Puppets

"Glass" By: Simon Matulef

Puppets 

Eyes peeling open, I tried moving out of the cramped lying position I was in. My body ached everywhere. While I slowly moved my head around, a grunt sounded from beside me. Questions began to flow into my head like a gushing waterfall. What was that? Where am I? How did I even get here?

“Man, that’s the worst bed I’ve ever slept on,” I heard the hoarse, but high-pitched, voice say. Quickly, I looked down and saw a woman make a wretched face.

“Who are you?” I managed to squeeze out of my dehydrated throat; scared but curious for an answer. 

“Who are you?” The woman said, glancing around the room. “Do you know why we're here?” 

“My name’s Phoebe and no,” I said.

“I’m Cora, why’re we here?” Cora said. 

“How would I know?” I snapped, annoyance leaking from my throat. 

Turning my head, I searched the white walls for a clue on how to escape. As I looked behind me, I found a red button perched next to a large metal door. Without thinking, I pressed it. 

“You must complete three tasks before the time runs out.” A deep, booming voice said.

Where did that come from? Hands and legs shaking, I began to feel tears prick in my eyes. I have to escape. I can’t die here. 

After hearing a small sniffle, I turned around to see Cora’s saddened face, eyes red and puffy. We both shared mutual understanding that the only way to get out was to abide by the rules.

A few moments later, a circle podium rose out of the floor, revealing a grid of nine boxes and a pile of crosses and circles. Are we seriously playing tic tac toe? Am I competing against Cora? I hoped not. After all, I wasn’t very good at competitions, I never was. Looking over at her, I saw that she shared my worried expression.

“Begin,” we heard the overhead voice say, both of us sitting on the cold white floor.

I placed an X in the middle box of the grid with remorse, knowing I was required to play against Cora. Why do I already feel a connection with someone I just met? Brows furrowed and biting her lip, she moved an O piece to the top middle box. After my mind overflowed with anxious thoughts, I moved another X piece into the top right box, guiltily hopeful that Cora would make a mistake soon. 

The game went on and on until finally, I gently dropped my last piece into the final square. Refreshing joy mixed with sadness washed over my face as I felt my chest lift and shoulders drop from the tense position they were in. I had won; however, I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen to Cora. 

There wasn't much time to think before I heard the loud overhead voice declare round two. A loud scraping noise came from behind me, causing my body to spin around in a matter of seconds. My nerves spiked as I laid eyes upon the two small sleek black pouches that now were perched on a ledge that had just come out of the wall. As curiosity clearly overtook her face, Cora ran over to the drawstring pouches and sprawled a bag's contents on the ledge. As I got closer, I could see one small pink ball and ten metal jacks. Cora handed a bag to me and we stood across from each other. 

“Do you want to go first?” I said, voice still weak. 

“Sure. Good luck, I hope there’s a way out for at least one of us.”

“Same here,” I said.

After a moment of silence, she bounced the ball and picked up one jack, then two, then three. Each time the ball bounced I could feel my stomach flip. On the eighth jack, the ball bounced, but she was unable to pick up eight jacks.

“Your turn.” Cora said with a big exhale. She clearly wasn’t satisfied with her performance. 

After a quick breath, I picked up the ball, bounced it and picked up one jack. Then two, then three. Once I completed the eighth bounce, I focused extra hard. I knew I had to complete the ninth round to pass Cora’s score. Bounce.

I only saw one jack left on the table, which meant I’d won. I tried my best to be happy but I couldn’t feel past the gloomy mood I was in. Cora doesn’t have a chance at winning anymore. 

“Congratulations, Phoebe! Your final task is at hand. For this, two cups will be provided, only one contains poison. You will be shown which one is which, then give Cora the cup of your choosing. Good luck!” The loud booming voice announced. I felt my heart drop into my stomach. 

I had made my choice. I slid the cup over to Cora and watched her silently accept her fate. Picking our cups up, we clinked them together in solidarity like two lambs prepared for slaughter. I closed my eyes and lifted my cup to my mouth as Cora did the same. 

The cool liquid slid down my throat with ease as I watched the metal doors open. Mouth wide open and eyes bulging out of her head, Cora took two steps out the door while I sunk to the floor, feeling a sharp pain in my stomach. Cora muttered a meek thank you and let two tears slip. With pain bursting in my body, I felt strangely at peace knowing that Cora had her whole life to be happy. As she took one last glance at me, I gave her a small smile. I knew I never would have forgiven myself if I was the one walking out. A tear fell out of my eye and I couldn't bear the pain anymore. My last breath was a slow one as I let my eyes shut for the final time. I was a mere puppet in a confusing game and at last, the red strings were finally laid down.