When we were kids, we used to went every summer to Martin’s beach house, it was a big house next to the sea, we usually spend the time swimming or playing in the sand, but we have a tradition, every summer, a trip to the beach house wasn’t complete without the traditional “capture the flag†game, it usually could last from a few hours, to entire weekends, as we grew up, we started forgetting that game and having other interests (hanging out with girls, surfing, etc.).
That summer, we went to the beach house, since it was a huge house (about 5 or 6 people could sleep in one room), we usually invite a lot of friends, that day we were 10 in total:
Martin (15)
Ted (15)
David (14)
Roger (me) (15)
Zack (Martin’s brother, 16)
Aaron (Zack’s friend 16)
Steve (Another of Zack’s friend 17)
Dan (Another of Zack’s friend 17)
Justin (Dan’s brother 14)
Phil (Our friend, 15)
The original plan was that we were going to stay for one week; we spend all the weekend swimming and hanging out, on Sundays night, Martin’s mom told us that she had receive a call that she need to work that Monday so the we have to pack our thing (Martin’s dad had to work that week too)
-But mom!- said Martin- you were supposed to take this week free!
-I know honey!- she said apologizing- but it is an emergency! (She was a doctor)
We all seemed disappointed, finally, after some hesitation she said
-I think you are old enough to stay alone
We raised our head in enthusiasm
-Really?- asked Zack
-Yes- she said- I’ll come back on Thursday so you can stay alone until then, I’ll leave you some food and money for an emergency…
A few hours later, we were putting her stuffs on her car as she remember her sons a few last minute recommendations
-Don’t make parties, I’ve put the emergency numbers on the refrigerator, don’t stay until too late, don’t go swimming when it’s dark….
-We know mom- Zack interrupted her
-Alright, Zack, you’re in charge- she said, then she said goodbye to all of us and leave, after a few minutes, we burst into the house and made a little party.
The next morning, after breakfast, we went to the beach, I was lying on the sand, talking with David and Martin when Ted called us
-Hey guys, come and check this!
We approached, Ted was standing near the old warden house, it was the beach warden’s house a long time ago, it has been empty since I remember (the warden had a new house by that time), when we played “capture the flagâ€, it was one of our bases, the other one being Martin’s basement, we were soon joined by the rest of the people, every one of them had experienced “captured the flagâ€, we inspect the old house, it was in perfect state!
-Hey- said Zack after a while- what if we play “capture the flag†for one last time?
At first we weren’t sure, but finally we all agree “for the old timesâ€, so we went back to the beach to pick the teams and remade the rules (to make it more interesting).
1. We could hide the flag anywhere we want or move it, but we couldn’t keep it with us
2. If one of us got taken prisoner, he could try to escape or being freed by his comrades
3. The game ends when one of the teams gets the other team’s flag and takes it to their base or when all of the team members are capture
4. The neutral zone was Martin’s house second floor (around the bathrooms)
5. If we agree to a truce (to have a break or to exchange prisoners), both teams will be force to follow it
6. We couldn’t use baits (fake flags)
After all of us agreed with the rules, we proceed to make the teams, finally they were:
Team 1 (the old house):
Dan
Justin
Roger (me)
Martin
David
Team 2 (the basement):
Steve
Aaron
Zack
Ted
Phil
We had 30 minutes before the game started, so we went to our bases to prepare everything, to make it more difficult to the other team to find the flag, we accord that Dan will be the one who would hide it, meanwhile, we would clean that place and prepare it.
-What are we going to do with our prisoners?- asked Justin
-I have an idea- said Martin and left the place, 15 minutes later, he came back with a bag full of ropes-I have them just in case- he explained me and David, soon Dan joined us.
-Great idea- he said as he examined the ropes and bandannas- well, in 5 minutes we start so everyone grab a piece rope and let’s go!
-As the game started, I walk around some bushes searching for the flag or any potential prisoner, it had been 20 minutes since the game started, I only have saw David searching through the beach, and Zack and Ted walking near the house (I hid near some bushes so they couldn’t see me) holding some ropes “so they also have ropes†I said to myself, then I continue walking, as I went through another spot of the beach, I heard some sounds coming form behind some bushes, I run there, and find Martin and Aaron struggling on the sand, finally, Aaron managed to pinch Martin on the floor and was trying to tie his hands to his back, without thinking it two times, I ran towards Aaron and tackle him, taken by surprise, he fell to the floor, immediately, Martin stood up and took the ropes form his wrists, then he ran to help me.
