Destiny's Fates

Chapter 20

We finish eating our Chinese, then Chris stands up. “We only have a few hours to figure out what to say to the Fate Council.”

James nods, stands up and takes his dishes to the sink. “We should do more research on this Eric guy, see if we can figure out why he went rogue.”

Derrek and I stand up and mimic James’s moments. Chris throws the containers in the trash. We all look at each other and migrate to the living room. I sit in my yellow chair, and Cherry jumps up into my lap. James sits down in the other chair and opens his laptop. Chris and Derrek sit on the couch, looking at James. I glance up from Cherry to James, right as he grimaces.

“What?” Derrek, Chris, and I all ask at the same time.

“Um, Doll? I think I figured out why Eric went rogue.” James looks up and meets my eyes, “What do you remember about your parent’s car accident?”

“Not much.” Cherry nuzzles my hand and I lift it and start petting her, staring at the coffee table. “I was at Church, the Sunday after Thanksgiving this past year. It was about 9 am, and my phone started buzzing. I went out in the lobby to answer it and it was the police, asking me to come to the station. I left church immediately and headed there. The officer at the front desk asked for my name, and then a detective showed up. She escorted me to the morgue. I saw two bodies covered in cloth laying on the table. The detective told me that there had been a car accident. She led me into the room and the mortician uncovered the heads. I recognized them as my parents. I started crying and the mortician covered them back up. She led me upstairs and told me that another driver had hit them, and they were run off the road and hit a tree. She said they were killed on impact, and they felt no pain.” I shook my head, willing the tears forming in my eyes to say there and not run down my face. I glance up and look at James. “Why?”

James ignored the question. “Did you ever hear anything about the driver, the one who hit your parents?”

I shook my head, “No. I just assumed they had died also.” I look at James. Please don’t say what I think you are going to say. “Why?”

James takes a deep breath and looks me in the eyes. “Eric Halen was the other driver Doll. He hit your parents and killed them, claimed it was an accident. Apparently the passenger in Eric’s car was having an allergic reaction and couldn’t breathe. Eric took his eyes off the road and veered into your parents lane.”

He killed my parents. He was supposed to marry me, and instead he changed my life completely. No wonder he went rogue, he probably couldn’t bear to look me in the eyes. I wouldn’t have been able to marry him, anyway, not knowing what he had done. “That...that is why he went rogue.” I stuttered. “He killed my parents and knew who I was.”

The guys all nod. They shoot each other a glance, almost like they are communicating without words. Finally Chris breaks the silence. He stands up and walks over to me. “Destiny, are you okay?” He puts his hand on my knee. “This is a lot to take in, I know. Just take a deep breath.”

I nod and follow his instructions. “I guess I am okay. It’s not like I didn’t know that my parents were dead. Also, I basically knew that he went rogue considering the circumstances I met him under. It’s just a lot. Finding out how they are all connected.” Cherry licks my face, and I look down at her. “It’s okay girl. I’m okay.” I glance up at the guys. “So, should I get out the dice?” I grin.

Chris chuckles, “Numbers 1 or 4 I hope.”

Derrek clears his throat, “I would check your email first lover boy.”

“Now what?” I ask.

“To the Fates assigned to Destiny Marie Reign. Please report by 6 pm to the Idaho Falls Zoo. The Fate Council will meet you in the lobby. Please make sure the Assigned is also present,” Derrek reads.

I wonder if Eric is also receiving these emails. Will he be there? I glance at my watch. We have about an hour. I take a deep breath, then speak. “It is only a 20-minute drive from here, so we need to leave by 5:35 at the latest to get there on time.”

The guys all nod. We only have 1 hour to figure out how to explain the situation to the Fate Council. What could go wrong.