"Chance - The Intervener" by Kelsey Lynn Reed

The man sprinted through the rainy streets, leading a woman away from her possible death. He didn't know why he was doing it, she was nothing but a thief anyways, but he felt as though he should help her.

The man paused at the next street corner, water dripping into his dark orange eyes. His clothes were soaked but he didn't care. The woman waited behind him, fear in her eyes.

Sometimes Chance intervenes when there is no reason and stays away when Chance could be the most helpful. On the other side of the situation, Chance can sometimes do what needs to be done without taking any of the blame.

Someone stepped out from the shadows across the street from them. Her orange hair was pulled back in a tight braid and her dark clothes repelled the water. She wore an over-sized hat that hid her face but the man saw her smile.

"Fancy meeting you here," she called over the rain. "What're you up to tonight?"

The man grabbed the thief's hand and pulled her across the street to where the new woman stood.

"This woman's name is Sherry," the man said. "She claims that she barely escaped being killed by a man who refused to give her his name. You know who the guy was?"

The woman tilted her head and smiled.

"Sherry, huh? Yeah, I know the guy you're talkin' about. He's still chasin' ya too so you'd better leave soon. Or you could just stay here and be the first to wait for him to come. Either way, you're going to die."

The man saw Sherry's eyes grow wide with panic. The woman must have noticed too because she winced and put her hand on the other woman's shoulder.

"Don't worry though," she said. "You've already met this really nice guy here who seems to want to keep you alive. I'm sure he has plenty of surprises in store for you."

The man smiled reassuringly at the woman who nodded slowly.

People run from their Fate when they know it is coming. Others don't see it coming until they're about to die. That's why I like Chance. There is no way to know what is about to happen. You have nothing to go on but your own intuition.

"Well either way," the woman continued. "I'm not gonna be here to see what happens. See ya 'round, man."

The woman waved goodbye and then left them standing in the rain as she disappeared into the darkness of the streets. Sherry drew in a sharp breath and the man turned to see another man appear farther down the street. The man could see the stranger's magic swirling around him.

"Come on," the man said. "Let's go."

He made sure Sherry was following him as he ran into the nearest building and up the first flight of stairs.

"You know the man we're running from?" Sherry asked as they sprinted up the next flight of stairs.

"You could say that," the man answered. "I'll explain later. Save your breath for the climb."

They ran up five flights of stairs and finally came to the end. There was a door at the top of the last flight of stairs and the man wondered where it led. He grabbed the handle and yanked it open. It took them straight out onto the roof of the building.

"Do you think he'll follow us all the way up here?" Sherry breathed, still trying to catch her breath.

The man didn't answer. Instead he closed the door behind them and used his magic to seal the door shut. He was glad the woman couldn't see his magic, it would have only made her more afraid. For once he wanted to keep this woman alive for as long as he could.

Humans believe in Chance but only when it suits the situation. In every day life they don't even consider Chance to exist unless something happens to them that is unusual. In truth, Chance is always there and always changing your life and situations. Chance tends to tamper with people's lives, whether subtly or not.

"Give her up," came a voice from behind them.

Both the man and Sherry whirled around to find their stalker already on the roof. His dark hair was cut short and his clothes were just dark enough to blend into the night.

"How'd you get up here?" Sherry demanded. "Why do you pursue me?"

The stranger moved from his position near the edge of the building and drew closer. Sherry backed away with every step he took and found herself at the edge of the building. The man just watched as the stranger stopped several feet away and smiled.

"It's your fate to die, woman," the stranger said, his voice barely audible over the pouring rain. "There's no use in running. I'll find you every time. You're just torturing yourself."

The stranger turned to the man and gave him a fierce glare. The stranger's eyes were a deep purple color that always frightened people but they had no effect on the man. He was used to it by now.

"Stop interfering. You're not doing anything but prolonging her death. She doesn't need to suffer from fear on top of knowing she's about to die."

The man strode over and stood in front of Sherry, using himself as a shield.

"She doesn't need to die by your hand," the man said. "She could turn her life around, live for a long time."

"If every human in this damned world did that then you and I would not exist," the stranger snapped. "Move."

"What's one human out of the billions that walk in this word?" the man demanded. "She lives."

The stranger drew his dagger and took two steps forward, forcing the man to take another step back towards Sherry. The man knew the woman couldn't see the dagger, it was made of pure magic. The surface rippled every time a drop of rain fell on it.

"She dies," the stranger growled.

"Normally you wouldn't pursue this so long," the man said. "Why is this woman so important?"

"She could cause many problems in the future if she's allowed to live," the stranger replied. "Bt if you really want to see this woman live then so be it. You will be the one cleaning up the mess she'll cause, not me."

The man suddenly disappeared and the man let out a deep sigh. Then he turned to the terrified woman and held out his hand.

"Come," he said. "Let's get you home. You will be safe for now."

The woman didn't take his hand but was willing to follow him back into the building and out onto the streets.

"Did you know that man?" she asked.

"We've met before," the man replied. "Try not to think about it. You'll only become more confused."

They walked down the sidewalk next to each other. The man considered what the stranger had said. If he really did let the woman live then something terrible was going to happen and it would be his fault. The time spent cleaning up after the mess would be a terrible waste of time.

They turned onto one of the busier streets where cars zoomed past them. The man put his hand on the woman's shoulder and they came to a halt. Sherry looked at him but the man didn't meet her eyes.

"I enjoyed meeting you," he said. "I'm glad I could save you from a painful death but I fear that everything won't turn out as planned. I promise this will be quick and painless."

With that the man shoved her backwards into the street, right in front of a huge truck. Her death was quick and simple and the man knew she was killed instantly. He watched the truck skid to a stop and the man jump out and walk towards him. It was the same man they had met on the roof. When he was within hearing distance the stranger smiled, his purple eyes grim.

"Finally decide it wasn't worth it?"

"Yeah," the man sighed. "She was nice though. I hope she enjoys the next place she ends up."

The two men turned away without a second glance at the woman in the street. By the time the police arrived the two men were gone from the streets, city, and the world the human race calls Earth.

Chance can be just as cruel as Fate. After all, I don't try to help people just for their sake. I take the opportunity that presents the least resistance. Of course, sometimes I like to mess with people's lives just so that the humans don't get bored. By now you should know. My name is Chance.