The Great Game

If you’re new to the Great Game, please have a quick look at the blurb to your left, where you’ll find a short catch-up introduction.

The floor had obviously collapsed. At least part of it. I groaned, and then froze at a furtive rustling from off in the darkness. I forced myself to ignore my leg, and stood up as quietly as possible, gun ready. There was another rustle, and then a quiet, frightened sobbing. I blinked. It sounded like a child.

I picked my way towards the crying, slowly and carefully. The dust was starting to settle, and my eyes were beginning to adjust, and I could make out a small figure cowering in the corner of the basement. As I advanced, the child peeked up at me, and let out a hopeless little moan.

I really didn’t have any choice.

I backed away and started yelling for assistance. The child uncovered his face, and looked up at me.

“There’s no need to shout.” His voice was soft and calm, with overtones which made me think of musicians playing in a dusky park. His eyes were beseeching me to understand.

I nodded, slowly. He couldn’t have been more than eight. Whatever Travis had said, he couldn’t have meant this poor kid.

“That’s better,” said the boy. “Doesn’t that feel better?”

“Of course,” I said. It was, too; I was very aware of just how discordant my yelling had been. “The floor fell in.”

“It was rotten. Lots of things are rotten, now.”

“Yes.” There was so much unfairness. So much pain. We were so flawed.

The boy nodded. “You can see it, can’t you. I knew you were better. It’s time to clean the Earth. You’ve been allowed free reign for thousands of years, but it was never yours. You understand that, right? We never died. We just… slept, for a while. So it’s time for one last party. You like parties, don’t you?”

I smiled. “I love parties.” How long had it been since my last party? Years. Too long.

“So will you help us arrange our last party for mankind?”

“TAYLOR! Great God, man! SHOOT IT!”

Travis? I looked up, through the hole in the ceiling. Travis was kneeling there, looking dazed and bloody. Travis…

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Today’s Photo is Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra Outdoor Concert by Eric Beyler