Chapter 54: Fifth Challenge
Cody woke up before dawn. The cabin was still dark, the others deeply asleep. He put on his gray hoodie, tightened the wraps around his hands, and slipped out quietly. The air was cold, the sky just beginning to lighten with a deep blue hue. The forest was waiting.
He walked into the trees, following the same path he'd carved out days ago. He reached his training spot: a clearing with fallen logs, large stones, and a cliff at the far end. Without wasting time, he stood before a thick log and began punching it with a bare fist. Each impact echoed through the silence of the woods. It wasn't just strength. It was discipline. It was release.
After several minutes, he shifted stance and launched a series of kicks at the log. The crack of the wood mixed with his heavy breathing. Then he lay on the ground, placed his hands vertically, and began doing push-ups supported only by his thumbs. The effort was brutal, but he didn't stop.
He finished the set, shook off the sweat, and walked toward the cliff. He stared at it for a moment, then began climbing with bare hands—no ropes, no help. Each grip was precise, each push measured. As he climbed, his mind drifted away from camp.
He thought about home. About his new parents.
"What would they think of me now?" Cody said to himself.
The version of him that had arrived at camp wasn't the same one hanging from that cliff.
He thought about Eve, Mia, Roxy… about his school friends.
He missed them. But he also knew he was changing.
Not because of the drama.
Because of what he was learning about himself.
When he reached the top, he sat on a rock and looked out at the horizon. The sun was beginning to rise.
He smiled.
Not because of what he had.
But because of what he was building.
Cody climbed down the cliff with the same calm he'd used to ascend. His muscles burned, but his mind was clear. The forest was filling with light, and the sounds of camp were slowly waking. When he reached the cabin area, he headed straight to the showers.
The water was cold, but he didn't complain. It ran down his back as he stood still, watching the steam rise. He leaned against the wall, closed his eyes, and let the thoughts catch up to him.
He remembered the house. The dining room where they used to eat together. The questions his new parents asked every night.
"How was your day, Cody?"
Are you okay?
He used to answer with a smile. But now… what would they say seeing him like this? Talking about love on television?
He finished showering, dried off quickly, and headed to the improvised recording set. The camera was on, waiting for his message. He sat in front of it, hair still damp, gaze steady.
"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to say I'm working on myself. Really. It's not just for the show. I'm learning things I didn't know I needed to learn," Cody said.
He paused. Lowered his gaze, then looked back up.
"I also want to say hi to Eve, Mia, Roxy… and everyone in the group. I miss you. A lot. Sometimes I laugh just remembering our nonsense. And other times… well, other times I wish you were here," Cody said.
Chris, watching from the monitor in the production room, crossed his arms.
"This kid is changing. And not just because of the cameras," Chris thought.
Cody stayed a few more seconds in front of the camera, then stood and headed to the dining hall. The day was just beginning.
The dining hall smelled of coffee and glazed donuts. Cody walked in with damp hair, his shirt clinging to his body from the shower. The Chef was already seated at his usual table, a cup in one hand and half a donut in the other. In front of him, another untouched donut and a steaming cup waited as if they knew Cody would show up.
"Ah, look who's back. The morning ninja returns from punching trees and climbing cliffs," said the Chef.
"And you're still eating breakfast like a cop in a '90s movie," Cody said, sitting across from him.
"Donuts and coffee. The diet of champions. Or of those who've already given up," said the Chef, taking a long sip from his cup.
Cody picked up the donut and took a bite. It was sweeter than he remembered. Maybe because he hadn't eaten anything since the night before.
"Did you sleep at all, or were you betting with the interns again?" Cody asked.
The Chef lit up like someone about to brag.
"Actually, yes. We placed bets on who you'd choose in the love drama. And guess who won?" said the Chef, pulling a small gold ring from his pocket and placing it on the table.
Cody looked at it, frowning.
"What is this? Are you proposing to me?" Cody said.
"Please. Don't make me spit out my donut. It's my prize. I bet on Gwen. Everyone else said you'd go for Heather or Bridgette. And boom. I won this," said the Chef, pointing at the ring like it was a trophy.
