A Destined Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

name.”
    “That’s too bad. I thought maybe…why are you covered up like that?”
    I grinned mischievously. “I’m secretly fully dressed in some swanky clothes under here. I’m planning to sneak out tonight and go to a party after you and dad fall asleep. It’s actually more fun to live on the edge if your parents don’t know about it.”
    Vera laughed and rose to leave. “Well, it seems I’ve been mistaken. I’ll just be going to bed then. Have a good time, dear.”
    “Thanks, Mom. Goodnight.”
    When she left, I pulled the covers down and touched the necklace, delighting at the cool stones beneath my fingers. I fell asleep almost immediately.
    A woman leaned over a table in what seemed like an old black and white, silent film. She looked like me but she wore a long flowered dress, and her short hair was set up in an old-fashioned style. She scanned a newspaper dated December 16 th , 1943.
    When a man in a fancy suit entered the room, she turned and ran into his arms. The man, who looked like Mr. Interested, smiled happily, unable to take his eyes off her. After a long kiss, he produced a brand new jewelry box that read, Alicia Silviana , and when she opened it, she jumped up and down and started crying happily. She hugged him and let him put the necklace on her. They embraced again and the image faded.
    The next scene opened up in a small room with large stained glass windows. The same woman slipped on a wedding gown while two other females helped. One was a plain looking brunette, and the other was a beautiful blonde. 
    It all seemed very traditional until the woman got her dress on and shooed the other ladies out of the room. The blonde scowled and seemed to argue with her for minutes before she threw up her hands and stomped out.
    As soon as they were gone, her groom popped out of the closet door to kiss her. She was butter in his arms, at first, seemingly helpless to her love for him but eventually she held up a finger to scold him. She gestured to her dress and then to her wrist before pointing to the door. He left unwillingly, but continually looked back to see if she’d change her mind. She just shook her head.
    She let her bridesmaids back in to fuss over her hair but when the clock on the wall jumped ahead one hour, only one remained. The dark haired helper smiled and handed her the black jewelry box.
    Just as the bride latched the necklace around her neck, the church started shaking around her. She lost her footing and fell as the ceiling collapsed on top of her, and then everything went dark.
    The last image showed her gravestone. It read: Alicia Silviana; Born June 1, 1921; Died Jan 15, 1944. Eternally Loved.
    My pulse raced when I sat up in bed and shut off the alarm. The cold brick that I’d felt at the jeweler’s, once again lay atop my heart and weighed down my chest, making it hard to breathe. With the images still fresh in my mind, I grabbed my laptop and typed the story with every detail I could remember. I became so involved with it that I didn’t realize until I finished that I was late for school. Very late!
    Jumping into some clothes, I ran out the door and caught the next bus to the campus. All the students turned and stared at me when I sat down in an empty chair. I thought they were silently teasing me for missing class but the girl beside me cleared things up when she leaned over and whispered, “That’s a beautiful necklace! Where did you get it?”
    Sucking in my breath, I reached up to find the necklace still on my neck. I winced and then slumped in my seat. With my secret out, I felt distraught. I left the necklace on all day, not because I wanted the attention, but once everyone had seen it, I didn’t feel safe putting it in my purse. What else could I do? I couldn’t bear to have it stolen, and if I wore it, at least I’d be able to keep an eye on it.
    I got the most attention that evening at the diner. Male customers smiled, flirted, and asked me to marry them in a