Picking Up the Pieces

The glow of the plaza's lanterns cast long, dancing shadows as the crowd dispersed. Most of the girls were heading back to their bungalows, a quiet weariness settling over them after the day's tumultuous events. Abby, however, lingered, her gaze fixed on Becca, who was sitting on the edge of the fountain, her expression thoughtful.

"Hey," Abby said softly, approaching her sister. "You okay?"

Becca looked up, a faint smile touching her lips. "Yeah, I think so. It's just… a lot to take in."

Abby sat beside her, the cool stone of the fountain a stark contrast to the lingering warmth of the day. "I can't believe they actually reversed it," she said, her voice laced with a mixture of relief and disbelief. "I was so scared."

Becca reached out, squeezing Abby's hand. "I know. Me too. I thought… I thought I was gone."

A silence fell between them, the weight of their shared experience hanging heavy in the air. Abby's mind was a whirlwind of emotions: relief, anger, confusion, and a strange sense of guilt. She had been so focused on her own struggles, her own transformations, that she hadn't truly grasped the extent of Becca's suffering.

"I'm sorry," Abby said, her voice barely a whisper. "I should have… I should have been there for you more."

Becca turned to her, her eyes filled with a quiet understanding. "There's no need to apologize, Abby. We were all going through our own things. It wasn't your fault."

"But I was so wrapped up in… everything," Abby continued, her voice trembling. "I was so worried about my own transformations, about winning, about… about everything but you."

"We were all caught up in the game, Abs," Becca said, her voice gentle. "It's what they wanted. But now, we know better."

"I'm just glad I have you back," Abby suddenly exclaimed, throwing her arms around her sister in a way she hadn't since they were both young kids. Becca trepidatiously returned the aggressive hug.

"Thank you for...for fighting for me," Becca said.

"Do you remember anything about what happened?" Abby asked, curious.

"Fragments," Becca replied, her gaze drifting towards the shimmering surface of the fountain. "Like a dream, or maybe a nightmare. I remember… a sense of detachment, like I was watching myself from a distance. And then… nothing. Just a blankness."

"It sounded awful," Abby said, a shiver running down her spine. "Like they took your soul or something. And... did you notice how your opinions have shifted? About Turner and his dates? That's not exactly the Becca I know."

"It felt… invasive," Becca said, her voice barely a whisper. "Like they were rewriting me, erasing parts of myself. I'm still trying to piece it all together."

"Well, you're back now," Abby said, trying to inject a note of optimism into her voice. "And we're going to figure this out together."

Becca nodded, a flicker of determination in her eyes. "Yeah. We are."

A comfortable silence settled between them, the gentle murmur of the fountain filling the space. Abby watched as the moonlight danced across Becca's face, her features softened by the shadows. She looked like her old self, but Abby knew that something had changed. They both had.

"So," Abby began, breaking the silence, "what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know," Becca admitted, her gaze shifting towards the distant lights of the hotel. "Kendra said I'd be staying here, but… I don't really know what that means. I can't compete, I can't get the wish, but I'm just… here."

"Are you gonna spend your time up with Turner?"

"Again, I don't know. That'd be much better than staying with Paige, but I'd feel a little...invasive about doing that. I don't want his dates with everyone else to get interrupted."

"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Abby held a hand out. "Are you sure Kendra took that transformation off of you? That's not something that Becca would've said before this competition."

"She may've taken that one off, but after that talk I had with Sara, it cleared a lot of things up," Becca clarified. "Especially now, since I can't win the wish or whatever, I shouldn't be standing in the way as much."

"You're scaring me a little bit, Becca," Abby backed away a bit.

"No no no, I promise," Becca insisted.

"If you say so," Abby relented. "Hey, and at least for tonight, you can definitely stay with me if you want. Lana's on her date with Turner right now, so I don't have a roommate for the night."

"That would be great," Becca said, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "Thanks, Abby. And by the way, what you said about my opinions on Turner and his dates?"

"Yeah?"

"I've honestly been grappling with that sort of thing for the last five years," Becca admitted, her face turning red.

