Unraveling the Threads of Fate

by Alice Winters

Some days are absolutely shitty… like this one, when I learn that the man standing across from me is destined to kill me.

Some people are born lucky. Then there’s me. Destined to be loved and murdered by the same man. The one who knows my darkest secret and who I’d hoped to never see again.

“You’re going to apologize to Mr. King and sit with him for lunch to assure him that our school is not disgraceful,” Principal Newell says. “Anything but that,” I beg. “You can be gently let go?” he suggests.

Bishop nods while clearly trying to think of something to like about me. “I like the way your head connects to your neck.” “That’s… extremely kind of you,” I say. “You’re welcome.” “Do you think we’ve connected to each other enough now?” “I’m going to go out on a limb and say that we might actually be farther apart now,” Bishop says, looking amused.

“Bishop is what you call a leech. He just rides along on the coattails of others, clinging on for dear life. That’s why his hair has the swept-back look, from the breeze as he’s dragged along.” I narrow my eyes at him. “I would like to inform you that I do work—I’m the CFO of my father’s business—and I do have my own money. I’ve invested it all.”

“I’m so glad I could have been here to support you,” Bishop says with his charming smile like he hadn’t just spent the last half hour melting into a chair while choking back nausea. “My nurse fussed over you more than me.” “That’s just because of my money. They could smell it on me.”