The Prophecy

by Amanda DeShane

  “I’m just making a sandwich to pack for lunch.” Blurted Aurora in an uncertain tone of voice. With not having been here long, she didn’t know what type of foster parents Sandi and Bob would be. Would she get in trouble for being up early or going into the fridge? Her new foster parent Sandi stood in the doorway in a white robe, looking half asleep.

  “Good morning Aurora, I see you’re an early riser.” Sandi smiled. Aurora let the breath; she had been holding out in relief then smiled.

  “Yeah, I couldn’t sleep, so I figured I’d get ready for the day. Hopefully, that’s okay?” Sandi looked at Aurora quizzically and replied.

  “Not a problem at all. There’s some sandwich meat, cheese, lettuce in the fridge, or there is some honey, peanut butter, or jam. Choose what you would like; this is your home now.” Tears threatened to overpower her. No one in her life, in all the years she had been in foster care, had called their home her home.

  “Thank you.” Aurora chocked out. Using digging around in the fridge as a chance to hide her face so overcome with emotion. Selecting ham and cheese, she grabbed the bread and mayo. When she turned around and dropped the ingredients on the island counter, she found she was once again on her own. Quickly making her sandwich, she packed it in her bag and quickly cleaned up the mess. Eager to get out of the house and find somewhere alone to read until school started.

  The sound of kids waking up and heavy footfalls on the second floor can now be heard. A few kids could be heard stamping their feet and arguing over something in what she assumed was their room upstairs. Sandi’s voice could be heard as she tried to mediate some peace between the two kids yelling at each other. Grabbing her black combat boots, quickly put them on and donned her leather jacket before slinging the book bag over her shoulders. Once out the door, she relaxed a little with the fresh air and all the trees in sight. Hope was a beautiful small town, with mountains that surrounded it. Walking through the downtown core, her footsteps echoing faintly on the sidewalk. On her way to high school, she passed the Hope Standard and Bee’s shop, where she heard most of the kids liked to hang out. They had a nice quaint iron table and chairs for customers to sit on outside. A few teens sat at the table, engrossed in conversation. Once at the corner to Buy and Save, she turned right and headed in the direction of the school. A few old-timers were up early and stared at her untrustingly. She had learned long ago not to take it personally, she smiled back at them with a wave for good measure.

  It was the blue hair and a leather jacket. People automatically thought they had her pinned as a troublemaker based solely on her looks. And although she was a bit of a rebel, especially when a person of power miss used their authority, she, for the most part, was content to walk under the radar. She knew her appearance and personality clashed in a very miss-matched manner. But she was okay with it because it was unique to who she was. Every year she picked a color to dye her hair to symbolize a new start to a new year. Out with the old and in with the new was her motto.

  Once at the school with at least half-hour to spare until class started. Aroura found a corner near an entrance and sat down, pulling her knees up towards her chin. Digging out the novel, she let herself be transported to another place and time. The book was about a woman that found herself lost in the wilderness and stumbled into a dragon den. The dragons were shifters that had powers, and it turned out the woman was the leader’s mate. It was interesting and far from the drags of everyday life that it was refreshing. Having been so engrossed in her book Aurora had not seen the shadow standing before her. Startled now that she realized someone was standing above her speaking to her. She looked up at the red-haired girl with blue eyes and black glasses. She stood a bit shorter than Aurora at five feet, Aurora guessed. And she wore jeans with holes in the knees and a bright yellow hoodie. Standing now, she said.

  “Um, I’m sorry I was off in my own little world and didn’t hear what you said.” The redhead smiled and held out her hand to shake.

  “I’m Kimmy, and you must be Aurora. The principal asked me to show you around and kind of guide you throughout the day. I’m sure since you probably come from the city you're used to bigger schools, but our high school is awesome. I’m sure you will like it once you get settled.” Aurora stared at her in awe, trying not to laugh rudely, wondering if her mind was playing tricks on her because she was relatively sure she had said all that within only one breath. It was like the mother of all run-on sentences. Biting her lips, she shook her hand, not sure what to think.