"Five years?" Abby echoed. "Hasn't that been, like, since you started dating him? You were always so adamant and possessive over him, especially with people like Paige and Emma."

Becca shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across her face. "Well, that was mostly for show. You know, to keep up appearances. But honestly, I've always been… curious. Just never brave enough to admit it."

Abby stared at her sister, a mix of shock and amusement washing over her. "So, all this time, you were secretly…?"

"Intrigued," Becca corrected, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of crimson. "And maybe a little jealous of the girls he was around. But I'd never admitted that first part before. It was… complicated."

"Complicated is an understatement," Abby chuckled. "But hey, at least you're honest now. That's a start."

"Yeah," Becca sighed, her gaze drifting back to the fountain. "A start. I just… I don't know what to do with it all. It's like I'm seeing everything in a new light, but I don't know if it's my light or someone else's."

"We'll figure it out," Abby reassured her, squeezing her hand. "We'll talk, we'll process, and we'll make sure you're okay."

"Thanks, Abs," Becca said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably get turned into a garden gnome or something," Abby joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Becca laughed, the sound echoing through the empty plaza. "Yeah, probably."

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of their shared trauma slowly lifting. Then, Abby stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "Come on," she said, "let's get back to the bungalow. I'm exhausted, and I'm sure you are too."

Becca nodded, rising to her feet. "Yeah, I could use some sleep."

They walked side by side, the silence between them now filled with a sense of camaraderie and understanding. As they approached their bungalow, the faint sound of music drifted from the direction of the hotel, a reminder of the ongoing competition.

"Do you think they'll ever stop?" Becca asked, her voice tinged with weariness.

"Stop what?" Abby asked.

"This whole thing. The transformations, the competition, the… manipulation," Becca said.

Abby paused, her gaze fixed on the lights of the hotel. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I hope Kendra was being honest when she said that the competition did have to end at some point. For all of us."

They entered their bungalow, the familiar scent of lavender and vanilla filling the air. Abby went to her bed, grabbing her old pajamas and tossing them to Becca. "Here, change into these. They're probably close to your size."

As Becca changed, Abby filled two glasses with water and set them aside on the nightstands. They settled into the bed, the moonlight filtering through the window, casting a soft glow across the room.

"So," Abby began, breaking the silence, "what do you want to do tomorrow?"

Becca shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe just… relax. Spend some time together. Catch up on everything we missed."

"Sounds good," Abby said. "We can go for a walk, maybe visit the beach. And we can definitely figure out what's going on with you and Turner."

Becca's cheeks flushed again. "Maybe we can just… avoid that topic for now?"

Abby chuckled. "Fine, but you know we're going to have to talk about it eventually."

"Eventually," Becca agreed, a smile playing on her lips. "But not tonight."

They drank their water, the comfortable silence returning. As Abby drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Becca was back, and they were going to be okay. They would face whatever challenges came their way, together. And maybe, just maybe, they would finally find a way to break free from the game that had held them captive for so long.

---

Sara and Kathryn, similarly, were settling in after their long day. The lights from the boardwalk were dim, casting long shadows into their bungalow. Sara was laying face-up on the bed while Kathryn was moving around, getting ready to hit the hay.

"That was… a lot," Sara simply remarked.

"An understatement," Kathryn nodded, her gaze somewhat distant. "I still can't believe they reversed Becca's transformation. And that Kendra was willing to flip. Just like that."

"It's all so weird," Sara continued. "Like we're living in some kind of twisted reality show within this twisted reality show."

"I'm willing to bet that we wagered on the right horse," Kathryn said, coming back into the bedroom. "About how if we were to rebel, the audience would react strongly? I bet she realized the gravity of the situation and was willing to turn the tables."

"Yeah, but still," Sara said, propping herself up on her elbows. "It's like they can change the rules whenever they want. What's to stop them from doing it again?"

"That's the million-dollar question," Kathryn replied, sitting on the edge of her bed. "And honestly, I don't think there's a clear answer. They hold all the cards. I think we just need to play along, kind of like what we had been doing until this whole debacle with Becca happened."

