As we sold the necklace, a feeling of dread came over me. Something about the situation felt ominous... as if the necklace would take vengeance for this. I resisted the urge to bother Vivian with my feelings. Besides, walking around on crutches was taking up the bulk of my energy.

"Do you want to go anywhere else? The mall or something?" I asked. Personally, I wanted to treat myself to some sweets. I had lost weight during my confinement, and I had been thin to begin with. "I wouldn't mind something to read..." For some strange reason, I had been in the mood for a sappy romance novel recently - maybe the sudden turn in my luck had awakened some latent hopes. I just wished that it didn't feel so temporary...