The Fates are Fond of Odd Numbers

Prompt: New Prompt: The number nine keeps popping up everywhere you turn. It started when nine squirrels crossed the road in front of you. What else happens today, and what does it all mean?
Word Count: 324

I caught the movement out of the corner of my eye. Jammed on my breaks and brought my Kia to stop just inches from the nine little red squirrels running across the road in front of me. The last squirrel stopped on the edge of the pavement and appeared to wave at me before turning to follow his companions into the forest.

I continued my journey through the old growth forest, smiling at the thought of a red squirrel thanking me for not running over his companions. Stopping at a railroad track, I watch the nine boxcars pulled by nine coal-burning engines pass in front of me.

Odd, I thought as I continued my journey toward Las Vegas, you don’t see coal-burning engines in America any more. Most locomotives use other types of fuel these days.

A head of me, I saw a silver Royals Royce pulled off to the side of the road. I slowed down, not to stop, but to so I wouldn’t hit anyone by accident. Glancing at the tag, I noticed it read 9999999. What’s with all the nines, I thought pulling over to the side of the highway and turning my engine off. Then I looked back at the Royals.

A chill ran up my spine because there was no car setting where the Royals should be. Except for my car, the shoulder of the road was empty for as far as the eye could see. I started to turn on my engine, when I heard an air horn blast. Looking up, I saw a semitrailer truck in the wrong lane, speeding toward me. As I stared, the truck sped past me and disappeared for my sight. I set there trembling as the words the fates are fond of odd numbers reverberated through my mind and nine is the ultimate odd number. Not only is it the ultimate odd number, but it’s a number of spiritual significance as well.