"And what about the new contestant?" Sara asked, her brow furrowed. "Kendra said they're coming soon."

"That's just another variable," Kathryn said. "Another piece on the board. We'll deal with them when the time comes. For now, we focus on our primary objective: to understand the game, and to find a way to win."

"And what about Turner?" Sara asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

"What about Turner?" Kathryn chuckled. "You're the one who's had sex with the guy, I would think you'd know a bit more in that department."

"That's not what I meant," Sara said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I mean, he's been through a lot. With Becca, with the dates, with everything. He seems… different."

"He is different," Kathryn agreed. "We all are. But he's resilient. He'll adapt."

"But what if he doesn't?" Sara asked, her voice laced with a hint of worry. "What if he breaks?"

"Then we'll pick up the pieces," Kathryn said, her voice firm. "We're a team, Sara. We look out for each other."

"Even after… everything?" Sara asked, her gaze searching Kathryn's.

"Especially after everything," Kathryn replied, her voice unwavering. "We've been through too much to let anything break us now."

A comfortable silence settled between them, the weight of their shared experiences hanging heavy in the air. Sara's mind was a whirlwind of emotions: relief, gratitude, and a lingering sense of unease. She had come to rely on Kathryn's strength, her unwavering resolve, her ability to see the bigger picture.

"You know," Sara said, breaking the silence, "I'm glad we're in this together."

"Me too," Kathryn said, a rare hint of warmth in her voice. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"We make a good team," Sara said, a smile playing on her lips.

"The best," Kathryn agreed. "And that's saying a lot, considering the teams I've seen in my field."

"Wow, way to ruin the moment," Sara rolled her eyes.

"Oh, please," Kathryn scoffed, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "You know I can't resist a good dose of reality. Besides, it's true. We're a formidable duo."

"Fine, fine," Sara conceded, a chuckle escaping her lips. "But can we at least pretend we're not just a strategic alliance for, like, five minutes?"

"Five minutes?" Kathryn raised an eyebrow. "Generous. Alright, what do you propose we do with these precious three hundred seconds?"

"I don't know," Sara shrugged, her gaze drifting towards the ceiling. "Maybe we could… talk about something other than the game? Something… normal?"

"Normal?" Kathryn echoed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "What's that?"

"You know," Sara said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Like… our lives before all this. Our families, our friends, our… dreams."

"Dreams," Kathryn mused, her gaze softening. "I haven't thought about those in a while."

"Me neither," Sara admitted. "But I think it's important to remember them. To remember who we were before we became… contestants."

"Alright," Kathryn said, a rare hint of vulnerability in her voice. "What do you want to know?"

"Tell me about your family," Sara said, her gaze fixed on Kathryn. "What were they like?"

"My family," Kathryn began, her voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "They were… complicated. My parents were both academics, always buried in their books and research. They were brilliant, but not exactly warm and fuzzy. I always felt like I was living in their shadows, trying to prove myself."

"That sounds… intense," Sara said, her voice laced with sympathy.

"It was," Kathryn agreed. "But it also taught me to be independent, to rely on myself. I learned to value intelligence, logic, and strategy. To always be one step ahead."

"And what about your friends?" Sara asked. "Did you have many?"

"A few," Kathryn said, a faint smile touching her lips. "Mostly people I worked with, or people who shared my interests. We weren't exactly a party crowd, but we were loyal."

"That sounds nice," Sara said, her gaze softening. "I always wanted a group of friends like that."

"And what about you, Sara?" Kathryn asked, her voice laced with genuine curiosity. "What was your life like before all this?"

"It was… different," Sara said, her gaze drifting towards the window. "I grew up in a small town, surrounded by family and friends. We weren't rich, but we were happy. I always dreamed of leaving, of seeing the world, of… more."

"And what about your dreams?" Kathryn asked, her voice soft. "What did you dream of?"

