I had only an hour to spare. Nothing else ached, nothingexcept her soul. Evelyn could not tell where she was or what had truly happened to her.
She turned her head in every direction, but ahead, above, below, and behind her body there was almost nothing at all. A thick, grey mist swirled around her.
Welcome to eternity, a soft, sly voice whispered.
And suddenly Evelyn remembered everything. She recalled how her car had gone berserk, how it had careened off the lane, how it flipped in midair, and that final, crushing impact that snuffed out her life.
No, I cant! she screamed. I have a husband and a son at home, my mother is terribly ill. They need me! Help me! Help me get back! Ill give you anything you want!
A tempting offer Evelyn felt an invisible grin curl against her mind. Ill help you. But you should know Im almost certain you wont be able to save yourself, and the price will be dreadful. Trust me, I know how cruel the afterlife can be
Please, whoever you are, have mercy! she pleaded.
Fine, Im curious myself Ill split your soul into four equal parts. Three will stay with you, the fourth Ill keep as collateral. You have exactly one hour. Yet I suspect you hardly know yourself
***
Evelyn rushed out into the courtyard, hurrying to beat the evening traffic snarls. Her son was staying with his grandmother at a cottage, and she had to collect him later.
A disheveled, irritable crow perched by her car, its wing broken. It hopped clumsily toward her, struggling to keep balance.
Are you getting a lift? a flustered neighbour called, running after Evelyn. Take us and the crow to the clinic, Ill pay you £10. Hell die otherwise
Evelyn was pressed for time.
Call a taxi, she replied curtly. Ive no business with wounded birds.
The crow peered into her eyes, fluttered around her feet, refusing to let her pass, croaking hoarsely as if shouting. She shoved it aside with her foot, slipped into the car, revved the engine, and bolted away. Behind her, the neighbour stared in bewilderment as the crow seemed to dissolve into the mist.
***
At the farthest service station, just as she was about to pump fuel and get back into the drivers seat, a gaunt stray dog limped forward, tail wagging apologetically. It stared at her with pleading eyes, trying to tug her attention.
Get out of the way! Evelyn snapped, stamping her foot.
The dog didnt flinch. It pressed its ears flat, crawled low, and, with a sudden bite, clamped its jaws onto her trouser leg, pulling her forward. The smell of wet, dirty fur hit her nose, and she saw a flea skittering near the dogs ear.
Leave me alone! she shrieked, kicking the animal away. She winced as a sore side throbbed, slammed the car door, and, forgetting the poor creature, sped off.
***
Without easing her speed, she wiped her hands on an antibacterial wipe. Blast, she muttered, what a parade of pestsfirst a bird, now a dog.
The motorway was a river of desperate drivers, all hurrying somewhere. Evelyn eased off the accelerator a little, though she could never fully relax.
In the middle of the carriageway a tiny kitten darted abouta dusty white tuft visible from a distance. Its eyes seemed to beg, almost shouting for rescue.
Evelyn shook her head, convinced she was seeing things. She glanced in the rearview mirror; the kitten perched on its hind legs, front paws clasped over its chest in a pleading gesture.
Stupid thing, youll die out here! she muttered. What on earth drove you onto this busy road?
Something in her chest tightened, a faint whisper urging her to turn back, to grab the little creature and at least drag it to the shoulder. But there was no time.
She checked her watchjust 58 minutes since shed left the house. There was no room for a cat in her schedule.
She glanced back once more. The kitten raced after the car, small and frantic, trying hopelessly to keep up.
She shoved the thought of the kitten from her mind, focusing on the road ahead. She had her own business; the animals could fend for themselves. Let someone else worry about birds, dogs, and tiny cats; let the fleas be left alone.
***
Two minutes later the car skidded off the road. As thick grey fog swallowed her, a nasty, gleeful giggle echoed, followed by the same voice:
Why do you humans always blame me for everything? Was I at fault? I even tried to help, gave you three splendid chancesjust a little delay here and there.
What cost you taking the crow to the clinic, fetching the dog, or stopping for the kitten? The voice chuckled, now tinged with bitterness.
It was you who tried to stop yourselfin the forms of that bird, that dog, that kittenthree fragments of your own soul. Do you remember?
Evelyn nodded, the memory flooding back. She had begged herself, pleaded, tried to pause even for a minute. Yet she was too rushed to let anyone else into her precious life.
Only those others werent trying to intrude; they wanted to save Evelyn, even if their approach seemed odd.
The voice continued:
Youre not alone in this. Many have asked for another chance, and I always gave three, though it never helped. In centuries, only a handful have escaped my realm, and know thisIm only happy when people keep living and their fates change. I return the fourth part of the soul without regret.
Evelyn tried once more to plead, but from the fog clawed out shaggy, terrifying, taloned paws
P.S. Each time you pass someone who needs help, pause and wonder perhaps its a piece of your own soul trying to stop you, to warn you, to keep you from the worst, because it already knows what lies ahead.
