Choices

I must choose a taste.

Where am I? I wonder. The room is dimly illuminated. I don’t know how I got here. I look around at my new surroundings. There’s nothing but a table and a tray. Where was I before? I can’t remember, now. Was it a party? I remember eating a mushroom from the tray with a sign that said ‘Eat me’. I didn’t know what it meant. I still don’t.

I walk to the table. Another tray is there, like the one I remember from before. Now there are two signs. I think I am supposed to choose one. But which do I choose? One says ‘sweet’, the other, ‘salty’. I choose sweet. I imagine I hear laughter. The flavor of mangoes washes my tongue.

I am in a desert. Sugar-sand stinging my face and making me squint. I am frightened. I see a silver tray, on a table protected from the sandstorm. I am given the choice again, ‘salty’ or ‘sweet’. This time I choose salty. I taste cured meat, succulent and juicy.

I am on an island, beautiful blue waves roll onto a pristine beach, salt spray touches my lips. Again, I hear laughter. Is it my imagination? The next tray reads ‘bland’ or ‘spicy’. Not a difficult choice, spicy. Warm cinnamon infuses my tastebuds.

This goes on for what feels like a very long time. With each choice I am somewhere else. Finally, a troubling choice is before me, this time not a taste.

Now there are three signs. The words ‘Life’, ‘Death’ and ‘Immortality’ grace the trays on the familiar table. This feels like a trick. What does it mean? How must I choose? Obviously not ‘Death’, I am not yet ready to die. ‘Life’ or ‘Immortality’? I choose, ‘Immortality’.

The laughter I heard before becomes raucous. I hear more than one voice now.

The first voice spoke, “I told you it was too stupid to figure it out. It couldn’t figure out that ‘Death’ would release it back to its pitiful existence, since that is how it will end. Either of the other choices effectively trap it here in my maze. I won.”

“You know it wasn’t fair. How could it know that?” The second voice said. It sounded female and a little older than the first.

“No way, I get to keep it as a pet now. It chose immortality. Ha! It’s fun to watch it fail."

“You can’t keep it. It has to go back.”

I called out from what must be my prison. “Can I choose again?”

“Of course, you can!” The second voice spoke directly to me.

“Double or nothing.” I heard the first voice demand.

Where am I? I wonder. The room is dimly illuminated. I don’t know how I got here. I look around at my new surroundings. There’s nothing but a table and a tray. Where was I before? I can’t remember, now…


Word count: 485