The Third Game (The Faerie Games) by Patrick

Suddenly, everything went black. Again. Getting really tired of this. When the lights came back after a few seconds, I was in a room, all white walls and floors. And,I was standing inside a small three foot circle, with a four foot high spiked fence, perfectly circular, stretched around me. It seemed more
like a guideline than a barrier, but, I didn’t want to test it. The room looked almost endless.

I was alone, this time, but, there was a painting on the wall. I’ll try my best to describe it, but I’m not very artistic. It was a perfect square. About six feet on every side. Stretched out directly
in front of me. It was multiple splotches, of every color and shade I’ve ever seen. There didn’t seem to be any order at all to it, but it was still gorgeous. Some splotches were round, or triangular, all
different shapes, colors, and sizes, with every possible combination represented.

Then, I heard M’s voice. “This is the Third Game, child. We now test your soul. You must find the hidden meaning in this painting. Find the single word that defines the painting.” Then it went silent again.

On a whim, I tapped my fingernail against the fence. No sound. Apparently these creatures can deafen me at will.

Okay, well, fantastic. At least there’s no more running. So, I looked at the painting. I stared until I wanted to claw my eyes out. One word? To describe this amazing painting? Filled with so many colors and shapes, of all possible sizes? It was like trying to label all of humanity under that one word.

It’s idiocy to define a group in any way. Everything is... Individual. This is individual. Unique. Nothing even similar to it, in the whole word. So, that’s what I said. I felt clarity, and just said “Unique.” That one word. And, then, I was back in the forest, with M on my right, and Robin on my left, once again.

“Now, for the Fourth Game, child.” M said, looking almost sad. Robin looked absolutely gleeful and excited. That was scary.