Cody laughed, shaking his head.
"Well, I'm glad someone's winning something from this circus," Cody said.
"And you won free breakfast. So don't complain," said the Chef, sliding the cup toward him.
Cody took a sip, then leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Gwen's special. What can I say," Cody said.
"Gwen? Of course—she's got you totally hooked," the Chef said mockingly.
Cody smiled, looking out the window.
"Great. Another thing I have to deal with before the week's over," Cody said.
"Welcome to camp. Here we train muscles, emotions, and run illegal betting rings with interns," said the Chef.
They both laughed. The sun was already high, and the dining hall was slowly filling up. But for a moment, it was just the two of them—sharing coffee, jokes, and a ring that said more than it seemed.
Camp Dock. Sunrise.
Chris walks in with a cup of coffee and a smug smile.
"Good morning, drama addicts! Ready for another episode of chaos, tears, and questionable decisions?" said Chris, looking at the camera.
"Before you start running through the woods like you know what you're doing, let's revisit the artistic disaster that was the talent show."
Quick cuts of the improvised stage, teams choosing their representatives.
"For the Gophers, first up was Trent, with a romantic song dedicated to Gwen. The problem? No one told him forced romance causes chronic discomfort," said Chris, as Gwen is shown looking down, visibly uncomfortable.
"I bet with Chef that Cody would punch him before the second verse. I lost… barely," added Chris, laughing.
Scene change: DJ dancing with ribbons, tripping and falling on stage.
"DJ tried a ribbon dance. Result? A mess of knots, stumbles, and a fall that's still echoing in the stage floor," said Chris.
Scene change: Bridgette spinning on a surfboard, getting dizzy and vomiting on the crowd.
"Bridgette tried to show off with a surfboard stunt. The unexpected twist? She threw up on half the camp. Literally. Zoom in!" said Chris.
Freeze-frame of the vomit raining down on the campers.
"But not all was lost… a prince charming showed up to cheer her up. Image, please," said Chris.
The screen shows Bridgette kissing Cody.
"After cleanup, Heather took the stage. Her talent? Being a villain. She read Gwen's diary in front of everyone. Result? Gwen ran off, Cody followed. Prince to the rescue… again," said Chris, as footage shows Gwen running and Cody chasing after her.
Scene change: Harold beatboxing in front of Chef.
"Harold managed to impress Chef with a decent beatbox. The Bass breathed easy… until Cody took the stage and stole the show," said Chris.
Footage of Cody's musical performance—lights, applause, Chef visibly moved.
"Highest ratings spike of the season. Between us… some people have been trying to contact Cody ever since," said Chris, winking at the camera.
"In the end, the Gophers won again. And a shadowy hand convinced the Bass to vote out Sadie. Image, please," said Chris.
Screen shows Cody talking with Duncan in the dark.
"Sadie walked the dock of shame, screaming 'Katiiiiiie!' like that would change anything," said Chris.
Scene change: Rest days. Cody organizes a dance tournament. Upbeat music.
"And as if we hadn't had enough drama, Cody organized a dance-off. There was everything: laughter, stumbles, and… new couples," said Chris.
Image of Noah and Katie dancing together.
"But problems arose too. Cody danced with several girls, and jealous faces weren't far behind," said Chris.
Image of Gwen rejecting Trent's kiss, walking away and sitting next to Cody.
"Sad moments too. Gwen rejected Trent and went to Cody. And the fury? Heather danced with Cody and kissed him at the end. Gwen left upset, Cody followed," said Chris.
Image of Heather kissing Cody, Gwen walking away.
"But love always wins. Gwen and Cody became a couple. Final image, please," said Chris.
The screen shows Gwen and Cody holding hands, smiling.
Chris crosses his arms and grins.
"Drama? Always. Romance? Sometimes. Chaos? Guaranteed. And what's coming… will test more than just their dance moves," said Chris, walking off down the dock.
"All that and more, right here on Total Drama Island!!" shouted Chris.
