20 TPN STORIES IN 20 DAYS CHALLENGE

Day 19 - Manhunt (Hunters Version)

The tension in the air was palpable. The last batches of meat weren't providing enough for the whole family and complaints were on the rise as Thoma and Lanni were calling into account the skills of Tom, Chris and Dominic.

Thoma: We put the three of you in charge for every one of us, and when we need, the same three of you can't deliver properly! Honestly what even is that?

Lanni: Yeah, everyone here could do better than you do!

These complaints escalated quickly into a little protest including a lot of the younger kids while the elders were trying to calm the things down, all these complaints irritated Tommy, and the most cantankerous who has the most explosive temper of the three laid down a challenge towards his whole family. The challenge? A manhunt! The rules? Simple: Tom, Chris and Dominic will be the hunters and to prove their worth, they will have to hunt every single one of their siblings. Their playground? The whole area surrounding their big cottage, there was a big forest composed with a lot of hills, cabins and hiding spots. The hunted will have half an hour to spread out and hide in the entire area, starting from there our hunters will have nothing less than three hours to rule everyone out of the equation, if everyone is eliminated, the hunters win. If there's one person remaining once the bell will ring, the hunted win. The stakes are supremely high for both parties as a pledge has been assigned to both sides: If the hunters win, everyone else will have to do their job for the following winter, the toughest season to hunt as the access to the city is nearly impossible 90% of the time and the wildlife was scarcer because of the hibernation. But if the other team wins, they'll have to do all of the chores until the end of the year!

Everyone agreed that they would never make it, but the trio was certainly not to be taken lightly as they formed the perfect combination for this kind of game: Chris, a genius of orientation, able to learn a whole terrain and its secrets in record time, certainly not the most skilful at aiming but he could guide his friends wherever he wanted without any problem. Tommy, an unparalleled analyst with an unbelievable hearing, was able to put himself in the place of his prey to track it relentlessly. Combined with Chris's observation, they could chase down anyone with no problem, but the last element was vital to them winning... Dominic. The sharpest aim of all, a genius archer and shooter, his accuracy was flawless no matter the weapon. All of their skills had been learned in the other world and honed here, despite that the mockeries and the complaints were not stopping, the challenge made a lot of them laugh, but Tommy has switched from annoyance to confidence and cockiness.

Tommy: Y'all better learn to eat more greens and subs, because when we're done kicking your asses, you'll be on a forced diet for the upcoming winter, and you better not expect any help from us!

Lannion: C'mon Tommy, as if the three of you were able to catch almost fifty people in such few time, no offense but look at you all... Chris and Dominic barely passed their 10's, and you haven't even reached that milestone, you're clearly delusional pal!

Dominic stepped up immediately to defend his friend, with Ray and Chris quickly putted themselves in the middle of the fray.

Dominic: Watch, your, mouth.

Dominic was furious, they all know how Tom was complexed about being among the youngest and how he and his skills were overlooked compared to the others, seeing Lanni playing that card straight away sparkled a fire within him and he promised himself he'll eliminate him asap!

Chris: Dominic, ease out please.

Ray: Alright, the three of you better calm down, otherwise this whole thing is cancelled.

Protests have been raised from both sides but Tom wasn't done firing shots at everyone, he wasn't scared of a good war of words and no one was safe from his provocations, not even Ray.