A Tale of Tails

"Shit!" I curse under my breath, patting myself down. "Where is it?!" Frustrated, I dump the contents of my purse onto the ground.

"I ain't got all day, lady!" The bus driver grumbles from behind the wheel, his voice gravelly with impatience. "Ya coming or not?!"

"Ugh..." I glare up at him, strands of hair from my top bun falling into my face. "Just give me a second!" My hands fumble as I shove everything back into my tiny purse. "My wallet has to be here."

"I already gave you more than enough time.” The driver lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Either pay up or fuck off!"

"Goddammit…" My stomach twists as I stare down at my empty hands. ‘I have to catch this bus. If I don’t, I’ll be late. And if I’m late—Ben is going to wring my neck for sure. Then after he’s done, fire me.’ My heart sinks as the doors slam shut. “Wait!” The bus lurches forward, belching out a thick cloud of exhaust as it pulls away. "Fuck!" I throw my hands up in defeat before dragging them down my face. My pulse thrums with frustration as I kneel to gather my scattered things—then I notice it. A single coin, lying alone on the sidewalk. I sigh depressed, sluggishly reaching for it. ‘At least I won’t be completely empty-handed today.’

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you, hun." The voice is smooth, but there’s something off about it—like a whisper that shouldn’t be there. I freeze, lifting my gaze, and find a woman standing before me. She’s stunning. Long raven-black hair, perfectly sculpted red lips, dark eyes that gleam with something between curiosity and warning. She tilts her head slightly. "That’s bad luck, you know."

"Huh?" I blink, my hand hovering mid-air.

"The coin’s face," the woman murmurs, gesturing with perfectly manicured nails. "It’s tails. You should just leave it."

“Uh…” I furrow my brows. ‘Is she on something?’ My gaze flicks between her and the lost change on the pavement. ‘I’m not in the mood for superstitions.’ I exhale a long, weary sigh. "Thanks for the advice, but my day can’t get any worse." My fingers close around the coin. The worn copper is cool against my palm, the faded shield facing up at me like a quiet challenge. 

Above me, the woman giggles. It’s soft, almost sweet—but something about it makes my spine stiffen. I glance up. She’s smiling. Wide and smug. "Oh, darlin’," she purrs, tilting her head. "It can always get worse."

A chill prickles down my back as her tone enters my ears. "Whatever." I roll my eyes and push myself to my feet—but the second I do, something shifts. The crowded sidewalk is empty. The bus I just missed? Gone. The endless honking and chatter of the city? Silent.

A lead weight settles in my stomach as I scan my surroundings. The streets are abandoned. The vehicles—rows of them, mid-turn, mid-lane change—are completely still, as if time itself has stopped.

The strangest thing of all, the world no longer had color.

The sky is no longer blue but a washed-out white, the sun a pale disc hanging like an unfinished sketch. A dull, monochrome sea bleeds into everything around me. Then, something stirs. A formless shadow. Slithering through the skyline, shifting between buildings like smoke curling through cracks. I don’t know how I know, but it’s as if it’s curious about me. Watching my every move.

Suddenly, a warmth radiates through my palm, pulling my gaze downward.

The coin glows. A rich, unnatural yellow, burning bright against the drained, colorless world. I barely have time to process it before something seeps from my skin—inky tendrils of smog curling between my fingers, thick and unnatural, like it's alive.

"Ahh, fuck?!" I jerk my hand back, the coin clattering to the pavement. But the smog doesn’t stop. It keeps leaking from my palm, bleeding out in heavy, curling wisps. "Make it stop!" My voice is too loud, too raw with panic.

"Wow." A hand catches mine midair. I freeze. Glowing yellow eyes stare into mine, the same burning shade as the coin I just threw away. She floats effortlessly in front of me—skin paper-white, but radiating a golden light. Her long, raven hair drifts, as if underwater, moving with each tilt of her head. ‘Are…Those wings?’ Large, dark, and shifting like shadows—flutter behind her. She studies my palm with fascination. "Your aura is so pungent."

W-Who are you?!" I stammer. "Where am I?!" My chest tightens. My pulse hammers in my ears. I’m not sure why, but my body is telling me to run. "Let go of me!” I try to yank my hand away, but her grip is like iron.  

“Shhh~” She tilts her head, seemingly amused. "You’re too loud." Then her fingers wrap around my mouth.

“Mm!” I squeak. 

“Plus,” Her stiletto nails press into my skin, searing-hot, burning deep into my flesh. "You won’t be alive long enough to worry about that." Pain erupts through my body, radiating from my chest, causing my body to convulse. Her eyes burn brighter as I glare at her, blinding. She licks her now bright red lips. "Nighty-night."

The world collapses into darkness.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

“Fuck!” I scream as my eyes snap open. I’m in bed. My phone alarm is blaring beside me. My hand flies to my chest. My skin is hot and clammy. But no burns. No pain.

‘A dream?’ I swallow hard, my pulse still racing. Slowly I laugh to myself. ‘Of course it was a dream.’ Shaking off the lingering unease, I force myself up and get ready for work. 

I reach my front door, making a harsh stop as I walk out of the doorframe. I run back into my room and smack my hand down as I grab my wallet. ‘Not forgetting you this time!’

At last, I board the bus, avoiding my termination and colorless downfall. As I settle in the worn out seat I let out a heavy weighted breath of relief, allowing myself to relax. 

I feel as someone scoots into the seat next to me. I sluggishly look over and my heart stops. ‘It’s her! The woman with the raven hair.’ The color drains from my face as she smiles, red lips curling upward, giving me a knowing chuckle. The bus makes a sharp stop, causing my purse to fall. I shook off the lady next to me and gathered my scattered belongings.

“Oh, hun.” She hums as she points downward. “I think you forgot something.”

I timidly followed her finger and there it was. A gold penny facing tails, staring back at me. I tighten my hands, trying to shake off the image of smog seeping from them. “Nah, I’m good.”