magisternihil's 100-word story for April 14, 2025

magisternihil wrote the following micro-story on Hectalex on April 14, 2025. Each story on Hectalex is inspired by a daily visual prompt and must be exactly 100 words.

"That one." She tapped the glass, as though it would summon the toy into the drop chute if she was insistent. "Are you sure? Don't you want one more, um, happy?" I dropped my quarter in, grabbed the thin joystick and moved the claw. I pressed the button, hopeful that this would not be the rest of my night. She held her breath as the metal talons grabbed the grumpy octopus and lifted it. All of my hopes followed it's tenuous path to the large opening. She pulled it out and hugged it, smiling for the first time in months.

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