This was the first task that exposed me to the abilities of karitas citas, and the struggle to be 100% karitas Citas.

Given that i was notified of such a task, and such a game, the Friday before, (4/16) this was quite the test, and quite the eye-opener!

Ready, Set, Run!
i arrived within two minutes of the start of the chase, my team members, Alex and Celso, had arrived earlier, and secured our supplies.

Supplies:

• 1 Chicago Map


• 3 Cg0 Agent maps


• 3 Blue Bands


• 1 Audio Proof Documentation Tool (my phone)


• 1 Photo Proof Documentation Tool (Alex's Camera)


• 1 Waterbottle


• 3 CTA Cards


• 3 communication devices (in case team chacho gets split up)

Then it was time, we ran south east into the streets of Chicago, following people through sides of houses, and alleys, realizing that we needed to be more strategic, and less herculean, we decided to keep from taking the large streets.

Site One: Stripes, and Cupcakes!
the first site was located on the other side of a highway, with agents wearing stripes and bakers hats. luckily our strategy worked, and we didn't meet any chasers on our way to the safezone of the first site, which was located at this great run-down restaurant id like to call "Slow Down".

at Site one we acquired another team member, Suma, who was lost to the night when chasers found her original team and split them up, many of them jumping a fence, leaving suma to take another path.. we gladly accepted her, and moved onto the next site. not before alex finished his cupcakes, of course. i was sure they were laced with trickery so the chasers could find us, so i declined the cupcakes..

Site Two: Tea Party at the Underpass
Site Two was located further south east along 90-94, and we were smart to keep from the other teams that had made it to site one in similar time to ours... knowing that there were chasers lurking along the end of the safezone..

we chose to take hidden routes, behind factories, and apartment complexes... eventually leading to Chicago Ave, the only bridge that would take us to halstead. we attempted to make it onto the busy road, only to see a chaser, and ran toward a condo complex, unsure of whether it would be a dead end cul-de-sak or not, and determined to flee from the chasers... and it only got creepier as the near catholic church tolled the time...

so we made it to chicago street, and found green street, watching our backs as regular chicagoans made their way to theaters and restaurants in the area... and as we walked over the bridge towards the intersection of halstead, grand, and milwaukee, we noticed another group walk closer to the blue line, and they stopped to talk to someone.. who ended up being A CHASER!!! we ran down the other block, away from the groups of blue bands, trying to find refuge behind trashcans and doorways, until we knew we were safe. then we were only a block away from the safezone, and site 2. we had to duck behind a row of cars on a dark street, and then jet to safety on Hubbard, dodging the looks of two unsuspecting chasers. when we got to site two, i was exhausted, but accomplished!




Site Three: The Lower Level
knowing what was lurking in the area, we were very careful to head as swiftly as possible to the blue line stop. after a heated discussion as to where we will get off, between me and celso, we decided that we would take the blue line to Monroe, and walk the distance back towards site 3. it was a very easy walk, and noticed not many people had taken our route, so it seemed to ease our position, and rather enjoyed the view of state street, and decided to stop for a mini break at a friends bar, (hoping that he would get us a good luck round.. but we were unsuccessful) we got a few tips on the best ways to get to the lower level, and headed on our way. the first flight of stairs we saw across the street, on the east side of michigan avenue, we took....



but quickly realized there were chasers too close by to continue, and ran back up the stairs! we hid behind columns at a nearby building, until we could muster the strength to try again.

success! no Chasers! but this area was creepy anyway... we got tips from the local people that im sure knew the area much more intimately than any of us could imagine.. so we stayed close to the corners, and crept our way to the chicago river. (it was beautiful!!)

then SHUUSSHHH! another chaser!! RUN! so we ran to the next block, only to be met by a Michigan Ave sign... ???

werent we On Michigan ave?

we asked a man crossing the street... he starts pointing back in the direction we came in... Oh No! we passed it! so we went back, behind trash cans, and as quietly as possible.. till we made it to the Billy Goat Tavern... where we had seen a chaser... and who might this chaser be??? our new friend Suma's buddy from the split up group!

The agents tell us the last site has been moved, and theres a great after party.. (we were all looking forward to that!!)

