The Championship

Liam Scott

I can't remember exactly how old I was, maybe 10? Not old enough. All I remember was that I got lost. It was one of the worst experiences of my life.

It started at 12. If I did well I would get the new toy I'd been wanting.

So what was first? Get up. Always hard - getting up. I rolled over and looked at the curtains, the faces of the moon patterns smiled at me, quite patronising actually. I wrenched them apart to let sunlight into the room; no such luck. Bleak clouds flooded the sky. I didn't believe in omens then.

I stood up, focusing on the task ahead. It was time for the basics, get dressed, get washed, get fed. What clothes to wear? It was too cold for shorts, trackies seemed the logical choice. Next a simple T-Shirt, I was going to be wearing a jumper on top of it anyway, a nice thick jumper. Next is that daily question, what should I have breakfast? The nerves made me feel sick so I decided to have nothing. When mum appeared I led her to the car. As the keys hit the lock I tugged the handle, jamming the door.

"Can't you be a little more patient?"

No. That was the simple answer to that question, but I chose silence. The sound of the car engine revving was a welcome one, it meant the journey was underway. But still one whole hour until I could do anything productive. My eyes watched the scenery pass by while the rain beat against the windows.

Finally the car started driving down a thin road. I knew it was nearly time. This was new territory and doubt had its foot in my mind. When we got out of the car I rushed for the map tent. My hands found the course and my eyes began to wonder over the map, there didn't seem to be anything too difficult so I queued up to get going, no parents allowed. Later I would pay the price for my arrogance.

The horn sounded and I began my journey.

The swaying branches of the trees welcomed me into their home, even though I was treading on their fallen leaves. The first checkpoint was simple, and once I'd found it my confidence grew.

As I made my way round the next couple of checkpoints I began to run. Glances at the map reassured me of my position. As I continued to run the forest was becoming waterlogged. I stamped the fifth checkpoint and continued to run. From the small track I was on I burst onto a large gravelly road, I vaguely remembered a road on the map and continued to run down it.

As the lack of adjoining paths became clear I began to run faster hoping to find somewhere to turn off. I came to a split in the road. One way curved back round and up. Another made its way down the side of a hill. I took out my map. I saw the 3 way split in the road. It was then that it hit me. I had no idea which path was which, or where I was facing. I stared at the map as though trying to force it to help me. Yet still it yielded no answers. When I considered retracing my steps I wondered if I'd come the right way in the first place.

After 5 minutes I really began to worry, no one else had come down here, I wasn't even sure if I was meant to come down here. I didn't want to go forward in case it was the wrong way. My thoughts turned to ideas of waiting here for someone to pass and asking for help, surely some of the other courses would wind up here, but how long would that take? As I stood trying to make the decision tears mingled with the rain. But I had to think straight, just concentrate on the reward, that new toy. I tried to blot out the wind and the rain and think of nothing but that toy, I tried desperately not to think of the possibility of getting lost and there being search parties sent to look for me, and the possibility of them not finding me.

But I had to make a decision. Taking refuge under a tree I pulled out my map. But it was still no good. The waves of fear crashed over me again, but I had to get out. I walked into the centre of the crossroads and looked at the 3 paths. I definitely didn't want to take the one that led down the side of the hill, that would just get me further away from everyone. Nor did I want to try and retrace my steps as I wasn't even sure if I had come the right way in the first place. So I opted for the path that seemed to double back on itself.

I ran all the way along it (no point in being slow if I was to figure out I'd come the wrong way). As the path levelled out I began to see shapes through the trees. They had to be other competitors, I checked my map and somehow, I can't remember how, I found myself on it. Somewhere near checkpoint 6. The rest of the course passed in a cold and wet blur. The only thing I remember is finally running through bushes which looked familiar until I realised I was nearing the end of the course and I would never have to do it again. I ran through the finishing line and gave my card to the official and walked over to mum. I wasn't going to tell her about the events in the forest, frankly it was quite embarrassing. We waited for the results.

I can't remember what place I came. Ironically it wasn't that bad. I do remember getting that toy.

It's broken now.