The first thing is a buzzing in my ear.
Like a mosquito in my bedroom.
And just like a mosquito there's next to no way to avoid it.
Just like a mosquito I know exactly what it's going to do to me.

Then I feel it.
Like a dark spot on the horizon.
I can sense it darting through the trees.
Slithering along the ground.
Dripping down the walls.
I can feel it coming.

It waits until it's right up in my face before shimmering into existence.
Voices.
Figures.
The background.
Blurring.
Reality.
Blocked
By a wall of darkness.
It's so close I can feel my breath reflecting back at me.

I'm completely alone.
It seems to last an eternity.

Half a second later, the tidal wave falls.
Always different.
Always the same.
Sometimes a sight.
Sometimes a sound.
Sometimes a sensation.

A line of fire across my shoulders.

This is probably the point at which my knees hit the ground.
But, like I said, I'm cut off from reality so I can never be sure.

Then an image.
A crowd.
A freeze frame of a thousand people.
And not one of them will listen.

Listen?
To what?
What am I trying to say?
Even I don't know anymore.

I get the vague impression that it's important.
That it's something that should be heard.
That these people should start listening in the near future.

Then a sound.
A hiss.
A crack.
A far away scream.

The crowd again.
With three new faces.
I know there's a reason the fourth is missing.
I just don't know what it is yet.

Two girls I feel like I should recognize.
I know that they're scared.
I know they're crying.
I know they love me.
But other than that…

The third one is me, but that's not what catches my attention.
I'm not afraid.
It's like I know I've seen this before.
It's like I know I'm seeing it now.
It's like I'm trying to tell myself something.
But what?
The image is gone before I can figure it out.

Sound.
Someone shouting.
Trying to make them understand.
I have to make them understand.

One face.
Surprisingly small for the weight it carries.
The Empress herself.
I hope she's listening.

Pain.
Dimly at first, then stronger.
Pain!
Burning, searing!
Pain!

I feel the scream in my chest, but nothing comes out!
I'm not breathing anymore!
I can't breathe anymore.

Laughter.
It's so out of place I would laugh with them if I could.

An arrow.
Flying through the air.

Pain.

"I love you."

Laughter.

Pain.

"Don't go!

Closer, closer, closer.

Pain.

I'm dying.

"Don't leave me!"

Closer, closer, closer!

Let me die!

It's over.

Its mission successful.
I'm terrified.

I feel it pat my shoulder as if to say, "Nothing personal." As it heads off to work on another episode.
The ground beneath me slowly comes back into focus.
I can breathe again.
I become aware of the blood on my arm from where my fingernails dug into my skin.

For a second, I can't remember why.
For a second, I'm just as confused as you are.

Then I realize where the fourth face was.
It had been me.
I had been my brother on the day he's going to die.
He's going to die.
And there's nothing I can do.

No.
That's not allowed.
It's wrong.
I'm wrong.
I have to be wrong.
I'm wrong.

There's only one problem with that.
I'm never wrong.