Second Chance

 I sighed with relief as I clocked out the office building.

“Another late meeting…”

It was 10 P.M. This was the third time this week that there was an urgent meeting with our overseas client. In the end, we did not get to solve the issue at hand and wound up scheduled for another session late tomorrow. I needed to get prepared for it.

“I’m starving…”

It was dark outside, but at least the streetlamps helped get through the sidewalk. I managed to get to a convenience store near the building and got myself a sandwich and some water. I was so hungry that I had already had it half-eaten by the time I exited the store.

“Hmm?”

There was something moving on the ground, just out of the reach of the store lights. It was probably just an animal, but with nothing better to do, I let curiosity get the better of me. I went and peeked at whatever was moving.

It was a raven. A blue raven. I had never seen anything like it. Blue birds, sure, but never like this one. It was prodding at the remains of an empty bag of chips, trying to get what scraps it could get.

“Hey buddy,” I called it. It turned towards me. “Do you want a bite?”

I went crouching beside it, trying to make myself as small as possible as I got closer to it. When I saw it was not moving any further away from me, I showed it my sandwich, then split it in half.

“Here.”

I let the half drop in front of the raven, leaving it all with bread, ham, cheese, and greens.

The raven looked at me, the half again, and then hopped over to the food. It wasted no time taking it down its throat.

“You were hungry for sure too, huh?”

I ate what I had left together with the raven. It was a small, quiet company, but it was company. Not that there was anyone waiting for me at home, anyway.

“Here. You must be thirsty.”

I poured some water into the cap of the bottle and placed it in front of the raven. The bird understood me instantly, and drank from it with sharp, quick thrusts from its beak.

“It must be nice being a bird. I wish I could fly around all day.”

I looked up to the sky. I hoped to catch some stars, but not even that came my way. I remembered when there were stars before, when I was young. Now, the bustle and the hustle of the city did not even spare the stars from their place.

“I should get moving. Take care, little bird.”

I stood up and waved goodbye to my small companion and walked on the road back home. At this hour, trains were not going to be passing towards my apartment. If I even got back home at all, I would only get a few hours of precious sleep before I had to return to work tomorrow.

“Maybe I should just stay over at a hotel…” I thought aloud. “A nice room, a soft bed… breakfast ready in the morning…”

I could just savor it. Eggs, bacon, toasted bread… the whole thing instead of just another instant ramen.

Lost in my thoughts, it happened.

I crossed the road at the wrong time and got struck by the sudden lights and horns of an incoming truck.

Oh.

A hundred tons of steel rammed into my body, sending me flying across the air. It got me by the side rather than a full direct hit, so it did not kill me, but it sure sent me crashing against the wall of a building.

“Ah… did I…” I thought.

It hit everything. I knew that very well. Every bone in my body shattered against the strike, and I could feel a warm wetness pour against the back of my head. For some reason, I did not feel anything. Maybe it was shock, or maybe adrenaline, but I could not feel anything from my neck down.

Star Express, read the truck’s logo. A service out of this world!

I chuckled.

If only, I thought. Could I get to pick to be a bird next time? Although, I am not sure if not dying outside of the direct impact would count.

Something fluttered beside me. An animal?

“You…” I tried called out, but only blood escaped my lips.

It was the blue raven from before. The raven opened its beak, and then, a noise came out from its mouth.

“Want second chance?” it stammered.

My eyes went wide.

Did that thing just talk?

The raven hopped closer.

“Want... second chance?” it asked again, tilting its head.

Why, I wanted to ask. I had led a successful life. I had a strong career. I had a place of my own. I had… I had that. For what? Working from dawn to dusk, I spent my life in that office, seeing my school friends marry and have children, chase their passions, travel the world… what did I have to show? Not money, I can tell you that. Debt collectors were my one source of company outside of work.

What was I just working for, anyway?

The raven leapt to my chest, and stared its eyes into mine, showing me, constellations flickering in those orbs it had.

“Want chance?” it said. “Or not?”

I must have been going insane. I had seen blue birds before, I had seen them mimic speech, but eyes like stars? I must have been hit harder than I thought. I wanted to speak, but…

I just nodded. That was all I could do in that moment.

The raven closed its eyes.

“Then,” it said, “sleep.”