Her fingers still. “My entire career depends on this show being successful.”
“One television show can’t determine your whole career.”
“This one can.” She takes a small bite, chewing. “You already know what happened. Let’s say I don’t get a lot of second chances.”
“By being shown as helpless in the wilderness?”
“By proving I can change and grow.” She takes another bite, larger this time. “From Hollywood party girl to resilient survivor. That’s the story they want to sell to viewers.”
“But that’s not your actual story, is it?”
Her eyes meet mine, something unguarded in them. “No one wants to hear my story.”
The hell they don’t,I think, a sudden sharp urge to protect that unguarded look in her eyes rising in me. Before I can speak, Elliott’s voice cuts across the cabin.
“Lena? We need to get moving!”
I watch it happen—the mask slamming back into place, her vulnerability vanishing. “Coming!” she calls back, voice pitched in that too-bright tone she reserves for performances.
Elliott heads our way, his eyes narrowing as he takes in the scene: Lena’s wrapped ankle, the willow branches, my proximity.
“What’s going on here?” he asks, stepping into our corner of the cabin.
“I’m providing medical attention,” I say, rising. “Her ankle’s worse this morning than it was yesterday.”
“We need to stick to the schedule,” he says, tone already climbing. “The network?—”
“The network isn’t here right now,” I cut in, turning to Lena, noting the shadows under her eyes, the way she’s trying to mask the pain. Dammit, she’s running on fumes and pretending she’s fine. “I am. And I’m saying she needs a day off her feet to recover—really recover, not push through for some damn camera shot.”
“That’s impossible. We have to get usable footage today.”
“You’ll get footage of a medical evacuation if you push her too hard on that ankle.”
Elliott’s expression sours. “Lena, we need you out there. The viewers want to see you overcoming challenges, pushing through pain. It’s the narrative we’ve established for the show.”
I watch Lena’s face, seeing the conflict play across it. Part of her wants to refuse, to listen to her body’s need for rest. But the other part—the part tied to her career, her public image—is calculating how to give Elliott what he wants.
“I can hike today,” she says, though her voice lacks conviction.
“No.” The word comes out sharper than I intend. Both of them look at me in surprise. “This isn’t a discussion,” I continue, moderating my tone. “As the wilderness guide responsible for everyone’s safety, I’m making a judgment call. Lena stays here today with a camp attendant. The rest of us will scout ahead and return tomorrow.”
“You can’t decide that on your own,” Elliott sputters.
“Actually, I can. It’s in the contract you had me sign. Safety decisions rest with the guide.” I haven’t read the entire document, but I’m betting Elliott hasn’t either. “Page six, paragraph three, subsection B, if you want to check the paperwork.” Elliott glowers, but uncertainty flickers in his eyes.
“Who stays with her, then?”
“Carlos,” I say. He’s the quiet one who seems more interested in capturing nature footage than Lena’s discomfort. “He can get footage of camp life, medicinal plant preparation, whatever narrative you need for the show.”
Elliott’s eyes narrow. “Carlos is one of my best operators. I need him on the trail with us.”
“He’s also the least intrusive with his camera work,” I counter. “Lena needs rest, not someone hovering with a camera in her face all day.” I keep my voice low enough that only Elliott can hear. “Unless you’d prefer I stay instead? Then you’d have no guide at all for today’s shoot.”
Elliott considers, clearly calculating which asset he can spare. Carlos is by the window, capturing the morning light filtering through the trees, focused on his craft rather than the drama Elliott keeps manufacturing.
“Fine,” Elliott concedes. “One day. We’ll get B-roll of the trail and wilderness shots today. Tomorrow she’s back on her feet, adversity narrative in full swing.”
Once he’s stepped away to brief the others, Lena releases along breath. “How did you manage to convince him like that?”
