Nyssa brought her tablet and computer.“So, Helen, are you willing to let me boost you a bit?”
“The mass isn’t shrinking.I am not going to take your life energy to support mine.”
“What can I do then?”
“Listen and take notes.I have the path of the game in my head, and I want to make sure you get it right.This is my legacy.”
Nyssa snorted and began to take notes.They were half an hour in when she said, “Wait.You want a red djinn to unveil itself?”
“Yes.I do.I also want you to be the title figure.”
“I...we don’t have a costume for it.”
Helen gave her a long look.“You are going to play that game with a poor, sick woman whose final wish is to see you prancing around as a red djinn in battle gear?”
“That’s low.”
“I know, but if I can’t do anything about it, I can have fun with it.”Helen smiled.“I designed and wrote that character for you.”
“And still haven’t told anyone you are part-owner at Tiberia Games.”
“Well, it will be a surprise for those at the will reading.”Helen chuckled.“Just wait until folks find out who is getting my shares.”She rubbed her hands together.
“Helen, how old are you?Because you are going all supervillain on me.”
“Fifty-two.Why?”
“I would have added a thousand to that.You are nice and wizened in your soul.”
Helen chuckled.“I always enjoy talking to you, Nyssa.”
“I know.When you depart this world, I hope that your soul will haunt me.Dina will love it.”
Helen smiled.“Thank you for the invitation.I am definitely considering it.”
“I can even get you something special to take over so I know you are there.”
Helen grinned.“A scythe?I want to be creepy about it.”
“Of course, Helen.That way, Dina can grab you and go out on Halloween all nice and spooky.”
Helen smiled.“Thanks for this.”
“For what?”
“For being normal about it.For not weeping or looking at me with horror.”
Nyssa reached out and took her hand.“No one gets out alive.There is one door, and some reach it sooner than others.We all head for the same way out.”
“Even djinn?”
“I suppose I will have longer than the average human.Longer than most of the people I have grown up with.I will have to watch them age and die, some getting sick.I will carry their memory and remember every laugh and every tear we shed.And then...I will say suck it, I am a djinn, and you are a wussy human.”
Helen squawked and squeezed her hand.“Thanks for rallying at the end.I thought you were all soft and sweet for a moment.”
“Naw.I save that for pet rescue commercials.”
They laughed and discussed the details that Helen wanted for this project.She was the original game designer, after all.Others had pitched in, but the idea and development were hers alone.
