A telephone yanks me from my dream seconds before the bus comes to a sudden stop. I shake myself awake then get off. The first person to greet me is a Dahlyxian man dressed in all white, his shirt printed: I never tell lies. He waves a hand to draw my attention and woo me to his stall.
"Spinach," he announces. "Tomatoes. Nuts. Mustard. Only six dollars each."
"Give me the nuts." I dip into my purse and find nothing. "Stop. I thought I had it; but no."
"That's okay. Still take it." He surprises me then warns. "They're raw, though."
"Beggars can't be choosers," I say, and the words feel like someone crapped on my tongue.
He grabs a small plastic bag and is about to stuff the raw nuts in.
"Don't waste the bag. I didn't pay for anything. I'll take it like that."
"Fasting?"
"What?"
"Fasting?" he asks again. "I'm doing one right now. Sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy."
"No worries. I guess I didn't realize it until you asked; but I've been fasting a while now."
"Fasting is good. Cleanses the body and spirit. Makes you see new things too."
"Oh, so that would explain all those crazy dreams I've been having."
"Not crazy," he says, and to my back as I walk off. "It just might be your spiritual journey."
"I'm on a journey all right. Hope it leads me somewhere better."
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...
