WANTED by the GODDESS

wrapped in a gray fog of unease. Sleep had come in fits. Every time

re min

ching his breakfast. The bank balance was sti

ly deepened the mystery, not dispelled it. If anything, it had planted more fear

hat w

est again. It hadn't faded this time. It pulsed faintly, l

tethered t

som

. His phone vibrated on t

d cautious

like silk on a blade, answered.

ach turn

is

echoing in a way that phones shouldn't.

ant from me?" Hi

you called out for help - for more. You may not remember,

dry. "This i

he said gently. "No more slaving for scraps. No more

the table. "Ch

was a

me her

be m

all e

skin crawled with heat and cold at the same ti

ct. The city was alive - people in suits, schoolkids, buses honking, the

t for

gital watch. He'd never worn anything that cost more than $20. Today he spent ove

a role someone else

aiting. The room overlooked the skyline. The marble floors, velvet curtains

ion could

ack no longer looked broke, tired, or invisible

eyes was conf

received a mess

next will require something in return.

at it, pul

? Retu

our. Finally, as the sun began to melt across the skyline in hue

as cool,

- she a

. Tall, radiant, cloaked in flowing robes that shifted between colors - gold,

epped

ke a melody layered in thun

d hard. "Wh

they now worship in different name

y m

d to me. And because your soul

"And what do you

. Her expressio

ur obedience. You

urrowed. "I do

to make choices. Some will be easy. Some will test y

y breath. "And

ze dar

h. And worse... what you could have been will

omes, their cars, laughing, shouting, living their lives. And her

a p

god," he sa

th a hand that radiated heat and ice. "Bu

ose arou

- she v

art racing, his reflection staring at him i

,70

d gift ha

ime, he di

understood so

ice. And he had alre