Everybody Else is doing it....
The Manhunt
Manhunt. It’s more than a game to my friends and I; it’s a life style. Every party, gathering, or even just a simple hangout is ended with a rousing game of manhunt. We run around like little kids doped up on pixie sticks, trying our hardest to dominate the other team. We would do anything, and I mean anything, to win not only our match but a weeks worth of bragging rights. We took the game very seriously.
The date was December 11, 2004 and we were all at my friend Matt’s annual birthday party, which always ended with, of course, the biggest game of manhunt of the year. After some pizza, video games, and other routine party activities we got our coats and headed outside.
The air outside was cool, quite warm for the month of December, though it could give you a chill under the right conditions. We all sat down on the damp stoop of Matt’s house and began the process of choosing teams. We started by trying to choose captains amidst all of the adolescent chatter. Once the captains were chosen it was, as always, like stepping back into elementary school gym class. We’d line up in front of the captains and they would alternate choosing teammates. It doesn’t bother me too much. All the boys are chosen first and I’m usually the first girl; being a bit of a tom boy does have its benefits. Once the teams where chosen it was decided by a rock-paper-scissors that my team would hide first. When I try to recall who was on my team my memory fails me; but it’s not all that important because I’m known for preferring to hide alone.
As the other team went into the backyard to count, I ran down the street. I needed to find a hiding spot. After about a minute of trying to run as fast as I could without stepping in any of the puddles from the rain storm that morning, I had found my spot. I decided I would hide behind the playground across the street from our base, the ticket booth at the train station. It was an ideal spot. When carefully positioned you could see if anyone was coming towards you and they couldn’t see you; it was perfect.
I stood in the middle of the street behind the playground, keeping a careful watch of my surroundings. I was on my toes, inspecting every little noise, and watching anything that moved carefully. I was ready to make a run for it at any given moment. My pulse rose and each breath was like a puff of smoke. My eyes darted back and forth inside my head and fixed themselfs on the train station parking lot. That lot was a horrible place if your hiding, but if your were hunting, it was your best friend. It was almost impossible to cross it to the seemingly distant base; a player was made or broken in that lot. Then suddenly, from the street of the Matt’s house, I saw the other team coming out to hunt. Someone from my team shot out of a side street, making a mad dash for the ticket booth. The other team took of after him, but against the odds couldn’t catch him. They left a guard near him and went out to look for the rest of my team. With this I went back into hiding mode.
Somehow my entire team had gotten on base, except me, still in my own little world watching carefully for someone to come chasing after me. It’s all up to you Steph, (I like to talk to myself in the third person), You’re the only one that needs to get on base. If you make it you’ll win! You can be the hero! With that I took one final check of my surroundings. Here goes...
I ducked behind some nearby parked cars like a spy you’d see in the movies. I needed to get as close to the dreaded lot as I could, since I couldn’t run very far. Then after counting to three I took off, running as if my life depended on it. Please don’t let them see me, Please don’t let them see me!, I thought to myself. I was almost there, only a few more feet and I would win it for the whole team. You’re gonna make it! “MANHUNT, MANHUNT, 1-2-3, 1-2-3!!!”. Chrissy had grabbed my arm and I lost my balance. I wasn’t going to be the hero, they caught me.
I looked at my team in the base. I was so close, but I had failed. The walk to the jail was slow and painful, but then I started to think. I could just run away! We had always played with a rule that if the hunter could not bring you back to the jail you were still free. I looked at Chrissy, she was awfully proud of herself, basking in her glory; she had saved her team. Or had she? I took off, ripping my arm from her tight grip. I sprinted like never before. I was going to make it this time, I really was.
There it was again, that hand around my arm. She had caught me, and yet again cut the last thread of hope we had to win. We started to walk back to the jail and I thought, What the hell? What have I got to lose? I took off running again. In my mind I had decided that I wouldn’t be caught. By this point losing was unacceptable, I had to win. Chrissy grabbed at my jacket and I pulled myself out of it and kept on running. Then as she ran up behind me I found my foot caught on hers. It all seemed to be in slow motion. I saw myself falling hard against the pavement, and Chrissy falling over my legs which were now soaked by a puddle. Everyone burst out into laughter, Chrissy and I included. It seemed like the funniest thing in the world. “Are you...ok?”, Chrissy managed to say between burst of laughter. I nodded and it was understood that everyone was ok. We all sat laughing for a few minutes, and the little cogs in my mind started turning, Ha ha ha, you should just get up and run for the base. You only have a few feet left. So being a sly little girl I got up and ran, wet pant legs and still no jacket, and before anyone even noticed I was on base and my team had won.
I got some pats on the back and even a few hugs. I had won the game for my team; it felt great to be the hero for a change. Chrissy wasn’t even mad, she actually thought the whole thing was pretty funny. We were both soaked and everyone had a great time. I got on my cell phone and dialed my house, “Mom, can you bring me some pants?”