July 30th, 2012 by Theresa

Honorable Mention, as appeared on the Weird, the Wild, and the Wicked! by Siobhan Muir

http://siobhanmuir.blogspot.ca/2012/07/thursthreads-week-32-winners.html

Having your life flash before your eyes? It sucks.

Watching every mistake ever made, every bad decision, and episode of poor judgment play out  filled me with regret.  I knew how it would end  – me overdosing in a shitty motel bathroom.  Alone.

“Stop,” I managed. “Just stop it!”

“Is that really the story you wish?” The voice came from everywhere and nowhere. “Is this how you want to be remembered?”

“No,” I said bitterly. “It’s not like I can go back. I mean if I knew then… You know what? Never mind. Just let me die and get it over with.”

“Would you change? Would you be different if you could do it all again?” The voice held an edge I couldn’t define.

“Different?” I laughed bitterly. “I wouldn’t be different. I’d be better. Hell,  I’d even tell my mother that I love her.”

“And the price you’d pay?”

“Just about anything.” Regret flooded what was left of my soul.

“Let’s say you go back. Do me a few favors and it will all be yours.”

“I won’t kill anyone or commit crimes,” I stated to the nothingness. What did I have to lose? This was all a hallucination anyway – the last active cells in my brain fighting for life.

“Not required.” The voice fell silent.  Darkness surrounded me.  Then light.

“Happy 21^st  birthday!”  My mother shook me awake. I was home and her smile was everything. “I  see you got a new tattoo!”

“I love you Mom.”

Flash Fiction