“I’m not what you think I am.”

I clasp my hand over her mouth and pull her further into the closet before she could utter more. Our seeker counts down: 3…2…1. We stumble through old shoe boxes, pass through curtains of shirts, and tuck ourself into a cramped corner surrounded by purses. Our wall of protection.

“Shut up, Kasey! Do you want them to find us?!” I whisper. “The game has only just started.” We’re packed together in the deepest corners of the dark. The air vent next to us releases gentle, cold air.

“Skye, you don’t understand—“

Footsteps, slow and calculated, pass us, cutting Kasey off. My hands wrap around hers, and I look for her pulse that always syncs with mine, always calms me down. But I sense nothing. No thrumming fear under her skin. When I squeeze them tight, her bones are shattered, yet she give no cry of pain. I search further up her arms, but am met with sharp, tingling pain slicing through my palms. By now, the seeker has left.

“Ow! What the hell?” Warm, sticky red drips onto Kasey’s lap. She lets out a quiet gasp.

Footsteps pass once more, coupled with the annoyed grumbles of our found friends. I hold in my breath, and almost go blue before we’re in the clear.

“Skye, this may be strange to you, but I have an explaination. I’ve been trying to tell you this for months, and this is the last chance I get,” Kasey pleads. “So I beg of you, let me say what I have to say.”

“Why are you acting weird? What do you—“

This time, she clasps her hand over my mouth. This time she shuts me up. Not too far from us is a small lamp laying on its side, it’s extension cord limp. She plugs it in, and our hiding spot is alight. The yellow glow illuminates the bruises, cuts, bones poking from her arms, and glass shards on her wrists and thighs. Tears line my eyelids.

“I do not feel the pain of that day anymore. There is no need to cry.” She cups my face in her hands, but I cannot stop my weeping. “You don’t want us to get found right?” Kasey asks. I nod, but the sadness doesn’t stop its flow.

“What is happening?” I blubber. “You were taken care of at the hospital. I saw you.”

“I’m afraid that’s not what happened,” Kasey said. “I was quickly sent to limbo, then back here to you. I’ve been busy with work and school for quite some time, and I haven’t been able to see you, so I wanted to take this time to have as much fun as I can with you before I must go. To make sure you know you are loved, Skye.”

I do not care if I am found anymore.

I let myself lament in my grief, in my despair. “It can’t be your time now…”

“I am afraid it is, my friend. My scars and wounds are returning.” A large, thick glass shard appears jabbed into her neck. Red streaks of blood stain her pearly teeth. Her eyelids weight heavy.

“Kasey, don’t!” Her form becomes transparent. From her head down to her toes, she dissolves in whisps around me. “Kasey!”

The closet door swings open. A stream of light pours in. The seeker has found me, sympathy crossing his features. “Come on, Skye. Come out of the closet. You’ve won.”

I stand on shaky legs and slam the door behind me.

I will never play this childish game again.