大象传媒

By Henry Doust

It was one of those contrary days, the sky was blue, it looked warm from indoors but there was still a February bite in the air. I was wearing my usual camo pants, long sleeve tee and boots, I'd heard the shout to put a coat on, but I'd ignored it, I just wanted to get outside.

There were six of us at the beginning, happy, laughing, just being kids really, I don't know where they are now or what happened to them.

We aren't really even friends anymore, just a bunch of kids I used to know from primary school, grouped together by geography. We didn't go to the same schools anymore though and we'd drifted apart, found new friends as our worlds had changed and grown. So, it was strange how we all ended up together today.

I'm not sure how it started either, but I was involved, and I had to be quiet now. As silent as the grave and just as still. Make myself small. Tucked in. I could listen for sounds. Check for movement, but not make any. I must not be found. When it was very quiet, I could risk looking out, very carefully, lifting my head up and slightly to the side, with my breath held and my heart pounding like a hammer on a blacksmith's anvil.

I had only been brave enough to look once. And then, I thought I'd been seen. My heart had stopped, sweat had coated my body like a second skin but nothing more had happened. I was getting cold like an abandoned meal. I'm not sure how long I've been still for, trying to make myself as tiny as the insects around me. My arms and legs are getting numb, pulled together, tired of being held in the same position. But I daren't move. I know it will lead to pins and needles, and then cramps. But I don't mind the numbness, it is comforting and the longer I endure it, the longer I can stay still and safe.

It's been an age now, an ice age and I'm just as cold. I can't hear anything, but everything hurts. I am calmer now, my heart beat has finally slowed, the adrenalin is dispersing, and I can think: am I safe here? Should I risk moving further away? I want to have look.

Then, suddenly: out of the silence, running, thumping footsteps. Then, slow, cautious steps, and voices. Muffled, twisted voices, speaking quickly, I couldn't make out what they were saying, but they were getting nearer. I made myself even smaller, contracting my screaming limbs. I held my breath. The footsteps came nearer, the voices stopped. I willed my heartbeats to quieten.

Then I felt the shadow fall over me. Heavy with despair, I closed my eyes and exhaled. A large sweaty hand grabbed me with a steel grip accompanied by a booming voice bellowing 'GOT YOU!'

'Damn it'! I cursed, now it was my turn to count.