The Garage Sale

  “There’s one, to the left! Pull over!”

The middle aged couple were out adventuring, doing all they could to keep their

relationship as exciting as the first few months. They were successful. Every week they’d come up

with some kind of excursion, whether it be a matinee movie, a trip to a thrift shop or garage sale

hunting, like today. Neither of them expected to end up on Antique Roadshow or anything of 

the sort, it was more about the time spent together. The situations you’d otherwise not see them 

involved in. 

As they put the beige SUV in park and swung the doors open, the sun reflected off of his 

clean shaven bald head. Jackson was bald by choice, it just fit the shape of his head better.  Missy

was the complete opposite, but for all of their differences, they felt like it made them work. Her long,

flowing brunette beauty hung to the edges of her shoulders ever so perfectly, as if she was a 

Renaissance painting come to life. Personalty wise may have been the key. He, a ‘no worry, I got this 

and you’ kind of guy, juxtaposed to her anxiety ridden day to days. He calmed her storm, and she both

loved and appreciated him for it. Each door slammed shut simultaneously as they converged in front

of the vehicle to approach the garage sale.

They both engaged in small talk as they stepped ever closer to the tables spread out

among the lawn, unable to determine what was being offered within the garage. A beautiful day,

one they were not so accustomed to as of late. They were beginning to wonder whether there would

actually be a summer. Nevertheless, they finally arrived at the first table. Hardly any other patrons

were alongside them. Not counting themselves, there was a single mother with a child in a carriage 

and an elderly men just looking. 

Spread out on the black draped table were kick-knacks, trading cards, figurines. The usual.

“Not much here,” she remarked to Jackson. He let out a grunt, affirming her observation but

only for a moment. 

“We haven’t checked the garage,” he said.

“Well yeah, but you’d assume you’d put out your best at first glance. First impressions 

and all.” 

Internally he agreed, logically it did make sense but he lead the way into the garage anyways. 

She followed shortly behind. As he made his way in he greeted the woman sitting in a lawn chair that

didn’t have a price tag on it. Maybe she fancied it. He fingered his way through a rack of clothes that

were clearly for sale but nothing caught his eye, nor hers.  

“Hey, do you mind if we ask you something? Just to satisfy my own curiosity, but why are

you selling everything off?” She stood to her feet and approached the couple. Wearing a light yellow 

moo-moo, she couldn’t come off less threatening if she tried. 

“If you want the bullshit answer that I give everybody else it’s just because it’s been an 

eye sore for a very long time. Which is partially true, but I can tell you two are actually in love. Look 

like people who would appreciate the honesty so the real answer is that my husband past away. I think

it’s a part of moving on.”

The tale hit home for both, but prompted a response from Jackson. “That’s a very sad story

but I think hanging on to things is more essential than ridding yourself of them.”

She pondered his response and then asked why he felt that way.

“Well, because I live it myself. Maybe not this extreme, which once again I am incredibly

sorry for your loss,” before he continued, his wife touched his shoulder. He continued, “if you don’t

have mementos, something to hang on to, you’re always going to forget. Not everything, you won’t

forget them as whole, how they made you feel, but some things… are just moments. And need to be 

held on to.”

She returned back to her chair and sat silently for a moment before finally speaking after thirty 

seconds or so.

“Sale is over. Enjoy your life together. Hang on to the memories and the things you get from 

them. In all my years, nobody had ever broken it down in such simple yet important terms. You have a 

gift. And you, my darling, an even luckier woman. Please do me a favor and take the sign out out of 

the yard when you leave.”

They did as they were told, fully understanding that one conversation changed the lives of all 

involved. 

The Cabin Part 3

 The snap of the fingers didn’t have the safe effect as Gray Beard’s, leaving him with

a serious sense of bewilderment. The elder man smirked and smiled to himself, knowing that

he wasn’t quite there yet, but appreciated the enthusiasm. After all, he was just a kid in this realm.

Daniel returned back to his stool in the corner, just as he was before the church transformation. Joey

wondered where the others were aware of the change of venue. He assumed they had not. Well, 

aside from Gray Beard and maybe Gertrude. Daniel looked as perplexed as before. It was becoming

for more clear that he was a chosen one, for lack of a better term, to the landscape shifts.

