The Final Play Novels & Stories

The game wasn't finished, but its final move was now, irrevocably, his to make. -----

I even clapped along at the end when the three little pigs made it to the brick house and broke into song to close the play. Then they all took a bow, Hazel in the center, beaming with pride. I was very proud too. From the front row, Kaylor shot me a toothy grin and gestured toward Evangeline and Hazel. I laughed. Of course those two had teamed up and rewritten the play to suit themselves. "I have to take this call. I'll be outside." Nathaniel said and I simply nodded as he walked toward the gate. My eyes stayed on the kids, all of them looking very excited.

It was Elaine calling. "Hey, did you sort out the hospital stuff? You promised to play with us today. Bail on us, and you're toast," she said, loud enough for me to hear. Lance gave me that awkward look. I just said, "Go on." He wavered for a second, then stood up. "I'll just play for a bit and come back. Elaine's got a ranking match today, and she won't stop nagging if I don't help out."

We are home. THE END

With brisk steps he was out the door and made Hunter confirm the fact Tai had called him weird to be true. Hunter was about to put the money into the cash register when he found the note in it. ‘reservation for table 14 by 9:50pm’ “if we aren’t closed already” He muttered in response to his letter. “Take care of yourself okay?” Jeanie said to Louisa with her hands cupping her little face. They were outside the hotel room saying their final goodbyes to each other in the windy night. The baby girl nodded affirmatively and had a bright smile on her face.

“Stage. That's what we're gonna do, babe, put up a little stage where you play.” And with those final words, he turned on his heel, leaving me standing in the center of the dark library as the curtain officially rose on our final, lethal performance.

He simply smiled with a look of relief. The apple rolled to the ground, picking up dirt. From the start, Zach had been provoking Jessica on purpose. I looked at the blood spreading on the ground and at Zach's collapsed body, then at the frail and blind Jessica. I understood it all. This was Zach seeking redemption using Jessica. At the very end, Zach seemed to see me. His eyes were pleading. "Annie, now that I did this, will this make you feel any better?" As my own body faded, I realized this might be the last thing I would ever say. I looked right at him and gave a cold, cruel smile.

And they held its final key. —--

She was finally living her dream. THE END