The Final Play Novels & Stories

“It’s not over…” The void pulsed ominously, and the last words of the system echoed around her: The final choice has been made… but the game is eternal.

“The final rounds will be… consequential. The Arbiter’s patience is not infinite.” He helped her sit up. “We will break for a few hours. You may use the library or the terrace. But you will remain naked. Your body is a testament to the game.” He handed her the obsidian die. “Hold onto this. Contemplate it. When I return, we roll for the final acts.” He left her there, on the sofa, naked and sore and filled with a quiet, terrifying certainty. The game was nearing its endgame. And the die in her hand felt heavier than ever.

He stood beside me, and under his gaze, I signed the papers as if nothing had changed. He looked at me, gently asking, "Are you done?" "Yes," I replied. "I'm done." Gregory bit his lip slightly, seemingly unaware of the change that had settled over me.

In the past, I'd always cried and screamed like a madwoman, embarrassing him terribly. In public, he was the flawless, perfect husband everyone admired. That day, Lucius asked me, "So does this mean I can keep playing around in the future?" I smiled and nodded. "I have to accept reality." For example, the reality that a playboy never truly reforms. Or the reality that Lucius never loved me at all. He looked at me for a long moment, then let out a soft scoff. "Sounds pretty pitiful. Fine," he said. "Our wedding anniversary is coming up again. This time, we'll celebrate it together—your reward for being obedient."

Knowing it has got to be me, I sneaked from the back and just left. That was the last time I saw him. He is leaving tomorrow. It's probably the last I'll see him ever. The footsteps nearing had me snapping my eyes open, shaken back into reality. The shadow hovering over me blocked the crowd of people and I sighed, beyond relieved that this play has finally reached an end. He extended his hand and I took it, before he pulled me up.

And as I closed my eyes, I knew that tomorrow, the firewalls would finally come down, and we would be standing in the wreckage, together, alive, and ready to face whatever came next. The Shadow Play was over. The game was about to begin. And we were going to win it all.

She's not even pregnant. "Got it, you're just another actor she's hired, aren't you? What's she up to? Why does she keep playing these tricks on me?" He stormed up and down the hallway, fuming. "Listen up, this is the last time I'm warning you. If you keep up with her silly games, I'm calling the cops!" He ended the call and shut off his phone, not knowing he had just missed an important callback from the rescue team.

This was a chess game that was destined to end at a stalemate from the very beginning. Every day since returning to Alden City, I'd wondered whether my ending would've been different if I'd rejected Eugene's mango cake that day. My guess was that it would have. I climbed over the railing around the roof, which was six stories high. In the past, it was a height that made my legs tremble. Now, I looked down, feeling unbelievably light and relaxed. I was exhausted. Everyone said death was a coward's choice, but I disagreed. Who would want to give up on life if they had other options? Who would choose death if there was still a chance to turn things around?

Together. THE END.

Heather even threw a pass on a fake field goal-Julius caught it in the end zone, and the Cannibals’ sideline erupted. With five minutes left, the Cannibals had 98 points. The crowd had thinned to a few diehards and stunned reporters. On the final drive, Jeremy called for a trick play: a double reverse flea-flicker. Alexandra took the lateral, sprinted down the sideline, and pitched it back to Jeremy, who found Julius wide open in the end zone. Touchdown. 104-14. The Cannibals didn’t celebrate. They shook hands, jogged to the locker room, and left the Cattlemen and their fans in stunned silence.