Page 46 of The Game
I like these rules, because I have a feeling I’m going to be the first to die and then I would be stuck on the sidelines for the rest of the game. Maybe Walker thought the same. The boys can play the other version later and all kill each other while Cadence and I eat all the candy.
I’m so nervous I think I need to pee. I’ve never done this before, but I’m so excited. I just don’t want to be the first one shot.
We enter the doorway into the laser tag area. The blue lights make everything darker and there’s glow in the dark paint on the walls and beyond on any obstacles.
My heart’s pounding as the countdown starts and I run. Hiding behind a fake boulder. Making sure my gun is ready to go, I look to see where the other team is. I’m on the green team and Walker's team is blue. Our equipment shows who’s who.
“Go,” yells Jake and everything moves so fast. The guys are grunting and yelling. But there’s also some laughter coming from all around me. I keep looking out, trying to work out who’s who as they run past me. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
That’s until I see a player peek out and I take my chance. Their chest changes to red after I shoot at them. I did it. I get excited and jump up and down. This isn’t so hard. I watch as Alessandro stands up with the red chest. My mouth drops open.
I just shot my teammate.
“Mila,” is all he says as he laughs on his way to the meeting point to reset himself. I can't believe I shot him. I was too focused on shooting someone. I didn't even stop to see who it was.
Roman comes up beside me. I’m glad to see him. I don't want our team to lose. I want to win for him.
“I'm terrible at this, sorry. You would be better without me on your team. I shot Alessandro.”
He squeezes my hand. “I don't care how good you are or if we win. All I care about is that I'm with you. Thank you… for everything.”
I kiss him. When he pulls away, I look down at his now red chest. I look behind him and Hunter has a huge grin. He puts his hands up and chuckles.
“Cheap shot, sorry.” Then he runs off laughing.
Roman tilts my chin up to him.
“Was worth the kiss. Now you want to get someone who’s not on our team?” I chuckle and nod. I would love to shoot someone not on my team. That's how this game is supposed to go.
“There's a room over there with a bit of a maze. I saw Walker go in there before. Want to get him?”
Oh, hell yeah. I wanna go get him. Get up from my spot and quickly kiss Roman before I run and dart to the other room. The obstacles here are like a maze, just as Roman said. It’s also quieter in here. I can hear my heavy breathing and my footsteps as I make my way through the wooden obstacles. Where is he?
I squeal when Walker jumps out and shoots me. “Gotcha, Mila,” he chuckles deeply before running off to find someone else to kill.
“Ugh, I'm seriously terrible at this game.” I mumble to myself as I make my way to the meeting point to reset myself.
Cadence is there with Grady. They both smile as I approach them.
“This is so much fun. I've shot four green players already, Mila.” She laughs, bouncing on her toes.
“This is the third time I've been here,” Grady shakes his head.
“Well, now I don't feel so bad. This is only my first time here. But I have shot one person… my teammate.”
Cadence stops bouncing and bursts out laughing. Grady chuckles, but I give him my best stink eye and point at him.
“Sorry, Mila. I shouldn’t have laughed. It’s just… we have colors.” Pointing to her chest where it’s still red. “How did you not see your own teammate's chest before you shot him?”
I shake my head and laugh. “I was over eager?”
That lands a laugh, even from Jake. Their chests turn blue and they both run back into the game again as I wait for mine to turn green.
Jake shows me the security screens of the whole laser tag. I can see Cadence stalking after Roman. Asher and Hunter teaming up against Alessandro. Jake and points to a screen of the maze. No one appears on the screen there.
“He was hiding there.” I look in closer to where I’d been shot by Walker. “No one’s in there right now, but if you crouch low and hide behind there. You can ambush someone easily. Or you could just run in there, guns blazing. Either way, it’s just good fun”
I smile at Jake. He’s not old. Maybe thirties? But he’s nice and very helpful.
