The Chessmaster

## The Chessmaster by Cerealous

My name is William Dwight and I am going to tell you my story ...

I remember that since I was a kid, I had always wanted to be an excellent chess player.

I hardly understood and knew the rules. But I thought it was a really good idea, so I started taking lessons and playing at seven, then I found it was fun. I still remember my first game, I won, I was very proud of myself, now after such a long time I am a true teacher, nobody can beat me, even if it is someone who knows the game well. So it could be said that my wish came true.

Maybe not...

I was never very sociable, I had no friends ... well, only one: Garret.

I met him when I was 8 years old, shortly after I started playing chess, he did too, although he was younger than me, it didn't matter, we played a game and we realized the enormous resemblance between the two, since then we were best friends .

He was a bit quiet, but it didn't matter, I didn't talk much either, I just played, that brought me problems with some people who believed me to be a freak, but I didn't care, I had Garret, and he had me.

But time went by, Garret began to become more outgoing and to stop caring about chess, but not me, chess was my life, I couldn't imagine it without chess, once we even fought and he said that I was too obsessed with it, but I ignored him, I couldn't believe it, we didn't speak to each other for three days.

In the end, we returned to normality, at that time we fought a lot, I was 14 and he was 13, but everything changed later ...

During that time, we fought a lot but we always made up, so our friendship was not ruined.

I'm 19 now and we're still good friends, even though he spends more time with women while I keep playing.

I don't know why I do it, it's just that it's too interesting for me, but Garret says it's stupid and boring.

There were times when he was really very aggressive with me, it didn't sound like he always did, but this time it went too far, even for me.

"Hey Garret, do you have plans for tonight? I thought we could play a game after school, do you like it?"

Garret was in the hallway talking to a girl at the time.

"Will, are you an idiot or what? Who the hell cares about your stupid chess? I stopped playing it a long time ago and you still can't believe it, fuck you freak!"

After he threw my books away, he and the girl made fun and looked at me maliciously, I picked up my books and walked slowly away.

I also heard:

"The mighty William Dwight, hahaha."

A tear appeared in the corner of my eye as I ran.

It was that moment where our friendship was ruined forever, yes, forever.

Crying, I ran home, I was completely wet from the weather, it was raining outside.

I sneaked in and slammed my bedroom door. I was sure my father had heard him, he was not so deaf after all, but at the time, I did not care.

Crying I sat on the bed. Why was this happening to me? Was it because of chess?

The door to my room opened.

"Will?"

My father came up to me.

"Are you okay? Is something wrong?"

"Leave me alone, I don't need anything."

He sat next to me.

"You know you can tell me, just like mom ..."

He did it again, I know it's not his fault.

My mother died when I was 14 years old, she was driving when a truck carrying iron bars overturned, since then I only have my father, he forgets that just mentioning her hurts me, but it is not his fault.

He gave up and closed the door, I was left alone, I didn't want to be, I was scared.

I went to bed and thought about trying to fix things with Garret. I decided to do it at school.

The next day, I waited outside his classroom, then I gave up and went straight home.

Upon arrival I was surprised to hear the ringtone of my cell phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Will."

" **Garret.** "

I thought about cutting off the call, but he started talking.

"I'm sorry for what happened, I was with a girl, I needed to earn the respect of others, it won't happen again, I promise."

Did he really think he was going to be forgiven?

"Will, you are my best friend."

That last Iine...

"Come see me in the park at eight, I want to apologize in person."

He hung up.

I was paralyzed, we were still friends, I looked at my watch: it was close to eight, so I hurried to go to meet him.

The park looked very desolate, at that time all the families had left. Nervous, I sat down to wait for my friend to arrive.

I saw him approach.

"Hello."

My smile disappeared when I saw six guys from our institute appear behind him, there were also some girls, among them, with whom Garret had been talking.

"Does not know?"

Everyone laughed.

Before I could leave, they knocked me down, a shower of blows fell on me, but then I saw it.

Garret came up to me and hit me too.

" **Why?** "

"Did you really think we were friends? Like I'm going to hang out with someone like you ... Fuck you freak."

I couldn't take much longer, I saw from afar how everyone looked at Garret with pride and made fun of me, I couldn't take it, my tears were shed. So, I lost consciousness ...

" *Will ...* "

" *Will, wake up.* "

" *Wake up.* "

The darkness surrounded me, that voice seemed to come from everywhere. Was dead?

"You are not, Will."

I couldn't see what he was talking about, that made me feel insecure.

"Who you are?"

"That doesn't matter, does it Will?"

"And what does it matter then?"

"The revenge."

I didn't understand what he was saying, my mind was clouded by previous memories.

"You don't need friends."

No, it wasn't true, he did need, he couldn't ... he didn't want to be alone.

"You are not alone, you have chess with you."

It was true, it was the only thing I understood, I wanted to be part of him.

"I want to fulfill your wish."

"And what do you want in return?"

"You will see that in the future, in another game, you just focus on this one."

"I agree."

A light and a shadow surrounded me, I began to feel different, it was great, something was taking over my mind, everything was black and white squares.

Black and white ...

My father's body fell heavily to the ground, the hole in his chest had been caused by my sword, he had died before falling.

There were already two people I had killed, I sheathed my sword and left my house.

What a wonderful night, full of death and blood, it was a pity, he was already tired of being a pawn, he wanted to be something more.

I do not regret the deal I made, although my appearance is different, I consider it perfect.

I can't help but laugh when I see people.

Seeing you.

I laugh at their ignorance, their conformity, the lethargy they have.

They do not realize.

I am already one step ahead of you.

This world is a chess board, and you are the pawns.

I don't aspire to be a piece, I want to be the player.

Teacher.

But first, I remember that Garret's house is near here, I think I'll give him a visit.

Until then...

Checkmate.