DAY THREE:

HONDO:

“I feel totally vulnerable today.” Richard stated. “But that doesn’t mean that I will give up. If ever I would go down today, I will take someone along with me to hell.”

“Of all the people that should feel vulnerable is Richard.” Tina admits. “I mean everyone wants to defeat the big guy. He’s the original manipulator and for me that isn’t fair. As much as I want to defeat him as well, I don’t think that its fair that to base the vote on that.”

After Tina stated those words, she went to look for the big man. Finding him alone on the shore, she approached him cheerfully. She knew that Richard might be feeling vulnerable, if not totally accepting defeat. “Hey Rich.” Tina greeted.

Richard looked at the greeted and forced a smile. “Hi Tina. What are you doing here?”

“Nothing.” Tina answered. “What are you doing here?” she asked emphasizing on the you.

“Just chilling. I mean I would be the next to go so might as well enjoy the island.”

“Don’t say that Rich.” Tina stated as she hugged the big guy. “Just for the record, I won’t be voting for you tonight.”

Richard smiled sincerely this time. “Thanks Tina. I really appreciate that.”

^^^^

Helen and Kim were cooking lunch for the tribe. They were making sure that this was special since this would be the last time the tribe would be together completely. After tonight, one of them would be going home.

“From my point of view, I’m thinking that I would be the next one to go.” Kim stated to Helen.

“How can you even say that? You have done nothing wrong at all.”

“Well, I did tripped in the challenge.” Kim replied. “I basically lead the team to defeat.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself Kim. There might still be hope.”

Kim smirked. “Yeah sure. Hope that I would be the first one voted out. Now I know how this feels and it totally bites.”

“We’d just have to stick together.” Helen suggested. Helen had a plan the moment the day started. “The females band together to get one the men out.”

Kim nodded.

Helen then continued. “Then, it would be easy. I mean we would be reaching the merger in no time.”

“That’s true. But how can we be sure that Tina and Susan would be up for that?”

“I already spoke with Tina yesterday and she’s ecstatic about it.” Helen answered. “Susan, I’m not sure. She’s wavering in her decision.”

“We’d just have to play it safe or we’re done.” Kim stated.

^^^^

Tina Wesson was now with Jeff Varner. The two great strategists have been exchanging ideas since day one and they have banded together as a group since they both needed each other.

“So, who would be going tonight?” Tina asked.

Jeff shrugged. “I don’t know. I really never had decided yet.” Jeff replied adding, “Who would you vote for?”

Tina stopped for a moment to think. Who would she vote for? She weighed all her choices in her head. She was all set in voting alongside Richard now but she’s not sure if Jeff’s up to that.

But Tina decided to be honest. “But I can assure you that I would vote alongside Rich and Susan at Tribal Council.”

Jeff’s eyes widened to hear that. “Against whom exactly?” he was getting interested. With Richard Hatch behind your game, you’re sure to make it far.

“I never had the chance to talk with them but I’m sure that we need a fourth.” Tina assured. “Want to be that fourth?”

“Hell yeah.” Jeff answered smiling. Jeff was indeed no fool at this game. He was certain to make a difference at this game now. He was cut short last time and he’s certain to make sure that he gets to the final two this time.

“About time.” Jeff confessed. “I have been waiting for this day long before Burnett thought of this. I’m psyched and I’m ready to kick some ass tonight and for the rest of the nights to come so bring it on.”

TRIBAL COUNCIL:

The tribe hiked towards Tribal Council, which was situated, by a cliff with a waterfall. As the tribe walked alongside the river, they saw different kinds of fish trying to out swim the strong current of the river.

Then, they finally arrived.

Low drooping trees welcomed them, as they have to shrug off the leaves as they entered Tribal Council. They rang the gong, each one, who enters council. They took their seats as Jeff Probst awaits them to sit down.

“First off.” Jeff started. “I want you to grab your torch behind you, light it with the fire in the middle, place it back and take your seats.”

The tribe took their torches as Jeff continued, “As most of you all know, fire represents life, your life on the island. Once the light is snuffed out, your game ends as well. Remember that very well.”

The tribe lit their torches, placed it back and sat themselves down. Jeff sat right in front of them as he began to question the tribe.

“Three days out here and now, you have to vote someone off. Kim, can you say that you feel vulnerable right now?”

Kim smiled and answered, “Yes. I’m the oldest person here, I failed at the challenge yesterday and that’s just two of the reasons why I should be voted out. If I do, I totally respect that.”

“Who else feels in danger?” Jeff asked as everyone raised his or her hands.

