In an apartment on the top floor there lived a man. The living room itself was the epitome of class and distinction as the walls were a colour of cool grey. The room was furnished with a large couch in the middle, a perfect rectangular piece with little curvature, a large screen TV directly facing it. In the corner of the room was a large table, filled with papers stacked with the figures of his company to be sorted, on both sides of the desktop computer that buzzed with hushed hums as it lay dormant, ready to be turned on at a moments notice.838Please respect copyright.PENANAH1o8cD4QjM
It did fairly well as an overworked machine though it never worked even half as hard as its owner. That's quite the comparison, man and machine, for even he turned off at times; how could he have been more worked than a computer that was constantly on? He envied it, there was work to be done and it could always get a job done with there being little if any worry of failure due to tire.838Please respect copyright.PENANAqSzdsWVr6R
That was not what he expected of human beings, however. He knew they were bound to tire out, he knew they needed some sort of incentive to work. He knew they could not continue as effortlessly as did his computer. He was sadly made aware if his own human shortcomings as he had been having severe headaches at work. It was another night. Pop a pill for pain and a push through. He had to finish or even get a steady dent in the papers he had around his computer.838Please respect copyright.PENANAhWqfKofA9B
With all the papers done by four in the morning, his headache started to creep upon him with malicious vengeance. He almost screamed at the pain, until he heard a small voice say "hello".838Please respect copyright.PENANA29eiWsUpAe
He looked down to see a little boy looking up at him. His skin was a pale cedar complexion and lacking any pink or rosy flush associated with youth. There was no denying that he was young, he looked about four or five, far too young to be by himself. It was strange to see a little boy in his closed-off secure apartment.838Please respect copyright.PENANAQVqydlveSp
"How did you get here?" He asked.838Please respect copyright.PENANA3MKGDLQnsr
"Well Mr Valdis, you'd have to play my game to get my answer." said the young boy. His face looked up at the man with a subdued smile. That smile told Valdis many things. One, this child knew who he was and knew his first name at that, meaning, he possibly was a friend's child.He started to have less time for friends, all the people he associated with addressed him as Mr Brennan and only that. He wanted to ask who's child he was but he looked nothing like any of his friends. He, in fact, had never seen the boy before that morning. Two, this child knew something that he did not. Valdis was curious to know what that was. His eyes showed lurking mischief and somehow a knowledge beyond his years. His smile showed Valdis that he was not going to readily give up any information unless he played his game.838Please respect copyright.PENANA1hcNUDxCRB
"Okay, what is your game?"838Please respect copyright.PENANARg3tx2sAc2
"Hide and seek. It's a simple game. I hide and you try to see me. If I win, then I'll tell you how, if I don't win, then I'll leave you alone."838Please respect copyright.PENANAMvDE7w6O7p
He was definitely a child. His reasoning needed work.838Please respect copyright.PENANAYxjIkROPIm
"Well then, let's play," Valdis said smiling.838Please respect copyright.PENANA6TAt7JUWFM
"You need to count Mr.Valdis, backwards"838Please respect copyright.PENANAI4CzvT4WXR
"Ten, nine, eight-"838Please respect copyright.PENANAub76dVEYgH
"From five, Mr Valdis. I only know five. Count backwards from five."838Please respect copyright.PENANAXJn5Yk9YiG
"You understand your rules right? If I win, you leave, but if you win, you'll answer me?"838Please respect copyright.PENANAA9WHB0nZmO
"Exactly so."838Please respect copyright.PENANAYayxNHnaZQ
He thought the little boy strange he wondered if he genuinely knew what his rules stipulated. If he won his own game, then he'd be giving him what he had asked for, but if he lost, he'd have to leave. It was dangerous to let a little boy venture outside when he wasn't even sure of where he came from. Moreover, which boy of his age says 'exactly so'?838Please respect copyright.PENANAtNmuKS0XEa
Valdis decided to let the boy win. He would get his answers, and he could have the boy stay until his parents came for him. That would be a hassle but he thought it inhumane to let a small child roam the streets at such an early time when the undesirables of the night had not yet gone to sleep. He covered his eyes.838Please respect copyright.PENANAb3wT8XgFWY
"Okay. Five, four, three, two one."838Please respect copyright.PENANAYvzKUJ1KbS
By the time he said one, he felt the small body behind him. There was a coldness coming from the small body that made Valdis turn around.838Please respect copyright.PENANAr4cAtUdeMe
Quickly, the boy ran behind him again, so as not to be seen. The boy was smart. He did say to try and see him. "Aren't you cold?" Valdis asked. He tried to turn around but again, the boy ran behind him, eager not to be seen. Valdi sighed. Indeed he had lost, but he never expected to lose so fairly.838Please respect copyright.PENANANR4Y82e4SE
"I may have some blankets in my room hold on."838Please respect copyright.PENANAuPHBxrE2kG
"Please don't go. You can't go. How did you know I was cold?"838Please respect copyright.PENANAXq5q3gMIeU
"You have no body heat, though, you were behind me. I won't go anywhere, we'll celebrate your victory when I get back."838Please respect copyright.PENANAAiToccVoBq
"Wow, then touch is not number five."838Please respect copyright.PENANAvhldgu5tJg
"You're a strange young man." Suddenly, there was darkness around him.838Please respect copyright.PENANAnLTfXO4C4b
"Where are you?" He asked.838Please respect copyright.PENANAWydXmgAmPJ
"Oh, sight is number five."838Please respect copyright.PENANAPYd5J9rjPE
"What are you talking about?" the man asked.838Please respect copyright.PENANAr6p06CgLDq
"Mr Valdis, you don't know me, but I know you. You are a busy man sir, with your overworking and refusal to quit. A great man, regional manager of a big corporation. You want it to succeed but at the cost of your health. The doctor told you to rest but you thought pills could be your saviour. The combination would have helped you. You don't know my parents but believe me, they know you. I was hoping you would win though, truthfully, If I win, which I did, I'd have to stay. I came from Mother Nature, conceived by Father Time and loved by only those who have more power than I do. My sister, Life herself, was your sorrowful companion who hoped you would take advice for once. She is not here, only me. I'll be fine travelling by myself home. You in a sense called me here Mr Valdis."838Please respect copyright.PENANAaUt3gR1UhH
His headache increased, his heart started beating slowly. He realized who this little boy was. He never expected to die at such a young age of 49. Death was right, the combination would have helped him. He felt a frigid hand on him.838Please respect copyright.PENANAjVdMpuqdz2
"Please, please!!"838Please respect copyright.PENANA9UCHbbnbc9
"I truly am sorry Mr Valdis."838Please respect copyright.PENANAtU9qKCrQh2
"Please, someone else!"838Please respect copyright.PENANADH18RI6oO1
I cannot touch what I'm not meant to."838Please respect copyright.PENANA9VK7lM2At4
Suddenly, the hand felt less frigid, his breathing stopped.838Please respect copyright.PENANAgasXwUDiK4
"Four, three, two, one."
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The Nature and Times of Life and Death
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The Nature and Times of Life and Death
Author:
zaylane

ISSUE #1
A Game
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