Day 6
“The message inside the fortune cookie, which contained only four words, has become my fate.” - Story Writing Academy
She sat down at the table, still drying her hands on her lap as the waitress approached with a small silver tray.
She quietly said her thanks as the waitress placed the platter in front of her and watched her retreating back.
She picked up the bill, $14.50. She had just enough cash leftover to pay for a cot tonight across the street.
She placed $16 on the platter and picked up the fortune cookie. She wasn’t feeling particularly hungry anymore but it was tradition so she snapped it open.
Your time is imminent.
She stared at it, munching on the dry, sweet cracker, contemplating the word imminent.
What does that mean? “My time”? It’s approaching?
Tossing the thin paper back onto the platter, she stood up, grabbing her duffel bag and jacket.
She waved good-bye to the hostess at the front desk as she opened the door to the street and was struck back inside by a giant, bright blast of heat and light. She landed on her side, her head oddly cushioned by her bag, her jacket still in her outstretched arm and she began to hear the sounds of sirens and wailing.
The ringing in her ears was faint enough so she could hear the hostess screaming something in Cantonese but it was muffled and far away.
She tried to sit up but felt weighed down and desperately tired. Every muscle in her body felt like lead and she rolled onto her back, staring up at the paneled ceiling and light fixtures. And then the lights went out.
