Twisting Fate

by Charisse Reid

  I remember when Preston's family's company was developing it, because he and I lost in a game of truth or dare. An all night sleep over in the half done house was the result. We weren't supposed to be here and Konnor and Presley always chose things they knew made me uncomfortable when making bets and playing games. I never did like to go against the grain of rules and regulations, until...Breyson.

  Unconsciously, I look up at the sky wondering if he can see me right now. If he could, would he be happy I'm moving on or sad? The thought plagues me. I guess I'll never know.

  "Because it's my cross to bear. It's not going to change anything. Haven't you learned that people are going to believe what they choose to believe? It's easier to point the blame at someone else than to face the facts. I don't care what people think of me. The only person's opinion that matters already knows the truth, because he knows and sees all. We all have to answer for our actions one day and as long as he knows that I didn't cheat on Beau, then let them pass their judgments." The car comes to a halt, but I can tell that she has something more to say.

  "The truth is, Beau made a mistake by getting behind the wheel that night. He had been drinking and he let his emotions and the gossip of someone else alter his judgment. We never drank and drive. It was our one absolute rule. Had he have called me or vice versa, he'd still be alive today and Talon would have his father, but people are imperfect beings. I would rather everyone think that Beau made that judgment call for a just cause, than to shame him in a way for people to think he did things like that regularly. Each decision and action shows a piece of someone's character, and his was beautiful. I will endure anything I have to, to keep it flawless. That's the consequences of loving someone." She allows a small smile to come through before hiding it away.

  The world needs more people like Macie. As much as she's been through, and I only know a small portion of it, she is genuine. Most people are fake and self absorbed, like I was at one time, but she carries on instead of blaming the world for her problems. It makes me happy to help her in any way I can, because she truly deserves it.

  The driver opens the door beside Macie and she gasps drawing me back into the present. When I look over at her, she is staring at the house through the open door and steps out to get a better view. I follow behind her. As I stand, Bernard places a key in my hand with a smile on his face. He's an older gentleman, around the age of my father. "This is where I'm staying?"

  Bernard winks at me before I look at her. She looks like she is about to cry, but trying to hold it back. I walk closer to her with the key in hand. "It's not where you're staying..." I look her in the eyes as her face straightens out. "It's where you live."

  She wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. "Thank you, Kinzleigh. I will forever be indebted to you for everything you've done for me. I've never lived in anything this nice. I'll never let you down."

  The house is quaint and smaller than the ones they build now, but still a larger size as far as houses are concerned. It was designed to look like a beach style version of a cottage. This one is one of the bigger ones on the street and sitting on the lake. It's one story, but four bedrooms, and a small guesthouse that sits above a separate garage. There is a built in pool somewhere, because they don't build houses without them. I actually think this one was the show house; therefore, it's never been lived in and fully furnished already.

  I pry her off of me so she can see my face. "Macie, you don't owe me anything. Someone recently told me, every event that occurs leads us to where we are supposed to be. I know the sequence of events leading to the finale isn’t always pleasant or easy, and sometimes they sure as hell don't seem fair or make sense, but we have to have faith there is a purpose for them. We may not know why yet, but you are meant to be in California."

  I dangle the key in the air from my middle finger at eye level. "Go look at your new house," I say. I can't help but feel the excitement as I take in her expression as I call it hers. "Welcome to the homeowners club."

  Her eyes enlarge, giving away her stunned state. "Wait, I own this house? I thought I was just renting it while I'm an employee." I nod my head and my smile broadens.

  Preston sent me a message letting me know that the transfer of title was already in process. I don't know all the legalities, but I know the company probably gets some kind of tax write off or something. His company wouldn't be as big and successful as it is if there wasn't some perk to it. It probably works out on paper with the way her income is recorded or something. Whatever it is, I know it's legit and legal, so I trust him. He's very good at business. He always has been. "It's yours. Now go. We have a lot to do before your flight."

  She takes the key from my fingers and begins walking down the walkway to the front door. I stand back for a minute, watching her until she disappears through the front door. It makes my heart happy to be a part of helping the less fortunate. It gives me an idea for the cheer company that I want to run by Preston later. I think I have found my niche in the world. I love cheerleading and even though my dream was altered a little from the original plan, I think it's better than before.

  The driver has returned to the car to give us some privacy. I stand at the edge of the walkway perfectly still. At the sound being made across the street, I turn to look. It's a little boy around the age of seven throwing a football with his dad. His mom is bouncing a baby girl on her knee in a swing on the front porch. The laughter of the little boy as he catches the pass and takes off running fills the air. The man glances across the street as I watch them and for a second, he looks like Breyson. He continues playing with his son and a vision flashes in my mind of it being the two of us and a mini version combined.

  I place my hands on my belly and look up at the sky. It looks a brighter shade of blue and the clouds whiter than they usually do. The sun feels like a spotlight shining down on my face. Bryce begins to move at the sound of my voice. "I am who I am because of you, Brey. I'm a better person because I was given the chance to know you and love you. I'll never forget that. There's no rhyme to every riddle and no answer to every question, but know that I will always love you no matter what. You will always own the rights to my heart and be the keeper of my soul. I'm just leasing it to another until the day I get to see you again."

