Retirement Game Novels & Stories

Natalie…" I walked past him and continued on my way. This time, he didn't follow. When I reached the intersection, Ivy sent me a message. "Ms. Lawson, we're playing a mystery box game at tomorrow's team-building event. Are you coming? I heard everyone's guaranteed to win a prize!" Looking at those words, I smiled and replied, "I'll be there." The next day, I drew a small card at the company team-building event. It didn't say, "Thank you for participating." Instead, it read, "Today's Lucky Winner."

They must've assumed these arguments make sense because I was silently standing there, making it appear as if I'd been listening, and I knew I wouldn't be able to pretend I hadn't. I put my hands over my ears, but could still detect certain words. I longed to go out of the house but forced myself to remain seated still. "You don't get it!" "I hate this life!" "You children are just a burden I can't abandon!" "I told you to listen to me…" I pressed my hands harder into my ears. Trapped there, with my eyes closed, I could almost see the words as illuminated streaks floating in the air. The noise made me realize that's their only one solution that I could think of: To play a morality game, a ga

ZAIRE’S POV "Shit, they absolutely carved them open, man. I can't even hate." Spencer said, scrolling through his phone as he read off the stats from yesterday’s game between the Milton Lions and the Eastbrook Ravens. We were sitting at our usual table under the tree in the quad, eating lunch. The break wasn't over for about the next fifteen minutes. “Come on, this is the Ravens we’re talking about,” Finn said with a dismissive roll of his eyes. “They’re shit. I'm sure we are going to destroy them too when we play them.”

Looking all serious and fired up like they were battling for their lives. A deck of cards was brought out and the young man shuffled through. I thought it was Blackjack or a game of Spades but I was wrong. It was an entirely different game, one I had never seen before, it read, “Merger and Acquisition.” “What kind of game is this?" I thought again inwardly. The lady spoke after, saying, “Anyone who chooses to leave can do so in the next five minutes before the game begins.”

Gabe laughed, for the first time seeming to enjoy himself without meaning to hurt Jorel. “It’ll still be a tough match,” Rael warned. “I’m an expert at this game.” “Doesn’t seem like a strategy game, just luck,” Gabe analyzed quickly. “In that case, consider yourself lucky, since you got my little sister in real life,” Isabelle said, her tone bold. After a longer-than-usual setup, we started the game. When Rita had to marry, getting a blue peg for her husband, Rael teased, “Can I ditch my car and join yours?”

NEW TARGET: Designation [ADMIN]. TRIGGER: Manual Input Code [0-0-0]. Ren’s fingers flew across the mechanical keyboard, the click-clack sound filling the room like gunfire. He was building a backdoor. If the Admin ever tried to lock them in—if the "Game Over" screen ever appeared in real life—Ren would type the code. And every drone, every robot, every soldier in the game would stop hunting the players... and start hunting the Game Master. "If you try to burn me," Ren whispered to the scrolling code, "I'm going to turn your own dogs against you."

"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…"

"I win." I try to escape his grasp but his embrace only tightens. "You…you cheater. Let me go." I writhe. He chuckles, and the sound makes deep vibrations on his chest, tickling me. "How does it feel now? Your little game didn't go as planned sweetheart?" I squirm and can't help but laugh. "Ugh, Liam." I groan and finally surrender. "Say it, say you give up." "Never." This is it, our stubbornness at a crossroads.

she said, her voice quavering. Tom nodded, still not saying anything. "I know I messed up, and I'm sorry," Scarlett continued. "I should have apologized before, but I was too ashamed. I know I was wrong, and I want to make things right. Please, Tom, can you give me my job back? My sister's life is on the line, and I need that job to take care of her." Tom leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Scarlett, I'm sorry, but it's too late. I can't give you your job back."

She asked, feigning ignorance, but it was clear to me that she knew that wasn't what I meant. “Will you listen to me, or do you want to continue creating a fantasy for yourself?” I questioned back, not smiling at her at all. She sighed, “Okay, tell me about the games and rules. I really don't understand a thing.” She replied. I sat right and smiled, “Good. Now, let's talk about the rules and games attached to our little secret. As our mate, we will let you get married to Austin.” I told her, and her eyes widened.