  “Yeah, I’m Aurora nice to meet you.” Once handshakes were done, Kimmy handed Aurora her list of classes and explained where they were.

  Following Kimmy, down the bright white bustling hallways, she dodged and pushed around other groups of teens talking to their friends. The hallway's walls were a dark blue contrasted by blue and grey lockers that lined the walls. Brown wood and metal doors lined the hallways. Kimmy informed her they had their first-class English together. Suddenly a big chest was in her way, blocking her and looking up a tall preppy guy with blond hair and blue eyes crossed his arms over his chest stood smiling at her.

  “So, you’re the new girl, eh.” He said. Kimmy tried to get past him elbowing him roughly in the side.

  “Cut it out, Kevin!” He didn’t budge and ignored her now, smiling as if something was funny.

  “To pass, you will have to pay the price of a kiss.” Aurora stared at him for the total sleaze he just revealed himself to be. What the ever-loving fuck this guy couldn’t be serious, could he? Thought Aurora as she stared at him frowning her pert lips. This wasn’t Aurora’s first time around the block, and she knew how to deal with his type. Smiling coyly, she purred.

  “Ah, so you pretty boy think you're good enough to lock lips with little ol’ me?” caught off guard at her syrupy tone of voice, his smile faltered for a moment.

  “Yes, I do. Your new meat around here and the guys bet me that I couldn’t get a kiss from you.” Looking over his shoulder, she could see his preppy group laughing like idiots.

  “Well news flash jerk, I don’t dance to anyone’s tune but my own. And I don’t kiss anyone unless I want to. So, fuck off.” He continued to stand there. Seriously was he stupid or brain dead or something?

  “No one says no to me, and I’m waiting.” He exclaimed expectantly.

  “Well you can wait until the cows come home, I said no.” His frown was getting bigger by the second, and they now had a big audience. Students laughed and chattered quietly around them. Great Aurora thought it’s my first day, and the idiots always seemed uber attracted to her like a fly to the light. Principal’s office here I come, she thought. He reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards him roughly.

  “Let go of me. ass wipe!” She screamed. He moved in to try to kiss her regardless. Aurora felt beyond pissed white-hot fire ignited within her as she slammed her knee into his balls.

  “Eat dirt, asshole! Don’t ever try to touch or talk to me again.” He fell to the tile floor in a heap. Students stood around laughing — a few looking at her in wonder. Aurora looked down at her hands in time to see they were starting to glow lightly. Quickly stuffing them into her jacket pockets before anyone could notice, she turned around and walked towards Kimmy, who stared at her gaping like a fish.

  “Wow, girl, you do realize you just took down the most popular football jock like he was nothing but a fly! Damn, girl, you got balls.” Laughed Kimmy smiling at her.

  “I could get used to having you around.” Aurora smiled and spying a bathroom sign told Kimmy she would be right back. Once inside a stall, she sat on the toilet lid. Pulling her glowing white hands out of her coat pockets, she noticed smoke slightly coming from her jacket pockets. Ah, fuck, she thought, my leather jackets smoking now. Unlocking the stall door after listening intently to see if anyone was in the washroom, she ran to the sink turning on the faucet. Shaking her hands, she took deep breaths willing her hands to stop glowing. As she calmed down, the glow subsided. Pulling her p
ocket liners out, she soaked them with water. Parts of her pocket lining was chard as if someone took a lighter to the leather melting it. Holy shit, I almost set myself on fire, she thought.

