Chapter 3: The Notecard Kid pt 3
I leave the roller coaster side of the park and head over to the kid's side cleverly called Parachute Pal Park, instead of Free Fall. A large arch has those words on it and a man in a life-size dog costume from the cartoon show Scottie crouches to give a kid a high five beside the arch. Scottie's been on since I was little, I occasionally like to check in and watch an episode when I'm sad or more lonely than normal. The mascot imitating him is slow to get up from his crouch when the kid passes, happy to go into the park designed for his age. Beneath his mask, we make eye contact.
"Uh-my kid is in the- I have a…" I stop stuttering and just walk in. I can't really see his eyes but I somehow know he's just too hot in that suit to care. I head toward the chessboards, which should be a little past the food court and behind the Living Wave Pool.
The corner of the chessboard is mainly unattended and a lot quieter than the rest of the theme park because; who comes to a theme park to play chess? Even if the chessboard is as wide as a townhouse. The game's neighbors are just as wide and lack players as well. Snake and Ladders and Checkers have no players at all. I believe they put these board games here when it just became common to have supernatural abilities, but now that everyone knows how to use them it lost its appeal. Two girls play on the chessboard.
The girls at the chessboard are just like the notecard says: Two sisters who look like they're in elementary school or younger, both with bright ebony skin. The taller one has poofy hair, and the shorter has her hair in braids—both dressed like princesses. They're playing giant chess. Blue electricity bounces around the gloves as the girls move their tree size chess pieces, every move sending the sound of thunder into the air.
Ughhh, but where are their parents? Flip, flip, flip. Okay, that's not mentioned. Just do this quickly.
"Okay, my turn to play as gray," the taller one says. That's probably Rose; it says Rose is older.
"Um, are you sure? I think I'm about to win. I thought we would switch after the next game," Dream, I guess that's her name, tells her.
"No, Nap. We can switch whenever we want."
"Well, if you—" Dream erupts into laughter. "Hey, you're trying to trick me. You just want to win." Rose joins in like she was holding back her laugh for years. It's a melody of joy between the two. I interrupt it.
"Hey Rose, hey Dream." Gross.
My skin crawls, metaphorically this time. Is this what it's like to be a creep? The notecard doesn't say so, but I take a quick peek over my shoulder to make sure the parents aren't nearby. They aren't. Rose has stepped in front of Dream and her eyes glow bright blue, matching her princess costume-thing.
By Rain, does everybody have powers except me?
"How do you know our names?" Rose says.
"You don't remember your uncle? I'm your Aunty B's husband."
"Aunty B's husband?" Rose repeats and puts her hands on her hips.
"What kind of candy does she give me?" Dream says, peeking at me under Rose's arm. Rose pushes Dream back.
"Dream," Rose says. "Mama says men can't keep up with stuff like that. They're too busy memorizing stats from football games." Both girls laugh.
"It's chocolate." Nice, you didn't even have to triple-check on the card. You're doing good, man, you're almost done. Rose relaxes and Dream bounces up and down, full of excitement.
"Chocolate!" Dream yells.
Rose grabs her in a hug and implores her to calm down.
"Hey girls, I've got a little bet for you. I bet I can beat you in chess. You can pick what color I use. If you win, you can have my Mirror Maze tickets but if you lose, I get yours."
Rose lets go of Dream, and the girls huddle together, whispering loudly. I know what they're saying because of the card, but I thought they'd be a little quieter. Do they not know how to whisper? I couldn't even imagine raising them. I check behind my shoulder. I'm good. The parents still aren't around. I wish the girls would hurry up, though. If this isn't a prank, I don't know if I can do the next part.
"We're in," Dream says. "Swear by your own name that we get your passes if you lose though?" Rose yanks her by her braids.
"Dream, you're not supposed to ask people to do that. It could kill him if he gets it wrong."
"Let's just shake on it ladies," I say. They remove their gloves and I shake their hands at the same time. Dream picks up her glove and gives it to me with the awkward smile that kids have when they think they have a secret. I put it on. The gloves slither and tighten automatically to adjust to my hands size, then we begin.
Every instruction is on the notecard and... I need to know who wrote this. All I have are two pawns left, compared to her two rooks, two knights, and six pawns, and of course, we both have our Kings. Anyone who knows the basic rules of chess, honestly even checkers, could beat me.
But I win. This guy... he's a magician, better than anyone I've played online. I won in five minutes, ending with my pawn turning Queen and putting her in checkmate.
"You cheated! You have cheat cheats!" Rose yells at me.
I open my mouth to laugh and I think to tell her in a weird sort of way I did and to forget about the tickets. I don't even want to go to the maze, anyway. But that's not what the card says.
The card says: "Give me your tickets now."
So that's what I tell them in as stern a voice as possible. Rose sticks her tongue out at me and turns to walk away. Just like it said she would. And if the cards are right, so is the prize. I pull Dream so close that our faces touch and I put my gun into her stomach.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone