Karl

The second round had left a bitter taste in my mouth. Seeing the way that the

judge, Logan, tore into Abby on live television left me feeling maybe a little too

overprotective, but I couldn’t just stand idly by while Abby had her integrity

ripped apart on stage.

I told Abby I needed to take a call, but it was a complete lie. I needed to talk to

this Logan, understand why he was being so harsh on Abby compared to the

other contestants. And most of all, I needed to make him see the truth: that Abby

was an excellent chef, undeserving of this treatment, and that her spices had

been sabotaged.

Enter title…

The security guard outside the judges’ private room was a mountain of a man,

his face impassive as I approached.

“Hello,” I said, adjusting my blue surgical mask slightly. “I’d like to speak with—”

“I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t go in there,” the security guard replied, his voice a

low rumble. “Policy.”

“But I just need a moment with Judge Logan. It’s important,” I pleaded, trying to

keep the urgency out of my voice.

Before the guard could refuse me again, the door cracked open and Logan’s

His eyes searched me up

he were considering, before he

and the

look on his

as commanding off stage as it was onstage, and

and thick with tension. Logan was the only

two likely off doing their own thing. I was relieved, because

the two of us:

behind me, turning to face Logan, who was regarding

mixture of

is it?” he

that wasn’t my real name. It was the pseudonym

the day, and it was what I would stick with until this competition

over.

do for you, Ken?” he asked, folding his arms

I began, my hands clasped behind

tension

with

it seems like you’ve

eyebrows lifted. “Did Abby send you?” he

She has no idea

to you

a moment, then leaned back against

which couldn’t be further from the truth,”

with a disarming calmness.

you give out there,” I countered, my voice tense.

it’s like she’s

considering. “Look,

flavors, when she actually gets them right,

competition. And her techniques are

the attitude, then?” I pressed. “Why are you so harsh

less? You’re not nearly as

met mine, and there was a flicker of

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