Site 4: A Girl, A Boy, and Cardboard
so after a quick chat with and pardon from the chaser /slash friend, we were off to the 4th site, going the way we came.. looking back every other step.. cause even friends cannot be trusted in this game!... and just before we went back up the stairs, there it was! MaChensey! the street holding bonus site 2... we knew we wouldnt be able to have another chance like that, so we darted back to MaChensey street, searching in the darkness of the alley-street for a stamp.. then we found it!

so up the stairs we went, back onto michigan ave.. and we were met by a few other groups who decided to walk with us to site 4..

and thats when my foot tingling rose to a foot pricking pain.. but as my high spirits dragged my foot along...  i tried my best to keep up with the group... we walked back down state street.. feeling safe with all the red line stops along the way... and even stopped to pose for a group picture in front of the Chicago Theater.... and as we walked down washington st we noticed a few more groups straggling a block behind us....

then reaching the end of the block, and turning onto clark we notice the groups behind us rushing towards us.. ANOTHER CHASER!! we run to the nearest blue line stop for safety, then wonder, why the groups were running? we hadnt seen the chaser yet, and the groups had slowed down... then turning the corner comes a young lady with a grey sweater... and TWO RED STRIPES on each side of her sleeves! she was a regular citizen, scaring all us blue-bands away! we had to get a picture with her.. she couldnt figure out this whole time why so many people around her were running away!...


we got a real laugh out of that.. and headed on our way two locks further to make it to site 4! when we arrived, a cop watched as we hustled our way to the massive white cardboard mountain, as a boy and a girl lay homage.. chanting " two girls, one dress" and "sprite"... i noticed some of the chanted words were written on the mountain.. and players were able to write them, so i was real confused what clues were real, and what were created by the players hands...


but more importantly... my foot was screaming! i asked my team if i could sit down for a bit.. and decide... is this game worth my foot?!



we decided that we could stop by a walgreens, or CVS to get me some kind of wrap for my foot so we could continue on to site 5, located on canal and roosevelt.. and win!.. and the best way to get there would be the blue line...

so we skipped on down to wait for the train.. and lo N Behold...

a chaser had the same idea as we... so we made friends.. but we all knew that the goal of site 6 was still above all.. and i knew i was the easy target with my throbbing ankle...




after confusing other groups waiting for the blue line... and almost getting on the wrong train.. WITH the CHASER... we jumped onto the Blueline towards Clark and Lake... SEEMINGLY in the wrong direction... we noticed we had company too... the Chaser had come onto the train with us... only onto the car down from ours....

we FREAKED! how would we get away from the hunting chaser?? we thought we were finished, when the train car curved... and we noticed that the train car was in a different angle than ours... we ran through the emergency doors to the next car, and slowly and carefully got off at clark and lake... waiting to see if the chaser had followed....

SUCCESS!! no chaser! so at this point... the hobbling commenced, and we were taking the handicap elevators to the Loop trains...

we got onto the orange line, headed for roosevelt, with a sense of real accomplishment.. we were on our way to the site before last, as blue bands, and knew we had made it further than most...


then down the stairs to our doom...

as we walk out of the roosevelt stop, here come a group of chasers!! we freeze, but they call out: dont worry, we're already done!... Phew... still a scary site to see for how far weve come.. they say theyre going to go celebrate with some beers, so we congratulate them, and introduce ourselves.. then..

Out Comes An In-Game Chaser!!! from the roosevelt stop we just left... i creep back inside.. knowing that although we are in a safezone now.. this could be it... he could just wait there till we accept our failure...

but then he turns, and makes his way down the street to the walgreens...

we Take Our Chance, as i skip my way across Roosevelt to the 24hr Jewel for ankle supplies!

we didnt notice any suspicious characters in the store.. only people who just needed a few things here and there from the area... and it almost seemed like another day.. when

at the check out we spot the same chaser coming through the door!!

(This moment will forever replay in my mind and haunt my dreams)

i say.. GASP!! **hey guys.. that one chaser is right there....** and as my team just realizes what i say..

BLAM!! YOURE CAUGHT!!

the Chaser Leaped onto us, tagging alex and celso.. and then suma..
he said.. oh! i didnt even see you there! hand it over....

what a horrible way to get caught! all i could think was.. WHY DIDNT I SCREAM RUN!!!!