I've been crying and writing letters for over three hours now, but I'm finally finished. The only thing left to do is get some sleep, then shower. Oh, and take out my earrings because I've been instructed to leave all jewelry at home. No jewelry. Can you imagine?
Tomorrow morning, I’ll get up at five a.m. and sneak down to the garage where Tony, one of the mechanics Gran plays poker with, will help me make my escape in the boot of his car. The boot! Where’s the dignity in that? I might as well become a pole dancer. Well, not really, obviously pole dancing would be much worse. First of all, I’d be crap at it on account of having no upper body strength. Second … oh my God! Why am I actually thinking about that? Pole dancing’s got nothing to do with this!
In a few short hours, I’m going to ride in the pitch darkness along with an old dirty spare tire and some of those electric cables they use to fix a dead car while Tony drives me to a private hanger at the Valcourt Airport. I approached him this morning and offered him a cool five hundred bucks to help me out, no questions asked. Since he’s in deep to Gran for a round of Texas Hold ‘Em that went sour, he agreed to my terms.
I stare at the letters on the table, knowing Yvonne will find them when she brings in my breakfast tray. My heart squeezes with sentiment and trepidation.
Oh, Arabella, you dumb twat. What have you done?
10
Private Jets, Defiantly Smooth Skin, and Friends Who Think This is Funny …
Will
Friday Morning 6:18 a.m.
Valcourt Airport, Valcourt, Avonia
I have never been so miserable about getting on a private jet in my life. Normally, I’d be taking the stairs two at a time, adrenaline pumping through my veins at what lies ahead, knowing I’m doing exactly what I was put on this planet to do. Usually, I’m over-prepared, having memorized every possible detail about the terrain, the climate, the flora, and fauna of the area. But not this time. This time, I’m dragging my feet like a surly teenager on the first day of school—powerless and clueless. This time, I have to hope I can remember all the details from the last time I was wherever I’m going now.
When I get aboard, I see Tosh and Mac sitting at the table for four. Mac looks like he just rolled out of bed—his red hair sticking up in the back and his beard smooshed in on the right side of his face, whereas Tosh looks like he just stepped out of a GAP ad.
Tosh squints his eyes. “Your beard is gone. I thought you were supposed to keep it.”
“This smooth shave is an act of defiance,” I say, flopping down onto the white leather seat next to Mac.
Tosh gives me a concerned look. “I was about to ask how you’re doing with all of this, but I have a feeling I know.”
I nod. “Yup, I’m sure you do. I’m pissed. Really fucking pissed. They’re turning our show into some reality bullshit. We had a perfect formula. Why would we add some hot airhead to it?”
“I’m pretty sure you just answered your own question,” Tosh says.
I glare at him, then roll my eyes.
“She might not be an airhead, you know. What if she’s a super hot sporty scientist?” Mac asks.
“Do you think that combination exists? Really?” I ask.
“In my dreams, she does.” Mac smiles wistfully. “She wears glasses and a lab coat all day, but then after work, when she takes both off and lets her hair down … it’s on.”
“Okay, that just doesn’t help me at all, but good luck finding her,” I say, rubbing my chin. “How are you guys not upset about this? Dylan has cut you out of the show.”
Mac shakes his head. “That’s not how I see it. We’re getting paid full salary to do a few minutes of filming when we touch down, then hang around drinking by the hotel pool and sleeping in a real bed while you fight your way out of whatever mess they put you in.”
I glance at Tosh. “Can you believe this guy?”
Tosh shrugs and gives me an apologetic look. “Truthfully, it sounds a hell of a lot better than sleeping on the forest floor wrapped up in mosquito netting.”
“The forest? Is that where we’re going?” I ask.
“I have no idea. It was just an example.”
“Damn. I hoped you might have some clue as to what I’m about to walk into.”
“Well, we do know it’s somewhere we’ve been, so at least there’s that,” Mac says.
“Oh! I hope we’re going to Iceland.” Tosh’s eyes light up. “I love Icelandic women.”
“As hot as they are, I’m hoping for Brazil.” Mac grins. “Nothing beats Brazil for women.”
“Yes, they’re so spicy.”
“Well, I’m glad you two are enjoying this!” I snap.
The flight attendant, a tall woman with long black hair and a name tag that reads Lamai, walks up to us. “Good morning, gentlemen. Breakfast will be served shortly after takeoff. In the meantime, I’m supposed to give you this video to watch.”
She sets down a tablet on the table and walks away. On the screen is Dylan’s smiling face. Tosh pushes play, and her piercing voice fills the cabin.
“Who’s ready for an epic adventure? YOU are!” she yells with an open-mouthed smile. “William, make sure you get some sleep because you’re not only about to go on the adventure of a lifetime, but you’re about to start a whole new chapter of your life—one filled with fortune and fame like nothing you've ever imagined.
Now, I know you're probably dying to find out where you're going and with whom you're going to be spending the next however many days, but I’m not giving any hints. You’ll find out everything during the big reveal.
“And don’t bother asking the flight crew where you’re going. They’re under strict instructions not to answer any questions. When you land, Tosh and Mac will be exiting the plane first and setting up audio and video while you spend your last few minutes relaxing and making yourself look ruggedly handsome.” Dylan winks into the camera.
“Once we're all set to go, you'll be allowed off, and we’ll bring out our mystery co-host. I cannot wait for you to meet her. You are going to love her. Or hate her. One of the two. She’s your perfect foil. Or your perfect match. We’ll see!”
She claps her hands a few times, then says, “Try to fuel up and get some sleep because as soon as you step off that plane there will be no stopping—possibly for several years as you ride the fame dragon. See you on the other side. Ciao!”
The video ends, but I continue to glare at the black screen.
“Do you think it’s just the Red Bull or is she maybe taking Ritalin without a prescription?” Mac asks.
“Oh, she’s taking something,” I say. “And whatever she’s on, she’s clearly dealing it to Victor and Kira for them to go along with this insanity.”
“This thing’s got you rattled,” Tosh says. “I've never seen you like this before, even when we were cage diving with great whites and your cage opened.”
“Sharks are like dogs of the sea,” I say with a shrug. “Humans are the most dangerous animal, and Dylan is the worst of them all. I used to be the master of my fate, but she’s turned me into a pawn. A pawn, Tosh! I’m just going along for the ride like some schmuck.”