"I wanted to be a writer," Sara admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "To tell stories, to create worlds. But I never had the courage to pursue it. I always felt like I wasn't good enough. Ironic, because I ended up passing law school. In fact, that's exactly where I was when I got transported here. I was out celebrating with Turner's sister, Phoebe. She was actually a lot like you."

"Like me?" Kathryn raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "How so?"

"Driven, intelligent, fiercely independent," Sara explained. "She had this… intensity about her, like she was always analyzing everything, looking for the hidden patterns. She was also incredibly loyal, once you earned her trust. She was always willing to help me, even when I was being… difficult. Usually when I was running late to something."

"Sounds like my kind of person," Kathryn admitted, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Though, I doubt I'd be celebrating law school with anyone. I'd be too busy dissecting the legal system."

Sara laughed, the sound echoing through the quiet room. "Yeah, that sounds about right. But Phoebe was different. She knew how to have fun, how to let loose. She taught me a lot about… living."

"And what about your family?" Kathryn asked, her voice soft. "What were they like?"

"They were… everything," Sara said, her voice laced with a hint of emotion. "Supportive, loving, sometimes overbearing. But they always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. They were my rock."

"And your parents?" Kathryn asked, her gaze fixed on Sara's.

"My mom was a teacher, always encouraging me to learn, to explore," Sara said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "My dad was a mechanic, strong and silent, but always there when I needed him. They taught me the value of hard work, of perseverance, of… kindness."

"Kindness," Kathryn mused, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "An interesting concept."

"It's more than a concept, Kathryn," Sara said, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "It's a choice. A way of life."

"A choice that often leads to weakness," Kathryn countered, her voice firm. "In my experience, kindness is often mistaken for weakness, and exploited."

"Maybe in your world," Sara said, her gaze unwavering. "But in my world, kindness is strength. It's the ability to see the good in others, even when they don't see it in themselves. It's the courage to be ****, to show compassion."

A silence fell between them, the weight of their differing perspectives hanging heavy in the air. Kathryn's gaze softened, a hint of something akin to understanding flickering in her eyes.

"Perhaps," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Perhaps you're right."

"I think you'd be surprised," Sara said, her voice gentle. "If you let yourself see the world through a different lens."

"Perhaps," Kathryn repeated, her gaze drifting towards the window. "But I'm not sure I know how."

"We can learn together," Sara said, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "We can teach each other."

Kathryn looked back over at Sara. "I'm not sure I'm ready to be a student in that regard."

"Then we'll be equals," Sara said, her gaze unwavering. "We'll learn from each other, challenge each other, and grow together."

"And what about your dream?" Kathryn asked, her voice soft. "The writing?"

"It's still there," Sara admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Buried deep inside. But I don't know if I'll ever have the courage to pursue it."

"Courage is a choice, Sara," Kathryn said, her voice firm. "Just like kindness. You choose to be brave, to take risks, to follow your dreams."

"But what if I fail?" Sara asked, her voice laced with a hint of fear.

"Then you learn," Kathryn said, her voice unwavering. "You learn from your mistakes, you pick yourself up, and you try again. Failure is not the opposite of success, Sara. It's a stepping stone."

"That's easy for you to say," Sara said, a hint of bitterness in her voice. "You're not afraid of anything. Hell, the first thirty seconds I'd seen of you, you just waltzed up to Kendra and laid out your demands."

"I'm afraid of many things," Kathryn softly chuckled, her voice barely a whisper. "But I choose not to let fear control me."

"And what are you afraid of?" Sara asked, her voice soft.

"Of losing control," Kathryn said, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. "Of being ****. Of… trusting."

"Trusting?" Sara echoed, her voice laced with surprise. "But you trust me."

"I trust your judgment," Kathryn clarified. "But trust is more than just judgment. It's… vulnerability. It's letting someone see your weaknesses, your fears, your… humanity."

"And you're afraid of that?" Sara asked, her voice soft.

"Terrified," Kathryn admitted, her voice barely a whisper.

"Then maybe we can help each other with that too," Sara said, her gaze unwavering. "We can learn to trust, to be ****, to… be human."

"Perhaps," Kathryn said, her gaze softening. "Perhaps we can."