  Chapter 24

  Breyson

  The crowd goes wild with every puncture through the bulls hide. I stand, leaning forward over the railing as I watch. No matter how many times the fighter sticks him, he keeps enduring. It doesn't make a difference how much it hurts or how many times he sways, he refuses to die. He's stubborn and won't give up without a fight. Though he's an animal he shows honor to his breed by standing until his death. It shows his strength.

  I'm starting to think I'll be stuck here forever. August is almost over and I still haven't heard anything about the results. Maybe my expectations were unrealistic, but I was thinking it would take like a week. I really shouldn't complain, though, since I have an income and a place to call home for now.

  I get a sinking feeling in my gut. They've become regular and more frequent as time passes. It's like I'm on a path to a deadline and I have no idea what that deadline is or when. Do you ever get that feeling that you're losing something or that it's slowly slipping out of your grasp and your instant reflex is tighten your hold? That's how it feels every time it occurs.

  There is something that I'm missing. September is nearing quickly and these uneasy feelings are becoming daily. The visions are also becoming less frequent. It's as if the tides have turned. I was thinking it was my brain's way of bringing back my memory and now I'm not so sure.

  I get a nervous twitch as the queasiness consumes my body. I feel like I could vomit and the bile begins inching up my throat. What the hell is wrong with me? I tighten my hold on the rails in front of me as I breathe trying to make the nausea subside. Something isn't right. Of this I'm sure. I close my eyes when I start to get dizzy. Maybe today is important, but my mind can't place it.

&nb
sp; I tighten my eyelids shut and an image emerges in my mind. It's hazy at first, but then it clears. It looks like Catholic Church, maybe, but I can't be sure. It's massive and it appears to have been decorated for some type of event. Like I've learned since I've started having these episodes, I continue to let it play in hopes that I get more information like the name drop last time.

  It looks like all the seats are filled from wall to wall. A line of guys dressed out in tuxedos make their way toward what appears to be an alter and a priest. I try to focus on the faces, but the only one that looks vaguely familiar is the one in the front; the one wearing the white vest and tie over the black button down. He stops in front and the rest of them take a formation behind him.

  One by one, girls walk down the aisle holding a bouquet of flowers. Out of them all, only two look familiar: a red head and a brunette. A sense of deja vu overwhelms me with a scan of their faces. I'm starting to think this is just some bullshit my mind has concocted until everyone that was sitting, stands.

  The ceiling high doors in the back swing out until they are completely open. I feel like I'm in the other end of the room, because I can't see anything. When I finally get a view of who it is, I stop breathing. What the fuck am I witnessing? This feels all wrong. This has to be some kind of twisted game my mind is playing on me.

  It's the blonde. She's walking in the middle of two middle-aged adults. She resembles the man, but her eyes, they resemble the woman's. I'm assuming it's her parents. She's beautiful. Damn, is she beautiful. I can't move my eyes from her long enough to take in anything around her.

  The fitted, off the shoulder, lace dress is the color of ivory and hugs her small figure until it hits below her calf where it branches out into a train. Her blonde hair is pulled to the side in a bundle of curls and her full lips are stained red. Aside from her lips the only makeup it appears she is wearing is eyeliner and mascara. She smiles and my heart stops beating.

  I turn to see who she's smiling at and it's the guy from earlier. He returns the smile tenfold. A surge to kill sparks in my veins. Stupid prick. I want to physically alter that smile. When I look back at her I notice the huge elephant in the room that I didn't notice before. Bloody fucking hell.

  The dark haired woman beside her is carrying a baby. The way she is carrying him, his back and head are resting against her chest. She has one arm over his chest and the other under his bottom as if she's showing him to the world. He's asleep or so it seems. He looks like he's young, but he's old enough to have noticeable features.

  The more I look at him...

  Hell to the mother fucking no. No, no, no, no, no. I look between the three of them again and the vision starts to fade. Tears sting my eyes as a previous vision was just confirmed. I don't know what kind of paranormal shit is going on in my mind, but there is no way in hell I'm letting the woman of my dreams marry another man and I sure as fuck am not going to sit around and let him raise my son. I can see it all over his face. He looks just like me.

  I get jarred backwards as the bull slams into the wall I'm leaning on. It brings me out of my head. I can't sit around anymore waiting on something to happen on its own. I need to put together a plan of action. A thought occurs to me. What if I'm too late? I have no sense of time. Rage and anger envelop me. I grab my hair and pull as hard as I can.

  The fighter stabs another spear in the bull's side, next to his heart. He staggers a few times from left to right before he finally gives up the fight and falls to his death. The crowd around me goes wild with excitement. I get more from it than some sport and representation of skill. I'm the bull and if I lose her that will be the end result. I've sat back and tried to wait patiently on my brain. It had its chance. Now, I'm taking matters into my own hands. I'm wasting away without her in my life and I don't even remember what that life with her was like.

  I may die a lonely man, but it sure as hell won't be because I didn't fight. Nah, fuck that. The best things in life are worth fighting for. If my kid is walking around calling someone else daddy, it's going to be because my body has turned to dust. He better enjoy getting to touch her now, because dooms day has arrived and I'm taking back what's mine.

