Hide and Seek

Chapter 1 - Forced to Play

     What if your life was placed in someone else's hands, and you had no control over what happened? You weren't given a chance to choose, and no matter what you couldn't leave? Confined in a situation you had nothing to do with in the first place. Stuck, and all you could do was wait for the perfect time and escape for your own freedom. Is that what it's called? Freedom? The other people would whisper about what freedom was like. Being able to do what you want and being able to choose. I want that, I wish I had the freedom to choose. Once I leave this place, I want to experience freedom.

     "10..."

     I ran around the building. Everyone else scrambled to find a hiding spot and I was struggling to find one. Everywhere I checked it seemed like all the spots were taken. My breathing became shallow and I panicked. If I didn't find a place to hide, I would be the next.

     "9..."

     Where am I going to hide?! I rush up the stairs, my bare feet pounding against the cold stone floor. Surely, it already gave my location away.

     "8..."

     I was running out of time. I didn't want to die. I ascended the stairs, it seemed to go on forever. Especially when I didn't have the time.

     "7..."

     I reached the top and searched the room for a hiding spot. We were playing a cruel game of hide and seek. This time, if you're found first, you go to the judging room and people who go into the judging room never come out.

     "6..."

     I threw clothes everywhere desperately trying to find a vacant spot to hide. I opened the closet to find it empty. Thank God.

     "5..."

     I quickly get in and slide the closet door shut. It was a lot smaller than it looked. Since I wasn't too tall or wide, I perfectly fit inside the small compartment. I waited until the seeker finished counting.

     "4...3..."

     His voice resonated throughout the building. He was only counting down a few seconds but it felt like hours. I couldn't stand the anticipation of finding out if I was going to die, or live long enough to play another game.

     "2...1..."

     "Ready or not, here I come!"

     There were people running around to find a hiding spot. I even saw someone through the crack of the closet door rush into the room and hide themselves under the clothes I thrown everywhere. This was a disaster. I knew for sure they were going to be found, hopefully they aren't first. I listened from where I sat. What are my chances of being found? Pretty high, the closet is a simple place to find someone. I could be first. 

     "I found you!" I heard the voice excitedly exclaim followed by high pitched screaming. Then their voice suddenly ceased, unable to finish the scream. I shivered, I could already hear people cry and sob. 

     The footsteps ascended. I felt relieved when the steps echoed upstairs.

    "Surprise! I found you!" The voice eerily yelled, they were still here.

     I peaked through the crack and saw the person hiding under the clothes getting grabbed by the hair. She shrieked and I saw the man raise his hammer. Her head in his palm, I looked away before hearing something break. I squeezed my eyes shut, clenching my teeth. I wish I could've done something, but they're just going to kill me too. One person dying is already enough, what was the difference? It was wrong to watch someone die and not do anything, but you can't sacrifice yourself when you haven't been found.