“You’re getting ahead of yourself, kiddo.”

The way he addressed Joey made Daniels perk up, recalling all of the times he used that 

nickname for him over the years. He attempted to rise up from the chair and make a stink about

it, but was thrown towards the wall in front of the bar stool he sat in moments ago. Nothing could

describe it besides an energy force, blasted forward by a mere wave of his right hand. The action 

induced a fit of rage from Joey, prompting him to charge Gray Beard and into the fall left wall of the

cabin, opposite of Gertrude. Regardless, she stayed exactly where she was sat, cat in her lap.

“Don’t you ever in your life! Touch him again!” Joey had never been more serious in his 

short life. He gripped his disheveled robe and shoved him against wall, resulting Gertrude to spring

into action much more quickly than a woman of her age would be physically able to. This made 

brothers to look at each in disbelief. Gray’s reaction was very similar as he had never been physically

attacked in his 300 year existence. Gertrude giggled knowing one day this would come to pass. The

cat began to put more loudly. 

“Never thought it had in you. So you have two options here, Joseph. I can either explained

everything to you. The choice is yours.”

“First of all, my name is NOT Joseph! Futhermore!” just as he could continue further, Dan 

stepped in.

“Joey! You need to listen to him. You know how you trust me? For about the next minute and a half, I need you to listen to him.”

Begrudgingly. Joey, as always, followed his lead.” 

“I apologize, Mr. Gray Beard, man.” In normal circumstances, the ancient man would have 

shared it with him, best he took it a slight. “Apologize accepted. Now, choose please.” Joey looked

to his sibling for guidance, but all he got in return.

“Well Gandfalf, my brother always tells me I should show and not prove. So my choice 

is to be shown rather told.” “Very well then!: shouted Gray Beard, “follow me!” Another snap of the 

fingers brought them to ancient ruins. Like something you find waking up at 4AM on Youtube 

started still rolling. Gray Beard escorted everybody including Gertrude into a hidden room within

the cavern. They all entered one by one, besides Gertrude who was several steps behind. The trek

to the destination was lined with druids holding four feet burning thick logs, all dressed in black

garb. Eventually reaching the entrance, Gray Beard gave the green light for him to open the door.

As the door creeped open, what was inside started him, causing him to take a speck

and eventually bumping into Gray Beard. Apologizing and eventually forgiven, the two now 

walked in lock stop to the center of the room. Within it was giant crytal orb, more close to the

shape of a ball but the size of a marble, Joey lead the way towards it, but this time he progress

was not stunted by any adult in the room. It was only when he reached for it to get a closer

look that he told to stop, 

“That orb is more powerful than you can grasp, Joseph. It’s abilities can change the fabric

of time and spice, and you know are now ready to learn about it.”

“I’m not even ten years old, and my name is not Joseph. It’s Joey!”

With a chuckle, Grey Beard agreed and followed up with, “you’re wise beyond your years. 

Which was way you chosen long before you were born. You have a greater purpose. So I ask this

one time, “ the ask proposition rubbed Joey the wrong way.  

“Isn’t this whole thing about no questions. Do you want to choose for me?”

“The rules have changed, but I’ll elaborate.” 

All of a sudden, the pinata he was dragging around earlier approved on the very same table 

the fruit was being cut apart on it earlier. “You have a choice in all things in life, but this may be the

most part of your life. Choose between the two, The durian or the pinata.”

“Do I get to know what means what?”

“You do not. If you are the one, you’ll make the right move.”

Joey contemplated a moment and reached for the pinata. As soon as he touched it, he was

flooded with past memories, bad ones. Ranging from ruined birthday parties, including todays and y

years past.  He then grasped the fruit and caught flashes of paradise, a life he had always dreamed of.

Luxury, never needed a dollar lent to him ever again. Beautiful women he’d only seen in his 

dreams,private jets and a life he could only describe as heaven. Instinctively, he grabbed the fruit.

“There’s only one final step, Joseph. 

Snap your fingers.

