The pumpkins that everyone had worked so hard to carve lay face-down in the dirt, rotting into the ground. Empty candy wrappers flitted around alongside browning leaves in chilly gusts of wind.

The fire in front of Paintbrush danced in lockstep with the gusts of wind. In spite of its warmth, Paintbrush could feel the icy grip of winter in the air around them. They opened their mouth to suggest they go inside and warm up, but the words died in their throat when they saw their companion's expression. Marshmallow wasn't shivering one bit as she stared into the flames, a troubled expression on her face.

"Marsh?"

"Yeah?"

"...What's on your mind?"

"It's ridiculous."

Paintbrush cracked a grin, "Isn't a lot of the stuff we talk about?"

Their conversations had a way of meandering towards Paintbrush's elusive question, or something odd that one of them noticed, or Lightbulb, or Apple. They'd talked about those things at least a few times a week since Apple arrived; most people would've told both of them to take a hike by then.

Paintbrush's attempt at levity failed. Marshmallow looked grim when she looked at them.

"...I think figuring out why I know Apple is the key to understanding why everything's so weird. That's how I feel. I just wish talking to her didn't go to crap. Like, it was supposed to be more... friendly, right? I think? Maybe?"

Paintbrush hummed. "It's never too late to apologize."

"But how would I even start? 'Oh, I'm sorry I compared you to garbage, if anything you're as far from garbage as you could ever be'?" Was it a trick of the light, or did Marshmallow's cheeks become dusted with a light pink? "Besides, I hate to say it, but my time's running out."

Paintbrush's chest seized up. "What do you mean by that?"

"The viewers hate mean outbursts, Paintbrush! They probably had a field day in the comment section."

"Salt's way meaner than you, though," Paintbrush replied. "And Pickle sucks at challenges."

"Knowing my luck, they wouldn't even care. And, you know what? If I'm right, the elimination is tomorrow. There's no way I can come up with the right words by then."

Everything in Paintbrush wanted to say Marshmallow was wrong, but truth be told, it could just as easily be them. Even if they knew how the episode made them look, Marshmallow didn't seem like the wishy washy type; if she believed something, it would take a lot to shake that.

In the distance, Paintbrush spotted movement. Salt and Pepper walked together, arm in arm; Salt looked as carefree as could be.

Paintbrush could only hope it would be her and not the one friend they had.

***

Paintbrush had a terrible feeling as their platform rose. MePhone 4 faced them with his usual grin.

"I couldn't find any other prizes on short notice, so today I'll be giving you guys SILLY BANDS. The first contestant safe is Pickle, with a measly 26 votes."

He threw a band at Pickle, but it blew away before it reached him. "Great prize," he snarked.

"So is Paintbrush, with 58 votes."

Paintbrush managed to catch theirs. It was red and crab shaped; adorable, really. Instead of admiring it, they immediately looked at Marshmallow.

"The next eliminated contestant isssssssss..."

As MePhone drew out every single syllable in a cheap ploy to drum up the tension... Paintbrush found it working. Their insides were a knot as they awaited the vote count. Marshmallow kept her eyes on the ground, only sparing MePhone a single glance.

"Get on with it already," Salt snapped, staring defiantly at the host.

"You are so rude," MePhone 4 quipped. "I can't believe you're safe. Marshmallow is eliminated with a record 102 votes."

"Oh geez," Marshmallow breathed. "OK, look, I really didn't mean any harm, so no hard feelings, right?- AHHHHHH!" Marshmallow was sent hurtling away.

Paintbrush's stomach dropped.

In one quick motion that blew their bristles apart, Paintbrush felt more alone than ever. They didn't even get to say goodbye...?

"Now that's out of the way," MePhone said, reaching for the button that would lower their platforms, "follow me to our next challenge."

"Nobody will be following YOU anywhere," said an unfriendly voice. A red MePhone stood nearby, his arms crossed. His expression was unreadable because sunglasses concealed his eyes, but he did not sound friendly.

"What gives you the right?" 4 replied. "I'm the host."

"Not for long. If you kept up with Meeple news, you'd know that I, MePhone 4S, have just been announced. You are outdated technology; replacing you is my birthright."

