THE MOMENT
Vinny paused as soon as he stepped out of the revolving door. At 39 years old, he mostly knew how to ignore the text above everyone's head. He still took it in on a subconscious level, but he didn't try to over-examine any particular stranger. He spent most of his 20s doing that and he ended up getting nothing but scorn, and a few suspicious cops following him around for extended periods. He tried explaining his abilities, but no one believed him. And, it wasn't something he could reliably prove without bringing more suspicion upon himself.
But, something changed in the few seconds that he pushed through the spinning door. He couldn't identify anyone's particular death, but as he left work he felt like everyone's was just as random as it always was. He felt confident he saw a few heart attacks and traffic accidents on the way out. But, as he walked out onto the street, something felt wrong. He looked around and the golden text above everyone's head spelled out one word; the same word. [You.]
"Huh," Vinny mumbled to himself and resumed his walk home. One of the most helpful lessons his ability taught him over the years was not to panic. The problem with his ability was that it didn't come with a timeline. When he was younger, Vinny had a close friend that was destined to die in a car accident. He begged and pleaded to keep his friend from getting into any car, but that effort didn't last as long as their friendship did. Vinny attended his friend's funeral when they were both 28. Over 15 years after their initial meeting.
Vinny only lived a handful of blocks from the hotel he worked at, and usually enjoyed the walk. This time, his mind was occupied with the text above everyone's heads. As he walked with his head down, he noticed a strange black cat cross his path from the street and into an alley on his right. Vinny wasn't superstitious, and black cats were common in the city. But, this one had a patch of white fur on its head that very clearly resembled a skull.
Even more curious than that was the text that floated above the cat's head. In his 39 years, Vinny had never seen text above any animal and assumed his ability was limited to humans. But, instead of, [You], like everyone else a white infinity symbol hovered over its head. Vinny grew instantly curious and turned down the alley without hesitation.
The decision was instant anyway. He faced the alley and gave the cat a reasonable head start so he wouldn't scare it away, then he followed one easy step at a time. The alley was bordered by a 24-hour breakfast restaurant on Vinny's right and a dance club on his left. The entrance to the club was at the end of the alley; but, at 4 in the afternoon, the alley was just a dead-end.
The cat padded with purpose deeper into the alley but, it suddenly stopped and whirled around before Vinny could react. He was between steps when the cat looked up at him; and, it tilted its head.
"Oh, sorry," the cat said with a woman's voice. "I didn't realize this Earth already had a god."
'You can talk?" Vinny asked. He was too surprised by that fact to register what she said.
"So can you," the cat said with apparent amusement. Vinny knew his abilities weren't normal and guessed there was more out there than he ever imagined. Though, a talking cat wasn't something that ever came to mind. When she spoke again it seemed to confirm that it was happening, and her first statement finally reached his brain.
"What do you mean a god?" he asked. The black cat tilted her head at him.
"You don't know what you are?" she asked. Vinny couldn't help but laugh.
"You think I'm a god?" he asked. In his mind, he thought the idea was hilarious. His only ability was seeing someone's eventual end. That certainly didn't make him a god; did it? The cat shook her head.
"I don't think you are; you ARE," she said.
"Huh?" It was Vinny's best response at the moment. He'd had a fairly rough day at work and was looking forward to crawling into bed as soon as he got home. But, the universe seemed determined to distract him. If it was just the sudden change in everyone's demise, he could have ignored that until tomorrow. As it was, that detail was already put out of his mind because he had a talking cat to deal with. A talking cat that thought he was a god. She giggled at him.
"Your favorite number is 52," she said. It wasn't a question and Vinny nodded blankly. At this point, he felt like nothing could surprise him. "That means you are a Unique Soul. La Maceta to be specific," she said.
"Okay...," Vinny nodded. His mind was too busy trying to make sense of the situation to say much. But, he was keeping up at least.
"I can tell you don't know what that means," the cat said. "So, I'll make it easy. There are two types of souls in the multiverse. Zeros and Uniques. You are the only Unique that's been born on this Earth so far; that means you're in charge. When I say 'god' think of it more as a title. For all intents and purposes, this Earth belongs to you."
"Great...," Vinny nodded. "So, what does that mean? I can move into the White House?" The cat shook her head.
"It means that it's yours to sell or trade with any other god. Like, me, for example," the cat said. "You're doing pretty well at a game you didn't even know you were playing," she said.
"You're a god too? Are you a special soul? You just said I was the only one."
"UNIQUE," the cat said firmly. "Not special. Big difference. And, yes. You're the only one on this Earth. There are others; I was just shopping around. But, now that I have you here, I might as well make an offer."
"...an offer?" he asked. "For Earth?" Vinny was open-minded and ready to accept a lot of things. But that thought alone seemed too immense. Too impossible. He began to wonder if he was dreaming. But, the cat nodded.
"This Earth would be a strategic acquisition for me. I'd very much like to have it. In exchange, I can offer you your own Earth."
"Don't I already have that?" Vinny chuckled.
"You do. But, I'm offering you an Earth to be in charge of. Weather, geography, life, all of it under your control. More befitting gods like us." As the cat spoke, a black hole opened in the air in front of it. The hole fell to the ground, then disappeared. It left behind a red clipboard with a white form on it. Vinny still wasn't sure what to make of the situation, but it seemed more and more like he was dreaming. He took a step forward to pick up the clipboard while telling himself he didn't have to sign anything.
"You're trading me an Earth you can control for one you can't?" Vinny asked. The cat nodded.
"I'm trading you one of my Earths to acquire a different one. I've been playing this game for a while," she said. Something about that answer convinced Vinny. Either he was dreaming and it amounted to nothing, or she was telling the truth and he could have perfect days for the rest of his life. He scribbled his signature on the sheet. But, as he placed it on the floor he suddenly had a thought.
"Wait a minute. What about all the other people here?" he asked.
"The Zeros?" The cat giggled. "They're not worth anything."