The Story of Amara Kuran | Mariah Bryant

Book One, Chapter Nine

My Non-Comforting Words

"Can you tell me now," Mike asked quietly, "what exactly is going to happen tomorrow?"

I felt so horrible about everything . . . I just could not keep it from him any longer. He deserved to know just how he was putting his life in danger. I took a deep breath, wishing that there was a better place for us to talk. When we entered the gates a great deal of time before Zero and Yuki, we made a run for it. I dragged Mike by his good wrist to the back of a building, checked to make sure we could not be overheard, then peeked around to make sure that I knew the locations of Zero and Yuki. When I dubbed it safe, I sat on the grass cross-legged.

Mike looked sad and tired and worried and, above all, terrified. He was so small . . . his weak body and tender feelings . . . I put a hand on his knee when he had sat down.

I took a deep breath. "Well, Mike. Let me begin by telling you how my prophesies. The reason that I get a prophesy instead of a vision of the future is usually that the future is not set in stone, and is still being woven. Prophesies are much vaguer than visions because they skip minor parts and things that have not been decided are . . . blurry enough that I can scarcely comprehend them – mostly as good or bad, painful or anger-inducing. Visions are full movie-like premonitions, but I do not understand every part of them. Does that make any sense?"

"Uh, not exactly . . ."

"Well, when I get a prophesy it is usually at night. The moon gives me power, whereas the sun takes it. I might be dreaming. I might be staring off in space. My mind then becomes subject to a higher being, and I can hardly recognize it as mine anymore. I do not think in my voice. I do not actually think at all. I simply know. I begin seeing things. Small glimpses, usually in great detail but that disappear quickly. I hear words, like someone is telling me the details of the prophesy, like where and when. Sometimes I just know things such as names and what kind of building or something it takes place in. Unlike visions, I understand most of the things that go on in prophesies, like I am a part of the brains present in them. I know causes and effects, as well as feelings and responses. They can last a second, and give me the happenings of an entire year, or they can last hours and give me the information on something as small as a card game. Sometimes I see a frozen and blurry picture and hear one word, such as 'danger'. Do you understand?"

Mike nodded. "A higher being?"

I smiled slowly and nodded. "I have an almost direct link to some sort of higher being. I have explored this being, but can only tell that it is love, and it is what binds all souls. It is like my soul is in a hallway with a master key while everyone else's souls are locked in their rooms."

"Can you read minds?"

"Usually. Most of the time only when I want to or when my instincts tune me in for safety purposes. I try to let people have privacy. And sometimes I just do not wish to hear what they are thinking." I shuddered, and Mike cracked a smile.

"Are all people monsters?" Mike asked.

I was a little shocked by his question, but I saw in his eyes that he saw it, too. I nodded. "Yes. Everyone has a yin and yang. Usually their evil halves are more prevalent than they realize."

Mike sighed. "That is sad."

"I agree. But if you forgive them and relate, it makes things so much easier."

Mike covered my hand with his own. "Amara . . . what will happen tomorrow?"

I frowned. "I cannot tell you."

"Why not?"

"It would mess up the balance – and if that happens, I feel immense pain. I . . . I cannot even get the words to leave my lips. I go mute when I try to tell someone even a tiny hint about one, and sometimes I collapse because I am not allowed air. A leash comes with my freedom into the hallway and into others' minds."

Mike looked a little paler than before. Impulsively I took his hand that was on mine in both of my hands and held it gently. "Take comfort in knowing that it was a prophesy and not a vision, Mike. I have known prophesies to take wild turns that I do not foresee."

Mike would not meet my eyes. "Are you going to die?" he whispered almost silently into the night.

My heart squeezed, and I got quickly to my knees to embrace him. He was a little shocked at first, then hugged me back.

"I really am not sure." I admitted, smiling.

I was still never ready for what was to come, even though it would hardly be a surprise.