Ghost of the Game

2024

5min

Maya and her friends Dierdre and Joe exit a sports arena. The game was dedicated in honor of Maya’s now-deceased boyfriend Tyler. Maya’s friends offer to walk with her as she quietly mourns Tyler’s death, but she insists on walking alone. Maya wanders alongside a series of empty athletic fields, the bleachers towering above her. She checks her phone, reminiscing on the home screen - an image of her and Tyler happy together. Suddenly, a loud bang echoes through the bleachers next to her. She stops in her tracks, tracing the noise. After a brief pause, she continues walking, ignoring it. Another bang. Maya, now curious, holds out her phone, revealing an image of her and Tyler on her screen. She turns on her flashlight and approaches the bleachers. Maya ascends the steps and faces a void of darkness. She calls out Tyler’s name. There is no response. Maya begins to walk away, now confused and scared. Then - a chorus of banging. Maya breaks into a sprint…