4 flared up an eyebrow and rolled his eyes. "...Are you serious? If I give you a cookie, will you just leave? I'm sick of being interrupt- Oh my God! You are NOT pointing that at me."

4S had raised the barrel of his pistol. "Say hasta la vista, baby!"

"Screw you, butthead!

There was a deafening pop. Paintbrush had closed their eyes to protect them from the ensuing smoke cloud, but when they opened their eyes, their jaw dropped.

A bullet was lodged in the center of 4's screen. The spider-web of cracks around it were as unfixable as anything. The cookie he'd offered 4S lay on the ground next to him, a forsaken peace offering.

4S leapt from the platform and nudged 4's body with his foot. When he remained motionless, he cackled. "I'm the host now!"

"Aw man, that's horrible!" Pickle exclaimed.

"WHAT?!" Balloon shrieked, and Paintbrush realized for the first time that the whole other team was watching. The disbelief and shock on their faces resonated within Paintbrush's soul; the entire atmosphere suddenly felt different, more oppressive.

4S raised the hand that wasn't holding a gun. "Siri, drop the platforms!" Paintbrush went tumbling to the ground, alongside everyone else. They felt disoriented when they scrambled to their feet, though the fall had little to do with that. "The future is inevitable. The past is immutable."

"I want MePhone 4 back," Pickle replied, crossing his arms.

"Desire is irrelevant," 4S answered, "but what if I gave you a cookie?"

"...I don't really want your stupid cookie."

"Eat the cookie NAOOOW!"

Pickle, startled, took the cookie from 4S. Not more than two bites in, he keeled over, clutching his throat.

As he writhed on the ground in pain, 4S motioned towards a giant abscess in the ground. "The challenge will be to cross this quicksand pit. But if you try to walk around it, I will TERMINATE you!"

"Oh yeah, and I hate teamwork, so there aren't any more teams! One of the last three to win will be out. Now don't waste any time!"

Paintbrush's eyes widened. They'd never been more alone — and they had a sense that it would never feel the same again.

They craved a breather, just one single moment where things would calm down so they could cool their head. They felt like the rug had been swept out from under them, and they had major carpet burn.

Taco caught Paintbrush's eye. She spat a bunch of lemons into the quicksand. Her ally, Baseball, said a few words of praise, but as he stepped on one of the lemons, a flaming boxing glove clocked him, setting him ablaze and making him sink into the quicksand.

"I almost forgot to mention, there are DEATH TRAPS," 4S supplied.

Paintbrush hardly thought for three seconds before Lightbulb slung an arm around them. "Get this. We can just bribe the animator to draw us on the other side!"

"That's the dumbest idea I have ever heard," Paintbrush deadpanned.

"I don't know what animator means, but we can just swim over there, right?" Apple said, immediately taking the prize for 'dumbest idea.' Why did Marshmallow think she was important, again?

...Marshmallow, huh?

...What would she do in this situation?

She was pragmatic, yet out-of-the-box in her thinking. She persevered when the going got tough, and didn't give something up until she tried everything. If Marshmallow was here, she'd figure out this challenge in no time. How would she go about it, though?

They took stock of their surroundings. There were a few trees nearby, though 90% of their branches were barren. They also saw rocks, sticks, even a rubber ball.

When they remembered the silly band in their hand, a lightbulb went off over their head. "That's it!"

Paintbrush punted Apple as far as they could.

She landed safely on the other side. MePhone 4S glowered at her for a second before shouting, "Apple is the first contestant safe!"

Lightbulb gasped. "That looks fun! But won't you get full of glass if you do that to me?"

"Yes. Which is why we aren't doing that." Paintbrush crouched down, parting their bristles and beckoning to Lightbulb, who stared mostly uncomprehendingly at them. "Well, what're you waiting for? Get on my head if you want to win."

Lightbulb nestled herself in their bristles; Paintbrush oriented her so she was well-cushioned.

"You have a bright idea, Painty?" Lightbulb asked.

When they were sure there wasn't a better way to protect Lightbulb, they answered, "Remember the challenge where we had to get over the gorge? Angry birds were there?"

"Oh yeah, I died."

They stretched their silly band between their fingers, scanning their surroundings.

"Well, I think it's time to try again."