-Thank you- he said as we tied Aaron wrists to his back- I almost got caught, I owe you one!
-Don’t worry- I said, then I forced Aaron to stand up- let’s take him to the base!
Aaron stuck his feet to the ground so we couldn’t push him
-So you want to make this by for the bad way?- asked Martin
-You’ll never get me alive!- said Aaron, then he made another effort to break free, but we were holding him really tight
-Well- I said- Martin, give me your rope
Martin do as I said and I proceed to tied Aaron’s ankles together, then we pushed him, he loosed his balance and fell to the floor.
-Ouch!- he scream
-Shut up!- I told him, he looked at me and then started screaming
-HELP, HELP, MARITN AND ROGER HAVE CAPTURED ME...MHGGG!- his cries were stopped when Martin stuffed a bandanna between his teeth and tied it behind his head
-That’s better- he said, then we grabbed Aarons ankles and started pulling him, face down, across the beach.
We arrived at our base without mishaps, we enter to the house and threw Aaron on one corner of the house, Martin approached to him and took of his gag, Aaron spited some sand
-The next time I won’t struggle so much!- he said looking at his sand-covered torso, Martin pushed him with his foot and he rolled to the wall
Hey! Be careful!- said Aaron, then he sat up and tired to free his hands- Wow, when Zack said that you were really experts tying knots I didn’t believe he was serious, but checking this knots!- he said and tired again to move his hands
-Shut up- said Martin and regagged him
-Hey mhgggg!- he said, then the door got opened and Dan entered followed by Justin, both guys were sweating and gasping
-They tried to capture Justin- explained Dan- I arrived just in time and captured Phil, we were bringing him here when we were ambushed, dude! We barely escaped!- then he noticed Aaron- well, at least we have one prisoner
-What are we going to do with him?- I asked
-Fey I hafe an ofinon!- Aaron protested
-Shut up!- said Martin and pushed Aaron’s head with his foot, Aaron fell to the floor, Dan approached to him and pick him up, then he grabbed Aaron’s hair and pulled it back forcing Aaron to face him
Ouff!- said Aaron
-Listen, you’re going to tell us where is your flag!- said Dan, then removed Aaron’s gag, he just smile
-Never!- was the only thing he said, Dan rolled his eyes and looked at us
-I’ll stay here trying to make him talk; you guys go and search more prisoners or the enemy’s flag… oh! And try to find David, something tells me that he has been captured!
We grabbed more ropes and left the room, the three of us kept walking when we heard someone coming, Martin indicated us to hide between some bushes, while he stayed alone, soon Ted and Zack appeared, both saw Martin and smiled.
-Hi Martin- said Zack, Martin turned around and pretended to be scared
-Hi guy- he said while moving away from them
-Now!- shouted Zack and both guys ran towards Martin,, when they reached him, we jumped form our hiding places and surround them
-It’s an ambush!- shouted Ted but it was to late, soon I was over Ted while Martin and Justin hold Zack, we forced both guys to kneel and tied their hands to their back, suddenly, Zack pushed his captors to one side and started running
-I’ll go for him!- said Justin
-No!- I stopped him- let him go, we still have this guy- I said holding Ted’s neck, he gave me a nervous smile as I put a bandanna between his teeth
-Martin- I said- take him to the base- Justin and I will go to search the area
-Okay- said Martin, then he grabbed Ted and push hi along the way, when he disappeared behind some bushes, we continue walking
-Let’s check the house- said Justin, I agree and we enter through the back door, we were walking when suddenly, someone grabbed me form behind, I turned around and found Steve, before I could react, Justin pushed him and we started running
-We have intruders!- shouted Steve, we were reaching he front door when we were intercepted by Zack and Phil
-Give up!- said Steve as he came behind us- you are surrounded!
-When I tell you run towards Steve!- I whispered to Justin
-But…
-Do as I said… now ready? 1…2…3…RUN!
We both run towards a surprised Steve, I jumped over him as Justin passed by his side
-Run Justin!- I shouted as Steve tried to pushed me to the floor, finally Zack and Phil grabbed me and tied my hands to my back
-Well- said Steve gasping from the effort- take him to the basement!
I was carried to their lair.
To be continued….