Something's going to happen.

I'm sure there's a ton of better ways to say that. Y'know, the cryptic lines that use words like "astrological convergence" and "foreboding winds" to open up a story right. I'm not exactly good with words, so maybe you could pretend I said it in a really impressive way.

What's starting, I can feel it. Most of those poetic openings usually have something like that, saying you can feel this amazing important event in the pit of your stomach. Except I'm not exaggerating, here. Everything in me tingles because it's coming, like when your leg's been asleep for a while and you finally wake it up.

See, what's starting has been in the works for a long time. It's not even starting, really, but just continuing after a really long pause. It's like... like chess. Someone liked chess a really long time ago. So he built the pieces, and he played a game, and he won, and he didn't feel like playing again. The pieces just lay there for generations, noticed but ignored. Gradually, someone's been picking the pieces up and putting them back on the board and setting up a new game. Now there's a shadow looming over the game, someone else standing there who wants to play. I can feel it.

That's really the best way I can describe it. I know, I know, it's vague and melodramatic, but some moments just beg for melodrama. This game, it deserves the melodrama. See, if you win, you get your heart's desire. If you lose, well, the stakes are just as strong. Nobody remembers the rules anymore and barely anybody plays, but that's all right. All that matters is that ten play and six try to win.

I'm excited. And I'm worried. I've spent so long waiting and wondering for this that I've forgotten to keep waiting and wondering.

Ten people. What will they be like? They'll probably be like the others. The game likes familiar people with familiar dreams. Let's see.

There's probably someone in this who's playing for themselves and nobody else.

Someone who wants to solve other people's problems instead of their own.

Someone who really doesn't care so long as they can come out of this living the good life. Someone who just wants answers to all of their questions.

There's probably someone in this who's playing for greed.

Someone who wants revenge in the most painful way possible.

Someone who wants their loved ones back.

Someone who wants to be anyone but themselves.

Someone who plays because they don't see any other options.

And... then there's... there's the tenth person. Who doesn't know about the game.

Taya...

I hope she's not playing.