Moon Angel

Chapter 7: Forgetting

Chapter 7: Forgetting

By day six of camp the two teams were tying in points. Both teams had taken part in various activities using the skills we had all learned- archery, orienteering, team building, shooting. The adults announced our final activity- the ultimate challenge. This activity should take three days. Both teams would have a base set up in the forest. Three people would be assigned to defend and the other two would attack. The attackers would be given a compass and a map to find the other team's base. The aim of the challenge was to capture the other team's flag which would be located in the middle of the 'enemy's base.

Each team grouped together. We got to choose who was sent on attack and who stayed behind to defend. I was surprised when the others chose me to be one of the attackers. I guess it was because I was small, agile and fast. The other attacker with me would be Jay. That left Em, Larissa and the final member of our team (whose name was Isaac) to defend. We were told that the adults would joining in as well. They would roam the forest and if you were caught by one of them you were taken out of the challenge- to a 'prison' of sorts. The 'prison' would be located in the middle of both bases. Once you captured the flag, you needed to take the flag to the adult base and have the rest of your team meet you at the adult base as well. Our team was given all the things we would need and we were then sent out to find our base in the forest that surrounded camp, but not before we were each handed a paintball gun. If we were hit by someone else's gun we would be 'arrested' and taken to the 'enemy's base.

We found the base easily enough. Larissa shared out the gear between us and we added it to the backpacks we had been given. Jay and I were also given bedding and a tarpaulin and rope to make a shelter. Each member of our team also put on a headset so we could communicate with each other at all times. When we were ready to go, Em set our yellow flag flying. Once both flags were flying, the challenge would start and the adults (who also had headsets so they could hear everything that went on) sent out the message to every team member. That message was sent out very soon after we had raised our flag. Em hugged Jay and I before we set out.

"Good luck," she said smiling at me.

I hugged her back and I turned to Jay who was waiting for me. We turned around and set out into the forest. Who knew what could happen in the next few days?

***

The light was fading when we finally called it a day. The last beams of sunlight filtered through the trees hitting the tarpaulin tent we had strung up between trees. The day had been uneventful. I guessed it was because the other team was only starting out as well. We had covered a lot of ground and from looking at the map we had been given we couldn't be far from the adult base. We would have to be very careful tomorrow if we passed it.

I sat under the cover of the tent where Jay was trying to find something to eat. We couldn't risk lighting fires so this trip's menu consisted of cold food. Jay pulled out some bread and cheese and shared it between the two of us.

"Come in, Ellie and Jay. You still okay?" Em's voice crackled through my headset.

"We're both fine. How about you?" Jay replied.

"Pretty uneventful here." Isaac's voice answered this time.

"Yeah, same. Check back in the morning?"

"Yeah. We'll do that."

The line went dead.

"We should probably get some sleep. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day tomorrow." Jay said, packing everything back into the backpack from which it came.