Help Me Remember (Rose Canyon, #1)(51)

Well, so much for mercy.

I move faster, zig-zagging in odd patterns to avoid getting hit. I reach the drum and drop down, using it for shelter.

Brian calls to me. “I’ll cover you, Brie!”

I nod once and stand, digging as fast and deep as I can for the map. Balloons hit all around me, one splashes on my back, the cold water soaking through. “I’m hit!”

“It’s clear!” Brian calls back.

My fingers brush against the edge of the plastic and grope for it. Once I grab ahold of it, I pull back fast and sink behind the drum.

“I got it, boys!” I let them know.

All but Timmy responds. I hope that means he found Spencer’s hiding spot.

Brian army crawls his way to me. “Where is the flag?”

I look over the map again, tracing where we are and the park. A balloon hits my elbow. “Watch out,” I tell him and he ducks as three balloons fly over our heads in an arch.

Then I see the spot where our flag is. “It’s at the swings.”

We both turn our heads to where it is, we have to run through the open field.

“What about their flag?” he asks.

I read the clues and grin. “It’s in the treehouse behind us. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’ll fill my bag with balloons and run, throwing as many balloons as I can to distract them while you head to the treehouse. That’s where Spencer will be. Once you’re their target, I’ll come back and fill up the other bags. Tell any of the boys if you see them.”

Each of us have a small bag that can fit about ten water balloons. If I can get the second one from our fallen teammate, then I have an advantage.

Brian is smiling broadly as we head off. It’s like a slow-motion scene from a movie as I guard Brian’s mad dash toward the target. Brian is fast and doesn’t get hit a single time.

I spot Darius watching from the sidelines, and I whistle to him. When he looks, I whisper-shout. “Toss me your bag!”

Grinning, he runs over to me and hands it over.

“Thanks.”

He’s retreating when I catch a glimpse of Kendrick hiding behind our other barrel.

“A good teammate never leaves a man behind!” he offers his excuse for hanging back, and I grin.

“Thanks for having my back. We need you to guard our flag, think you’re up to it?”

“You can count on me.” He goes to run and then turns back. “Where is it?”

“It’s on the swings, if you hide on the outer part of the playground, you can guard it without being seen.”

“I’ll protect it,” Kendrick promises.

I gather as many balloons as I can into the bags and then use the bottom of my shirt to hold more.

Satisfied I can’t possibly carry any more, I make my way to the treehouse, which seems far too quiet. I crouch, making sure I’m not missing anything.

Where is he?

Brian runs out of the bushes, and he doesn’t make it more than a handful of steps before balloons start flying toward him from every direction. A colored one hits him in the back, and someone sounds a buzzer, announcing that he’s been eliminated.

Shit.

I need to be patient and hope the other boys do the same.

However, Timmy has zero chill and runs out. Again, there are balloons coming from all around. This is where the girls are too. Spencer is smart. He hid them and told them to throw. He gets closer this time, but he’s throwing balloons too and must’ve hit one of the girls.

“Timmy! You got me out!” she complains.

Then another girl comes down from where she was. “I’m out too. I hate water.”

She wasn’t hit with a color, but apparently the balloon splatter was enough.

“Taylor! You’re not out,” Spencer hisses, and I grin because he just gave up his position.

Then the first girl looks at Timmy and laughs. “You’re out too! I hit you!”

Timmy looks affronted and then sees the green splatter on his shirt. “Mable!”

The pride on her face is enough to make me grin, even if she took my teammate out. I love how happy she is.

However, now it’s only Kendrick, Saint, and me left, but Kendrick isn’t here.

I walk around the back way, catching a glimpse of his white shirt. Oh, he’s done now.

I put my balloons down in front of me where I can grab them easily and look for the best way to get him. There isn’t much room, but I’m going to try. I throw two balloons quickly and duck down.

They hit him because I hear him curse. “Where are you, Davis?”

I grin. I’ll never tell. I move a little to the right, make sure I have a clear shot, and then throw two more.

“That was close, sweetheart!” he yells back. “Why don’t you show yourself so it’s a fair fight?”

I roll my eyes. Yeah right.

I grab two more, ready to go back, and hear him laugh. “I see you, babe!”

Damn it.

It’s do or die. I throw my balloons quickly, grab more and load my shirt back up. I’m down to just four balloons. I am going for it now. I run while throwing them at him, and he does the same. As I do that, I hear Spencer let out a long yell. “No!”

I throw another, hitting him in the chest, and it’s red. “You’re done!” I call out, so much glee in my voice.