Photo courtesy of Mark Curry Photography

They hugged the cool, damp wall trying to calm their breathing, each foot staggered on the crumbling castle staircase. “They’ll find us if we stay here. Let’s go further up.” Robert nudged his partner. William waved his hand back. “Hush. Listen.” The two men held their ground, motionless, as the sound of trampling feet echoed through the stairwell from beyond the castle wall. William cradled his weapon in his left arm, placing a finger over his mouth before pointing to the sky. The two crept up the stone steps, dodging broken pieces. Rounding the curve, William peeked through the opening. He barely stepped onto the battlement when the lights on his jersey began blinking wildly and the sound of beeping surrounded him. He looked down, then up – into the smiling face of his foe. “Gotcha! Game over!” Charlie pumped the laser tag rifle in the air in victory.