Night game

It was night. The house was silent, except for the sound of crickets in the garden and the moonlight streaming in through the large windows. Anna had returned from shopping, they had had dinner, and now she was sleeping in her room. But Sam couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, pictures of Laura came to his mind; herself, naked on the grass, with Laura’s mischievous smile behind the camera. His heart was pounding. He didn’t know if he was angry, embarrassed, or… [excited.

It was after midnight. Sam got up, put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and went to the kitchen to get a drink of water. Suddenly he heard a faint sound from the yard. The back door was half open. He approached cautiously. Laura was there, by the small pool, in a thin white nightgown that sparkled in the moonlight. The camera was still in her hand. It was as if she was waiting.

“Laura? What are you doing here at this time of night?” Sam asked softly.

Laura turned, her smile as mysterious as ever. “I couldn’t sleep, Sam. What about you? Are you still scared of the afternoon photos?” and shook the camera.

Sam started to back away, but Laura said quickly, “Wait! I have a suggestion. If we play another round, I’ll erase the photos. I promise.”

Sam cut her off. “What game are you playing?”

Laura came closer. “Night chase. You run, I’ll come after you. If I don’t find you by morning, the photos are yours. If I do find you…” Her smile deepened, “One more photo, just one, of you the way you were this morning.”

Sam’s heart beat faster. “Laura, are you crazy? Anna’s going to wake up!”

Laura shrugged. “She’s sleeping like a dead person. Come on, just a little game.” And before Sam could answer, Laura reached for Sam’s shorts and pulled them up with one swift movement. The shorts came down. Sam was half-naked again.

“Laura!” Sam cried softly and pulled them up, but Laura laughed and ran towards the garden. “It’s starting! You have ten seconds to escape!”

Sam was terrified, but his legs moved of their own accord. He ran towards the trees at the end of the garden, his heart pounding in his chest. Laura’s laughter was behind him: “Sam, where are you? I know you’re here!” The camera flash flashed occasionally, like thunder in the night.

Sam hid behind a large bush, holding his breath. Laura approached slowly, her steps on the soft grass. “Sam… I know you’re breathing… I can feel it.” Her voice was playful and calm, like a hunter enjoying the hunt.

Suddenly, Laura's hand touched Sam's shoulder from behind. "I found you!" Sam let out a short scream and tried to run away, but Laura was faster. In one motion, she ripped off his T-shirt and threw it into the pool. Now Sam was in only his shorts, in the moonlight, sweating and panting.

"Laura, stop it!"

Laura raised the camera. "Just one picture, I promise." She flashed. Sam tried to cover his face, but it was too late. Laura laughed and said, "Now it's shorts time!" and reached for Sam's waist.

Sam jumped back in terror and ran towards the house. Laura followed him, like a shadow in the night. Sam reached the back door, but it was locked! Laura reached behind him and said, laughing, "I got you!" and with a tight tug, pulled his shorts down. Sam was completely naked again, this time under the night sky, in front of Laura.

The camera flashed a few times. “Great! This is the best!” Laura shouted. Sam covered herself with her hands and pounded on the door. “Laura, open the door!”

Laura took the key from her pajamas and said calmly, “Okay, but only if you promise to play tomorrow.”

“Okay! Whatever you want! Just open the door,” Sam begged.

Laura opened the door and Sam jumped in like lightning. Laura came up behind her and closed the door. She leaned against the wall, panting, and looked at Sam. “You were the best catch of the weekend, Sam.”

Sam sat down on the floor, naked, tired, and red with embarrassment. Laura raised the camera and took the last picture: Sam, sitting on the kitchen floor, with a look that was a combination of embarrassment, exhaustion, and… something like surrender.

“You can sleep now,” Laura said, and went to her room. “I’ll keep the pictures. "Maybe one day I'll show you... or Anna." And he disappeared with a laugh.

Sam didn't sleep until morning. The night's chase was over, but Laura's game seemed to have just begun.