Clipped Season 2 Novels & Stories

It was a plan that had worked for all four of us but now I was stepping into their space and Claire wasn't happy about it one bit. "Claire, I honestly think you're making this a bigger deal than it needs to be," I tell my daughter, putting her in her place. "The season will be over in two months, and you're graduating in October." Claire huffs loudly, pushes back her chair and swoops her bowl off the table. She throws me one last look of disapproval before storming off to the kitchen. The way she's carrying on, anyone would think that I'm insisting on sitting with her at lunch time, which I might just do if she keeps going.

The on-set director simply nodded. As Leon reached for the card, a line of real-time subtitles materialized on the screen. "Congratulations, you've been chosen! Welcome to the second season of 'Survival of the Fittest.' The show begins now. For the sake of authenticity, each participant will be shadowed by a cameraman. Should you feel uncomfortable at any time, press the emergency button to withdraw…" Leon glanced at Clary, who was watching from the side. "Has it started?" "Yes, Mr. Carver."

And beside him, Claire, her hands clamped over her mouth, her eyes wide with absolute, screaming horror. "See you in hell," I whispered to the sky. And then the dark, freezing water swallowed me whole. [FADE TO BLACK] [END OF SEASON ONE]

I put down my chips and gulped down a bottle of Earl Grey tea to calm down. When I looked back at the screen, Jennifer was lying in a pool of blood. Gavin was beside himself with excitement, scooping up her blood with empty water bottles. He kept muttering, "Can't let it go to waste, can't let it go to waste!" This time, it was not me on the menu, it was Jennifer. I quickly saved a copy of the video. Even though the internet was spotty, I managed to video call Gavin. He was thrilled to see me okay and could not wait to show off his latest wins.

** seasons of Change** It was a crisp autumn evening when Claire felt the first pangs of labor. The leaves had begun to turn vibrant shades of red and gold, and the air carried a hint of the coming winter. Seabreeze was calm and quiet, the sky tinged with the last colors of the setting sun, as Claire and Ethan realized that the moment they had been eagerly awaiting was finally here.

Season 1, the first time I discovered the water was contaminated — the footage showed me holding my bowl, staring at the film of oil on the surface. My expression shifted from confusion to horror. I'd held that bowl for a full five seconds before I finally drank. The comment feed exploded that instant with a screen full of "Drink it! Drink it!" Season 2, Marcus breaking down the door. The first swing cracked it open. The second widened the gap. The third time, someone from outside sealed the gap back up. Marcus had stood in front of the resealed concrete for a long time before walking back. Season 3, Jake got "eliminated."

"But I'm starting to think we're running out of time to figure it out before he gets whatever he's actually after." Somewhere down the hallway, a door opened and closed, quiet footsteps retreating before I could turn to see who it belonged to. I didn't need to see them to feel the same cold certainty crawling up my spine again, the sense that whoever had cut that line into the ice was still close enough to watch exactly how we reacted to finding it. Coach found us there twenty minutes later, expression grim in a way I hadn't seen from him all season.

At the same time... Although tired, Claire was happy with the outcome of their second day of shooting. Nothing went wrong and he was excited to finish shooting the remaining eight episodes of their television series... She feels a bit sad because they'll be leaving Brentwood Creek in a few days. She will miss a lot of things in this hometown, once they go back to the big city. But she promised herself that she will come back again in the near future... "Claire." She stopped on her tracks when she heard that familiar voice. It was the voice that she will never, ever forget in her whole life.

There were bigger things to deal with. “I’ll leave you two,” Kate said softly, giving Claire’s shoulder a supportive squeeze, silently telling her she had her back no matter what. Claire gave her a small nod and forced a tight smile. She ignored Sebastian entirely, not sparing him even a glance—as if he wasn’t even there. Once Kate left, Sebastian stepped closer. Claire’s laptop was still open, but the video had already ended. She wiped her face with her hands and tried to fix her hair. The last thing she wanted was to look pathetic in front of him.

Notifications stacked over each other. It was mostly PR, then board members. Two directors requesting “clarification.” Three missed calls from my media advisor. I opened the first article. The clip played automatically. The reporter lunging toward Claire, the microphone nearly striking her shoulder, and the split second where she stepped back. And then— me. My hand pushing the reporter away… my other arm pulling her behind me. The frame paused at the most unfortunate second possible. Claire against me. Her body pressed to mine, my hand at her waist.