The twists and turns of fate

"Ah, the twists and turns of fate."

"I don't believe in fate," Miranda said.  She slapped Dave's hand off her shoulder.  He circled around to face her.

"How do you explain what happened, then?" he said.  "Fate-"

"Had nothing to do with it."  Miranda stood tall, her face fixed with cold fury.  Dave gazed into her eyes for a moment, searching for some evidence of affection and finding none.  He looked away.

"You didn't answer my question," he said softly.

"I think you did something to me.  Something... I don't know.  You made it so I could see you."

Dave's eyes snapped back up to hers, burning with anger.  "I made it happen?  How could I possibly do that?  I don't know how it happened any more than you do!"

"Get back," Miranda said, taking step backward.  Dave had gotten uncomfortably close.  Instead of backing up, he took a step closer.

"You are sure that you have never heard of me?  A story, a poem - nothing?"

"Nothing, I swear."  Miranda took another step backward.

"Nothing that would hint to my existence?"

"Nothing."

"Then it must be fate."

"Surely someone of your standing should know what kind of powers are out there.  Including yourself."

"For the last time, Miranda, I did not make you notice me!  I don't know how it happened!  I just know that it made me hope!  Is that too much to ask for?  Some hope?"

Dave had Miranda backed into the wall now.  She stood up on her tiptoes and shouted in Dave's face.

"I never asked to be your hope!  I never intended to be your hope!  I never intended for any of this to happen!  This isn't fate, this is one of your games!  Why me, Dave?  Why did it have to be me?"

Dave took a step back now.  He seemed to shrink without losing any of his stature.  Keeping Miranda's gaze, he said nothing, but his eyes pleaded.

"What?" Miranda snapped.

"I don't remember how it works," Dave said.

"How what works?"

"Fate.  Or what have you.  God.  Whatever powers have control of our lives."

"We have control of our own lives."

"But that's where you're wrong,"  Dave said.  "Maybe you can control your life, but I cannot control mine.  I'm stuck here.  Stuck in punishment for my failure.  That's all I remember, Miranda.  Why I'm here, and how to escape."

Miranda couldn't help but attempt to satisfy her curiosity.  "How do you escape?" she said.  Dave was silent.  "Well, how?" she insisted.  He looked to the ground.

"Someone important has to come along."

"Important, how?"

"Important to me."

"And I am..."

"Someone I love."