I woke up to the sound of laughing.
Not the fun kind. Not “beach day” laughing.
More like someone explained mortality to a dolphin and it enjoyed it.
It was Xyntra.
She was standing on top of a picnic table she may or may not have summoned.
I asked what she was doing.
“Winning.”
That was all she said.
Then she blew a kiss at the moon, which was not visible, and stepped into a sand circle that wasn’t there before.
She vanished for twelve minutes.
Came back holding a postcard and a half-eaten croissant.
POSTCARD: Xyntra
Day 4:
I won.
Don’t ask what the game was.
I made it up.
I wasn’t the only one playing.
Enma lost...
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
She doesn’t even know it yet.
Miren’s jellyfish has managerial vibes.
It watched me sing in reverse and nodded approvingly.
I think it’s judging my performance.
I gave it my business card, just in case.
Amaranth asked if I thought the beach was “real.”
I laughed so hard she apologized.
It’s cute when she worries about existential things.
Koko’s sandcastles are getting unsettlingly detailed.
She made a replica of me smiling.
It had a smug look...
That was a nice touch.
The sun still won’t set,
so I gave it instructions on what to do.
It listened carefully,
then ignored every word.
Respect.
Wish you were here.
Actually, no I don’t!
It was tied to a small pinecone with string.
Smelled faintly of ozone and regret.
Written in highlighter and absolutely not for me. Possibly not for anyone.
She says she “won.”
No one else knew there was a game.
But she assures me Enma lost, which... checks out.
She also mentioned Miren’s jellyfish has managerial energy and might be scouting her.
She asked me if I wanted to help “reprogram the sand.”
I told her no.
She smiled and handed me a USB stick anyway.
It was full of pictures of my face.
But only from behind...
End of Log.
Koko’s castles have doors now.
One of them opened this morning.
There’s something inside.
I didn’t go near it.
Amaranth’s shrine caught fire and she’s claiming it was “a blessing.”
The sun is still in the same spot.
I think it’s watching us now.