Ficlets

The Essential, Indispensable Wonderball

The line clicked. Emily’s stomach, having finally settled overnight, began to churn once more.

She eyed Wonderball on her desk, covered by her sweater. Still half asleep, she uncovered it and took a deep breath.

“Is this what you warned me about?”

The cube appeared promptly – Yes.

“But she’s my friend!” she whispered. “And she’s been in some horrible accident and may be dying…”

The cube clicked again – No.

“NO? So what, Mrs. Poole is lying, and Dana’s not burned and in the hospital?” The cube, however, did not reappear. Emily felt both agitated and alone.

Letting go, she sat down at the desk and began to sob. Wonderball had ceased being just a toy and had thrown her emotions into freefall. As she heaved through tears, she heard clicking in rapid succession. The cube was hitting the glass, but not with an answer. It was trying to get her attention.

Emily pulled Wonderball close to her chest and hovered over the glass pane as it spelled out its message -

Take… me… with… you.

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