Win or Lose

"Well, what will it be?  Make your choice."

Michael stood stock still, unwilling to accept this new turn of fate.  There was Benjamin, his best friend, on the left.  The one who betrayed them all a year previous.  The one who came back, full of remorse, begging for forgiveness.  He was forgiven, and Michael welcomed him back with open arms.  After all, they were the best of friends since childhood; how could he turn against this man with whom he shared a bond as close as brotherhood?

And there was Melanie, his other best friend, on the right.  The one who used him, swore her heart to him only to tear it out and leave it broken, bleeding.  The one who left him and then returned just when he had learned to live without her.  But she changed, truly, he could tell.  Deep down, she was a different person.  They both agreed that friendship was enough, and it was.  Melanie and Michael were not meant for eachother, but they were close friends.

And the two...they were engaged.  Deep down, Michael felt pained at having his two closest friends torn from him like this, but his happiness drowned out his sorrow.  

Each across the room from the other, one on Michael's left and one on Michael's right.  Tied up, bound to a chair each.

"Michael!  Don't listen to him!  It's a trap!"  The voices of his two closest friends bombarded his ears, resonating in the concrete room.

"Michael," pleaded Melanie, "please, just run!  Save yourself!"

"Yeah, we'll be alright, don't worry about us," Benjamin yelled, attempting reassurance but failing.  "Don't waste your time with us!"

The man in the shadows laughed, the deep sound silencing Benjamin and Melanie.  "There you have it, Michael.  The rules are simple.  One person must die, and then I will set the others free.  And you need not choose.  We shall leave it up to chance.  Or rather," the man said, drawing something from a pocket and setting it before him on the table, "by the luck of the draw."

Michael wavered on the brink.  If he saved himself, one of them must die.  If he played the game, he risked each of their lives.  But for them both to live...  What are the odds?  This was his game.  His brilliant mind for statistics won him card games in the past; could he win this game too?  A game where to lose was to win, and to win was to lose?

"Please, Michael, don't give in!"  Melanie broke into tears, shaking with sobs.

"Michael, don't play his game!  You can't trust him!"  Benjamin's voice was hoarse with tears.

But as Michael looked into the eyes of the man in the shadows, he knew that the man would keep his word.  All Michael had to do was win the game...

He strode across the room into the shadows and sat at the chair across from the man.