Destiny (The Cassandra Project)
Cassie stood with her hands shoved deep into the pockets of the hoodie, staring stone-faced as the floats passed by. She felt alone despite the crowd around her jostling for strings of plastic beads and chanting for cups. There wasn't a single god in the crowd, no one here but the mortals.
Joshua danced in front of her, clutching a plastic cup that someone had filled with a punch so potent she could smell the alcohol when he offered her a sip. His neck was covered with a rainbow assortment of beads and the backpack they had bought was full of cups and the occasional stuffed animal. He looked at her and frowned.
She faked a big smile and he grinned back, turning to scream at another float. The scream turned to a shout of joy as Halley appeared at his side. He squeezed her, begged her to drink from his cup and laughed at something she said. Halley waved at her, not waiting for Cassie to raise her hand in return before burying Joshua in a hug.
Marty touched Cassie's arm lightly. “Hey there. Nice hoodie.”
“It's yours. Do you want it back?”
He looked confused. “I've never seen that one before.”
Beads rained down on them. Cassie caught a few to prevent them from hitting her face and handed them to a child standing nearby. Marty gave her a strand of pearl-colored ones as long as she was tall. “Here, so he thinks you're having fun.”
She smiled and put them on. “Does it show?”
“A bit.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “You do know there's a plot to set us up?”
What are you talking about?” Cassie tried to keep her voice even.
“Halley and Joshua.” He smiled at them dancing together to the passing marching band. “They found each other so they figured we'd hook up.”
Cassie smiled tightly. “It's been a long time since I 'hooked up'.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist. “Maybe it's time you had, then. I being the gentleman I am will humbly offer my services.”
She laughed and relaxed. “I appreciate it but I've too much to do to get involved with someone.”
He squeezed her briefly. “Who said involved? Not I!”
“I-I just can't.”
“Do I smell bad?”
She smiled weakly. “No, no, it's not that-”
“Cassandra was that seer cursed by Apollo, right?” He artfully changed the subject.
She nodded, fear making her stomach clench. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Did your parents name you after her?”
“No, Mom just liked the name.”
He smiled. “Good, 'cause I was going to ask for you to tell my future.”
Her vision tilted, the world swam.
The crowd was gone. She saw Marty in a cop's uniform lying bleeding from a gunshot wound. Lights flashed on the parked unit nearby, the radio repeating his name. Two teenagers ran away from the scene.
She knelt by him, holding his hand as the life drained from his body.
She came to her senses in Marty's arms. Halley and Joshua were watching her intently. “Are you okay?” Joshua asked, slurring a bit.
Marty made a rude noise. “Why do people ask if you're okay when it's obvious you're not?”
Halley laughed. “I'm glad you were with her. Can you stand?” She offered a hand.
Cassie took Halley's hand and felt the world spin.
Halley was six months pregnant, cooking in the kitchen and singing to the radio. The phone rang, a blaring intrusion to this peaceful scene. She answered it then started crying. She knelt on the floor, not bothering to hang up the phone and cried.
Cassie rubbed her back, knowing the message without hearing it.
Marty was rubbing her hands when she came back. “I'll take her home. I'll sit with her in case she falls out again and we'll just leave from there.”
Halley and Joshua nodded. Marty helped Cassie stand. “I think I can walk.”
“We'll take a cab, dear.” He nodded at Joshua. “Don't worry about us, we'll be fine.”
He smiled and wined. “There's beer if you two are so inclined.”
Joshua and Halley disappeared in the crowd. Marty helped Cassie wobble to one of the cabs waiting in front of a bar. He spoke to the man then opened the door for her.
She got in, vaguely remembering giving her address then falling over in a half-sleep on Marty's shoulder. She woke up when he gently moved her once they had arrived outside their apartment.
He scooped her up and deposited her on the sofa. “This is a nice place.”
“We like it.”
He wandered off, returning with a beer in each hand. He handed her one then sat on the coffee table facing her. “Now I get you drunk and take advantage of the situation.”
She tried to smile. “Do you believe in destiny?”
He shrugged. “Not really. I think we make our own fate. Our future is not predetermined. But there is-”
Cassie touched his face. She started to say something then kissed him. He never noticed the tears.