The Watch – Part 122:

The enemy team knew instantly what to do. They split up, each going their separate ways, making it harder for any of us to catch and shoot out. By the time they had disappeared into the surroundings, we were still standing aimlessly. I didn’t have a clue as to what to do. Tom tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to look at him and he said.

‘Do as I do, and you’ll be fine,’ he said.

‘And what are you going to do?’ I asked.

‘Same as everyone else,’ he answered, ‘point and shoot at anything that moves except for us,’ then he was gone. Amy and Alex had separated but kept in a particular section of the map. Tom crept forward, making sure that he was well hidden behind an overturned car, which left me standing in the open, without a clue as to what to do. Shouldn’t we have discussed a plan of action first, to give us some idea as to where everyone will be going and what they’ll be doing? Well, I guess we would have to know what the other team is doing before we can figure out a counter measure.

My heart was beating faster than before. This was a different kind of adrenaline to what I experienced back in that parallel world where I was fighting all those waves of robots. This type of adrenaline comes from the fact that I’m normal. I haven’t got any powers. But I don’t need them. Amy brought me here to try out a new experience, to push my boundaries on my confidence – I don’t think she intended to prove that I am capable of doing something like this without powers, but I’m going to add that to the list anyway – and I’m not about to let her down. If a paintball fight the other team wants, then a paintball fight they will have.

First things first, I can’t stay standing here as I might get shot by a paintball at any second. I need to find shelter, and the nearest place to get some is with Tom, who was crouching behind that overturned car just in front of me. I hurried over to where he was and positioned myself beside him.

‘Do you see anyone?’ he asked. I looked over the top of the car and swiped my eyes over the entire area from left to right.

‘Only Amy and Alex over there by the other hut,’ I said. ‘They appear to be talking about something, probably how best to advance,’ I guessed.

‘What do you reckon we should do?’ Tom asked.

‘Personally,’ I said, taking another quick glance, ‘we can’t stay behind here forever, but I say we just go for it and do what everyone else does,’ I said. I knew that wasn’t much of a plan.

‘Point and shoot,’ Tom said, finishing my sentence. He stole a quick glance before saying. ‘The area is clear. Wanna go on three?’

 ‘Ready whenever you are,’ I said.

‘Want to do the honours?’

‘Be happy to,’ I said. I waited for two silent seconds before shouting. ‘THREE.’ Both of us at the same time swung around the car and advanced forwards. There wasn’t a single soul to be seen, which was a very bad sign for us. I held my gun up, ready to fire at a moment’s notice, making sure that I was keeping a good eye on mine and Tom’s back. The next possible place to take cover was a good way ahead, practically in the very centre of the map. That could very well be the worst place to be as anyone can make a move from any direction. I had no idea what the other team was thinking, but we successfully made it to our second overturned car without an incident.

‘We need to split up,’ Tom suggested.

‘Is that wise. They could be expecting that.’

‘And on the other hand, they may not be. Listen, you go that way,’ Tom pointed to my left, ‘and I go this way,’ he pointed to my right. ‘If we don’t get stuck, we meet up at the third overturned car at the front of the map. Does that make sense?’ he said, adrenaline pumping through his body. I nodded.

‘Then good luck,’ he tapped me on the shoulder for support. Then, peeking over the car before running away bent double so as to not make himself seen so visibly. I waited until he disappeared behind a group of trees before I made my move. I was completely on my own, slowly and carefully inching forward, making sure that I look every direction at any one time.

Gunshots. To my right. Who’s firing at whom? Who’s in trouble? Shall I go over and help? But what if I put myself in danger? I can’t risk that. Maybe I could sneak up behind the enemy team? If only I knew where they were. I crept forward some more. When I rounded a group of three trees, I saw Amy and Alex in an intense battle with a person from the other team. He seemed to know what he was doing. Ducking and shooting at all the right times, he really did make it hard for him to be hit. I made it my priority to go and help them, even though I could be jumped upon at any moment.

