Below is a fiction story created as an entry for @pete's contest. Freaky Friday. I've wanted to do one for a while but my muse wasn't talking to me. Until I saw this picture.

I had a book series that's on the back burner for when I get crypto rich involving all the gods and how they mingle with each other and act petty. The Egyptians were my favorite as they seem so exotic. A whole book's plot is dedicated around this story's goddess.

Hope you enjoy!

Link to the Freaky Friday contest:

https://scorum.com/en-us/poker/@pete/wow-freaky-friday-november-23-2018

CARDS & GODS

Severe heat stroke.

That's what my nurse said when she spoke to the doctor. I could hear bits and pieces over the old fan. Wet towels and other cooling aides were thrown on top of me. Like a little cold mountain. My skin still felt warm to the touch. Never been to Miami in my life and first six hours I get a heat stroke. I reached for the dixie cup of ice water.

"I'm sorry."

My head snapped towards the sound nearly knocking over the cup. At the foot of my bed a tall tan girl stared at me. I glanced behind where she sat. The door to my room was still closed.

How'd she get in?

She cocked her head. Like a dog studies a bug. Unsure of whether it was a toy or dangerous. Emerald green eyes bobbed watching my hands reach for my glasses.

The longer I looked at her the more I recognized her. Traffic was so bad I decided to walk. I wandered the side streets looking for a short cut. That's where I saw her.

I realized she was still waiting for a response. She reflexively leaned away from me as I sat up.

"Sorry for what?"

She looked around the room. Taking it in for the first time. Going over to the medical monitor poking it. "Causing you to become lost."

A small smile grew on my face.

"Not all who wander are lost."

She smiled sadly. "The ones that wander with me do."

I reached for the water. "I don't recall following you."

She tugged on the chord to my beds remote ignoring me. Quickly pushing the buttons as I reclined and declined with the seat in jerking motions. I reached for the remote holding the hand she held it in as she froze. My stomach churned as I spoke. "Not that I don't mind the company. You didn't have to come here. I merely got lost that's all you didn't afflict me."

She released the grip on the remote.

"Sadly you're wrong. Humans that see me don't survive. They become fixated and follow me until they succumb to the elements. You're the first in a few years to have stopped wandering before the underworld beckoned. Its...refreshing to know I don't kill every man in my path."

I gave a nod. Teeth frozen in an uneasy grin The hell am I supposed to say to that? Thanks for not killing me?

Out of the corner of my eye a small red and white box stared back. I gave a smile. "It sounds like we both need the company."

I handed her a small playing card. The queen of spades. Her long hair was blacker than the symbols on the paper.

"Ever played War?"

The hours seemed to fade as we laughed and talked. She slipped she was some sort of goddess. I didn't dig she seemed uncomfortable with the notion that she was greater than me. We spoke for what felt like centuries. Not about fate, religion or the secret of life. Little things like favorite baby animals, best place to see a sunrise and the sensation of an ocean breeze. I opened my eyes a few hours later realizing I had dozed off with a pile of playing cards in my lap. No one sat across from me.

I lifted up the Queen of spades. On the back was something that looked like scribbles. The sharpie marks were still fresh. I stared at the symbol. It bothered me for the next few days after. Especially when I went back home. In a sudden moment of clarirty, my subconscious shouted.

"Hieroglyphics!" A quick google search later. I found her.

Kebechet.

The Wandering Goddess.

Her voice came to me. She spoke to me when I drifted to sleep.

"Not all who wander who lost. But thank you for finding me."

THE END.