Hazel's still sitting in the same spot three hours later. The only indication that she had moved is her pink floral dress now turned green. I can't tell if it's reversible or if she got the lot of them in a sale. But I know she has at least three more – red, yellow and black; all with the same large white and green patches that help make the flowers. One would think that a person whose skin is blood red and covered with freckles wouldn't need to make a statement with her clothing, especially on an island where she is the only one of her kind. But Hazel likes to be seen.
The Rubrums are rumoured to be a people without nationality. There is only one on each of the Karmic islands at any given time. They all have blood red skin donned with grey freckles like stardust, light grey eyes, each surrounded by a grey triangle etched at the three points; bald heads with the same triangle at the crown, and nails that never grow.
"Did you bring the ticket?"
I reach into my pocket and pull out the red slip again. Zero; it's the other one. The ticket has a pink background with black print that make up letters and numbers which mean nothing to me. I don't expect to win shit. This is a fool's dream.
"Mary, if you win five numbers and the power ball, we'll be set for life."
"Let's get this thing over with before I lose my mind," I say, growing impatient. "Call them."
Hazel opens her lottery notebook to page seventy-seven.
"Ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready. I just said call them, didn't I?"
"Hey. Cool down. You don't have to get bitchy with me before you collect that twelve million."
I push one foot under my leg and start tapping the left one.
"Okay, I'm calling them."
"Today."
"Three," Hazel says the first number as though she was chased up a mountain.
"Zero," I reply, as is my usual way of saying no.
"Six," her breath evens out now.
"Zero."
"Nine."
"Zero."
"One."
"Zero."
"Five."
"Zero."
"Five straight zeroes? Should I even waste time calling the power ball?"
"Zero. Don't wanna hear it. Already told you I hate gambling."
"Wish I knew why."
YOU ARE READING
NINE TIME MACHINES: Do you want to undo your entire life on planet earth?
FantasyThere is a war coming! In it, Lilith and the impostor God must battle for all human minds on earth. But one girl can stand in the gap for all humanity. However, to prove worthy for this feat, Mary must begin shadow work to take the mark upon herself...
