The Sins of 2-oh-7 am

San Diego suburb, CA, USA

Staring at the ceiling, I lie here stuck with this feeling…someone will die. Next to me, Jake is snoring, loud as ever. No matter. I’ve been subjected to it for the last twelve years. Except, lately he’s been drinking and his apnea is worsening.

Someone will die – I can’t get those three little words out of my head. The last three words she said. And then, she was gone. Why would she say that to me? And, what of the seven sins? Clearly, she must be disturbed, for she doesn’t even know me. I have never seen her before today when she ambled her way toward me, wagging the naughty finger, a forceful mutter – “You must obey.”

I had just come out of a hush meeting yesterday with my lawyer, already flustered and ashamed to admit out loud that my husband hits me. He didn’t always, but things were different now. Losing a child does that to you. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any proof and their best advice was to poke the bear and get pictures, making sure to get medical records if I really wanted to empty his pockets. Well, why don’t I just smother him with his own pillow while he sleeps tonight? That would be much easier, less cuts and bruises for me, I imagined, and out the door I went.

Heading straight towards me, this woman with purpose, bent on delivering a message, tells me:

You must obey, And

Thou shalt not sway, For

Five of seven sins assume you

In the night, under a devil’s moon anew

One question, I will not lie

Heed my warning, or someone will die

Stammering, I begged, “Who will die…Is it me…Jake? Please…”

Raising a hand, she shushed, “Within you, the truth must lie. When the seventh act consumes you, someone will die.”

And, just as I blinked, she was gone. Are you kidding me? I think I’m losing my mind. I must be. It’s the middle of the night and I’m here imagining some mysterious woman suddenly putting the fate of someone’s life in my hands, as if I am some sort of criminal looking to clear my conscience. But her words hover and I begin to wonder – Can a conniving little girl, aged eleven, be responsible for lighting the match that torched her Hell ablaze when the seventh sin sets in? I had no choice. If I didn’t steal my brother’s idea for the Science Fair, I wouldn’t have been able to win the money for the new dress I wanted to buy to impress Finn.

I was too proud to admit, all the girls would laugh – Mom was a Bit and couldn’t afford to get a new dress to the biggest dance of the year. When Finn asked if I was going, he whispered in my ear. Making sure I did not miss, so we can share my first kiss. I remember now the things I have done, the trouble it seems has now begun. Blinking, I notice a tear has dropped from the corner of my eye and the moonlight tries to shine its way in but the clock reflects in the mirror – Ticking and ticking, daylight soon to begin.

Jake wrestles with the sheets as he rolls over and snorts, “What time is it, Bev?”

“2-oh-7 a.m,” I managed, grinding my teeth as I watched the minute turn. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t hear me over his snore. A quiver on my lips, I bite at the tip of my tongue to hide my thoughts of what is to come. A divorce or a hearse, which one is less worse? And, in that same moment, another thought begun – What others have been shamed, there must have been some?

Anchorage, Alaska, USA (11:07 p.m.)

Jeremy just remembered he was supposed to be at the local burger joint for his shift over an hour ago but the joint he smoked instead, made him want to go back to bed. Lackadaisical in nature, the former drug dealer-turned-user flinched as a cockroach crawled near him – swearing tomorrow he will win the lottery, a sloth became the lot of him.

Paris, France, EUR (9:07 a.m.)

The manager of the pastry shop unlocked the store doors and made his way to the ovens to get them going before they were set to open at eleven. He was already running late and, in a hurry, when he tripped over the body. Sam. The poor man. Overdosed on crack and muffins because he couldn’t control his glutton.

Tokyo, Japan, ASIA (4:07 p.m.)

Suki hugged her best friend and her new fiancé, hiding her contempt as she greeted them outside the best sushi place in town. Meg’s pick, of course. Only the best for Meg who never fails to get whatever she wants. Beautiful and smart, like she came from art. This dinner is sinful with a heart that is heavy, green as they come and filled with envy.

London, England, UK (8:07 a.m.)

Marvin stood six feet tall as he looked over the heads of all his classmates walking down the yellow hall. They gawked and they teased as he took his seat, alone in the back where no one would see. In this room, they learn simple math, but the true lesson will be heard when he unleashes his wrath.

Omaha, Nebraska, USA (2:07 a.m.)

Jesse peered at her from his usual corner booth as she grabbed the pole, swung her legs around, writhing down - she slithered to the ground. She glanced in his direction, like he was the star of her affection – And, in this night he must have her, even if only a cadaver. No plan to take her in trust, he must satiate his lust.

Sydney, New South Wales, AUS (5:07 p.m.)

Maggie weeps silently as she witnesses her true love marry another – Her true love dreamed of being a mother. Maggie could not offer the seed of a dad, so her true love left her – The ending was bad. They fought, and were caught in the endless love cycle, her love finally left for a Brit man named, Michael. She must leave the scene, before she is seen – Maggie will not cuss or make a fuss, but this bride cannot see her swallow her pride.

Hamburg, Germany, EUR (9:07 a.m.)

Entering the bank was a breeze, wisping past security with such ease. Finn thought of Bev in that moment, how she used to tease him with bitter-sweet torment. Young love betook them before the world shook them – And, into the darkness they wandered, though apart their hearts grew fonder. Never again had they connected, only to remember the times of necking.

But now he takes notice, the law rushing toward him. Shot down for attempted robbery, that woman could corroborate. Her message he did not heed, then he fell at the heels of greed.

Back in the same San Diego suburb, CA, USA (still 2:07 am)

Around this room flies a pixie – Here, no one will save me, and no one can fix me. My heart races as the shortage of aces shows no mercy, this woman has cursed me. I would beg for forgiveness, but my heart isn’t in this.

Jake is not Finn – True love does not win. But young love has scattered and now I leave battered, giving up the fight as I say good-night. There will be no divorce, nor his life end with force.

Now, beginning to drift, my energy fading, I beg the darkness to keep my sins – tucked deep within – one last breath before they win. These are the sins of 2-oh-7 a.m.