Previous Life: Edward's Story
Chapter 2
Later that night after supper, I was in my room writing at my desk. I went to place ink to a piece of paper, when I suddenly heard a noise at my window. I got up to see what it was. Opening the latches, I grabbed a lantern and looked down. It was Tom.
"Tom, what are you doing? Are you mad? It's midnight."
"Edward, you got to come with me. There's a woman in town with magic powers. Everyone is saying that she claims she's knows the future. Now we can finally know if the plague is true! She will tell us." he whispered.
"Are you mad!? Tom go back to bed, It's late. If my father finds out, it will be the beating to both of us!" I hissed. Tom held his pleading expression.
"Edward, please this could be our only chance to know the truth. You know you've been dying to know just as much as I have. She might be able to tell us what lies ahead of us as well!"
Curiosity got the better of me that night. I decided to go. I grabbed my hat and lantern and quietly headed out the back to meet Tom. We both scurried down the cobblestone alleyways, with the lantern as our only light source. "You know where she lives?" I asked, out of breath from running. "Yeah, just follow me." Tom had answered, running ahead of me. I stopped short when we finally came to a tall, black, metal fence. "This is it." Tom said, as we both looked up in amazement. Pieces of wood cracked as we slowly made our way up the stairs. Tom was more frightened than I. I think he must of realized that he made a mistake, because he kept on insinuating that we head back. As for me, I held my ground. I was there already, and something about the old place made me want to journey farther.
"E..Ed... are you sure, you want to do this?" I looked at his horrified expression, and shook my head yes.
I took a deep breath in and gave the door a good knock with my fist. Tom moved back farther, preparing to make a run for it if he needed to.
"Will you stop that, you're acting mad. She's just an old woman." I managed to crack out. I listened closely towards the door, blocking out Tom's inane comments.
The door opened slowly, and an old woman stood in the doorway. We both stood their speechless, not wanting to be the first one's to speak.
I walked forward and addressed myself. "I'm Edward Mansen. I'm..."
"Ah yes, Elizabeth's boy. I was wondering what hour you'd arrive, yes." she abruptly said, looking eagerly over her spectacles.
"Um.. People have spoken of your talents. It is said that you can see the future, and possibly know about the plague that's supposedly to hit."
"Yes boy, I know that much." she said, as she glanced over in Tom's direction.
"Can you tell us then?" I asked apprehensively.
"Please, come in." she directed us.
I remember when I walked in, the air was thick and smelled of old furniture. She directed us towards a round wooden table with three legs, where we each took a seat around.
Tom and I both sat in silence waiting, waiting for something to happen. We weren't sure what. I will never forget that night and what the old woman told me. Her eyes quickly flashed in my direction, as she held her pointer finger at me. "You, there is much to say for."
"What?"
"It is true what people are saying. There will be deaths , many deaths."
"So it will hit Chicago then?" I asked impatiently.
"Yes it will, but not all is lost. You must understand boy, there is much trouble for you up ahead. You will have to be strong."
I looked at her with concerned eyes. "What are you saying?"
"You will see, you will see it all. You will live for along time. You will find the purest of love, and a treaty will be broken. Be wary on your journey, for you there is a dangerous road ahead." I never forgot those words. "You will live for a long time." The answer was in my grasp, but I was too foolish to acknowledge it.
The old woman then took a sudden glance at Tom. "You boy, you want to know what causes your end?" Tom just sat there, mouth dry, in complete shock. He seemed too horrified to answer. " I don't think there will be any need, some things should stay un-said." I said looking at Tom. "Don't you think?" Tom in agreement, shook his head.
"Alright, I think we'll say goodnight." I said getting up from my seat. Tom looked relieved as he eagerly rose up from his seat. "Thank you for your time." I turned around to walk towards the front door, when I felt a hand grasp my shoulder. I flinched and turned around. It was the old woman. She looked so serious, as if there was something she wasn't telling me. She suddenly closed her eyes tight, cringing as if in a great deal of pain. "There will be pain, a lot of pain." she muttered under her breath. I looked at her wide eyed, unaware of what to say back. I freed myself from her clutch, and moved faster towards the door. "Remember to go back, boy!" she called to me. Back facing her, I froze to her words. "Remember to go back to her." Remember to go back to her? The old woman's words confused me. I turned around to get one quick glance of her wild eyes, then darted out right after Tom.