Race

I wanted to be a winner, and that meant I was willing to cheat. I did my warm-up routine, stretched my limbs, and jumped up and down to loosen up a bit. My opponents seemed composed, relaxed even, like there was no prize at the end of this day. Fools! I looked once more at the map and went through the points in my strategy. Not that I needed it, I had well memorized it. It was more like a superstitious, mental routine, that shouldn't be skipped. I put my map back in my pouch and took my place at the line. PUF! With a sad sound from the sports gun, everybody crossed the line and headed toward the wood. Some crazy sprinters took the lead but I knew better not to push too much, rather quickly locate my own speed. It could be hard for rookies because there always be someone faster than you and the pressure to keep up is enormous. I burnt in my first three competitions before I learned how to suppress this wild urge. At the edge of the wood, I see some victims of lack of self-control and knowledge - red faces, sweaty and without breath already. I stop at the oak tree and turn east, not many have chosen this direction. My pace is steady and my breathing rhythmical, but my eyes dodge from one tree to another searching for clues. Suddenly I spot something red and move that way. The clue is bigger than I expected but also seems a bit off the map. Maybe that's why no one seems to be there yet. As I approach I am surprised that they have chosen so dense bush and I don't see anyone nearby no referee, no other contestants. Weird. I bent down to see if I could crawl under it and reach the clue. Two vacant, pale eyes stare directly at me. I stepped back but lost my balance and fell over. It was no clue but a dead girl. I panicked and started running away from that place. Running calmed me down. I must tell someone, a tiny voice in my head said, but the calm and wicked voice said, that someone else would do it. If I tell them now they will interrupt the competition and I will lose my chance to win. I cannot allow that to happen.