“Okay, everyone, it’s the final game!” The host shouts, the crowd screaming and cheering in response. 

After all the other games that were played, Andy knows what to expect for this one. It will be weird, which is basically all the games, which include Utter Sucker, Sticky Swings, and No-Split.

“Now, the final game is… No Hit Boxing!” 

Everyone seems happy with the choice, and Andy is stuck wondering where they come up with the names for these challenges. Bobby, who stands right next to him, gives Andy a brief explanation of the game, which can be boiled down to ‘Don’t hurt anyone.’ 

After the host instructs everyone to get a partner, Bobby suggests that Andy goes with someone else so that they don’t accidentally hurt each other. Just like being the last person in class without a buddy in school, only Andy and a twelve year old boy are left. Staring at him, the kid walks over to Andy, punching him in the leg.

“Ah! What the hell, boy?” He says, rubbing his now sore leg. He’s very shocked a twelve year old could inflict such pain on him, and he wonders why he hit him in the first place.

Not replying, the child only stares creepily at Andy, slightly glaring at him. 

“What’s up with him?” Andy asks everyone, backing away from him.

“He’s just practicing,” Someone from the group explains.

“Practicing what?” 

“The two losers at the end of the game have to fight, he loses every month so he’s just getting in his practice.”

Not replying, Andy only nods slowly, staring down at the child who’s kept the same expression on his face the entire time. 

“Okay!” The man on the stage says, breaking the tension. “Everyone get next to their buddies in a line, whoever’s first in line will start.”

*****

The game goes anything but orderly, many people hitting their partners on purpose, for some probably dumb grudge they can’t let go of.

During the competition, Andy was punched in the stomach by his partner, which is still sore, even after the game is over. 

A woman and Andy's buddy ended up losing so they had to fight each other. The woman lost after getting punched in the breast and surrendering.

The next day, she'll have to use the local car to drive to the nearest gas station and get the rations for the month.

Suddenly, a motorcycle is heard in the distance, prompting everyone to turn and face the road, where the noise is coming from.  

The closer the vehicle gets, the more suspicious people become at the strange event that someone actually comes to their desolate town.