He once again did as he was told, but this time the room did not shift. The cabin remaining in 

tact, the fireplace still burning. As he panned the room he realized the major differences. There was 

no Gray Beard. There was no rocking chair, there was no cat, there was no Gertrude. As he scanned 

the room, the only thing remaining was a hand written note from Gray Beard that simply read.

“Thank you for freeing our souls, it is now your responsibility. I apologize for going about it this 

way,  and I’m sorry it was you, but we know it’s in good hands. 

Best regards, Daniel”

The Cabin Part 2

Dan and Joey looked at each other, Joey more confused than his older relative. Joey 

attempted to step toward the old man, but Gray Beard told him to step back immediately. He did as 

he was told, watching as he cut the thick hide of the fruit, releasing a pungent odor into the air ahead 

of them.

“Dude. Can you not?”

Gray Beard cut a slight smile and turned his head to face his wife, Gertrude.

“They obviously didn’t listen to the whole no questions thing.”

She rocked at the pace of a metronome, in perfect symmetry with the fireplace and crackling

wood beside her. The mere mention of the ‘no questions policy’ clearly dismayed Joey, as he said 

under his breath that he thought this shit was over with. They came here for answers and he was 

hell bent on getting them. 

“It’s not can’t I, Daniel. It is that I must. I have waited nine long year to peel this fruit, and 

by the magic of this place, it has stayed just as ripe as the day I plucked it from the tree. You see,

Joey, all of this is for you. Everything here was erected in your name, constructed with the vision 

of the day you would come.”

Joey was about to speak but was cut off abruptly by Gray Beard.

“Yes, young one. We all seen this day very vividly before you actually lived it. This day had been

promised to us on the day you were born on your plane of existence. You are no longer there, if you

can not see that, and you never shall return. This is your home now,” he explained as he continued to 

cut into the fruit, releasing even more zesty aromas into the air. “This fruit here is called a durian and 

it is incredibly important to not only your existence but your survival as well. This all seems overly…

complicated but once I bless you with the knowledge and the ability to do things like this.”

He snapped his fingers and changed the inside of the cabin to what was now inside of the top

floor of a luxury hotel. Gone was the hard wood floors and walls, replaced by colorful carpet, paintings

and maître d's rushing back and forth with assorted meals and drinks on various carts. 

Another snap of the fingers shifted it back to the cabin where they had first entered. 

Everything as it was. Gertrude with the cat, Gray Beard standing behind the marble table and the 

shelled fruit, except the aroma had dissipated and the durian not yet sliced open. Dan wiped sweat

beads from his brow and wondered if it was more due to the space/time travel or the answers he was 

giving.

“Well you said you wanted some answers, right kid? You may now step forward, I permit you 

to do so.”

Joey did as he was told and walked towards the table, the only thing separating him from

all of the knowledge he craved. His older brother was pacing back and forth because he was unsure

whether he was ready for this responsibility. He knew the plan and he knew to follow it, but it just

didn’t feel right. Against his better judgment, he allowed him to represent himself. 

“Here, come to my side of the table,” he instructed, as the young one once again did as he was 

told. Approaching his side, Gray Beard reached below the table and pulled out an ancient looking 

knife, the blade formed by sharpened rock and the handle made of wood. Placing it in his hand, he 

locked his grip in with his own, guiding him to cut the thick hide of the produce. Peeling through the 

skin, the old man released his grip, allowing Joey to dice it up as his own discretion. He then walked

over to have a discussion with Daniel. Raising his arm from his side and onto Dan’s shoulder, he 

leveled with him.

“You not only knew this day was coming, but you’ve seen it unfold a thousand times. You

need not worry. This is how it was written.”

“Yeah well, it’s a little different when you’re living that day. You’re asking me to give

over my baby brother on nothing more than blind faith. So yes, I’m a little on edge about it all.”

“We would not lie to you nor mislead you. We have always treated you with the same respect

as you show him.”

Daniel nodded his head, knowing every word he just said was true. He turned his back to Gray

Beard and stepped towards a stool in the far right corner of the room, chin resting in his hands as he

watched it all unfold.  The nine year old cut through the fruit, dicing it into bite sized pieces and into a 

ceramic bowl to the right of him. “Very good, now put the knife down and step towards the altar.

