Open When Cards Novels & Stories

He unlocks his car and reaches into the backseat and slides his hand into a briefcase and hands me a card. "This is your new credit card; it's for all your clothes and stuff. The pin is 1308" I smile and place the card into my bag as he shuts the door of his car. He shoves his hands into his pockets as he walks back up to the sidewalk where I stand.

Every head came up, every set of shoulders straightened as they tried hard not to look like they were hoping. I opened my mouth. "Not so fast." Pat pointed directly at me. "That's not how this works." She reached behind her and brought out a plain cardboard box, folded papers visible at the top. "We'll be making use of the traditional raffle draw method." She set it on the table in front of us. I looked at the box, then at thefaces starimg back at me. Hori was sitting very still with her hands wrapped around her cup, pretending she wasn't quietly hoping I picked her name.

When all the gifts were sorted to their rightful owners Jaxsen paused. “Do we open them at the same time or one at a time?” “Go ahead and open yours first, Jack,” Sebastian told him. He watched as Jaxsen opened each one, his excitement growing with every one. Sebastian had gone all out, as had Nizhoni in buying Jaxsen’s Christmas. “Wow!” Jaxsen exclaimed as the picture display on the box came into view. At that moment Nizhoni snapped a picture. Sebastian smiled. “What is it you’ve got there, Jack?” He knew full well what it was.

I went to my vanity and took out a burner SIM card. It was wrapped in a note containing a single sentence: "The Neptune, 3 PM tomorrow, Pier 2. A big gift." I walked to the window and passed the note to the man. "Give this to your boss," I whispered. He took it and was gone, melting into the shadows of the garden. I returned to the vanity and looked at my reflection. Sophia. Damien. The game is over. My game has just begun.

A small curve forms on the corner of his lips, “Afterall, this is a free round.” “Please,” I point at the displayed card, nodding. I pick up my cards after Cain picks up his. I observe him closely, watching how his eyes widen with ecstasy. He was clearly over the moon from the cards in his fingers. I let my eyes settle on my own cards, hiding them so well that Cain couldn’t take a peek even if he wanted to. The cards in my fingers are 3,3,7,7,7, J, J. Cain pours himself a glass of the whiskey and drinks everything in one go, his eyebrow raised.

Elijah dealt the cards. I picked mine up and fanned them out and looked at them with attention of someone who was going to take this completely seriously regardless of it being nine thirty on a holiday evening. I had a Draw Four. I had it immediately, right there in my opening hand, which was either extremely lucky or the universe making a small comment on something. I looked at my cards. I looked at Elijah, who was arranging his hand with the focused expression of a man who fully intended to win.

The year I started middle school, my parents solemnly handed my sister and me each a bank card. "This is your college fund. There's 100,000 dollars in each one. The password is your birthday. Don't touch it unless it's truly an emergency." I listened. I treated that card like a treasure. I never bought a single new piece of clothing. Even my worn-out canvas shoes got patched with glue and worn again. I thought that if I was just responsible enough, I'd live up to my parents' idea of "fairness." Then, after the SATs ended, I wanted to use the money on the card for a graduation trip with my classmates. Instead, the ATM screen flashed a number that burned my eyes: [Balance: $0.00]. At th

Shuffling a few more times and placing this question on the forefront of her mind, Sera opens her eyes and hands the cards back to Anna. Anna's face remains amused, her head cocking to the side slightly. If Sera didn't know any better, it appears as though someone is speaking in her ear. Anna's thin fingers flip over the first card of the deck, sliding it to the center. The image is of a cherub holding a large sun, only it's facing Anna—not her.

I whisper back. "Yours," Connor rumbles. My snout gives a firm nod. My ears have no patience for Eustace’s garbage barks, so my hand signals the dealer to reveal the final skin. The fifth community card drops, but it carries no weight for either path. It is merely the Four of Diamonds, a dead bone for both packs. My inner wolf suddenly feels a sharp spike of panic... ...because the sun has set and the hands must show their skin. From the look of the wood, my path to victory is blocked, but...

"There's three hundred thousand on this card. No PIN needed. Two hundred thousand to pay you back, and another hundred thousand for interest. For the last decade." I paused, then added, "Thank you. When I found out, I was really touched." Finally reacting, Jessica hurriedly waved her hands in protest. "No, you don't have to. Just think of it as…" I cut her off, "Debts need to be repaid. As for my gratitude? If you ever need me, I'll do whatever it takes to help." I pushed the card into her hand before she could object again. Jessica pursed her lips as she held the card helplessly, then said hoarsely, "Seb, we…"