Fandom: Original Fiction
Author: HalfshellVenus
Rating: PG
Summary: Don't bargain with Death…
Author's Notes: For the
writerverse Quick Fic #6 challenge ("Luck of the Draw").x-x-x-x-x
You didn't bargain with Death, they said, not via prayers or desperate promises or even a future gambled on the outcome of sequences hidden in a deck of cards.
Richard knew that, of course, but his wife was hopelessly ill. None of the consequences could possibly be worse.
He chose poker, noticing how coolly the man with the merciless eyes agreed. Two hands up, then three down, and finally everything rested on the next round of play.
"Triple aces," Richard crowed, laying down his cards with unbearable relief.
The other man nodded, presenting his own cards with no flourish but finality: "Royal flush." He watched Richard tremble and break out in a sweat.
"What—"
"Your wife is already dead, with your fingerprints on the knife, and the police have been summoned to your house.
"So tell me, Mr. Weitrecht… what will you wager now to keep your situation from getting worse?"
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