt. The memories hit her like a physical blow. The country club. The scowls. The boy who always looked angry when she was around. Mr. Grumpy. What was he doing here? A cold spike of dread shot through her veins as she tried to process his impossible presence.
Glenn reached up and slowly pulled off his sunglasses.
His deep, dark eyes swept over the terrified contestants. Then, they locked onto Anabelle.
The air between them crackled.
Glenn's lips twitched. A microscopic, almost imperceptible smirk touched the corner of his mouth.
Anabelle's breath hitched. She immediately dropped her gaze, staring hard at the mud, pretending the wind had blown dirt into her eyes. Panic clawed at her throat. He knows. He knows who I am.
Glenn turned his head away from her. He looked at Trey.
"This camp is too comfortable," Glenn said. His voice was a deep, resonant baritone that sent a shiver down Anabelle's spine. "Confiscate all their food. Every last crumb."
"What?!" Kody screamed.
The tactical guards moved instantly, storming the cots. One of them grabbed Anabelle's bag, rifling through it before tossing it aside with nothing to confiscate.
Kody's hidden snacks were found and dumped into the black bin. Camila's emergency rations were seized. Diego's stash of protein bars was taken.
Anabelle's hands relaxed at her sides. She had nothing to lose. The game had just reset, and she was starting from zero.
Glenn looked back at Anabelle, his eyes burning with a dark, intense challenge.