Slowly moving forward, the gunshots and the many paintballs that were hitting the sides of the two huts masked the sound of the twigs underneath my feet, breaking, allowing me to sneak a decent place where I could aim and shoot without anything getting in the way. The only problem was, it was a little far away, but I felt that if I got too close, I might not be able to make it out alive. I lined up my sights with the back of the man’s head. He was moving far too much for my liking. I knew that by shooting at him, he could alert his teammates forcing me to run or fight. I watched the fight, waiting for the right opportunity. Alex managed to get in some nice, close shots and Amy nearly hit him on the mask, but he ducked just in the nick of time. This intense fight went on for a good couple of minutes before it quietened down. None of them wanted to come up just in case the other was ready and waiting. He stayed still for a good while, letting me focus properly. Amy was the first to risk it and look up. I was about to pull the trigger, but he moved from my focus and at the same time, all in one smooth movement, looked up, pointed his gun and fired. Paint splattered all over Amy’s chest. She fell backwards. She was out.

I was not going to let him get away with that. I fired, not caring whether my paintballs would hit or not. As expected, they didn’t. That was a big mistake. Now he knew that someone was behind him. He scurried away. I lost him. I moved out from my shelter and headed straight over to where Amy laid.

‘Are you alright?’ I said.

‘Who knew that I would be out so fast,’ she said laying on her back. She sat up and turned the safety on so that the gun wouldn’t fire anymore. ‘How’s Tom doing?’

‘He’s fine, I think,’ I said. ‘We split and he’s off somewhere over there on the other side of the map,’ I said pointing in that general direction.

‘Well, good luck to him,’ Amy said, standing up and holding her gun above her head to signal that she was out. ‘I had better make my way back to base. See you in the next round, if you don’t get shot beforehand,’ she smiled before walking off.

‘Just me and you for now,’ Alex said.

Bang. Splat. ‘Scratch that. Just you.’ Alex was shot in the back from someone hidden. ‘You had better get out of here before they get you.’

‘See you later,’ I said, turning on the spot and running to find cover. This was not going well. For all I know, I could be the only one left in the team. Tom’s off somewhere and I’m not going to risk getting shot trying to find him as he could be already out. For all I know, I’m on my own, going up against the entire team of four people. Me, the person who has never done this before, fighting four experienced people. Funny how that worked out, isn’t it?

More gunshots. This time, from afar. Again, I’m questioning whether Tom is in danger or he is holding his own. I see no one. Are they getting ready to strike or are they all battling Tom? There’s only one way to find out. I have to go and help in any way I can. Running towards where the gunshots are coming from, I see Tom behind an overturned car. It appeared that’s where he stayed when we split. I can see three of the four members of the other team ganging up on Tom, firing as many paintballs as they can without wasting any. A few are flying over Tom’s head, others are smashing against the metal roof of the car, making a very loud clanging sound. If I attempt to regroup up with Tom, there’s a good chance that I’ll be hit. All I can do is hide behind these trees and fight the best I can.

Where is the other one? Did Tom manage to successfully take him out? Or is he coming up from behind, getting ready to fire? I just have to hope that it’s the first one. I raised my gun up, getting ready to fire towards the enemy team. They haven’t seen me yet. I pulled the trigger and two paintballs fired from the barrel, tumbling through the air and splattering against one of their member’s chest. He was out. Tom looked around to try to find where that shot came from. I didn’t want to make myself known as the enemy team was looking in my general direction as well. If I wave, I might be spotted. The trees kept me hidden well. Tom took the opportunity to take out someone else whilst they were trying to find me. We were making good progress. It was now just him against the two of us. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

Bang. Splat. Tom was out. Just me and him now. A one on one battle to the end. He looked around, trying to find me. I couldn’t stay here for long; he’s about to run away back into the trees and I might lose him. I have to make a move. I have no idea how effective I’m going to be, but at least it’ll be something.

Slowly stepping out from the cover of the trees. I was now in the open. If I’m quick enough, I can make it from here to behind that car before he sees me, but unfortunately, I never even raised my foot upwards before he spotted me standing in the middle of the nowhere. He raised his gun. I raised mine. We both fired at the same time. He knew exactly where he was aiming. I wasn’t. My paintball only narrowly missed his mask. His paintball, on the other hand, hit me on the chest. The force of the splat was quite something indeed. I really wasn’t expecting that.

