My friends and i were playing hideandseek after school when i spotted a low air vent with a lose grate and knew id found the perfect spot. The second my friend started counting I pried it open and crawled in headfirst. The grate snapping shut behind me. As the youngest I was deadset on beating the big kids, and in here no one was ever finding me. But when i tried to wiggle back out my shoulders jammed against the metal and my stomach dropped. I pushed harder. Didnt budge, and realized if nobody found me no one would even know i was here. Through the gate I watched the seeker drag my friends out of their hiding spots one by one "Found you!" he yelled, and i grinned, safe in the dark. But the cold air kept pouring over me numbing my body and my legs started cramping against the metal. So I figured it was time to climb out and claim my victory. When I pushed backward toward the grate my hands slid on the freezing metal and i lurched forward instead. Wedging deeper until i couldnt move at all. My heart slammed against the metal. So I grabbed my phone to text them where I was. But it slipped out of my hand and clattered through the grate onto the floor. I had no way to call for help so I screamed and banged my head against the metal but I was too deep for anyone to hear me Then, far away I heard my friend say "Cant find him anywhere. He probably just went home." Footsteps started fading down the hall and I wouldve given anything ro be found, so I screamed louder than I ever had in my life I screamed until my throat was raw, sure no one was coming. Then the doors crashed open below. And heavy footsteps filled the hall. "Ive got a phone over here and i heard screaming." a deep voice called inches from the grate. I banged one last time, and the metal shrieked as someone wretched the vent open, hands clamping around my legs and hauling me out into the light freezing and gasping. Cops and firefighters looked over me, my friends stunned behind them, and dangling from an officers grip was my phone. The one thing that gave away where id disappeared. My friends ran over and hugged me. "Bro youre a hideandseek legend."