A comfortable silence settled between them, the weight of their shared vulnerability hanging heavy in the air. Sara's heart ached for Kathryn, for the walls she had built around herself, the fears that held her captive. She wanted to reach out, to offer her comfort, to show her that she wasn't alone.

"You know," Sara said, breaking the silence, "I think we're going to be okay."

"Okay?" Kathryn echoed, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "What does that mean?"

"It means we're going to survive this," Sara said, her voice filled with a quiet determination. "We're going to find a way to win, to break free, and to live our lives on our own terms."

"And what about after?" Kathryn asked, her gaze fixed on Sara's. "What then? Am I ever going to see you again after the show?"

"We'll all still be tied to Turner," Sara consoled. "Whatever that means...I'm not sure. But it's not nothing."

Content, Kathryn laid down in the bed, mimicking Sara's relaxed posture and staring at the ceiling. Despite their pure intentions, Sara's constant reassuring statements had afflicted her with a hefty dose of arousal, per the transformation Kendra put on her. She knew she couldn't sleep like this, so turned to talk to her roommate again.

"Hey, Sara?"

"Hm?" Sara responded, sounding half-asleep.

"What...did end up happening between you and Charlotte the other day?" Kathryn asked. "You said you were talking with Charlotte and that Paige...took her away. But Charlotte was running around that island like a crazed nympho, and I know you wouldn't pass up an opportunity like that."

Sara's eyes snapped open, a flicker of surprise and then amusement crossing her face. "Oh, you noticed that, did you?" she said, a playful grin spreading across her lips. "Well, let's just say Charlotte and I had a… stimulating conversation."

"Stimulating how?" Kathryn asked, her curiosity piqued.

Sara chuckled. "Let's just say it involved a lot of… hands-on learning. Charlotte was very eager to explore her newfound… urges."

"And you were a willing participant?" Kathryn asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Of course," Sara said, her grin widening. "I'm always willing to help a friend in need. Especially when that need involves… physical exploration."

"And Paige interrupted?" Kathryn asked, her voice laced with a hint of skepticism.

"Unfortunately," Sara said, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "She swooped in like a jealous hawk, dragging Charlotte away before we could… finish our lesson."

"And you let her?" Kathryn asked, her eyebrow raised even higher.

"What was I supposed to do?" Sara asked, shrugging her shoulders. "Start a fight? Kendra would've never allowed something like that here. Besides, Charlotte seemed more than willing to go with Paige. I figured it was best to let them… work things out."

"And what about you?" Kathryn asked, her voice soft. "Did you… work things out?"

"Not really," Sara responded, somewhat dejectedly. "I...it just wasn't the same as with Turner or Charlotte."

The air crackled with unspoken tension. Kathryn's gaze, usually sharp and analytical, held a flicker of something Sara couldn't quite decipher. It wasn't judgment, exactly, but something closer to curiosity or perhaps even a hint of longing.

"Not the same how?" Kathryn pressed, her voice low and steady.

Sara hesitated, a blush creeping up her neck. "It was… different. Less… intense. More… clinical. Like an experiment."

"An experiment?" Kathryn echoed, her brow furrowed.

"Yeah," Sara admitted, her gaze drifting towards the ceiling. "Like I was trying to replicate something, but it just wasn't the same. It lacked the… spark. The connection."

"The connection you have with Turner?" Kathryn asked, her voice flat.

"Or with Charlotte," Sara corrected, her gaze snapping back to Kathryn's. "It's not just about sex, Kathryn. It's about… something more. A sense of… understanding. A shared vulnerability."

Kathryn's gaze softened, a hint of vulnerability flickering in her eyes. "And you didn't find that with… yourself?"

Sara shook her head. "No. It felt… empty. Like I was just going through the motions. I missed the… the other person. The connection."

A long silence stretched between them, the weight of Sara's confession hanging heavy in the air. Kathryn's gaze was intense, searching, as if she were trying to unravel the tangled threads of Sara's emotions.

"And what about Turner?" Kathryn asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you find that connection with him?"

