He rolls the dice in his hands like they mean something to him, blows on them like they really are hot between his palms, says prayers in as many languages as he knows, as if he believes in all those higher powers.
It still isn’t enough and he loses his gamble with Death. Not with his own life, of course, but with hers.
“There’s nothing else we can do,” The doctors tell him, but he sees the dark cloaked figure staring at him from the corner of the hospital room.
“Double or nothing,” he whispers as soon as the doctors are out of earshot.
Eyes with more life than he has ever seen behind that dark cloak stare back at him, alive with a curiosity.
He follows his usual protocol and rolls.