A commercial bus picked us up from the hotel, driving us deep into the woods. All the couples and their one family member were crammed in. The bus smelled like sweat and maybe even downtown. So mostly like sweat and human feces.

It was the kind of bus they have in Disney if you've ever used those, the front half of the bus is everyone staring at each other while the back has stadium seating. I was sitting there, focusing on anything but Chase who kept glancing at me left and right. I don't know why I couldn't look him in the eye, maybe I'm too stressed today thinking about the games ahead. I didn't get much sleep last night, sadly. We did have to share the room with Chase, which was awkward and nerve-racking. Peter seemed stressed too, I think it might have been seeing his brother after so long.

The bus was quiet, just the sounds of the tires on the road ahead. On either side, you could see tall green trees and, a lush forest. It was beautiful so far, but I'm also still in air conditioning, so I think once I'm outdoors against my will I might feel differently. But for now, the views were lush and beautiful.

Peter had my hand in his lap, his head resting back, eyes closed. He's getting his game face on again.

I glanced around, Denver and Rachel looked like they didn't have a care in the world, they were grinning: psychos. Everyone had gone to the back except myself, Chase, Peter, Charlie, Lizzie, and Lizzie's sister Amanda who'd just finished high school.

Everyone else was focused on the road ahead, or in deep thought. This didn't feel like a game show this feels like The Hunger Games. I always said if I was put into that kind of situation I'd be the first to die and now I know why my stomach has been in knots since we left home.

"This is your stop," the grey-haired bus driver said.

We all clamored out of the vehicle, and when I could see past everyone I understood the chattering of amazement. It was a cul-de-sac, a small cabin perched on the out edges, in the middle a large cabin stood. The talk trees shadowed behind every cabin, creating this small and almost magical-looking community.

The cabin in the middle read 'Community Center' while the others were numbers 1-11. The 11th cabin had a big DB on it, I could only assume was for Todd.

Todd was standing in front of the commune center, the camera crew and his makeup assistant all waiting for us.

"Hi, everyone!" Todd said loudly. "Welcome to your homes for the next six weeks!"

The producer and director were also there. Diana Smith and Oscar Smith. "Welcome," Diana said with a big bright smile. "I'm excited to have you all here, in a moment we are going to film opening clips and some introductions, and then Ellen is going to show you to your cabins."

Ellen was Diana's assistant, I knew because her badge said it in big bold letters. Ellen smiled her warm and friendly smile. I'd met her a while back when we had to do our in-person interviews for the show. Her ebony skin was shining in the sun, it was beating down on us, though she looked as fresh and happy as ever. Her tank and shorts were both camo colored and I wondered if that was a fashion choice or to blend into the surroundings. "Okay, let's start rolling the opener!"

We all just nodded, like robots waiting for instructions. I glanced over at Chase, he looked bored already and I wondered why he even offered to come. But, he didn't offer. Peter's dad couldn't make it.

Todd had us all line up behind him, the cameraman pulled back and background music that sounded similar to Survived started playing. "Action!" Oscar shouted.

The camera zoomed in on Todd whose arms were spread open like he was waiting for a bear hug.

"Welcome, to the first night of Deal Breakers. We have ten couples here putting their lives and their love on the line." Todd stopped and looked at Diana who nodded that it was a good take.

He moved to the left, standing in front of Denver and his uncle James.

"Our contestants will spend the next six weeks completing vigorous tasks, for the chance at a hundred grand. Sound too easy doesn't it?" Todd winked at the camera.

"Cut!" Diana shouted. "Again."

Todd did as he was told, walked back to his original spot, and read the script over again.

Diana gave him a thumbs up. God this felt like it was taking forever, would everything be like this? Every task? Every interview?

"Every couple has chosen a family member to bring along, no not for moral support but for sabotage."

"What?" I whispered to Peter who ignored me.

"Each Deal Breaker will be the wrench in these couple's working machines, and you might be wondering why would a family member be willing to sabotage them?" Todd paused for dramatic effect. "They will get a hundred thousand dollars if they successfully sabotage their team."

All the contestants started chattering, this must have been left out of the contracts we signed. That would mean that 9 family members are guaranteed a hundred grand, while the winning couple gets paid a hundred too. Phew, their budget for this show was high.

