Page 12 of The Sea Witch's Son

“Oh, but we have!” Slender fingers snap in front of my face, “Our souls met many years ago, but only now have we finally been acquainted.”

“Right.”

Swerving past his waving hands, I turn and start walking the other way. Hasty footsteps echo behind me, and I quicken my pace, trying to lose him. The hallway ahead splits into three sections, so at the last second I pivot and go racing around the corner.

A scream hits my throat when I see him standing on the other side.

“Did you think our conversation was finished?” He flashes that gap-toothed smile again, “The fates have been kind, my dear. Leading me to you twice in one lifetime.”

I rear back, “Sorry, not interested.”

“Push your skepticism aside and let me show you our destiny.”

He reaches into the pocket of his trench coat and extracts a deck of cards. My hand inches towards my knife as I scan the hallway for another exit.

“Past, present and future. All held between my humble hands.”

Colourful cartoon images start to flash in front of my face, the sound of snapping cards drawing my attention to the hands in front of me. Those slender fingers snap again, flipping the first card towards me.

“It would seem you’ve led a troublesome life, my dear. One with much pain and suffering.”

I blink as the cards start to shift. The purple edges smear together with each new card, the depicted scenes becoming more vibrant than the last.

A mother, cradling her bloody child.

A fist-shaped hole, splintering the drywall.

A daughter, cradling her bloody mother.

Unable to look away, I watch as the cards change faster and faster, transforming into a kaleidoscope of colour showcasing the devastating moments of my life. Nausea creeps up my throat as I watch the death of my mother replay before me, the simple image of a hospital bed springing tears to my eyes.

“An excruciating journey indeed. But do not fear, for it was not all tragic.”

Another snap of his fingers and suddenly the cards are spinning, turning upside down until the colours become a single shade of purple.

A music sheet full of scribbled out notes.

A wedding reception, where the cake topper includes a little girl.

A grand piano, waiting to be played.

The last image is so jarring that I stumble back, snapping out of the trance.

“Love is where our story begins.” The magician continues flipping cards, his dark eyes glowing with delight, “Take a look at our future, my dear. A long, happy future that we will have together.Forever.”

His eyes flutter close and I bolt.

Sprinting down the hall, I go racing for the closest classroom, a cry of protest echoing behind me.

Ducking into the empty auditorium, I run as fast as I can towards the side door. Adrenalin kicks my heart into overdrive when I find myself in a long narrow hallway with no quick escape.

Shit.

“Melody, oh Melody! Where can I find my Melody?”

The singsong reverberates off the stone walls and I lunge for the closest hiding spot.

“My dear, there’s no need to fear. Come on out so we can play.”

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