Confused for a second, he put down the knife as told and heard a snap of the fingers which

changed their location yet again. What was once a cabin was now a church, darkened by the night,

lights off and only lit up by red candles bouncing off of the black walls surrounding them. Hanging 

from the walls and painted on the ceiling were memories of each nine birthdays, the good ones

and the bad. Highlighted by scenes of laughter and tears, gifts and punishments alike, not a 

memory wasted. A shrine to his life at this point. 

Gertrude and Daniel were now sitting in pews at the church, except now they both had cats

to keep them company. Gray Beard stood at the top of the altar, summoning Joey to meet him there.

He walked toward him, looking at the ceramic bowl that was now in possession of the old man. As he 

approached, he dug out a piece of fruit and knelt down to eye level with him, just as Dan did earlier. 

He scooped out a piece and fed it to him like it was communion. As he bit into the juicy fruit, some of 

it drizzled down his lips and onto the now matte black robe that draped him.

He swallowed it down and felt something overtake him. Something dark, sinister even. Joey 

turned to Gray Beard with a serious look and snapped his fingers. 

The Cabin Part 1

Gravel and dirt kicked up and down the beaten path he walked, dragging a blue, pink and

yellow pinata behind him. The pinata was beaten and ragged, candy of all sorts rolling out of the sides

at small bumps on the way. His older brother accompanied him on the journey and would

sometimes call out what dropped on the ground.

“Tootsie roll!”

“Daniel, stop! Today has been hard enough and now you’re taking me to some place

I don’t even know.” Danny stopped him before he could say anything further.

“Listen kiddo, I know today wasn’t what you expected it to be but I’m gonna do all I can to

make it better. I’m sorry that you had a bad 9^th birthday but at least it wasn’t your 10^th.” He was about

to go on a long winded breakdown about there are certain birthdays that mean more than others, but

he knew that it would only cause more chaos in an already tough day for Joey.

“Lets take a break,” suggested Daniel. “Here,” he said, reaching into a navy Jansport bag he had

draped over his left shoulder. Effortlessly stylish is how he would describe himself, each outfit had a bit

of thought to support it. Like today, for example. Today was a sky blue top with khaki shorts, the shirt

complimenting the bag like salt and pepper. The top was the antithesis to the actual sky, which

loomed with bad intentions.

“Hey, Joey. You know what they say about thunderstorms on your birthday right?” Joey looked

up at him puzzled, catching a water bottle tossed his way. Unscrewing the cap off, he titled his head

back, and thought about his reply over a sip of water. The sun broke through a bit, hitting his poofy

hair, making it seem more blonde than it actually was. His small frame was draped in an over-sized

Varsity jacket, a gift from his older brother earlier in the day. It was probably the only decent part of

the day, now that he thought about it.

“No. What does it mean?”

“Yeah I could see you spinning your wheels over there,” he said with a chuckle and a pat

on the head, messing up his hair, which he cared about very much. “It means that the next one is

gonna blow this one away. It’s a message that they know this one wasn’t what you wanted. It’s an

IOU”

“Who are they?”

“Who?”

“They. You said they knew they made a mistake or whatever,” he remarked, tossing the

water bottle back to Dan.

He looked down at Joey, sitting on a rock, surrounded by plants and ivy wrapping around thick

trees. Directly behind him was a river where he used to fish with his grandfather. Life and generations

were a lot to wrap your head around at times. Dan knew something that Joey didn’t and was giving

serious thought about whether to tell him or not. Just as Joey was about to stand up off the rock,

Dan stopped him, putting a hand on his chest.

“Appreciate the moment. I know you’re too young to know what I mean by that, but you’ll

never forget that I said it to you. Now lets go. I’ll take you to them.” Dan released the hold from his

chest and lead the way forward.

“You trust me right?” He asked that question already knowing the answer. Joey nodded

without saying a word. He tried his best to catch to his older brother and eventually did. Catching his

breath, hands on knees, he realized that his older brother was walking with a purpose and didn’t

slow down a beat. Watching him stomp his way forward, Joey screamed out for his brother to return

to him.

