Shadows Burning

The plane was boring. There weren't even TVs on the backs of the seats. Luckily, Chance found his iPod in his pocket, which made the trip go by faster.

Abi arrived at the New York airport where the contestants were supposed to meet to take a private flight to alaeko island, wherever that was. 

When Chance got off the plane, the heavy, humid, HOT air hit him full in the face. He was glad that he had brought a pair of shorts. He would have to cut off his pants at the knees. His legs were already stifling.

Chance looked around for a sign of where he should go. Then he saw a group of people standing over by a palm tree, holding a large sign with the words "Alaeko Island" on it. He hurried over.

"Ugh..." said Abi.  "It's waaaaaaaaaay to hot.  this is horrible."

"I know, right..." Chance said. He decided that he would cut off the sleeves on his shirts too.

Just then a man in the group started speaking into a magnephone. There were about 50 kids gathered around. "Welcome, Alaeko Islanders!" He shouted. "I am Rob, your show host!" He flashed a toothy smile. Chance looked around and realized that they were being filmed.

"The first thing we will do is sort you into groups!" Rob continued. "you will be in groups of four, with two boys and two girls! Each group will have a color, and you will get a bandana of that color which you have to wear visibly on your person at all times during the show! Here are your groups! Come up and get your bandana when I call your name!"

"The pink team: Anna M., Matt B., Mason E., Kelly P.

The orange team: Quinn F., Finn H., Maria V., Kurt ?.,

The blue team: Abi R., Chance V., Jonah W., Rhiannon H...

Rhiannon waited as Rob called names, going by group. She scrutinized the other teams as she waited for her own name to be called.

(I have to go)

(Bye!)

Chance went up and got his blue bandanna, then went and joined his group. He looked around at them. One of them was the blond girl who he had talked to a few minutes ago, but the rest he didn't recognize. He tied his bandanna messily around his right arm.

"So... Hi, guys." He said.

"Hey," said Abi as she rolled her bandanna and tied the band around her head.  "I'm Abi"

"Chance," said Chance. "So... do you guys know what we're doing on this show?"

Jonah was silent as he tied his bandana very carefully around his wrist. The flight had been long and someone had almost taken his luggage by mistake, and he didn't feel like talking to these people he barely knew.

"Hey man" Chance said to Jonah. "What's you're name?"

Abi looked at him expectantly 

Just then, Rob started speaking. "All right, now that you've had a chance to meet your teammates, let us begin the first task!"

"...a treasure hunt around the island.  You don't know the area very well, so it will be tricky, but if you're clever and observant you'll do great.  Each clue will be the color of the team that's looking for it, so if you find someone else's clue, please don't move it.  Everyone's hunt will be different, but the final clues are the same, so you'd better hurry.  the first team there wins!  Now, on the count of three, run up, grab your color clue, and begin.  1...2...3!"

(Maybe after this one they should have an activity which decides which cabins they live in or wherever thet're staying.)

Rhiannon sprinted forward towards the clues, eager to get started. She did track, and was one of the first ones to grab it and dash back. Reaching her team, she looked at it. It was a neat little blue envelope with a wax seal on the back.

"Open it, quick!" Said Chance, reaching for the envelope. He pulled out the slip of paper that was inside and read it out loud.

"Once way up high

I used to touch the sky

Now on the ground I lie."

Abi crossed her arms.  "Maybe it's a dead bird"

"Or a dead butterfly, or a dead ladybug, or a dead grasshopper, or a dead bat...or a dead dragon!" Chance suggested.