“What’s your name?”

“She speaks,” he replied, circling his hand between them as though swiping a window between them to the side.

Flecks of white spit hung from his lips and chin. He disgusted her, but she wanted to understand why he had chosen her to accost.

“What did you mean before? Why did you say those things?”

“You need to repent for your evil doings. God has sent me to warn you that you must stop and change yourself.”

Nem sniggered.

“And if I don’t?”

“The Kingdom has abandoned you and your doom is assured. Halt now and you may be forgiven.”

“And your name is?”

“My name I will not reveal. I know what becomes of names. But you, daughter of Erebus… you cannot hide. You are found.”

She smiled at him, a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

You know what, this man annoyed her, and on a day when she felt so good. She imagined he’d experienced his fair share of tragedy in life but that was no excuse for accosting her and saying such terrible things. At that thought, the little wheel of fate turned and locked into place. The metallic echo in her head as loud as if she stood inside a bank vault, locks turning slowly with a clunk at the close of day.

His name was unnecessary. The diary knew everybody’s name; no doubt it had already recorded him and his coming misfortune.

“Okay, well thanks for the warning. I’ll be sure to keep a lookout for my punishment coming for me. You might want to watch out too.”

He looked puzzled for a moment. Then his eyes widened, and she wondered if he realized the mistake he’d made. Instead of delivering a message from his stupid God, his nonsense annoyed the heck out of someone he should have ignored.

“I forgive you,” she said as she turned and walked away. “I don’t think my gods will do the same.”

She’d traveled only five yards before she heard his reply, but she never looked back or acknowledged his words. Why argue with a crazy man who didn’t have long to live? In fact, death was just around the corner for him she imagined. Living on the street could be so dangerous.

“He is coming and he knows you. Your evil shall be avenged.”

He’d learn soon enough about vengeance. Nem smiled as she returned her focus to the next step in her life. Her job interview. She felt good that she experienced no guilt or concern for the man or his fate.

He probably didn’t have a life worth living, anyway. He should have found himself work and made different choices, so he wasn’t left hurling weird accusations at strangers.

Nem turned the next corner onto the street of Bountiful Books. Her mind had traveled five minutes ahead; to meeting her boss-to-be and seeing the place where her career would begin. For she was positive great things would come from today and her new job.