The Date of Fate

I was just about to meet Franklin for our 7:00 o’clock date, it was a place I had never heard of The Monary on 8th Street. I ran my finger tips through my hair to spruce it up before I walked out the door and looked in the mirror and said “Just have fun and try something new” words to encourage my ever nervous state. I waited outside for my Uber driver because I knew I was not going to want to drive tonight if we decided to have a few drinks. As my Uber driver pulled up I took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Hello my name is Ryan how are you?” He said kindly

“I’m good, thank you for asking” I said as calmly as I could.

He looked at me in the mirror and smiled and said a few words I would never forget.

“You know you will never meet someone by chance, just make sure that chance is something you are ready for”

Those words struck me deeply since I had not been in the dating scene in years and decided to out of curiosity as to what could happen. I meant Franklin on a dating app and his photos were very alluring and he wanted to meet the next weekend after talking over the week. Something about him kept me very interested.

“Alright it says it’s up ahead, I don’t see it on the street yet” Ryan drove slowly up to the curb.

As the sun started to set fully into the night I saw Franklin walk out, he texted me “I’m outside waiting for you to arrive” he dressed with elegance and his hair was slightly wild and untamed. He seemed like the artsy type of guy, he enjoyed poetry and fine wine. He raved over the restaurant he chose and said it was the best wine he ever had in America.

I texted “I’m pulling up now” I quickly replied back.

I got out of the Uber and thanked Ryan for the ride. Franklin walked over to the car his scent was intoxicating with the scent of cashmere and the woods. I smiled and my heart started to race with thrill and excitement.

“Annalyse it’s a pleasure to meet you in person, I hope you love wine and French food!” He spoke excitedly

I looked up at him in his eyes and was taken away to a place that seemed far away unlike any other place I had been. I replied “It’s nice to meet you Franklin, sounds good I am a fan of red wines” I said with confidence. Being next to him made me feel more alive.

“Let’s go inside I have a table for us already reserved.” He said smoothly

I followed his lead, when we got inside it was a very Victorian style restaurant. It smelled like fresh baked bread and rosemary inside. As I followed Franklin I couldn’t help but wonder why I felt like this was all a dream. As we approached a table a waitress waited for us to arrive, she stood tall and thin with beautiful morrocan features. She greeted us warmly, “greetings my name is Alma I will be taking care of you all tonight. Can I start you off with one of our award winning wines?”

Franklin pulled the chair out so I could sit. Then he sat across me staring deeply into my eyes. I glanced at the wine menu and noticed my favorite wine. I sat up slightly “I will have a glass of your finest Merlot”

“And for you sir?” The waitress asked

Franklin put his hand to his chin and chose Merlot as well.

As we waited for our drink order to return he asked how life has been lately for me. I thought about all the things going on in my life and really didn’t want to talk to much about it, he stared most intently with caring eyes.

“Life is alright” I dodged the question with a short response

He smiled warmly “I know there is more to you and I can’t wait to really get to know you”

I blushed, Alma had returned with two beautiful glasses of wine, she placed one glass in front of me and one in front of Franklin and left.

Franklin lifted his glass and held it up for a cheers “Cheers to new beginnings and a great life” I raised my glass and ‘clink’.

I sipped the Merlot, the flavor was bold and exceptionally delicious. It was so good I could not stop drinking it. Franklin smiled as he sipped his Merlot.

He asked what I would like to order. As he was finishing his question the world started spinning and I started seeing sparkles. I could barely see, I started to feel a corsing sensation in my body, the sensation increased and I felt my veins start to burn. I called out to Franklin he came by my side and smiled and said this will only last alittle longer. He picked me up from my seat and held me. As I went through this feeling I saw my waitress and she was by my side as well. I could hear in the background “are you sure she is strong enough to handle the transformation?”

I rose and tried to get up slowly, I felt so different my head felt heavy and I saw Franklin and asked him what he did to me.

“ Annalyse I gave you a gift to change your life, you will be able to do what you like in this world now with so many abilities and no worries”

I saw him smiling deeply with satisfaction and noticed his teeth were long. I felt a deep pain in my stomach, I felt a hunger I had never felt in my life.

He walked over and handed me his glass of wine and said drink, I looked at it in disbelief.

I had a choice to embrace this new life or die, I looked at the glass and thought about life as I once knew it. I looked into his eyes and choose my new life.