I was out. The enemy team had won. I put the safety on my gun and lifted it above my head to signal that I was out before heading back to the main building where Tom, Amy and Alex stood waiting for the end of the match. They saw me arrive and realised that they had lost.

‘They knew exactly what they were doing,’ Tom said. We were all sitting in the main building, resting before the start of the next battle. ‘They ganged up on me and moved with experience. There was nothing I could do except try and keep them at bay as long as possible. Thanks for the help, by the way,’ he said to me. ‘Without you I wouldn’t have gotten that person out.’

‘Any time,’ I said with a big smile on my face.

‘Judging by that big grin on your face, you really enjoyed it,’ Amy pointed out.

‘I’m not going to lie, I found that thrilling,’ I admitted.

‘Knew you would,’ she said.

‘So, what are we going to do next time,’ Alex said, ‘we need to come up with some sort of plan otherwise we’re going to go down like last time.’

‘Good point,’ Tom said, sitting upright. ‘If the other team is going to do what they did last time, maybe we can do the same. That way, if it works right, it will be a one on one battle for all of us instead of three on one,’ he explained.

‘I agree,’ Alex nodded.

‘But what if we need backup?’ Amy asked.

‘Once you’ve defeated your opponent, you can come and help us,’ Tom said.

‘Once I’ve defeated my opponent?’ Amy questioned ‘You reckon your plan will work out that well? Do you know how good they are?’

‘Do you have a better plan?’ he asked Amy.

‘How about we split up in twos,’ she suggested, ‘that way, we’ve got the other person’s back.’

‘So a member of the other team can sneak around the back and take us both out unexpectedly,’ Tom said.

‘That’s why we’ve got the other person’s back for,’ Amy countered. ‘Which we won’t have if we’re on our own.

‘The other person will be on their own as well, so you’ve got nothing to worry about,’ Tom pointed out thoughtfully.

‘And what if they beat one of us. They’re going to go and help someone else, ganging up on one of us,’ she said.

‘Alright, alright,’ Alex said intervening, ‘let’s not get ourselves in a twist.’ Amy and Tom settled down. ‘Now, you both have good plans, but we’re not going to get anywhere if we keep debating about which one is best. Now, I suggest we stay as a group of four, that way we can cover all angles.

‘And have the other team take us all out in one go,’ I said.

‘So what do you suggest?’ Alex said.

‘I think, if we circumnavigate the perimeter, we will be able to close in on the enemy team who would be all in the middle, looking for us, and we will then be able to sneak up on them and take them all out one by one,’ I explained.

‘You mean, catch them off guard,’ Amy said.

‘Exactly,’ I said.

‘I don’t think that will work,’ Alex said. ‘We might be stuck in the corner, where we would have to fight one on one, and that’s just going back to Tom’s suggestion, which the more I think about it, I think will work.’

‘How so?’ I asked.

‘Well, from what I could tell from our previous match, their team relies on strength in numbers. If they’re on their own, they might not do that well.’

‘That’s another factor as to how my plan can work,’ Tom said.

‘OK, OK,’ Amy said. ‘I see that we’re not going to get anywhere any time soon. We have four plans, each equally as good as the last, but we have to settle on one and I feel that the only way I can see this working is if we combine all our plans together.’

‘So what do we do?’ Tom asked neither disagreeing nor agreeing.

‘I believe we should split up into pairs – no, hear me out,’ Amy said before Tom could interrupt, ‘then split up again, catching the enemy team out. If we do what we did last time, they may not be expecting that, then we can sneak up on each of them, taking them all out one by one.’

‘Actually,’ Tom said, ‘I think that might work.’

‘You can count me in,’ Alex said.

‘I’m all for it if,’ I said.

‘Nice,’ Amy said. ‘And with five minutes to spare as well,’ she said, looking at the time on my watch.

‘Shall we?’ Alex said, picking up her gun.

‘We shall,’ Tom said copying her actions. We headed outside once more and took our positions, this time, at the opposite end of the map whilst the enemy team took up our previous places at the other end.

‘ON THREE,’ the official yelled again.

‘ONE.’ We took the safety off.

‘TWO.’ We prepared to run.

‘THREE.’ Round two.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)