Almost in unison with the final echo of his name ringing out, Daniel stopped at once, turned

his head and ran full speed towards his little brother. Joey crouched down, hiding his head between

his knees, a defensive mechanism he learned throughout the years being raised by a junkie

and an alcoholic masquerading as parents. It didn’t protect him from a thing, but it felt like it did.

Never before had he had to put it to the test against the guy he looked up to, the only one who made

everything better, but here they were.

Stillness.

Stillness was all Joey felt before opening his eyes; it was the only reason he did so. He

sheepishly picked his head up, checking left, right and behind in search of his big brother. He spotted

him from the corner of his eye, leaning against a tree with a cell phone to his ear. He couldn’t make

out what he was saying but he could tell from his aggressive body language that it wasn’t anything

good. Dan put the phone back in his pocket and approached Joey, kneeling down to meet him at eye

level.

“Look at me,” he said gently, guiding his chin to make sure he locked eyes with him. “No more

questions, understood?” Dan released the soft pull he had on his chin, breaking eye contact between

their very similar hazel eyes. Joey was going to ask why but just shook his head yes. After all, he’s

never steered him wrong yet. The little one rose to his feet with the same purpose that the older

one had earlier. They exchanged a look and a nod, put their heads down and marched forward.

“We’re not far now,” said Daniel. Joey acknowledged him with a stone faced look. “We’re

looking for a cabin. You’ll see a some tumbleweed outside.”

“Tumbleweed? But that doesn-” Dan cut him off before he could finish.

“I said no questions. Not even that one… but since you’re my little dude I’ll answer it anyways.

As best as I can, I’m not a scientist as you know,” he said with a chuckle. “From my makeshift science

experiments. Remember that?”

“No questions.”

Dan looked at the ground and then back at his younger brother, taking in the fact that it

was the first time he had “gotten him” with one back.

“Right. No questions. Right,” with a laugh, “Well, that time I did the cast volcano but mixed the

baking soda with the -” just then he stopped mid-sentence and looked up to the gray sky as rain began

to fall toward them and the earth beneath them.

“Life is kinda hard without asking questions. Come on, let’s go. It’s about half a mile up this

way. Where we’re going has… strange properties. You’ll see for yourself.”

They waded through what seemed to be ever-growing grass and stalks, sprawling to be almost

as tall as little Joey. Before Joey could ask what the fuck was going on and where the fuck these came

from, Dan chimed in to let him know that they had arrived. Joey couldn’t see what was ahead of him

until he battled his way through the vegetation almost as tall. He did a bit of tumble roll after throwing

a punch or two at mushroom stalk in his way that missed the mark. The wind of the swing and a miss

propelled him forward and at the doorsteps of the cabin. His pinata dropped to the ground, rattling

more sweets from inside of it to spill on the ground.

“Nice,” complimented Dan.

To his feet and side by side with his older counterpart, Dan took the lead before he felt

pressure on his leg to stop him. Looking down at his leg, he realized that Joey returned the favor from

earlier.

“I want to go first.”

“But you don’t know what you’re walking into. I do. They’re expecting me.”

Joey released the hold and let his older brother walk toward the cabin door. The cabin itself

was in what could only described as a perfectly kept lawn surrounding it, as if it were mowed that

very morning. Encircling the entire property was white ash. Massive, probably two miles in radius,

everything it touched was in pristine condition.

Daniel did a special knock, one of those ones you hear on cop shows and the door swung open.

As he stepped inside, Joey followed with a bit of hesitation, but followed all the same. A voice rang

out, welcoming their presence. An older gentleman, gray beard and at least 70 years old stood before

them, peeling a durian fruit on a cutting board laid on a marble table. Behind him, an older woman

in an oak rocking chair, stroking a cat next to a massive stone fireplace.

Flares flickered as the old man spoke.

“It’s about time you brought him into the fold with us.”

Dan looked at the floor, his stomach turning at what was to come.