  Looking herself over in the mirror, she thought, how can I deal with this every day? Pinching her nose and breathing deeply, she told herself to keep her shit together. Putting her pocket liners back into her jacket, she straightened up, leaving the bathroom. Well, on the bright side, I haven’t been called to the principal’s office, yet she thought. Walking into their English class together, Kimmy urged Aurora to take a seat in the desk next to hers. Pulling the blue chair out, she sat and looked around the room. A group of preppy girls sat to the left side of the room, laughing and talking about their weekend. The classroom had white walls with a big whiteboard taking up the wall at the front of the class. A big brown gigantic desk sat in front of the whiteboard, with stacks of papers askew in a messy, somewhat organized manner. Kimmy leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Mrs. Banks is a bit picky but fair. You’ll like her.” Aurora had just turned to face the front of the room when Mrs. Banks walked in with a stack of books in her arms haphazardly. Mrs. Banks was a middle-aged woman with glasses hanging by a silver chain around her neck. Black hair cut short in a spiky style and a short black skirt with a dressy blouse featuring a pink and cream rose design completed her ensemble. Unloading the heavy armful of books onto her desk, she looked up at the class and smiled, gesturing with her hands at the books she addressed the class. “Good morning, everyone. We have a new student with us, her name is Aurora, and I hope everyone will make her feel welcome. Now today, we are going to start our next novel study.” Many of the teens moaned and groaned.

  “Oh, come on, it’s not that bad. I’ve chosen Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet.” Exclaimed Mrs. Banks. More moaning and groaning ensued. Mrs. Banks continued ignoring the groaning.

  “It is a classic tale of two star crossed lovers who each come from a family that feuds with each other.” One kid a few desks down actually face planted into his desk. Aurora tried not to laugh at the sheer unhappiness over having to read the works of one of the greatest writers. She loved English and didn’t mind really at all. Kimmy poked her in the arm and whispered. “Gee girl, you look happy about reading the book. You into that old classic type stuff?” Aurora smiled at Kimmy as she shrugged in response.

  “I like reading in general.” She responded, smiling.

  “Okay, class, I would like everyone to start on chapter one and read one chapter. After we will discuss the chapter, and then I will be quizzing you.” Said the teacher as she walked around the class handing out books.

  “Please don’t draw in these books. Put your name on the card in the inside, please.” A few teens freely rolled their eyes but complied.

  Hours later, the final bell rang, and Aurora rushed to her locker. Grabbing her binders and books out of her locker, she stuffed them into her bag and swung the bag over her right shoulder. The day had been long and grueling filled with Social Studies, P.E., English, Math, and Science. It had dragged on, and it seemed like it would never end. Aurora was relieved when she was finally able to step out of the school doors and head towards home. It was wet and windy outside, so zipping up her leather jacket, she took a toque out of her bag and put it on. Having always liked hats, she found comfort in wearing them since her ears got cold easily.

  Setting off down the street towards home, with her backpack slung over one shoulder, she pulled out the ham and cheese sandwich and took a bite. Having not eaten at lunch and instead opted for reading a book under a stairway in a corner, she now was hungry. Savoring her second bite, she raised the sandwich to her mouth to take another. Suddenly a big raven swooped down onto the ground in front of her. It hoped up and down as it circled her where she stood. Aren’t you an odd bird? Ravens do not normally circle people thought Aurora.

  “Caw caw caw.” It crowed. Smiling, Aurora spoke to it.

  “Aren’t you just cute as can be.” It cocked its head sideways at her then spread its wings swooping up to land on her shoulder. Shocked Aurora jumped and squealed in surprise, dropping her backpack in the process.

  “Wow you’re, not shy, are you?” It looked at her and nudged her cheek with its head butting her like a cat would when it wants to be petted. Aurora laughed in surprise as she slowly reached a hand up to pet its head. Shocked that the raven stayed still letting her stroke his black silken feathers, her mouth fell open in surprise. The raven looked at her sandwich then looked at her then back at the sandwich. Spreading its wings, it snatched the sandwich out of her hands.

  “Hey! That was mine, you damn bird. Sure, suck up to me, let me pet you then rob me you little sucker!” she yelled as she stood there with her hands on her hips and bright blue hair blowing in the wind as she watched the raven eat her sandwich up on a telephone pole.

  Unsure whether to be annoyed or to laugh. Well, now I can truthfully say that I’m starving because a raven stole my sandwich, she thought. She laughed as she wondered if her new foster mom would even believe her. Probably not, I mean a raven stealing your sandwich was almost as bad as a kid saying that his dog ate his homework. Not incredibly plausible in everyday life.

  The raven followed her, walking the telephone wires like some tight rope as she continued down the sidewalk. Deciding to ignore the little sandwich snatcher, she walked onwards. Suddenly a flurry of wings sounded behind her, and the raven once again landed on Aurora’s shoulder.

