The End and The Beginning.

Just to let y’all know. This is the sequel to my short story “A Game for The Future.” I suggest you read that first and then come here. Have fun with the endings there too. Thanks for reading.

“You ever wonder what it would be like if life was a loop? Nor do I. But a person I know lived through one. He woke up, worked, get a call from his sister wishing him on his birthday and then spend the rest of the day working and watching things. It was a rather monotonous life. Wake up and live the same cycle over and over again.

Wake up. Get wished ‘Happy Birthday’.

Every. Day.

But then the dreams come…. Or were they?”

The man was looking up at the ceiling of his padded room. He knew every detail of this off-white room. Which pillow had perfect stitching and which didn’t. The ones that didn’t were constantly picked at. His one source of entertainment. But for most of his time, he stared at the ceiling. He counted in his head, the seconds till he was let out again. His show awaited him. His audience awaited him.

His game awaited him.

The sound of bolts unlatching. The wall opposite the man opens. A woman with blonde hair stood in the doorway. Wearing a black suit, she seemed like she was new to Aegis.

“The Director asked for you. I need you to come with me.”

The man slowly gets up, brushing any folds on his white jumpsuit.

“You know, being new here isn’t something great. I do wonder how you’ll fit in.” He looked her in the eyes and thought, ‘She isn’t going to survive.’

The woman looked disgusted and walked ahead of him. She didn’t care what he thought. They told her not to listen to him. Not to pay attention to a single thing he says.

“First day here? I can tell. The suit looks like it’s been ironed quite a few times. Put on some nice makeup, eye-catching lipstick and…. just a little tease with 2 buttons opened.”

She pretended to not listen to him but still paid attention to everything.

“Hey, I get it. You gotta impress your superiors and you’re willing to do anything for it. It’s a tough job and life. I wonder what you’re like away from all this.”

The woman tried to pay no attention. Luckily, they reached the elevator. She presses the call button and turns towards him. She looks at him with disgust.

“Say whatever you want. I’m the one who’s free to leave. I’m the one who isn’t stuck in a white box. I am the one who’s taking you as my prisoner.”

“Ohhhohohohooo…. My sweet lady. I’m not imprisoned here.”

DING

The woman looks uneasy but shrugs it off and walks behind the man into the elevator.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

A door opens. The woman and the man walk through. On the other side of the room stands the Director. Standing in all his glory and power, he looks upon the two walking towards him with a smirk. The last time he saw the man was during the Bhatia Trial.

That was a colossal failure.

The woman moves away from the man and stands by the Director as they approach the table. The man gives a cheeky smile to the Director and looks around.

“Woooowwww, really spruced up the place from before. Feels so weird coming back here, considering this was where my stage was. This is where my game was. This is where my masterpiece was. I mean, yeah I could have made it better, soo much better but you know, it seemed right. Even with all its flaws, it seemed so perfect. The colouring felt off here and there, the table was weird and just so many things. Ahhhhh, this brings bac-”

‘Quiet.’

The silence reverberated around the room but that voice was still so clear and powerful. The woman looked at the Director, confused and wondering what that was.

‘You have disgraced this place for the last time. This time, you will do exactly as I say.’

“Alright, alright. No need to freak out the girl anymore. She clearly has no clue what the fuck is going on.”

The man turns to her.

“Your name, milady?”

“Lyra. Lyra Simon.”

“Nice to meet you, Lyra. I’m The Game Master.”

He gives a gentle smile towards Lyra before facing the Director.

“So, boss. What new conundrum have you brought upon my feet?”

The Director gives him a sharp look and points to the folder on his table.

“Read. Lyra will help you.”

The Game Master picks up the folder, smirks at Lyra and opens it to read the details.

“Guess I don’t have to hide my identity anymore. Hi Lyra, I’m Arjun. Arjun Mohanty.”

Soooo……. That is the end of the story. For now at least. I do have sequels being planned. (That being I have no clue what the fuck I'm gonna do next) Either way, thank you for reading and staying with me for this whole ride. Sorry for the delay too……