"Tonight's first event is couples trivia, where we will do three eliminations of the lowest scores."

The camera started panning backward. "Stay tuned for Deal Breakers, where the family drama is every Thursday at 8 PM."

"Good job, Todd," Oscar shouted from behind the camera.

"Did you know about this!" I turned to Peter who looked guilty.

He sucked in hard. "Kind of, but I didn't know they'd be paying Chase." He put a hand up, "Actually I didn't ask Chase, I thought Dad would be an easy win for us."

I was huffing. "What do they mean sabotage us?"

Peter chuckled. "Probably just simple stuff. Like, try to psych us out! Chase is the worst liar ever, plus he knows how much we need this money."

I looked over at the brother in question, he was on the other side doing his intro. His blue eyes were locked on the camera and he had the most devilish smile on. "Definitely, I love them but I could walk away with serious cash, so I'm in this to win it," he told the camera

"We're screwed," I told Peter who wasn't even listening. God, I knew it. I knew something was off about this whole stupid thing. The crew made their way down the list and Peter and I were last for intros.

Peter ran a hand through his brown hair and fidgeted with his green t-shirt. "Ready?"

"I never was," I muttered before taking my spot beside him in front of the camera.

"Hi! I'm Peter and this is my beautiful fiancé Layla, we're from sunny California and we're hoping to win this for our wedding!" I forced the biggest smile I could. I never liked being the center of attention, not like Peter and Chase who were both great in the spotlight, like their mom.

"What about you Layla, are you nervous?" Todd asked me, his weatherman smile plastered on his face.

"No," I said trying to convince myself more than Todd. "I think we've got this in the bag."

Todd looked genuinely surprised, "In the bag? That's the kind of confidence you'll need." He looked at the camera. "Now, let's get to the games!"

"Cut!"

I looked at him confused, "is it time for the first round?" Peter cocked a brow, curious.

Todd was already checking his phone, detached from the persona he had seconds ago, "Uh, no that's just for the intro- we don't film the first round till tonight." He looked at me for a moment. "Couples trivia will be at the arena down the road. Ask Ellen if you need anything!" He waved us off, just like that. I had a feeling all of our interactions with Todd would be sweet and short like this, he didn't seem interested in making buddy buddy.

"So which one is ours?" I asked Peter who was beaming.

"I've no clue." His eyes were scanning the grounds, the people and I could tell he was on high alert. This wasn't just about money, the wedding- this was about the glory.

I was taking in our surroundings, instead of trying to study our competitors. Even though I didn't like how the sun was beaming down, or the mosquitos were lurking ready to drink my blood- I had to admit it was a sight to see. I felt like I was deep in some kind of magical little village, the trees seemed so tall that we had to look up to see the tops. The grass wasn't just green it was a lush forest green that I thought was only in paintings.

"It smells like grass, isn't that amazing?" I said excitedly. Peter looked at me like I was crazy, and maybe it was a little silly of me.

"Well, we are surrounded by grass, Lay."

"Right," I said with a nod, how was I going to explain the sensation of smelling real grass and how strong it was? Even though Peter makes us take routine hikes, it never smelled like this. It was never lush, or picturesque.

"Collins, Graham," I heard our names being called. Ellen gestured for us to walk over to her near the front of the Community Cabin. "Cabin five," she handed us two brass keys. "Cell phones." She said flatly.

We didn't move, both confused.

She opened and closed her hand, "hand them over."

"What?" Peter looked flabbergasted.

Ellen sighed. "Did Anyone read the rules, no cellphones while filming." She stomped a foot annoyed. "The Producers don't want anyone posting on social media before the show airs."

Peter and I both had our mouths open. Crap, I didn't know, and clearly neither did he. But we did as she asked and handed over our mobiles. I almost wanted to snatch my iPhone back out of Ellen's hands, but she quickly put them in a Ziplock and wrote our names on it.

"You'll get them back when you win, or lose," she said nonchalantly before walking away with my whole life in her hands.

"Peter," I said through gritted teeth. "Any more surprises for me?"

He genuinely looked scared for his life in that moment and he should be. "No dearest, none that I can think of."

"Great."