“Richard. On a scale of one to ten, how vulnerable are you tonight?”

“With ten being the highest, I would say ten.” Richard answer. “I’m always in danger here. They’re thinking of me as a threat since I already won before.”

“Moving on, Helen. How would you base your vote for tonight?”

“For tonight, it would be solely based on perception.” Helen answered trying not to give anything away. “If I have to choose, it would be for someone who I think would be a difficult person to get along with in the long terms.”

“Tina. What about you? Can you say that there are already alliances going on now?”

Tina sheepishly grinned as she replied, “Yes. There were some deals made before the hike and it can’t be avoided. It’s inevitable. There would always be scheming in anyone’s part.”

“With that.” Jeff announced. “It is time to vote. Kim, you’re up first.”

Kim stood from her spot as she patted Helen on the back, smiling. She went to the podium, holds tightly on the pen, and wrote down her obvious choice. Richard.

“Nobody deserves to go right now but I feel uneasy about you. Hope you understand.” She stated her case as she went back.

Tina Wesson voted next as she stood there, pen in hand, hesitating to vote. She was torn apart on whom to vote for. She had spoken to everyone at camp before Tribal Council but yet there was uncertainty for her part. She sighed and wrote down her decision.

“This is a very hard decision and I hope you understand but I just have to vote for you. Take care.”

Susan was the next one to vote as she casted hers, with a small smile on her face. She stated her case, and went back.

Lex was fourth as he strolled over to the voting podium and wrote down his choice.

Jeff Varner and Richard Hatch were the fifth and sixth person to vote.

Michael Skupin was the next one to vote as he hesitated as well to cast his vote. He had been basically been approached by everyone at camp and he really didn’t want to vote with the choices given but he has no choice. Either go along with the plan or risk being voted out.

Those were the rules.

He finally sighed as he wrote down his vote, shook his head and went back.

Helen Glover was the last person to vote as she smiled as she casted her vote. She winked and smiled and she went back.

As the eight members of Hondo sat at the chairs, Jeff went to get the urn to tally the votes. Kim was nervous at this vote, Richard was anxious. Tina was disturbed for a reason as she looked down at her feet. Susan’s eyes darted directions as she looked at the emotions being let out of her tribe members.

“Let me remind you,” said Jeff, “That the person voted out must leave immediately.” He reached into the ballot box and pulled out the first vote.

“First vote...”

“Richard.”

Richard smiled. Of course, the first vote would be for him. It was an obvious choice but he hoped that it wouldn’t be him tonight.

“Richard.”

That was Helen’s vote. She took the liberty to put a smiley face on her ballot. It was a way in giving respect to the man.

“Kim.”

That was Lex’s vote. Lex was approached by Tina earlier to feel out of an alliance and Lex was eager to vote with them to save himself. It was a way in making sure he’s safe for the next three days or so.

“That’s two votes Richard, one vote Kim.” Jeff stated.

Opening the fourth vote, he read,

“Kim.”

Kim smiled and nodded. Helen held her hand tight as she tried to comfort the grandmother.

“Kim.” Read the fifth vote.

Helen forced a smile as she shook her head. This was not supposed to happen. She was supposed to be safe.

“That’s two votes Richard, three votes Kim.” Jeff reminded.

“Kim.”

That was Tina’s vote. As much as she hated voting against Kim, she had no choice. Susan had cornered her into giving her, her word and she was determined to give it to her.

Jeff pulled out the deciding vote.

“First person voted out of Belize...”

He opened it and read,

“Kim.”

With that vote alone, Kim was voted out. Helen looked surprised as Kim stood up and hugged her. Kim grabbed her torch as she was in utter amusement on how the votes played out. Tina patted her on the back trying to utter an apology but no words came out. As Kim tearfully placed her torch in front of Jeff, she watched as her torch was extinguished.

“Kim, the tribe has spoken.”

Kim looked back at her tribe and stated, “Good luck guys. You can beat them one way or another.” She walked down the walk of shame as the darkness enveloped her and in a moment, she was gone.

Jeff turned his attention to the tribe who, most of them were in tears.

“It was never an easy process.” He stated. “But someone has to go. Its obvious that the tribe has some issues at hand, and I hope that you guys can talk it out for the betterment of your tribe. Grab your torches and head back to camp. Good night.”

The Hondo tribe stood up and went back to camp. Richard Hatch led the way; right behind him were Susan Hawk, Lex van den Berghe and Michael Skupin. Tina and Jeff Varner were close behind as they talked along the way. Helen was at the back in utter disbelief. She was lied to and she was certain that something has to be done now.

Or she would be the next one to go.