The Fourth Game (The Faerie Games) by Patrick

So, at the end of the last game, you saw Robin looking excited, and M looking sad for the next game. What I didn’t mention was how horrified I was. Or how my mom looked even more scared. Yeah, that’s right. My mother was there, directly in front of me. She was shaking, in both fear and cold. Sopping wet, like she came here in the rain, and covered in dirt and mud.

Of course, I screamed, as loud as I could, after I saw her. Which, caused her to scream, even louder, and caused Robin to giggle, and M to roll his eyes.

“What’s going on? Why is she here? Did you bring her here?” I yelled, instinctively assuming it was Robin that did it, so, looking at him.

“I did nothing, child. She entered our woods of her own accord, I simply showed her which way to go.” I could barely understand him, every other word was followed by the creepiest giggle.

“It is the Fourth Game, child. You must decide, which of you is to stay continue from here. Either you can condemn your mother to Robins’ games forever, or you can send her away from here, and continue the Five Games yourself.” M told me, still looking saddened. “We give you five minutes alone, from there, you must make your choice.” Then they disappeared, just like usual. Wow. It’s kinda scary how quickly I’m getting used to them.

“.. Jess? What’s going on? Where are we? Who are those men, and where did they go?” Mom literally whimpered at me. I didn’t answer, cuz I didn’t have any, but apparently, she thought it was because I was still mad at her.

“Listen, I get that you’re mad at me. But we need to put that aside, and get out of here, before they come back and kill us.” I laughed at that, because they’d only kill one of us. The other would at least
have a chance to live. I mean, after this, I only had one test, and then I got to go with M to his Court. Whatever that meant. It was probably better than dying, and certainly better than going to “play with Robin”.

“What? Why are you laughing? Do you know something I don’t?” She was all but shouting, now. “How did they disappear like that? Have you gotten into some kind of devil worship? I knew something like this would happen!” Well, that was going a bit far. I still went with her to church every week, sometimes I’d just dress differently.

“Jessica! Answer me!” Okay. Now, I was mad. I didn’t ask her to follow me in the woods. She kicked ME out, and I left. Period. End of story. She wasn’t supposed to follow me in the woods, she was supposed to leave me alone. That’s what happens, right? She hates me, right?

I mean, normal parents would let me be whatever and whoever I wanted, right? A normal parent wouldn’t have a problem with me shortening my name to Jess, and being either a boy or a girl, depending on my mood. Right? She’s the problem here. Not me. Maybe I should leave her here
to these awful Games. She’d deserve it.

... Or maybe I’m the problem? Maybe I’m messed up. Maybe this isn’t how normal people act. Maybe I should just be a girl, like I was born to be. Maybe I’m being stupid and picky, and this is all my fault. Maybe I should just go with Robin. It’d be a good punishment for torturing my mom like this. Right?

Is that what I should do? Just... Let myself go? I’d deserve it. I deserve pain. I’m a terrible person for being messed up like this.

.. Or maybe this is what I’m supposed to be. M and Robin might not be terribly nice, but they definitely have some kind of powers. And they accept me. They call me child, rather than boy or girl. If two strange creatures like that can understand me, why can’t anyone else?

Maybe they’re just so messed up, that only someone like them can understand me. Maybe the rest of the world is normal, and I’m so messed up that I’m here with these freaks, and my mom yelling at me, for not being normal like her. She’s still yelling at me. I can’t really hear her. I’m too far gone in my own mind.

Some random garbage about how she tried so hard, where did she go wrong, where did her lovely daughter go, other stuff like that. She’s a complete homophobic walking cliche. Well, guess what, mother dear? It’s homosapien, not heterosapien.

Yeah. There’s nothing wrong with me. Or M. Or Robin. Well, maybe Robin. There’s definitely a few things wrong with him. But none of it to do with his sexuality, which I can’t even begin to guess at.

Maybe normal isn’t a good thing. Maybe I don’t want to be normal. Maybe I like being like this. I get the best of every world, by being me. So, forget you, mom, and other normal people. I was born this way

“Mom, you’re going home. Goodbye.” That’s all I said. Later, I’d regret it. Wish I’d said more. Wished I’d told her a little more about the circumstances. Wished I’d said a proper goodbye. But, whatever. As I said it, she was gone. Still crying, and screaming at me to explain. Then Robin and M returned. Robin almost growling, and M looking a little happier.

“Well done, child. You are yourself, Jess. Welcome to the Final Game.” M said, with a small half smile. It was a nice smile. I like it. I'd like to see it more often. Maybe in his Court, I'll get to.