Markie grew up in Rachel, Nevada, a small town located about 150 miles from Las Vegas.  An interesting place, it had grown into quite a tourist attraction due to its proximity to the infamous Area 51 and its resident UFO fanatics.  Markie lived with her dad and little sister Starry in a small double-wide behind the town’s main street.  Their mother had vanished a few years back and the authorities were never able to locate her.  Markie's father hosted one of those graveyard shift radio shows focused on alien life forms.  Markie and Starry spent a lot of time together with Markie assuming a motherly role.  

Since their dad was usually sleeping during the day, the girls grew pretty close to their Uncle Bert who ran an ice cream truck business in town.  Uncle Bert had never given up on finding his sister, but his nieces began to recognize the toll it was taking on him as they grew older.  Markie used to ride shotgun in his truck whenever she could and once Starry was old enough, she became a fixture in the back jumper seat on weekends too.  

Markie's favorite thing in the world to do was open up the cartons of candy when they arrived.  Back in those days, new flavors and types were coming out all the time.  Tearing open a new package and trying that very first nibble was an experience like no other.  It didn’t take long for all the kids on their route to start calling her the OG candy girl.  Kids would empty their pockets full of quarters to buy her #1 and hear about the latest candy news at every pool stop.  The truck rolled every weekend, rain or shine.  Kids would show up at the pool for the candy - *unheard of*.

Her last summer before Uncle Bert retired his truck was no exception.  A new one had arrived that week from the infamous W.M. Wrugley Company - easily the most well known manufacturer and maker of smash hits *Skeetles*, *GM&Ms*, and *Bit-O-Bunnee* bars.  This promo of this new candy filled the air between Saturday morning cartoons, especially the girl’s favorite, *Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!*  

![Jinx™ Candy](https://drive.google.com/file/d/10jf33ubmdwMXglnfbdDtUsqNFqGm8GGL/view?usp=sharing)

The new candy was called *Jinx* and allegedly triggered some SFX (or Special Effects) about 10 minutes after eating.  It took a few weeks of testing but it was finally coming to market and deemed 100% safe by the government.

Science Fiction

"Follow Markie, a spirited young girl from Rachel, Nevada, as she navigates life in a town buzzing with UFO enthusiasts and conspiracy theories. Living with her dad, a graveyard shift radio show host focused on alien life, and her younger sister Starry, Markie helps her Uncle Bert run his beloved ice cream truck business. As the self-proclaimed OG Candy Girl, Markie has a knack for finding the latest and greatest treats, attracting kids from all around. Discover the excitement that unfolds when a new candy called Jinx, packed with mysterious special effects, arrives on the scene. Will this treat be a hit, or does it hold secrets yet to be unveiled? Dive into this thrilling adventure and uncover the truth behind Jinx Candy!"

THE MYSTERIOUS JINX CANDY

Nerds in this story