School was out. I ran home, eager to play the new Spider-Man game on my PS4. My parents had gone on a business trip, so I had the whole house to myself. I played until 7, and then, despite a strict warning from my parents, decided to go for a walk outside, making the worst decision of my life.
My neighborhood is the most drab place in America. Shoe theft would probably be considered a crime of the highest degree, so you see, I wasn't really worried that anything untoward would happen.
The first thing I realized was that it was deathly silent. Generally, there'd be a few people enjoying their evening stroll, crickets chirping, and the sort. However, it seemed like all life had been whisked away. It was eerie, but I didn't think much of it and continued walking. In retrospect, I should've turned back that instant.
I turned the corner and nearly crapped my pants.
A tall man wearing a trench coat and sporting heavy clown makeup was literally right in front of me. I wanted to move past him, but I found myself unable to; it was as if my feet were glued to the ground. There was something very unnerving about the man; his eyes seemed to bore through my very soul.
"Why hello there, young man. How are you?" His voice was low and raspy.
Not wanting to offend the man, I replied,"I'm fine. What about you?"
"Oh I'm just dandy! Allow me to introduce myself. I am The Riddler. Would you like to play a game of riddles?"
I didn't need any more confirmation that the man was batshit crazy. I tried to move, but my legs just wouldn't obey me.
The man suddenly frowned. "Trying to leave, are we? The game hasn't even begun! Listen carefully: I will ask you a total of 3 riddles. If you answer all correctly, I will give you something you desire. Fail to answer any one, though, and something valuable will be taken from you!"
I had no choice but to entertain the madman. I rolled my eyes. "Fine. Ask away."
His eyes lit up. His grin was one that would put Joker's to shame. I was thoroughly creeped out.
"Okay.
Riddle no.1: I am the breath of relief and depression. What am I?"
I thought for a while. I sighed.
"A sigh!"
He started clapping slowly.
"Yes. Very good. Very good, indeed."
" Riddle no.2: What type of room has no windows, no furniture, and nobody lives in it?"
"That's easy. A mushroom." I'd already heard it before.
I registered a flash of annoyance on his face.
"Seems like we have a smarty-pants! I guarantee you won't be able to answer this one."
"Riddle no.3: The poor have it. The rich need it. It is more evil than the Devil, and if you eat it, you'll die. What is it?"
I was stumped. I pondered over it for a good 10 minutes.
He leaned forward and said," If you don't answer this, you shall become it."
"I give up. What's the answer?"
The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees. Out of nowhere, it started raining. Lightning flashed overhead. I took off my glasses, wiped them on my shirt, and looked back up.
I screamed.
The rain had washed off the makeup, revealing the man's skinless face. He grinned and extended his arms toward me.
I found the strength to lift my feet and bolted. I reached home, locked the door, checked all the windows, ran to my room, and curled up on my bed holding on tight to the blanket. I somehow went to sleep, without even having dinner.
The next morning, I got up and called my mom.
"Hello, mom? When are you guys gonna come back?"
"Excuse me, who is this?"
"Ha ha. Good one. Seriously though, when are you coming back?"
"If this is some kind of sick joke, please stop. I don't have any kids."
She hung up. I was flabbergasted. My head was spinning. I couldn't make sense of anything going on.
My eye caught a photo on my bedside table. It was taken at the city zoo a few years ago, when I was 9. My mom,dad and I.
I wasn't there in the photo.
The answer to the third riddle suddenly clicked.
It was nothing.
