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Reds included Lily’s mum and Dal’s dad. After we’d been given our clothing and safety equipment we were taken off by one of the instructors, who showed us how to use the paint guns correctly. Once that was done we were led to the starting area, and I wondered what my mum would do if I got her with a paint ball. Knowing her she’d probably moan about having her hair out of place!
    When we got there the Blue team had already gone. The lead instructor, who was called Gavin, told us why.
    The Blue base is located on the other side of the stream,’ he said, pointing to a large version of the map I’d looked at earlier.
    â€˜What does that mean?’ asked Lily.
    â€˜It means that their base is further away so they get a ten-minute head start on you lot,’ replied Gavin. Once they’re nearly there, I’ll lead you to your base.’
    â€˜And then what happens?’ I asked.
    â€˜Once both teams are at base, I’ll tell my colleague that we’re ready to start,’ said Gavin.
    He held up a walkie-talkie and showed it to us.
    â€˜The object of the game is simple. You need to take control of the enemy’s base whilst also defending your own. To take their base you must clear it of any opponents and raise your own flag above it. The first team to do so
and
make it out of the course wins.’
    I looked at Chris and saw that he was confused.
    â€˜But what if we all get hit by paint balls?’ he asked.
    â€˜Then you lose,’ replied Gavin. ‘A minimum of
two
players
must
cross the finishing line untouched.’
    â€˜But what if all of us get hit, including all the Blue team too?’ Chris added.
    â€˜Then it’s a stalemate,’ said Gavin. ‘But that won’t happen because I’m on your side and I’ve never been hit . . .’
    He grinned at us proudly as Emma whispered, Bighead.’
    â€˜Can we shoot at our own team?’ she asked.
    Gavin gave her a funny look. ‘Why would you want to do that, young lady?’ he asked.
    â€˜In case one of them annoys me,’ she replied as me and Chris tried not to grin too obviously.
    â€˜Oh,’ said Gavin. ‘Well, I’ve never seen that happen, but if you do hit one of your own team then it counts the same as a hit from the enemy.’
    Dal’s dad put up his hand to ask a question.
    â€˜Yes, mate?’ asked Gavin.
    â€˜How many times can you get hit? Only when I last played, we—’
    Gavin interrupted him. ‘Oh – I nearly forgot to tell you. You are allowed two hits before you get a time-out. The time-out is ten minutes and then you’re back on. But if you have more than
three
time-outs, then that’s your game over – understood?’
    â€˜And then what do we do?’ asked Emma.
    â€˜Then you make your way round the main path and out of the course . . . and hopefully stop asking so many questions.’
    Gavin smiled at the rest of us, thinking we’d laugh at his little joke, but we didn’t. We just stood and stared at him.
    â€˜He’s a right idiot!’ Chris whispered to me.
    â€˜I know. And I think Emma is going to get him,’ I replied.
    â€˜Hope so,’ said Chris.
    Gavin said something into his walkie-talkie and then he told us it was time to go.
    â€˜Remember,’ he said. ‘It’s about teamwork. That’s the only way to win.’
    As he said it, Ian and Wendy joined us.
    â€˜Are you playing too, miss?’ asked Chris.
    â€˜You betcha!’ replied Wendy. ‘Come on, Reds! And I’ve told you – call me Wendy.’
    She smiled at Chris as Gavin told us t Follow him.
    â€˜Stay close,’ he warned. ‘People do go missing in there . . .’
    We should have listened to what he said, but we didn’t. And we were going to pay for it . . .

OUR BASE WAS a large wooden cabin raised up on stilts to the front and resting