  “Little dude? I don’t have another one you sandwich snatcher.” Said Aurora shrugging her shoulders, hoping he would fly away. Instead, the damn bird climber her head and yanked out a few hairs.

  “Ouch! Hey, what the hell now you’re a hair snatcher too!” Yelled Aurora as she twirled in circles trying to get the bird off her. Having got what, he wanted the raven flew off with her bright blue hair strands in his talons. On the positive side, the Ravens' visit had gotten her mind off all the horrible and difficult things she was dealing with lately.

  Chapter Two: Eli

  Eli had turned seventeen a few weeks ago. Very fit and broad of shoulder, standing six feet eight inches with blond hair, brown eyes, he caught more than one eye. He was very muscular for his age, but then again, he had to be. His people were fighting a war. Alone in his hotel room, he kicked off his hiking boots while sitting on the edge of the bed. Outside his window, a raven sat on the ledge pecking at the window and ruffling his wings.

  “Yes, I know we will look for her in the morning. Even us demigods need sleep.” He said to the raven. The comforter was a hideous pukey pink and brown flowers. Which had the real possibility of making one want to puke if they stared at it too long. But it was a cheap affordable room. Reaching for his black bag, he placed it on the bed and pulled out a long tube case. The long tube adorned with Norse designs all down the sides. Ravens in flight, the Kraken in the sea, tigers, and axes ran from top to bottom with gold leafing on the edges. It was the most beautiful scroll case Eli had ever seen. The real value was what was inside, though. Placing it on the bed, he walked to the door and let the Raven inside. He figured it couldn’t hurt the décor worse than it was already hurting.

  “Caw, caw, caw.” Said the raven as he landed on Eli’s broad, strong shoulders. Unclenching his talons, a few strands of bright blue hair landed in Eli's palms.

  “What’s this Loki blue hair? Please don’t tell me that you are stealing hair now too. Yes, I am aware we have looked everywhere, and time is running out. I think it’s time that I enlist all my brothers to help us find her. You realize Loki; it would be easier if you could talk.” He said to the bird who just blinked at him and seemed to have a fit as he fluffed his feathers out and waved his wings around. The bird was one of the goddess Aurora’s familiars in every life. She had let the God Loki name the pest of a bird after himself many lifetime’s ago. Loki was mischievous, always behaving in ways that got him in trouble. Eli and his half-brothers were close and connected by a tether, and it was a rare
telepathic bond that formed when they were ten. It had been a long time since he was that small boy sitting in a temple learning from his teacher. And now he had grown into a man. He and his brothers had no secrets with each other, and what was shared between them stayed with them. They could speak telepathically through a link; all he had to do was think about what he intended to do and send it to them. It had been that way between them since they turned ten years of age.

  “Hey, Teagan, Deacon, and Karis. I am going to need your help. I’m running out of time to find Aurora. Mind coming here to help me?” Deacon, the stubborn, tough one of the bunches, responded first teasingly.

  “Can’t find one girl, eh?” Eli rolled his eyes then responded

  “A little more complicated than that. It’s more like trying to find a needle in a haystack. She was in a foster home in Abbotsford, but I just found out today her foster mom was stabbed to death by some teen only a few days ago. She was moved to a new home. Teagan, the brainy one, jumped in next.

  “Deacon stop teasing him. Wow. That’s crazy must be hard on her. I mean, she thinks she’s human, and with her change coming on soon, her emotions must be all over the place. Yes, of course, we will help. You know we have your back, bro.” Karis the quiet one responded

  “Yeah, just tell us your coordinates and what town and hotel you're in.” Breathing a sigh of relief, Eli spoke.

  “I’m in a small town called Hope in British Columbia, Canada. Western Inn, room 105 just off the highway. I'll text you the coordinates. I plan to get some sleep and get started looking again tomorrow.” Everyone agreed they would meet in the morning and start their search. Exhausted after being awake for 72 hours straight, Eli lay down on top of the hideous comforter and fell asleep.