Mia's Arc

Chapter 2 of 3

Mia's phone buzzes in her pocket during breakfast. A producer wants to see her at the lodge in ten minutes. She tries to swallow her oatmeal but her throat closes up. Her heart rate monitor would be spiking right now if she were streaming. The producer sits across from her in the lodge's common area, sliding a manila envelope across the table. The word EVIDENCE is stamped across it in block letters. Inside is a printed screenshot from yesterday, timestamped 3:47 PM. Mia stands near a doorway she recognizes immediately—the monitoring room. Her face is slightly blurred but unmistakable. "We review all footage daily," the producer says. "Care to explain what you were doing there?" Mia's mind races. She could deny it, say she was lost, but the photo proves she was there. She forces herself to meet his eyes and makes a choice. "I was exploring," she says, keeping her voice steady. "Found it unlocked. Didn't touch anything." The producer studies her for a long moment, then slides the photo back into the envelope. "The room is now locked. If you're caught near it again, you're eliminated." He stands and walks away. Mia sits frozen, her hands shaking under the table. She didn't get eliminated, but now they're watching her specifically. Every move she makes from here will be scrutinized twice as hard.