Not Much Time (A Short Story)

 ENTRY 1

Friday 8:45 P.M.

Tonight's the night. The night where I dominate this game of manhunt and win against Marvin's cheating ass.

I've been playing his little game for a few semesters now and the fact that he wins every time just drives me insane. You see, we don't just play manhunt in a dark parking lot like little children. We're college students for Christ's sake. Let me explain how the game works.

First of all, there's about six or seven of us per game. Every other weekend, one of us picks a remote or abandoned location to meet up at around midnight. We pick a hunter, like a normal game of manhunt, and the rest of us find a location to hide. Now, I'm particularly good at the game, but Marvin always wins. ALWAYS. It's frustrating. I KNOW he's cheating. My goal this game isn't solely to win, but to catch Marvin cheating somehow.

I've chosen an old, abandoned psych hospital this time. I've already spoken to the other guys and they seem pretty shaken about playing there. I think it's perfect. I like to add thrill to the game. A creepy location, the possibility of the cops showing up, and the notion of winning. I'm logging everything down tonight. I've even dragged my best friend Cole into it. He's a tech guy. He'll be outside with some monitors, logging our progress. He came here earlier in the day to set up some portable cameras in specific locations so he can keep an eye on us and let us know who's been caught.

We each have a radio just in case one of us gets hurt. It's happened before. I've cut my leg, Jared split his elbow, Marvin even sprained his ankle a couple semesters ago. I'm not worried about cuts and bruises. I'm worried about winning.

ENTRY 2

Friday 11:37 P.M.

Alright. We're on our way to the ward now. I'm shaking, honestly. I have a great feeling about this. It's time for someone to knock Marvin off his throne. Jared's driving, I've got shotgun, and Jacob and Brian are in the back. Marvin is bringing Will, and Cole is driving himself. He said he needed room in the van since he'll be working out of it to monitor us while we compete.

This isn't a game. It's not about a trophy or a medal. It's about bragging rights and pride. Call it too much testosterone or too much time on our hands. I don't care what you call it. Tonight, I'm going to win.

ENTRY 3

Friday 11:58 P.M.

Everyone's here. Cole is setting up and we've all been given our walkies. Once again, Marvin is the hunter. He keeps winning, so he keeps hunting. He's not going to find me this time. Even if he does, he won't be able to prove he found me. I looked up the history of this place. Granted, that's cheating but I don't care. I'm sure Marvin looked it up too. A lot of freaky shit happened here, but I better not let the guys in on everything. I don't want them freaking out and quitting. Not when I'm so close to victory.

To be honest. I'm a little freaked out myself. The place has an ominous feel to it. A thick, dry atmosphere. Perfect for messing with their heads. I've never been more ready in my life. Let's do this.

ENTRY 4

Saturday 12:06 A.M.

It's begun. Everyone's spread out and begun to hide. I'm making my way to the third floor.

I'm here, and I've shut the door behind me. It was quite heavy and should prove to make enough noise to signal a hunter. The room is pitch black, but I'm not too worried. Cole will let me know if there's some dangerous rubble or sharp scraps from the broken down building.

Let me tell you about the room I'm in right now. It used to be a room for 'special treatment'. Shock therapy and all that crazy shit. There are even old tubs that used to be filled with ice water. They used to dunk the patients in there for God knows what reason. I don't believe in that stuff anyway. I know people have mental disabilities and all that, but the stories about this place say that vengeful spirits still haunt the grounds.