Pick a Card

  The cruel winter finally gave way to spring, needed and desired by those on two feet as well as 

the ones scurrying around on four. The grass was turning a friendlier shade of green that, a decade 

and a half ago, would have invited a group of neighborhood kids to play a game of baseball on it. It 

was 5:30 p.m. on a Thursday, and as luck would have it, a troop of teenagers walked by.

The oldest, Brentley, was clearly the leader of the crew, quarterbacking the other six. He threw 

his arm in the air, pointing toward a field no more than three hundred feet from them. “This is 

perfect,” he shouted, ensuring the rest heard him clearly. Brentley led the charge and sat 

cross-legged wherever he deemed fit—not the center, but maybe fifteen yards from it. Before he 

hit the ground, he pulled a deck of cards from his back pocket and rested a picnic basket beside 

him.

As the other kids approached, his right-hand man, Marcus, tossed him a picnic blanket before 

remarking, “You’re lucky it’s not windy today.” This prompted a quip from Brentley: “Yeah, and you’re

lucky your sister is your sister, or she’d be my girlfriend.” Marcus sighed and plopped down beside 

him as the rest caught up and followed suit.

Despite Brentley’s sitting position, he still towered over Marcus. Maybe that was part of the 

group dynamic: the tallest is the de facto leader. His menacing look, complete with jail-style tattoos 

and plain clothing—a black tee, ripped jeans, and a chain loop from his back pocket to his front gave 

off a certain vibe. His brown hair was unkempt, and he had facial hair before anyone else in the 

group.

 “When are you gonna move on from that stubble?” Marcus harbored some resentment about 

t, though he’d never make it blatantly obvious. Like the rest of them, he hid it with sarcasm. Marcus 

was in a weird spot; he absolutely looked up to Brentley, but sometimes he lamented scenarios 

where he wasn’t part of this whole thing. Standing five foot six, he didn’t believe he could ever lead a 

group of teenagers, let alone men. Despite the inner turmoil, he thought of himself as a pretty decent 

young man. Good grades, somewhat popular, but lacking that “it factor” that could make him appealing 

to others. He wasn’t excluded, but he felt like he was just there, existing. His orange Houston Astros 

jersey gleamed in the sun where the patches were located.

As the rest of the squad approached, Brentley began shuffling the deck of cards. They all joined 

the first two, forming a circle around the blanket spread out on the lawn. This was the first time they’d 

tried this game of theirs, an urban legend passed down through generations, but all they’d ever heard 

were secondhand accounts. Everyone but Brentley was, deep down, terrified to give it a go. Marcus 

had a sneaking suspicion that Brentley’s confidence was a front, and today would prove it. 

If we’re being honest, that was the only reason Marcus agreed. The thoughts running through 

his mind for the last eight months were about to be put to the test, and he’d never forgive himself if 

the question remained unanswered. Now they were here.

Maddie, a tiny 17-year-old brunette from the bad side of town, was used to being around 

unsavory people—family members, so-called best friends, and lovers. It had hardened her in ways, 

but not in the ones that mattered. She was still susceptible to the same things that had taken her down 

before: kind words, even kinder actions. She operated on a “show and prove” mentality, and 

sometimes even that wasn’t enough. She had every reason to doubt everyone, but for whatever r

reason, she found this group to be her people.

“Glad you could fit us into your schedule,” remarked Ed, getting a small chuckle out of Maddie. 

He was referring to all the time she’d been spending with Gabe, a boy who positioned himself to her 

right. Gabe reached for a pouch of assorted fruit in a sandwich bag he’d brought from home.

“Grape? I know they’re your favorite,” he said with a snicker, digging through the bag to pick a 

few to hand over to Maddie. As he handed them to her, a harsh gust of wind blew by, rattling the 

trees surrounding the park. She extended her hand to accept his gift, while Marcus sneered and 

commented, “Yeah, of course you know what she likes, huh?” The snide remark miffed Gabe, causing

 him to attempt to rise and confront Marcus. Maddie pressed against his sternum and shook her 

head, signaling it wasn’t worth it.

