The War of Flags

Just try and get me!

We quietly move through the woods, almost at the border.

"James, go ahead, cause a great commotion near the west pond. Lead them all back here where the others will be waiting. Mable, to my left. Tracy, to my right. I will come around from the back of the flag, you two from the sides. We head east on my command." Everyone nods at my instructions. I nod back and we take off, fast and silent. I see James just through the trees as he runs, fast but silent. His brown hair is great camouflage in the Autumn woods. We are halfway to the flag when we hear a horn being blown and a couple of war cries. James was spotted. I silently pray that I didn't make a mistake by sending him alone. When we get to the tree, there are two guards at the flag. One in front, one behind. I signal to the others that the plan has changed. The flag is right between the tree and the cave, almost completely hidden.

The flag is bright blue, the color of the sky in the middle of summer. Where I am standing, the tree is to it's left, a huge old thing that after about three feet splits into two branches, then it keeps splitting into more. Perfect for climbing. To the left of the flag, the cave stands. It is practically a big, hollow rock. Someone could easily come up the unguarded side without being noticed. A plan is starting to form in my brain. It is the perfect time to attack. The guard behind the flag is looking forward at the guard in front. They are having a conversation about who-knows-what.

I motion for Mable to switch to coming from behind and Tracy to go over the cave to the right, just like originally planned. I will stay well hidden while they divert the attention of the of the guards and have them go on a wild goose chase through through the woods. I will grab the flag and climb up the tree until it is all one hundred percent safe, then I will hightail it to the border and we will win this long, hard war. I mean, what could go wrong? On my signal, we leap into action.

Mable and Tracy run to their spots, but Mable is spotted. I am not that surprised, since her hair is shockingly pink. Tracy also has color in the braids of her dark hair. They look awesome and I have always envied them. The guards go after Mable, and Tracy changes directions to get the flag. When no one is watching I dash up the tree. I was correct, it was easy to climb. I get to the branch above the flag, the bark scratching my legs and arms, and signal to Tracy to through the flag up. I catch it, and scamper to the other side of the tree. The only problem is that I have been spotted. Mable has disappeared with one guard after her. The other guard is climbing up the tree, almost on me. I whistle to get Tracy's attention, then throw the flag to her. The guard starts climbing down the tree, wall I go as high as I dare. When the guard looks away, Tracy throws the flag up to me then dashes. The guard takes off after her, and I slowly climb down the tree. When I get to the bottom, everything is quiet. Then I here the blue leaders' shouts. They know I am here. I take off running.

"We, like, see you August," one of them shouts in an annoying, prissy way. I don't even need to look to see it was Juniper who yelled, but I do anyway. Of course, just like I guessed, there is Juniper, her dark brown hair pulled into a tight ponytail. The other girl is Kiley, who has her long blond hair in a braid down her back. Kiley is nice, but Juniper...not so much. I easily outpace them when Kiley stumbles on a gnarled old tree root and Juniper has to stop and breath. I see my chance. The edge of the woods is near. I use my last bit of energy to get to it. My legs are on fire, my breath is deep and ragged, but we won. We won! I look up, and see the Mr. Dran. He blows his whistle, signaling the end of the game. I hate it when I stand next to someone who is blowing a whistle. I wait until the ringing in my ears dies down before I do anything else.
"Great job August," he exclaims in a gruff voice that reminds me of gravel. All I do is peel of my red pinney. In the distance, I hear the bell ring, a sharp, piercing sound, much better than the whistle. Gym class was over.

"Guess we won capture the flag just in the nick of time," I say, thinking about what I will be doing in History class after this.

"I guess you did."