  I take off running in a sprint when I hear my name. "Bryce, wait up."

  Marcus.

  "I have something I need to take care of. I'll catch you at home, Buddy." I never look back. I can't. I've made up my mind. I increase speed from a sprint to a full out run. In a few seconds flat, I reach the exit doors. As I do my phone starts to ring. I reach in my pocket as I allow my breathing to slow from its heightened state. The number is unfamiliar.

  "Hello."

  "Look across the street." I do as he says, but I don't see anything out of the ordinary. "Do you see that cafe?"

  "Yes."

  "Walk to it. When you see the hostess your keyword is viper. She'll take it from there. I'll be waiting." The line goes dead. I look around, but still see nothing. I take a step in the direction of the cafe, but it all feels cryptic. I consider turning back, but then I remember the way she looked walking down an aisle with the wrong person at the other end. My heart rate picks up rapidly.

  I've heard that love makes you stupid, but if stupid gets me back to her I'll take it. My memories can go to Hell. I'll make new ones. I don't need memories to know that I'm in love with her. I know how my body reacts just from a dream and reality is so much better.

  My heart overturns my brain and my feet continue to move forward. Before I know it I'm walking faster than I expected. It doesn't take long before I arrive at the entry door. Placing my hand on the handle I open it and walk in. A young woman is standing at a hostess podium. "Can I help you?"

  I look around at the mostly empty restaurant. "Viper," I say in a hushed tone.

  She looks at me. "Follow me." Turning, she walks toward the back and through the kitchen doors. It's like a maze weaving in and out of the tight spaces. With every foot forward stares burn through me. I have no idea where we are going.

  At the back of the kitchen a door comes into view. She pulls a key from her pocket and inserts it into the knob, unlocking it. She opens the door and steps to the side. "When you get to the bottom further instructions will be given."

  This is the weirdest shit I've been through yet. The steps are made of wood and creak. The only light is the single bulb hanging from the ceiling, midway from the door to the bottom. I descend slowly, unsure of what I've gotten myself into.

  When I reach the bottom, a light shines from a room in the corner. The clinking of coins and the male voices give me a hint as to what exactly I'm walking into. I follow the light. When I reach the entry my expectations are confirmed: an underground poker ring.

  "I see you decided to come." It's him. He's sitting among a table of men in the dreary room with a cigar resting between his teeth. Smoke circulates the room.

  "Mr. P. Do you have good news?" He looks me in the eye, sizing me up. I'm tired of games. I just want to get what I came to him for and leave. There is something about him that's off, but I can't put my finger on it.

  His cheeks sink inward as he puffs on the end of the cigar. Smoke billows as he speaks. "I may have some information of interest, but I'm a man of trade. I did something for you and if you want it, you'll do something for me in return. I consider myself a simple man. Are you interested or not?"

  I don't have a good feeling about this. Usually, the best form of advice is to listen to your gut. Mine is throwing up red flags, but the benefits of what I'll get if I do this outweigh the risks. From the looks of him he's smart and careful. There's no doubt in my mind that what information I need to get back to her is in this envelope. I just need to play by his rules to get it. "What do I have to do?"

  "Smart boy. You know what you want and you'll do anything to get it. You'll do well, Son." He stands. "Let's take this to my office. My business doesn't get handled out in the open." I watch the other men as I follow him towards the only other door in the room. None of them ever look up from the
cards in their hand. It's as if they never heard a word he said. That only tells me one thing: he's dangerous.

  As I follow him into the office he shuts the door behind me. "Take a seat." His tone is clipped and the finality of it is intimidating. I do as he says and sit in the chair that faces the large oak desk. He walks around the desk and sits opposite of me in his large, black, leather chair. He leans back and props his elbow on the arm of the chair, his middle finger resting above his top lip.

  The silence is awkward. He pulls out a desk drawer with the opposite hand and removes a large, yellow envelope. It doesn't look thick, but my nerves are going crazy. "Everything you need to know about your identity is in this envelope." He slaps it face down on the desk and slides it across, stopping directly in front of me, but he never picks up his finger.

  "What's the catch?"

  One side of his mouth arches and he leans forward. Lowering his voice just above a whisper, he fills me in on the details. "You'll be going to the United States. For reasons that will remain disclosed, I can no longer reside in the states. I need you to make a delivery for me. One job and then you forget you ever met me. Got it?"

  The thought of why he's been banned or exiled from an entire country makes me queasy. Most likely, it's to avoid capture for something really bad. I'm not sure I want to be involved in something of that nature. There is always the risk of getting caught and punished for something I didn't even do. I consider backing out and running in the other direction, back to where I came from. My eye catches sight of the envelope in front of me.

  That one envelope holds the key to my freedom; the golden ticket I've been looking for. If I turn it down now, I may not find another way back home. When I first met Dr. Rodriguez he told me I had to find the bridge from here to home and that bridge was my memories. A bridge takes time to cross and boats are faster. It may not be the most scenic route, but the destination is still the same. "Where do I have to go and what do I have to deliver?"