Finally, the remaining two made their presence known. Twins Ollie and Ellie agreed with 

Maddie. “Cut the shit, Marcus. That’s not what we’re here for.” This statement seemed to resonate 

with Maddie, who tilted her head back briefly to take it in. “Yeah… actually, that’s a good point, but I 

don’t know why we’re here either.” While everyone else was discussing the potential goings-on 

between the two assumed lovers, Brentley placed the neatly shuffled deck of cards in the center of 

the blanket, just ahead of three green dice.

“If we can be adults for a sec—” Brentley was cut off by Maddie before he could finish. “We’re 

not adults, though.” Brentley shook his head in disgust as both the twins and Marcus found it 

comical. “Fine. Can we act like adults?” “She never lasted a week in drama club; acting’s not her 

thing,” said Gabe, causing more laughter.

“What the fuck ever, oh my God, can we please move on to what we came here to do?”

The twins found his frustration more humorous than the others did. Being born fraternal twins 

set expectations that weren’t necessarily meant for them. They were constantly asked if they shared 

a brain or could sense when the other was in distress or having a bad day, despite their only similarities 

being the color of their dirty blonde hair and a missing pinky toenail. Otherwise, they couldn’t have 

been more different. Ollie excelled academically, while Ellie coasted to C averages. She played the 

game of life the right way and could almost guarantee she’d get into a better university than her 

counterpart. Colleges didn’t want 4.0s; they wanted 3.2s they could mold.

Brentley dealt the cards, and once everyone had three each, he re-positioned himself on the 

blanket before detailing the rules of the game they were all in the dark about. The backs of the cards 

featured various animals, ranging from gorillas to penguins.

“Now what?” asked Ollie, rubbing an itch in his goatee and brushing away a leaf that had 

landed on the shoulder of his green Champion sweater. Everyone in the group glanced at Ollie, then 

back at Brentley, awaiting further instructions. Brentley figured it would be better to break down the 

rules from a position of authority, standing above them all. It worked on the television shows he 

always watched, and it worked here too. In his best alpha-dog impression, he let it out of the bag.

“We are gathered here today to test our mortality. Nobody flip your cards just yet. This is a 

game that’s been passed down generation after generation in my family. A few days ago, my uncle 

sat me down and went over all of this with me and gave me those cards that lie in front of you. Each 

card represents a choice. Well, actually, it’s not a choice—it’s a requirement. What you draw is your 

fate. 

There is no backing out beyond this point. If you do not wish to move forward, speak now. I will give 

you a few minutes to collect yourselves and will return expecting answers.”

Brentley stepped away, lighting a cigarette that, according to an old anti-smoking campaign, 

gave them about seven minutes to make up their minds. The trees shook from a violent breeze, much 

harsher than the one earlier. “Do you guys believe in signs? Because that didn’t give me a good 

feeling.” The rest of the group stared in disbelief at one another before convening to discuss the pros 

and—mainly—cons.

“Am I missing the upside here? We’re young, with our whole lives ahead of us, and we’re 

sitting here on a fucking picnic date, tasked with choosing between life and death!” said Ollie. Marcus 

followed up by stating that Brentley never mentioned death. “So what the fuck does mortality mean 

to you, fuckhead?”

A collective, yet warranted, gasp shot out.

“I’m doing it,” proclaimed Gabe. Marcus shook his head no, and the twins didn’t comment. 

“But not alone. One of you is taking this chance with me, and it’s not gonna be Maddie.”

“If you admit you’re fucking her, I’ll do it too.”

Maddie rose to her feet in defiance. “And who the fuck are you to demand anything of 

anybody? And need I remind you, we don’t even KNOW the fucking RULES!”

“I’m not demanding shit. I’m just saying I’m willing to do it, but not alone. I don’t care about 

the rules; he doesn’t mean it literally.”

Gabe rose to his feet and said he agreed just as Brentley returned from his smoke break. “We 

all situated? Okay, great,” Brentley said without checking with anyone but the affirming Gabe. Ollie 

and Ellie looked frightened, while Maddie was just shaking her head about what could potentially be 

disastrous.

“Alright. Here are the rules of the game. You each have three cards. Inside this deck, there is 

one card that guarantees death. The others are minimal: drinking water out of a creek, jumping off the 

top of a waterfall, small stuff, or drinking a tasty drink from my picnic basket. Your card determines 

your fate. You turn them over one by one, and we go from there. I will tell you which animal 

represents what. Ollie, you’re up first since you’re the youngest one here.”