The camp was waking up. Cabin doors opened one by one, and campers emerged with messy hair, dragging their feet, some still in pajamas. The dining hall slowly filled with voices, laughter, and the clatter of trays.
Cody was already there, sitting with the Chef, finishing his donut and coffee. When he saw Gwen walk in, he stood up without thinking and went straight to her. She looked at him with a half-asleep smile, still adjusting her jacket.
"Good morning," said Cody, leaning in to give her a soft kiss on the lips.
"Morning… did you already do your hundred thumb push-ups?" Gwen asked teasingly.
"Only eighty. Got distracted by a log that gave me a dirty look," said Cody.
She laughed, and he offered her his coffee cup.
"To help you wake up. It holds the power of a thousand suns. Or at least one caffeinated donut," said Cody.
Gwen took the cup and sipped, grimacing.
"Is this coffee or tar?" said Gwen.
"It's Chef's coffee. You don't question it—you survive it," said Cody.
While Gwen ate her breakfast, the dining hall grew louder with chatter. At a nearby table, Noah and Owen were in a heated debate, with Cody jumping in.
"Samurai had discipline, strategy, and a code of honor. Unstoppable," said Noah.
"Please! Vikings were wild, huge, and had ships. Ships, Noah!" said Owen.
"And Spartans trained from age seven, had shields, spears, and a 'don't care if I die' attitude. Who beats that?" said Cody.
Katie, sitting nearby, laughed while eating her cereal. Cody suddenly stood up, struck a battle pose, and shouted:
"This… is… SPARTA!" Cody yelled, mimicking Leonidas's kick with an empty tray.
—
The tray flew through the air and landed near the Chef, who didn't even flinch.
"If you break anything, I'm serving oatmeal soup for a week," said the Chef.
Gwen covered her face, laughing.
"Why am I dating this lunatic?" said Gwen.
"Because I'm the lunatic who brings you coffee," said Cody.
Just as Cody was about to launch into another theory about how Spartans could've defeated Vikings using only shields and intimidating stares, a shrill sound interrupted breakfast.
BEEP BEEP BEEP!
Chris's alarms blared across the entire camp. Some campers covered their ears, others just groaned.
"Does it really have to sound like a nuclear meltdown?" said Noah.
"That means ceremony! Come on, come on, before Chris yells at us for being late!" said Katie, standing up with her tray still half full.
The campers began pouring out of the dining hall, some still chewing, others running with their shoes half on. Cody took Gwen's hand, and they walked together toward the campfire.
"Think it's an elimination?" said Gwen.
"Hope not. I just earned a donut and a kiss. I'm not ready to lose the combo," said Cody.
When they arrived, Chris was already standing by the fire pit, wearing his professional host smile and holding his clipboard. Interns were setting up cameras, microphones, and a table with mysterious envelopes.
"Good morning, campers! I hope you slept well, ate better, and didn't kill each other over historical debates," said Chris.
Owen raised his hand.
"Vikings had axes!" said Owen.
"And Spartans had abs. We all win something," said Chris.
The campers settled onto the logs around the fire. Chris flipped through his clipboard and raised his voice.
"Before we get to the serious stuff, I want to congratulate the new couples that have emerged from this beautiful chaos we call camp," said Chris.
Noah and Katie were holding hands, smiling shyly. Cody and Gwen sat together, relaxed, sharing a blanket he'd brought from the dining hall.
"Look how adorable! Noah and Katie, officially hand-in-hand! And Cody and Gwen, officially heart-held… and coffee-fueled," said Chris.
Some of the girls—especially those who had shown interest in Cody—didn't hide their annoyance. One frowned, another crossed her arms, and a third just rolled her eyes.
"Can we skip to the part where someone cries?" said Heather from the back.
"Easy, Heather. The drama's in the envelopes. But first, let's celebrate love. Or whatever this is," said Chris.
Cody leaned toward Gwen and whispered:
"Think they'll hate us more if we kiss right now?" said Cody.
"Only if we add special effects," said Gwen.
They both laughed as Chris prepared to reveal what was next.
