Her place was old but neat in appearance. He thought she might be a collector. So many special items sat in various places. A red dragon sat near the window, its long tail curled upward and its claws extended forward as if posing for a sculpture. A crystal triangle sat on the far side of an octagon shaped table.

She pushed her way through beaded drapes that extended to the floor. Chances were she made the drapes one bead at a time.

She sat down and motioned for Carter to have a seat at the octagon table facing her.

Before she spoke, she seemed to be in a trance with her eyes shut. If she was ninety years old, as the young man up the way had said, she didn’t look a day over seventy-two. She had a small birthmark under her right eye and wore a black patch over her left eye.

“I’m Myra. What can I do for you today?”

Carter didn’t know how to begin without sounding strange or even a little bit crazy. He took a deep breath before he spoke.

“I’m Carter Poe. I live on the north side of town. I’ve been looking for something that might be considered a bit out of the ordinary. Well, actually, some people think it’s impossible. I believe that most things are possible, even the impossible things. I’ve looked everywhere and asked all the right questions but no one seems to be saying what I want to hear.

“You believe I will say what you want to hear?”

“Yes.”

There was a long pause where neither of them spoke. Carter seemed to have trouble forming the strange words he wanted to say.

"People have said many things to me in my lifetime. Feel free to say whatever you like. There isn’t much I haven’t heard.

”Suddenly Carter was serious and more comfortable. He took a deep breath then spoke. “I want to live forever.”

Silence clung to the air again. He was so proud of himself for actually saying the words aloud. Now he felt confident he could repeat them again. She opened her eyes wider to get a good look at him then spoke.

“Well Mr. Poe. That’s a long time.”

“Carter. Call me Carter.”

“What makes you think I can help you with something like that Carter? No one can live forever.”

“I had a dream five days ago. I was standing in the middle of a vast, baron field. The wind blew dust in my face and my vision was blurred but I could see an old woman slowly walking toward me. When she finally reached me, I was afraid. Her eyes were like blue fire. She told me to find the old woman with the white hair named Myra. Then she walked away and the wind followed.” He paused for a moment and noticed Myra’s hair was all white. “The woman, the one in my dream was you. I’ll never forget your face. It was as clear as you are right now.”

“I’m afraid my eyes are not like blue fire Mr. Carter.”

“Everywhere I searched, it lead me to you. I dreamt the same dream three nights ago. I couldn’t rest until I found you.”

“That you have. Often I’ve wondered if someone could find me in their dreams.”

“Then it’s true. You were the one in my dreams.”

“Yes. I am.”

“Then you can help me? You can help me find what I’m looking for.”

“That depends, Mr. Carter.”

“I’ll do anything. Just tell me what to do.”

Myra held Carter’s full attention. If she asked him to murder someone and bring back the beating heart in a gold box, he would have done it, but Myra would never request the life of one to satisfy the greed of another.

“Bring me the left glass eye from a young girl; bring a red against black opal stone and a piece of the Egyptian Pyramid Mastaba of Faraoun, at Saqqara.” She got to her feet, pushing herself upward with her cobra head cane. “Only then, can I help you, Mr. Carter.”

“How much do I owe you Myra?”

“Money changes too many things. It’s dirty and above all, it corrupts even the purest of believers. It will not bring to you what your hearts desires now. Fetch the items I ask. I will do the rest. Payment comes later when I decide what it should be.”

Two Months Later

As agreed, Carter collected the items Myra requested. She inspected them, disappeared into another backroom then, shortly after, reappeared with something in her hand. “Take this piece of tan cloth. Prick your finger then put one drop of blood on it. Sleep with this under your pillow for seven days. Then return it to me.”

* * * * *

After following Myra’s detailed instructions, he returned only to find Myra’s beautiful young niece Mireya.

“I’m afraid my Aunt passed away three days ago,” said Mireya.

“I’m sorry for your loss. She asked me to visit her today,” he said.

“Thank you very much. I’m here to take care of her final affairs. She told me to give you this upon your return.”

She handed Carter the piece of Egyptian Pyramid and explained that it was one of Myra’s last wishes.

Carter graciously accepted the item. As he was leaving, he noticed that Mireya was wearing the red against black opal stone as a necklace around her neck. A small birthmark was under her right eye. Her left eye glistened then twinkled in the bright sunlight back at him.