Chapter 709: Red Light
The game began with Roxanne and Lucian in the center, the boys flanking them. "Green light... Red light!" Estella waited before spinning around. The others stopped instantly, but the younger children swayed slightly before regaining their balance. Estella, wanting them all to play, didn't penalize them and quickly turned back.
As the game resumed, Roxanne wondered if the boys' excitement was drawing them toward the center. She glanced helplessly at Archie, who was completely focused on Estella. He seemed intent on tagging her. Sighing inwardly, Roxanne moved toward the center to give him more space.
Lucian noticed Benny behaving similarly, moving sideways and bumping into him. He couldn't understand it; if Benny wanted to win, he'd walk forward, not crab-walk. Subconsciously, Lucian also shifted toward the center to accommodate Benny.
Just as Roxanne and Lucian were making room for the boys, Estella spun around, calling, "Red light!" Archie stepped at the same moment, losing his balance and staggering. Roxanne frowned, worried he wouldn't have room to recover. Without a thought for her own elimination, she carefully edged further toward the center. However, she stepped on something, freezing in surprise.
Lucian had a similar experience. He'd moved to let Benny pass, but then felt someone step on his foot. Looking down, he saw Roxanne retracting her leg, looking embarrassed. With Archie on her other side, she was stuck, awkwardly balanced on one leg, her expression helpless as she desperately wished Estella would turn back. Estella smiled, her eyes crinkling, and slowly turned.
Just as Roxanne was about to put her foot down, Estella called, "Green light... Red light!" Startled, Roxanne lost her balance, swaying before falling forward. Archie, Benny, and Estella watched nervously, fearing her fall and Lucian missing his chance.
Panicked, Roxanne reached out for support, then remembered the empty playing space. Before she could withdraw her hand, a large hand firmly grasped hers, pulling her into strong arms. Seeing Lucian's swift reaction, the children exclaimed, "Wow!"