A Second Life, A New Power novel Chapter 329

"Has the director lost his mind?"

"Did he say that by accident? He probably meant to say 'no,' right?"

"Mr. Jameson, are you serious right now?" Herne asked, skeptical.

"Are you messing with us?" Caitlin gave him a doubtful look.

"You said it, Mr. Jameson. No take-backs," Thomas chimed in quickly.

"I like it—more people, more fun." Ollie shrugged.

"I heard if you stick with Ms. Moone, you'll never go hungry. I guess I can chill now," Vivian said, laughing.

"I came here dreaming of hearing Ms. Moone sing, and now... my wish is granted," Cody added with a grin.

Harold and Ana were the only ones on Herne's team who hadn't said anything. Demi's team didn't really care either way.

"Funny. Herne's team is acting like it's New Year's Eve."

"Let's be real—Demi has this natural magnetism. People just like being around her."

"She's the kind of person people just trust—like, no matter what's going on."

"Okay, don't get too excited yet. I'm not finished," Richard said with a playful grin.

Herne's group immediately tensed up at that.

"No take-backs!" they all warned, glaring at him.

"What I meant was—you can move around together, but your supplies can't be shared. If you really need something from another team, you'll have to trade something of your own. And—heads up—you only get one chance to make a trade.

"So make it count. Also, flags are not tradeable."

"That's fine. At least we can still hang out. We can play truth or dare at night," Herne said casually.

Everyone looked pretty excited at that—except for Ana.

She still hadn't gotten over last season, when she got forced into swearing an oath during the game and then got struck by lightning. She was not trying to relive that trauma.

...

Once all the rules were explained, the crew split them into two boats and sent them off to the island.

He leaned closer to get a better look at what he had assumed was just some random weed.

"Hey, back off!" George snapped. "Just because we can move together doesn't mean you gotta hover over our team the whole time."

Herne had stepped right in between him and Demi, and George wasn't thrilled.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Do you own this place?" Herne shot him a look.

…

Demi's team had found two supplies by midday. They found a magnesium fire starter and a giant jug of clean water. Demi herself had caught a rabbit and a chicken, and the group had gathered a decent amount of seafood, wild fruits, veggies, and mushrooms.

Herne's team had found a set of cookware—a pot, a ladle, and a cleaver. They'd also caught a chicken, plus the same haul of seafood and wild produce. So, as long as Herne's crew managed to start a fire, they'd eat fine.

Demi's crew, on the other hand, didn't have any tools, so they had to use barbecues. But then came a problem—they didn't have a knife. How were they supposed to clean the rabbit and chicken?

While Herne's group was off struggling with their fire-starting mission, Maria and the others sat staring at the animals in front of them. "What now? We don't have a knife," she said, clearly stumped.

"Hang on," Demi said, getting up and walking off to the side.

Everyone stared at her, completely confused.