Go Fish

Ren tossed Frankie the search bar, and she snatched it up.

“What is it?” Katie asked, mesmerized. “What’s his power?”

“Can’t tell you. You’re my control group.”

There was no way in hell they could beat him in this amount of time- but Frankie had a plan. A way to prove her hunch, at the very least.

“Have you met my friend, in Wildland Expedition?” Guile tried to distract her. “She loves games too.”

Frankie selected her choice, and like clockwork it came flying off the shelves.

“Aha!” The MASCOT chimed. “A deck of cards, how fun!”

“I want to play Go Fish.” Frankie plainly stated.

“Any other requests?” Guile adjusted his posture as Ren shuffled the cards. “God, this job’s the best. I get to play games all day long.”

“I want you to go as hard as you can on me.”

He laughed.

“Of course! I’ll do my worst, just for you.”

The cards were dealt. Katie picked hers up with great curiosity. Frankie did not.

“What’s the matter?” Guile asked, following suit. “Afraid?”

“Pardon me.” She closed her eyes as she lifted the cards.

The MASCOT giggled uncontrollably.

“Oh, this is fun.” Guile went first. “Frankie. Do you have any… two’s?”

Frankie opened her eyes to check.

“Just one.”

He couldn’t stop laughing as he took the card from her. Her eyes were open now. The test had begun.

“And… what about a Jack? I’m sorry, Jacks?”

Frankie handed him her one Jack. On the next turn, he asked Katie for Kings. He received two Kings. Then on the next turn, he took from her-

“I forfeit the game.” Frankie declared, rising from her seat.

“What? You’ve still got a few minutes! Aw, don’t leave now… I really wanted to play more, you know?” 

“Hey, yeah!” Katie whined with him, fully agreeing with the sentiment, tournament be damned. “Don’t ruin the game, Frankie!”

“We’ll challenge you again, don’t worry. Next time, we’ll win.”

Guile snickered.

“I love your confidence, but I can beat anyone at any game.”

Frankie yawned as she turned around, as if she could walk somewhere and leave in a place like this.

“Yeah, whatever. I could beat anyone at a Percy game, but that skill doesn’t really matter, now does it? Cool your jets.”

Guile fumed under his dark mask.

“Come back very soon, okay?! I’ll have something special ready for you!”

“Time’s up.” Ren spoke in a monotone voice.

Back in the real world, Guile waved them off.

“Come again! Don’t forget!”

They ignored his desperate manners.

“One token poorer…” Katie sighed once they were away from the MASCOT.

“Don’t worry.” Her sister assured. “I know his secret now. And I might be able to beat it.”

“What is it?” Asked Katie, still in the dark.

“Isn’t it clear as day? In this world, Guile can read our very minds.”