"Yes," Sara admitted, her voice soft. "I do. It's… complicated. But it's real."

"Complicated how?" Kathryn pressed, her voice laced with a hint of suspicion.

"He's… he's been through a lot," Sara said, her voice tinged with concern. "He's changed. We all have. But there's still something there, something… familiar. Something that feels like home."

"Home," Kathryn echoed, her voice laced with a hint of longing. "That's quite the concept, seeing as you don't know the guy super well."

"It's more than a concept, Kathryn," Sara said, her voice soft but firm. "It's a feeling. A sense of belonging. A place where you feel safe, loved, accepted."

"And you feel that with him?" Kathryn asked, her gaze unwavering.

"Yes," Sara admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I do. Even after everything, even after all the changes, there's still a part of me that feels… at home with him. Even if, before this show, we were never anything more than just friends, or even acquaintances."

Kathryn's gaze softened, a hint of something akin to understanding flickering in her eyes. "And what about Charlotte?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you feel that with her too?"

Sara hesitated, her gaze drifting towards the window. "It's different," she admitted. "It's… playful. Adventurous. Like exploring a new world. But it's also… intense. Passionate. Like a fire that burns bright and hot."

"And you enjoy that?" Kathryn asked, her voice laced with a hint of curiosity.

"Yes," Sara admitted, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of crimson. "I do. It's… exhilarating. But it's also… fleeting. Like a shooting star, beautiful and bright, but gone in an instant."

Kathryn hummed softly, mulling over all of what she'd managed to get out of Sara here. She contemplating pushing further, but wasn't sure how Sara would take it. As she started calculating probabilities in her head, Sara spoke first.

"And I'm not going to lie and say I haven't felt something like that with you either," Sara mumbled, just loud enough that Kathryn could hear.

Kathryn's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her usually composed features. She hadn't expected such a direct admission, especially not from Sara. The air in the room thickened, charged with a tension that was both electric and unnerving.

"Me?" Kathryn asked, her voice barely a whisper, a hint of disbelief lacing her tone. "You feel… that with me?"

Sara nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes," she said, her voice soft but firm. "It's… different. Not like with Turner, not like with Charlotte. It's… intense. Intellectual. A meeting of minds. Like a puzzle, where every piece fits perfectly."

Kathryn's brow furrowed, her analytical mind struggling to process Sara's words. "A puzzle?" she echoed, her voice laced with skepticism. "That's… an interesting analogy."

"It's the best I can do," Sara said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "It's like… we're always challenging each other, pushing each other to think differently, to see things from a new perspective. It's… stimulating."

"Stimulating," Kathryn repeated, her voice laced with a hint of irony. "Yes, I suppose it is."

A silence fell between them, the weight of Sara's confession hanging heavy in the air. Kathryn's mind raced, analyzing every word, every nuance, trying to decipher the hidden meanings behind Sara's words.

"Now, get some sleep," Sara said, a gentle smirk teasing the corners of her mouth. "We have a lot to figure out tomorrow."

Kathryn nodded, her gaze lingering on Sara's for a moment before drifting towards the ceiling. The tension in the room slowly dissipated, replaced by a sense of quiet understanding. As Sara drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to navigate this strange new world, together. And maybe, just maybe, they could even find a way to be… happy.

Happiness. After Sara's night with Turner, she had seemed exceedingly happy. No doubt because she was exceedingly happy with Turner, including their physical relationship. Kathryn couldn't deny that Turner had made her feel safe, and there was chemistry between the two of them, despite the lack of a physical relationship between the two of them, at least at this point. But maybe there was something there with Sara, too? She looked over at the black-haired girl, who was smiling and sound asleep.

She wasn't sure what to make of it all, but one thing was certain: something had shifted between them. The lines had blurred and the game had changed. And Kathryn, for the first time in a long time, didn't know what to do next.

She finally drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with tangled puzzles and flickering flames, with the soft touch of Sara's hand and the lingering echo of her words. And with a somewhat uncomfortable feeling of arousal that she couldn't quite place.