Third Time's A Charm

The sight of dark clouds gathering overhead spelled one thing - doom.

Megara could no more control the violent shiver that wracked her frail body than the painful decision she must make.

Before her sat a cloaked figure on a throne in the temple chamber. She stared intently, hoping to catch a glimpse of the face. The form was corporeal from the shoulder down to the feet while the head and face blurred, rippling in and out between realms.

Candlelights lit up every corner of the familiar ancient temple, filling the place with warmth yet every part of her body felt icy cold.

She shivered again as the cloaked figure stretched out a hand and in the centre was a dice. Old and worn, glowing.

Yes. She'd done this twice and it turned out wrong both times.

“I want to remember this time. Please…I need to remember,” she pleaded, sorrow etched on her face.

The figure gestured to the dice. “It doesn't work that way and you know that.”

“You can do this for me. Just this one time. Name your price.”

The figure muttered angrily and a menacing rumble shook the dark clouds. A storm was brewing fast. “Roll the dice, woman and watch your life begin again.”

She couldn't stop the tears then. “But why the dice? I want a different outcome this time.”

“The dice allows fate a chance to speak. It's up to you to make the most of your new life,” the figure growled with finality.

Megara heaved a breath, her hand trembling as she stretched to pick up the dice. The first time, it was a car accident that ended her life prematurely. The second time, it was a stray bullet from Hammett's gun. Could she get him to make a different choice and save them both from eternal pain?

She sniffed. Third time's the charm.

She silently prayed that fate would be on her side this time as she closed her eyes and rolled the dice.

The die was cast.

Megara felt a sharp twist in her chest just as a loud peal of thunder rocked the temple. Then she slowly opened her eyes and gasped in shock.

It seemed fate was never going to be on her side.

I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece that feels like a prequel. I'm not sure yet. It's inspired by Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase - "a stray bullet".

Thank you for visiting my blog.

^{Image credit: Ignartonosbg}