don't let them in --- [bren]

Toby had limited experience in capture the flag. He had hardly anyone he knew on his team, since he tended to isolate himself. The only person he did know was on the opposite team. And so, when it came time to pick positions, he was the last to be assigned. The defenders and searchers were picked first, followed by a party to be stationed at the left and the right flank. Next were scouters. Those who were not to search but rather keep an eye on the enemy and report movements. A very intricate position, but nevertheless, important. Toby, however, was given such a menial job that he doubted if it mattered at all. He had been assigned the guard on the far end of the river. The river separated the two team's territories, and he was supposed to stop anyone from crossing it.

Toby undid the straps on his helmet and sat it down on a rock beside where he was sitting. Nobody had crossed the river since the game had started, and his legs had gotten tired while he was standing. A sword lay a couple feet in front of him on the pebbles. He did not like using swords whatsoever, but it had been shoved into his hand by his cabin leader, the captain of the blue team. She insisted that everyone be properly armed. He snorted at this, but it made her even more insistent. He had used a battle-ax once before...

Maybe Toby was paranoid, but a snap of a twig somewhere across the river made him jump from his seat. He stood, still as a statue, staring across the water. When no danger presented itself, Toby quickly and quietly ducked behind the rock on which he had just been sitting. He grabbed his helmet and fastened it on. He definitely did not want to be caught off guard.

Gods, what are you doing, Toby? he asked himself. The last time he had been in a battle, it was a traumatizing experience. Fire, monsters, blood, and screaming all contributed to nightmares that he now had. In that battle he had lost his hearing, and almost his life. Of course, this battle was a little more toned down. The opposing campers were only trying to injure you, not kill you. He still was having trouble bringing himself to fight, though.

As if answering the snap of the twig, there was movement beyond the river. An animal, perhaps? Monster? Toby sunk even lower behind the stone at the thought of the second option. Then, he saw a clash of red plume against the green background of shrubbery. Biting his lip, Toby watched. What was he supposed to do? His eyes flickered to the sword laying a couple feet away, and his blood turned ice cold. She is going to see it, he thought, frantically. And I will be unarmed.

His hand moved to his back pocket and his fingers touched the smooth wood of his wand, his only weapon now.