The Hat

Everyone stared at the green hat the sat motionless in the center of the table. I looked around the circular table to see faces of puzzlement staring back at me. My friends, who were fidgeting uncomfortably and biting their lip, sitting in my house. This should have worried me, but it didn't.

Assuming no else one would, I reached my hand forward into the hat. I felt the sharp corners of paper poking as my fingertips as if they were tiny needles. I glanced up, seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on me. Some got wide and others got hard cold, as if they knew what was going to happen. I curled my finger around a card and pulled it out. I squeezed my eyes shut because I was suddenly nauseous. After I slowly reopened them, I finally saw what was on the tiny white card. I froze. It only read one word, but this word confused me the most. It read:

CALLY

I hadn't a clue what to do, so I held up the card for everyone to see. They all shrugged and looked around to see them same expression on everyone's face: confusion. Well, all except one, who's eyes were locked onto mine. Cally's expression was anything but carelessness, it was pure terror.

* * *

Later that evening, I sat on the porch reading a book. I did this despite the fact that it was December and very cold outside. Those things didn't seem to bother me anymore. I looked across the street to see Cally walk out into her yard, so she could get her mail. Her driveway was quite slick from the icy weather, so she was extremely cautious. When she finally reached her mailbox, I saw a huge truck coming down the street. I wondered who was having company over, this street wasn't a common one to just be passing by.

I shrugged it off thinking, whatever I'll find out soon enough. The truck approached us at a fast speed, almost too fast considering the ice. It took me too long to react when the truck inched closer to Cally. But it seemed to go in slow motion in my head. I saw the truck slide on the ice, driver unable to stop. Then Cally's eyes widen when she saw the danger but was unable to escape. I think I screamed...just as the truck plunged into Cally's fragile body.

My eyes averted from Cally and to the driver almost instantly, I vaguely remember the face, or even the gender. The only thing that stood out to me before I fainted was the green hat they wore on their head.

* * *

The next day at my house, gathered aroud the table with the hat, I told my story. I made sure that everyone knew that the green hat that I held tightly in my hand, was the one on the driver's head. Everyone asked me why I didn't stop the driver, or call the police afterwards. I didn't know myself, it was something I forgot to do.

Almost minutes later, a hand was thrusted into the green hat. I gasped. Why was someone trying to get themselves killed? The face for the hand was of Joe's, who had an evil, knowing look on his face when he grabbed a card. Everyone tried to stop him, not wanting to be the next victom. But after looking at the name, he grew deathly pale. I shot out of my chair and grabbed the card from his now limp hand. I read it slowly, over and over. But there was no doubt in my mind that it said:

JOE

* * * 

The next morning I took a long stroll through the park near my house. It had a beautiful trail with benches every few feet, so you can stop and take a rest. I looked around at the beautiful scenery that surroundeed the park, trees, flowers and gardens. The day was very hot, so I stopped to take a drink from the water fountain. From the corner of my eye, I swore I saw Joe sitting down at one of the benches, reading the newspaper. I stood up straighter and saw Cally's accident on the front page. I pushed the thought out of my mind.

I waved to Joe and continued walking. A man came up to him and they started what seemed to be an argument. Reluctantly, I saw Joe leave with the man. I had to blink a few times because I was sure what I was seeing was a mirage. The man had a green hat on! I tried to not let it get to me. But what bothered me was it looked like Joe didn't want to go with the man...

***

After my steady jog through the park, I headed down the street to get back home. My eyes trailed over the grey sidewalk, with its cracks and bumps that reminded my of how life was. Imperfect. A small dark red trail caught my attention. My heart went into overdrive as I scanned my surroundings, trying to find where the blood had come from.

I froze as I came under the great oak tree. There, lay a bloody, limp Joe. And in his hand, he held tight to the green hat.

***

I hung low for the next few days. Avoided my friends. I mostly stayed inside my house, watching the news. Joe's murder was all over the media. I wanted no part in it.

When my friends and I finally got together, we discussed what the murder could mean. The next murderer reached in and pulled out another small, white card. It was blank. The group was taken aback by this. Was it good news or bad? Who knows, it could be worse than we all anticipated.

We waited and waited, but nothing happend. Over the course of three weeks, we waited for the next victom to be murdered. I stayed at home and went nowhere out of fear. I knew I had to be present for it to happen. So, if I wasn't present, does that make the blood-thristy games end?

***

I couldn't stay in my house forever, I thought. So, when the fridge needed food, I decided to go to the local grocery store. I parked my car and collected all the grocery items I needed. I absentmindedly payed for my groceries.

I walked out, pushing my cart at a steady pace. I was extremely distracted, looking far out into the parking lot. I didn't see the large truck prowling straight towards me. My cart went flying. People were screaming. Cars were honking. The impact was overwhelming. The pain came instantaneously. I felt that I didn't even need to look to the driver to find who had hit me. No, I already knew. Despite this, I glanced up, needing to know.

"The Hat," I said as I closed my eyes for the final time.

**************************************************************

Heyy I wrote this story ages ago but never really had a way to end it. Buuuuut, my bestie told me not to end it. To keep it simple. And so here it is, The Hat. I really hope you like it! And if you have any questions let me know! But if they are about how on earth I came up with this, I don't know. I honestly don't. My mind's screwed up :) I already know. Why not use it to my advantage? Comment, vote, follow

If you liked it check out Memoirs of Gracie Wood, it's a much longer story but there's some suspense!

Thanks for reading!!!!

-dancingdaisy5