Catching my Death by J. L. George

First appeared in Writers of the Future 36, edited by David Farland.

On an alternate Earth, or on perhaps a planet quite similar to ours with people very like us except for one major deviation, the people catch their deaths. They pursue them in the woods, ensnare them in their nets. And what they catch determines their future. 

When Ash spies Jacob's death--not yet imprinted--and compares it to the wild death she accidentally snared, she wonders might happen if they swapped.

Comment with some spoilery bits:

This story seems like it could have fit into the Kristine Kathryn Rusch era of Fantasy & Science Fiction or Dean Wesley Smith's Pulphouse (which was recently rebooted but submissions by invitation, with a similar flavor), playing as it does with that popular saying, "You'll catch your death."

What's wonderful is this diverging contrast between Jacob's life and Ash's, which perhaps should have been reversed (Jacob, in the Bible, pulls a lot of tricks and has tricks pulled on him--so a fitting moniker). The story carries much freight, but there's bit of sidestep that may work better for some than others that occurs near the end. It's probably intended to guide to a certain political sensibility, but it needed more setup to let us aware that this was a viable option in this world. 

 

One wonders if the tale could have continued to develop the contrast, and thereby develop the characters, instead. Pressing the guilt and relief that Ash must feel.

One might also express some doubt that someone might not find love because of their death (of lack thereof). It might deter some but attract others although, of course, there are barriers to love.

 

Still, a solid, thought-provoking work.

J. L. George's bibliography can be found here, including the long-lived Electric Spec and Constellary Tales.