My parents know Ari. My parents made a deal with Ari.
Who is Ari really?
A random guy who happened to pass by? Right place, right time?
Or has he always been there? Watching me, waiting in the shadows like that night in my room?
I reach the downtown area and pause at the busy crosswalk to wait for a green light.
Are you happy?
I didn’t have an answer when Ari asked me last night. If Mom hadn’t have interrupted, I’m sure I would have said yes. That’s what you’re supposed to say, right? Yes, I’m happy. I live in a big house with loving parents. I go to school. I have a plan for my future.
Time’s up.
The light flashes green but I don’t move.
How much of my life has been real?
What should they have told me by now?
The VII of Swords.
A card of deception.
A warning for…
I look up as the crosswalk light flashes red and the cross traffic begins blitzing past again.
If I step off this curb right now, will I get hit by one of these cars?
Will I die?
CanI die?
He saved me twice before, that I know of.
Will he save me again?
I close my eyes and step forward off the curb into the street.
Something blocks me before my foot touches the ground. My eyes jolt open and I shudder at the man now standing beside me in the sleek, black coat with his arm outstretched in front of me to hold me back.
Ari’s jaw fixes into a hard line. He exhales slowly, keeping his strong arm pressed along my body as the cars speed by.
“Well,” he says, staring down at me, “aren’t you a clever one?”