Life Dice (Chapter One)

This is only the first chapter of Life Dice, novel set for release later this year (2020) and delayed due to COVID19. As a token of appreciation to those participating in the collective responsibility of staying at home and looking out for ourselves and one another, we present the first e-chapter of Life Dice (Coronavirus free), an exploration of luck, love and taking risks. This is also an Interactive Literature Experiment where readers submit their feedback and the author may revisit the finished novel for plot changes. Aslan, an Iraqi refugee in America, has always believed in luck — a fundamental aspect of his Yazidi beliefs. With luck, he survives the Sinjar massacre by ISIS in Northern Iraq during August 2014 and against all odds, ends up in Las Vegas. However, the only thing on his mind is his beloved wife Farida, who was brutally captured and forced into sex slavery by ISIS. Aslan knows he must quickly amass an enormous amount of ransom money for her freedom. Again, with luck on his side, he wins the Lottery and experiences an outpouring of support as American headlines marvel at the Yazidi, the Iraqi refugee. Social media erupts with support for Aslan and his heroic fight for his wife’s freedom. However it's not enough... the support or the money — ISIS wants more. The narrative develops between two turbulent timelines: the past in Iraq during the mortal struggle against ISIS and present-day at the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas. Enter Tracy, the beautiful, influential journalist responsible for turning Aslan’s story into a phenomenon that sweeps through global media. Unfortunately, their far-reaching media campaign helps spread propaganda for the very terrorist group and adversary they are up against. Realizing that winning money is the only hope of freeing Farida, Tracy introduces Aslan to the lure of the gambling tables at the lavish casinos of Las Vegas. Their highly publicized efforts to rescue his wife only bring Aslan and Tracy closer. An exploration of luck and risk-taking — with six different, randomly determined endings — the grim realities of the Yazidi tragedies and terrorism are set against a backdrop of Las Vegas glitz and glamour. In the end, Life Dice succumbs to a tumultuous outcome, culminating in a fatal act of terror.