New York City is always busy, especially during the holidays.

"Where are we going again?" Alex asked anxiously.

"To Fateful Threads."

"Oh, yeah, I know that place. It's around the corner where our favourite cafe used to be before they sold the area." Alex snapped his fingers in excitement. "Sweetie's Cafe! It was so cool—"

Suddenly, that's when I spotted Fateful Threads. It was a rundown building and the store's title was in a swoopy-cursive-handwriting-like font. I nodded at Alex and pushed open the door.

The interior was slightly better, there were rows of colourful yarn that set Strawberry off. She prowled forward, the leash unhooking, letting the cat run amok. "Strawberry, no!"

I ran forward, grabbing her as she sank her teeth into a ball of red yarn. "Spit it out," I ordered as Alex laughed behind me. "It's not funny, Alexander Ashford!" I wrangled the yarn out of Strawberry's mouth, letting it drop to the floor.

"Can I help you?" an old woman with a cane asked. I walked forward, leaving Alex to deal with our cat. I saw on her employee tag that her name was Clotho, an odd name, probably a Greek name. "Our shop is pet-friendly."

"Oh right, thanks," I said nervously, clasping my head. My head felt foggy all of a sudden and I didn't know what to do. Why couldn't I remember? "I'm looking for a bauble."

"Oh, sorry, but we don't sell ornaments," Clotho smiled warmly. Why did it look so sinister then? She must be one of the co-owners, so one of the Moirai that Death spoke of.

"No, I'm looking for a handmade bauble, made out of thread," I said, feeling paranoid. If I fail, Death will kill me...I couldn't die, no, the thought was too horrifying. I felt as if I was tipsy, I felt as if I was on the tip of my seat. "Do you specialize in that kind of stuff?"

"Well, I'm just the spinster, but my sister, Lachesis, is the allotter." Clotho leaned in, handing me a ball of thin white thread. "She can spin you the threaded bauble, bring this to her, and tell her I sent you. She's on the upper floor, you'll see a singular room in the upstairs hallway."

"Yes, thank you, Clotho—" I blinked as I realized I was staring at the wall. Where did Clotho go? Alex came over, cocking his head while Strawberry trailed after him. I looked down at the ball of white thread in my hands, stuffing it in my

"Who were you talking to?"

"It doesn't matter, we have to go upstairs to meet Lachesis," I said, spotting a door with a sign labelled with STAIRWELL on it. "C'mon, Alex and Strawberry!" I shouted, running towards the stairwell. I pushed open the door and started to race up the stairs.

"Charity, wait!"

I arrived at the dull, lifeless hallway. I saw the oakwood door and I grinned. "Char, you're too fast for my speed," Alex panted as he handed me Strawberry. "You're handling our cat now."

I'm sure Lachesis wouldn't mind since Clotho said Fateful Threads was pet-friendly. I scooped up Strawberry and she nuzzled her kitty nose in my chest. "I'll be right back, Alex."

"Alright."

I went to the end of the hallway and twisted the doorknob. I stepped inside and closed the door behind there. There were dozens of yarn strings on the floor and in the center of the room, there was an old lady who looked just like Clotho.

"Hello, dearie."

"Are you Lachesis?"

"Yes," she said in a raspy voice. She extended her hand and I walked closer. Strawberry hissed and yowled, but I handed Lachesis the ball of thread. She immediately started to measure the yarn and sew it carefully.

I looked around the room, setting down Strawberry. She suddenly roared and started to chew on a bit of yarn. I cursed, reaching out to grab her. Why is she misbehaving? A flood of anger rushed through my veins and I shut my eyes.

Calm down, calm down.

I've been so on edge lately...

What's happening to me?

"Your bauble is ready," Lachesis suddenly said as I blinked. I had lost my train of thought. I felt Strawberry's heavy, still body in my arms and figured she must have fallen asleep.

"Thank you," I replied as she gave me the threaded trinket. It was light and soft, having a paper-like texture. I have the bauble, I thought excitedly. I'm safe from Death! "I have another task for you."

"What?"

"The ornament needs a trim, look at all those rough tufts," Lachesis scowled, lifting her chin. I suppose the bauble did look a bit shaggy and rough. "Thanatos will not be pleased. Go to the rooftop to see my sister, Atropos, she'll finish and polish the bauble for you, Charity Mikaelson."

How does she know my name? "Thanks, Lachesis."

I turned around, slipping the bauble into my pocket. I shifted Strawberry to the other side of my hip as I quickly opened the door, closed it, and ran back to Alex. There was no time to waste, time was ticking and Death was holding the timer.

"I got the bauble, but I have to go to the roof to Atropos—" I noticed Alexander's horrified expression on his face. He backed away, his eyes wide with fear. "Alex, didn't you hear me? What's wrong with you?"

"What's wr-wrong with you, Charity?" he cried out.

My blood boiled as I clenched my teeth. I should have known better, Alex never believed me when I told him about Thanatos visiting me. Whatever, I didn't need his help, my life holds more value.

I rushed up the stairwell, seeing the sign ROOFTOP plastered above the door. I heard Alex's pleading voice call for me, but I ignored him, pushing the door open. The cold frosty breeze smacked into my face.

I held Strawberry closer to my chest to prevent her from running off the edge of the building. "Where's Atropos?" I muttered as I walked closer to the edge. I heard the door slam behind me and I spun around to see Alex. "What do you want?"

"Don't jump!" he shouted nervously.

"Jump? Are you crazy, Alexander?" I wrinkled my nose in confusion.

"Do you even know what you did, Charity?!" Alex yelled, his expression pained. My head ached and I felt so exhausted, I just wanted to go home. Why was he giving me such a hard time? "Look at Strawberry."

"What?" I looked down and screamed, dropping my cat. Strawberry was dead, having no life in her eyes. She looked bruised as if someone had harmed her. "No, no, Strawberry can't be dead! Who d-did this?"

Alex had tears in his eyes. "God, I should have gotten you help before we broke up. Charity, I have been feeding this delusion for too long, it's sickening. Death didn't v-visit you! And there are no other co-owners! While y-you were talking to the wall, I was talking to Colette, the actual owner!"

"Strawberry died and you're making shit up, Alex!" I wailed, sobbing.

He took a step closer to me. "Do you remember why we broke up?"