“Bad Luck”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

Prompt: “I think I’m cursed.”

“I think I’m cursed,” I mutter, wincing as yet another explosion rings out behind me.

Lyswick crouches down beside me. “Well, I’m not sure that ‘cursed’ is the right word,” he says slowly, obviously choosing his words with care. “Maybe ‘unlucky’?”

“How is that any different from cursed?”

He shrugs. “It just is.”

I sigh and lean my head back to rest against the rock. “So you’re saying that it was just bad luck that I single-handedly took out one of our squadrons?”

“Sure.”

“And it was just bad luck that I happened to be the one person who was there when they found the king’s body?”

“That one for sure was just bad luck. Unless…”

“I didn’t kill the king,” I snap. “Come on, you know me better than that.”

He shrugs, holding his hands up in surrender. “It was just a question.”

I sigh. “Yeah, I know. Sorry for snapping.”

He shrugs again.

“Anyway, all I’m saying is that it’s happened too much for it to be bad luck,” I say. “I’m definitely cursed.”

“Who would’ve cursed you?” Lyswick asks with a frown. “Huittea is too busy dealing with the war in Bris, and Krow and Lokep wouldn’t care enough. And, no offence, but you’re not really anyone important.”

I stare at him. “Wow, thanks.”

“All I’m saying is that the gods probably have better things to do than curse a random guy. But if you did something significant, like what your brother did for example, maybe it would make more sense that the gods would want to curse you.”

I glare at him. “Thanks,” I repeat flatly.

Final Comments: I didn’t love this one… I’m not entirely sure why, though.

Overall Rating: 😕