Chris climbed onto a rock beside the fire, clipboard in hand and a smile that clearly spelled bad news. The campers gathered in front of him, some still holding their envelopes, others already resigned to whatever was coming.
"Alright, campers. Today's challenge is simple… if you were raised by a pack of wild wolves," said Chris.
Cody raised an eyebrow, arms crossed.
"Does that include those raised by raccoons?" said Cody.
"Only if the raccoons knew how to use compasses," said Chris.
Chris opened his folder and pulled out two large maps, rolled up and taped.
"Today, you'll have to survive a night in the woods. No cabins. No bathrooms. No Chef. No me. Just you, the trees, and whatever lives out there. Which, by the way, isn't always friendly," said Chris.
Cody tensed for a moment. His mind flashed back to the original branch.
The bear.
The roar.
The fight.
The beating the original Cody took.
And the list.
The damn list.
"Great. Another chance to cross things off," said Cody, half-joking.
Chris continued, ignoring the murmurs.
"There are two full survival kits hidden in the forest. Each has tents, tools, and the basics to not freeze to death. But no food. You'll have to find that yourselves. Use these maps to locate them. First team back at camp before breakfast wins the challenge," said Chris.
Gwen crossed her arms, eyeing the map with suspicion.
"Is this a challenge or a disguised murder attempt?" said Gwen.
"Both. But with cameras," said Chris.
Owen jumped up, excited.
"This reminds me of adventures with my grandpa! One time we got lost in a swamp and survived by eating roots and hugging beavers. I'm ready!" said Owen.
Harold and Beth exchanged glances, clearly less enthusiastic.
"Are there snakes?" said Beth.
"What if we get attacked by mutant mosquitoes?" said Harold.
Chris shrugged.
"That's part of the charm. Good luck!" said Chris, tossing the maps into the air like confetti.
The campers split into groups, reviewing maps, discussing routes and strategies. Cody stood for a moment, staring into the woods, then listening.
"This is going to be fun," said Cody.
As the teams organized, Cody approached the guys: Duncan, Geoff, Owen, Noah, and DJ. They were all studying the map like it was a burger menu.
"Okay, guys. Before we charge into the jungle like brainless explorers, a few basic tips," said Cody, in tour guide tone.
Duncan laughed, arms crossed.
"Are we getting a Boy Scout lecture, Cody?" said Duncan.
"Only if you want to survive without hugging a poisonous bush," Cody replied.
Geoff raised his hand like he was in class.
"What do we do if we find food?" said Geoff.
"First, make sure it's not moving. Second, if it is—run. Third, if it's not moving but smells weird—also run," said Cody.
Owen laughed so hard he nearly fell backward.
"This guy is pure gold!" said Owen.
DJ, more serious, looked at the map.
"What if we get lost?" said DJ.
"Then we improvise. But stay away from brightly colored plants. And watch out for bugs. If they have more eyes than legs, they're not your friends," said Cody.
Noah, who had been quiet, looked up.
"How do you know all this?" said Noah.
Cody smiled, with a hint of mystery.
"Let's just say I've got experience. And a list that forces me to do stupid things," said Cody.
The guys laughed, and Duncan gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder.
"Hey, that move with Gwen was slick. Didn't think you had that kind of game," said Duncan.
Geoff nodded.
"Yeah, man. Gwen's like… expert level. How'd you pull it off?" said Geoff.
Cody shrugged, feigning modesty.
"I was just honest. And didn't die trying," said Cody.
Owen raised his arms like he'd scored a goal.
The guys gathered around him, joking and patting him on the back. Cody laughed, but also glanced sideways at Gwen, who was talking with Leshawna and Bridgette, seemingly unaware of the conversation.
Harold and Beth stayed close to the group but didn't join in much. Beth held a stick like a sword, and Harold was checking his backpack for the fifth time.
"Think there'll be wolves?" said Harold.
"Only if they don't like you," said Duncan.
The group began moving toward the forest, following the map. Cody moved ahead a bit, eyes sharp, smile ready.
"Let's go, guys," said Cody.
"It's bear season," Cody thought, with a not-so-friendly grin.
—