Arnie pulled me forward so that I was standing at what must be a starting line. I could feel large presences looming on either side of me. The one to my right felt particularly warm compared to the chill outside.
“Good luck, Calla.” The whispered words hung close to my ear and I recoiled a step, startled. It was Eli’s voice.
“How did you know it was me?”
He chuckled. “I can hear you breathing.”
“On your mark, get set, go!” Rita yelled.
“Straight! Straight!” Shouts came from behind us. Arnie’s voice barely carried over all the yelling.
I stepped forward very cautiously. The guys could hurry if they wanted to; I was taking this thing slow.
“Calla, stop!”
I stopped and waited for further instruction.
“Go left.”
I turned my body and took a few wary steps in that direction.
“Now go right.”
“Straight.” The shouts all came at once and I had lost Arnie’s voice again.
I yelped when someone ran into my backside. I nearly fell over, but caught myself just in time.
“Sorry.” It was Grant’s voice.
“Which way!” I tried to shout over everyone else.
“Left!” I finally picked out Arnie’s voice this time and pivoted left, continuing to take slow steps. He instructed me straight and then right before telling me to stop again.
“You’re at the seesaw!” he yelled. “Danny is coming in hot behind you.” I turned as if I could somehow see him.
“You need to speak up, Rachel!” I heard Danny bellow.
“I’m literally yelling. Use your ears!” she shouted back. “Go straight two steps, then stop.”
“Oof.” I staggered backward as something large bumped into me.
“Christ,” Danny said. “What was that?”
“That was Calla, you idiot,” Rachel yelled.
“Shit. Sorry,” Danny said to me. “Where the hell was my warning, Rachel?”
“You took three steps instead of two.”
They continued to bicker while I tried to ignore them and search for Arnie’s voice again.
“Danny is going for the seesaw. Just wait your turn,” Arnie shouted.
After a few seconds, Danny’s yells and curses moved farther away.
“Okay, it’s time,” Arnie yelled. “Take about ten steps forward.” I did as he said, counting each time I cautiously set my foot on the ground. At eight, I felt a piece of wood that creaked underneath my weight.
“Great, you’re there. Now walk slowly. Take two small steps. On the third step you’ll teeter to the other side, so brace yourself.”