“Oh, come on, that’s bullshit! Ellie was born three minutes before me!”

“Yeah, exactly. Three minutes BEFORE you,” Brentley said, brushing his hair to the left of his 

forehead. Ollie reluctantly flipped his first card: a muskrat. He turned his attention to Brentley.

“So what the fuck does a muskrat mean?”

Brentley chuckled. “You got off easy. Spit in Ellie’s face.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. The card told you what to do. Now do it.”

The disgust on Ollie’s face was as evident as the blue sky above. He paced for a second or two 

before receiving a nod of approval from Ellie. “It’s okay, just do it.” Ollie let out a bit of spittle that 

barely reached the collar of her maroon hoodie. Revolted, Ellie turned to Brentley and requested 

to go next.

“Ollie has yet to fulfill his duty. It was pretty clear: in the FACE.”

“Oh, Jesus fucking Christ, what IS this? What kind of fucked-up family do you come from? This 

is tradition to you? Not a backyard barbecue on a random Saturday in August? This?!”

“We do those too.”

“Yeah? Well, don’t fucking invite me to one of those.” Maddie laughed wholeheartedly, 

inspiring a sense of ire from Brentley. Almost instantaneously, Ollie hawked a loogie in Ellie’s face and 

looked visibly upset about it.

“Good man, good pick. You’re done for the day. Sit back and enjoy the show.”

“Ellie, you’re up.” She mixed her cards to randomize her selection and ended up with an otter. 

“Ah, yes, the infamous otter,” said Brentley. “Do a cartwheel.”

“A fucking cartwheel? What are we doing here? This is fucking stupid.”

“Great, it’s stupid. Do your cartwheel and be done with it.”

She sighed but eventually did the cartwheel.

“Happy now?”

“Thrilled. You’re done too. Move on and never have to play again.”

Brentley looked at Gabe and Maddie. “I’m gonna let you choose between the two of you who 

should go next.” Gabe nodded before Maddie could even make her choice.

“Well, that was easy. Okay, Gabe, have at it. Pick a card, any card.” Gabe chose the one furthest to the 

left and revealed an aardvark. He flashed the card face-up and showed Brentley.

“Oh, man. It’s not good, but it’s not bad. With an aardvark, you gotta find a group of insects 

and scatter them outside their natural habitat. Should take no longer than, eh, five minutes or so. Just 

go find a beehive or an anthill or something. Bust open the hive, stomp on the hill, doesn’t matter. 

Ruin their worldview.”

Gabe shook his head in disbelief at how stupid this all was but ventured off to do as instructed. 

He gave a look to Maddie, ensuring she was safe for whatever might come next. She reassured him 

she was fine.

“Alright, what do you got for me?” asked Maddie.

“Let’s find out. What card will you draw?” Brentley made a magician’s gesture with his arms, 

attempting to lighten the mood. Maddie wanted nothing more to do with this silly game, so she chose 

the card directly in the middle: a ball python. As soon as Brentley saw the card, he lit up like a 

Christmas tree. Digging into his picnic basket, he pulled out a 24-ounce cup of a pink-colored drink 

with a straw inserted.

Maddie laughed hysterically and grabbed the cup without hesitation. After one sip, her face 

soured. “What the fuck is in this?”

“Doesn’t matter. You just gotta drink it all, and we’re done! See? Nothing to worry about!”

It didn’t taste good at all, but she forced it down and threw the cup on the ground. Gabe was 

returning from his insect excursion, shouting that he’d smashed open a beehive and they should 

probably get moving. As he got closer and the area came into focus, he noticed that everyone else in 

the gang was suspiciously gone. All but Maddie, who was lying in the field, staring at the pristine blue 

sky. Stepping closer, he realized she wasn’t stargazing—she was gone. He knelt beside her, hugging her 

deeply, his tears meshing with hers. They lay together for about fifteen minutes, every thought racing 

toward two things.

How did we get here, and what do I do now?