Sunday Snippet: Choice to Make

The shortest month went by really fast. I can't believe we're headed for March again. It's been such a weird year and I'm actually kind of blown away that it feels like the last twelve months have flown by yet also seemed to last a decade. Seriously.

Had a somewhat busy work week and didn't get a lot of television watched. But I got a few things viewed. Started with Silent Witness and finished up the first episode of season nine.

I actually got two arcs of Classic Who watched. I think I'm almost finished with season thirteen. I like this season. There have been some interesting episodes and I love Elisabeth Sladen a lot.

Caught an episode of Peak Practice. I had to do some downloading with the IMDBTV app to get back into this one. That's what happens when I take a longish break.

As usual, I caught my mystery shows on Ovation and some Classic Perry Mason. Also caught a binge marathon of Hawaii Five-0. I'm hoping to see the last two seasons at some point.

That's pretty much it for television. Tonight's post is from Choice to Make, a novella that puts a heavy decision on the heroine and she has to choose how her future will unfold.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Hallen and Will never get the timing right until the Fates step in and give them a chance. But each has a choice to make and cosmic irony may rear its ugly head … again.

And a preview snippet…

Hallen came awake slowly. At least she thought she did. Maybe slumber hadn't claimed her. It could be something else entirely.

Who knew?

She experienced a floaty, shifting kind of feeling. Heavy and buoyant at the same time. The space around her glowed brightly, but she couldn't find a source for the light. She tested her arms and legs. At least they seemed to be functioning properly.

What the hell? Does the crazy just have to follow me around? Sitting up, she made sure she had her feet on solid ground before standing. She might as well use them to explore. If the weird drifting sensation thing didn't make her fall over when she tried. Hallen took a tentative step forward and remained upright. So far, so good. Two more steps and she stopped. Looked down. And discovered she happened to be wearing a dress.

Not just any old rag either but an exact replica of her once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity gown. The one she wore during the Landing Day celebration. Only this one came in some soft, shimmery shade she couldn't begin to name. Not really gold, white, or ivory but a subtle mix of all three.

She laughed, not caring if the sound echoed all around her. Too bad Will isn't here to see me. He'd appreciate the humor.

Recalling the look on his face that day long ago, she figured he'd probably like the dress, too.

She sobered. Why a dress? Not even close to what she'd choose to wear for all eternity.

Oh shit. Maybe she'd gone to hell.

The thought irritated her. No … it pissed her off. After everything, everything … this could not be hell. Hadn't she made up for all the damnable things she'd done?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Hallen shook off the notion and made her way around the huge cavernous area, still wondering at the brightness. Like thousands of candles burning, but from no source she could find.

And the light followed her around, illuminating areas where she walked, staying lit as she passed through. "There has to be an end to this place somewhere, right?"

Hallen kept going and discovered several room-sized niches. She explored each as she came upon a new one. So far, there were eleven, laid out in random intervals off the main circular chamber. None of them gave her any indication of where she might be. In fact, they all looked similar to each other, only the colors were different.

Entering the last one, she found that it, too, remained empty of life. Disappointed, she made her way back to the center, surprised to find it no longer vacant.

Three women in ancient garb stood in the middle of the large space surrounded by so much light Hallen held up a hand to shield her eyes. She had a feeling answers were about to come her way. The thought filled her with relief and dread at the same time.

Making her way toward the women, Hallen stopped at the outer edge of the circle they inhabited. The brightness finally dimmed and Hallen got a good look at the three. One carried a spindle. One had a large staff held gracefully in her hands, almost like an extension of her limbs. And the last woman held an odd looking pair of scissors, circular in shape, with the markings of a sundial around the edges.

The Fates.

They couldn't be anything else, not if all her indoctrination as a child was correct. And if she felt a small pang of fear, it was only because the scriptures described the trio as crones who could be harsh and cruel, or benevolent, depending on their whims.

Hallen straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin, ready for whatever.

The woman with the spindle, Klotho … if memory served, stepped forward. "Hallen Marx, we are the Moirae, weavers of destiny."

Hallen kept her mouth shut when a craggy hand passed over the thread on the spindle. Moments of her life blinked in and out of focus as the spool changed into a spinning wheel, which then morphed into a loom.

Each and every connection she'd ever made with people, friend or foe, added to the tapestry that represented her existence. But it all seemed distant and out of perspective, so it appeared much less intense than it had actually been. Hallen found it odd and unsettling.

The woman with the staff, Lakhesis, directed her rod to the current moment. "Your destiny is complete, Hallen Marx. You led humanity to its end." She placed the tip on the loom. "The measured thread stops here."

Hallen shrugged. "I completed my journey, so that means what?" There had to be more. "Why am I here? Is this my end?"

Atropos moved forward, placing her scissors on Hallen's thread, then turned her searching gaze in Hallen's direction. "Perhaps. Have you found what you've always searched for?"

A very loaded question. Had she? Hallen considered an answer. She'd let go of the past. Resolved her parental issues. Ended on good terms with the old man.

She'd dealt with James. Managed to be there for him in the end, regardless of him being an enemy agent. She hadn't been the greatest wife, but she'd cared for him the best way she knew how and finally let him go to find his way to the other side.

And then there was Will. Always Will.

This story is pulling threads, no pun intended, I didn't expect and I like how those strands are coming together.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye