The Vaticinator

by Namita Singh

to reach Dudinka. They were dispatched…one or two days after we departed from Krasnoyarsk, after they realized that you, I and Nik uncle are no longer in the headquarters. They were initially sent to get a hold of us,” Aakir looks at me meaningfully, “but now they must be aiming at you two.” He looks towards Neal, then back at me, “And by the talks of it, they are expected to reach Dudinka today, if they haven’t reached already.”

  “How the hell do they even know that we are in Dudinka?” I exclaim.

  Aakir shrugs, “Mikhail is not the only one in the council who seems to have high approaches. And I guess our whereabouts were pretty predictable. They know that it’s obvious you will not leave Russia without Neal. And Neal’s whereabouts could be easily deducted if the right mind is applied. The council is not a stupid bunch. Anyway, I digress. You guys need to leave the hospital. This is the sole medical facility in Dudinka and therefore, a very predictable place for them to search. ”

  Fantastic. I rub my face tiredly at this suddenly unwanted situation. Now we have to flee, literally like fugitives.

  “How many men?” I ask.

  At the same time Neal frowns, looking doubtful, “I don’t know if he can move.” He says, looking at my arm.

  I frown at him in return, “My legs are not injured. I’ll manage.”

  Neal gives me an exasperated look, “Your arm is broken and not in a cast. Does that weigh even a little on your sane mind?”

  I sigh at Neal’s ireful concern.

  “I don’t know how many men are on way.” Aakir speaks before Neal and I can get into an argument. “I just overheard the council and I informedyour father. Uncle Nik in turn asked me to have you guys informed of it. As I said, this city has only one hospital and you’re sitting in it. Also, Dudinka is not gifted with massive therian population. Your auras are going to stand out like a sore thumb amongst the humans. If I were amongst the council, I wouldn’t overlook checking the hospital first, considering the death of an occultist must have come at the expense of an injury to either of you. So, you both need to be out of here by evening. Move southwards, but don’t take the obvious route back. At least not this soon. And don’t enter Krasnoyarsk-”

  “Did you not hear?” Neal interrupts, “He cannot move his hand.”

  “I’ll manage.” I snap indignantly.

  “He’ll have to manage.” Aakir says to Neal.

  Neal looks highly peeved as he continues, “He cannot even sit straight without flinching in pain!”

  “I didn’t say that it wouldn’t cause me pain.” I say, a little ticked off that he is looking at Aakir, completely ignoring me. “That’s precisely why I am using the word ‘manage’.”

  “I don’t see other option either.” Aakir says to Neal. “Don’t fret, he’ll be fine.” Of course Aakir is aware of my tolerating abilities. We grew up through our weekly spars, hence no wonder that he is more confident about my movement in such a state.

  Neal looks like he is going to argue some more, but he simply shakes his head in exasperation, his lips pursed in distaste. Without sparing us a glance, he looks away, continuously clenching his teeth. We take it as his gesture of yielding. Neal blatantly shows his disapproval through his expressions. But he doesn’t look our way, choosing to pointedly look in some other direction.

  “So, as I was saying,” Aakir continues, “Don’t enter Krasnoyarsk. But better get moving from here by evening.”

  “Will those be looking for Lichinsky?” Neal asks Aakir, throwing one last halfhearted protest. Apparently, he is not the one to back down so easily. For a moment his question confuses me, but it doesn’t take long for me to understand what he is asking. I speak before Aakir gets a chance.

  “Even if they are looking for you, then also we are not going to rely on your aura and take chances.” I tell him, angry that he would even suggest staying back only because his aura has the capability to repel the ones who seek it.

  Neal pointedly shrugs, unaffected by my angry tone, “But it’s a point. If the verbal theories about the vaticinator hold any credit, then they shouldn’t be able to encounter us.”

  “If they will look for you.” Aakir says, stressing on ‘If’, indicating that they can very well keep me in mind as target. Although, keeping only me in mind can turn out to be a great task. Especially at the subconscious level. “Josh is right anyways; we cannot take a chance on it.” Aakir adds further.

  Neal huffs quietly, but doesn’t say anything.

  “You can make use of David’s vial as per the requisite need.” Aakir suggests, looking at Neal.

  Neal blinks, turning towards Aakir, “As if an aura less person beside a therian is not at all suspicious.”

  “It is less suspicious. Better than them sensing your most-noticeable aura by accident.” Aakir replies.

  Their conversation irks me and it takes me several moments to realize that the idea of Neal being without his aura is thoroughly displeasing me.

  “I am going to go now.” Aakir announces, “Take care both of you. I’ll contact you guys and keep you updated.”

  Neal and I give noncommittal nods in farewell and soon Aakir is gone from our sight. Neal and I remain silent for the longest time. Neal is not looking at me and that makes me wonder if he is angry. Wouldn’t be a surprise, but I am still curious. Neal is not the one to hold grudges for petty things. He is also not the one to take tension in such situations.

  “I expect you to be least tensed, you know.” I tell him. I use a lighthearted tone, hoping to alleviate our severely depressed state of mind. We have a few hours before we’ll eventually start preparing for departure. I don’t want to spend those few hours of peace with Neal looking as worried as he is now. Worrying is my job, not Neal’s. His worry is making my worrisome thoughts get even distressing.

  Neal looks up at me, his face surprisingly blank. Now that I focus, he doesn’t seem worried…just thoughtful. I am not used to a too much thinking Neal either, so sue me.

  “Aakir thinks we are gay.” He says.

  I look at him, agape. I stutter at the out of the blue observation. Out of everything we have discussed since Aakir’s arrival, this is the thing that’s occupying his mind? I am aware that Aakir’s knowing glances towards our conjoined hands didn’t escape Neal’s notice. But now is not at all the time I expect Neal to express his observation.

  I take in his blank expressions, as if he is awaiting my response. Unwantedly, my thoughts revert towards the topic. Aakir thinks we are gay. Aakir has already revealed his opinion to me in the matter of my partner. Neal has bluntly put that opinion of Aakir’s in much cruder words. Only, Aakir had voiced his opinion only of me.

  “Aakir thinks I am gay.” I correct Neal, my tone disbelieving and quiet. I do not know what I am shocked at. Neal’s severe reconnaissance ability or his absurd timing to raise even preposterous topics or merely surprised at having Aakir’s thoughts thrown so crudely out of my mouth.

  Neal’s eyes narrow slightly, indicating his quick understanding that Aakir and I have shared words over the subject. But he simply, very subtly, rolls his eyes and diverts his attention to the nearby wall.

  “I’ll go and ask the nurse about when the doctor will come.” Neal says, getting up.

  “No.” I blurt instantly.

  Neal frowns, standing, giving me a quizzing look. “Doctor needs to check on you at least once before we get you discharged.”

  I can feel my whole face going red as I try to nod at Neal as nonchalantly as possible. My face feels like an inferno. My reflexive negative response for his departure from my room was in respect to the fact that I don’t want to be devoid of his aura. Already the removal of touch is weighing me down and with the added heaviness of Aakir’s judgment, I don’t know if Neal will be willing to gift me with even a handshake. Besides, I feel that his previous endeavor to catch me off guard with his hand had been his intention to keep my fury at bay upon his conversation with the Occultist. All in all, my mind is convinced of negligible touch
es from Neal in the future and the thought has involuntarily made me crave his general aura more than usual, not wanting to be devoid of it for even a little time. But I cannot exactly give voice to my insecurities, especially not after our immediate conversation.

  “I need to use the washroom.” I mumble, hoping I don’t look as embarrassed as I am feeling.

  Neal’s stance has become uncertain at my instant ‘No’, but he seems to be gaining his certainty back with regard to the requisite action. However, on my request to visit the washroom, Neal halts again. He gestures to a door within the room and I silently nod at him. Carefully, I remove the sheets from me with my good hand. Neal stands by my side, looking uncertain for a completely different reason now. I grunt quietly as I motion to sit straight so I can get up. Even the slight movement causes prickling pain to exude from my arm. Cradling my injured arm with my good hand, I try to get up. The pain exemplifies but I keep my complaints down my throat. Grimacing, I finally manage to stand on my feet. Neal stands right beside me, contemplating if I need support or not. My feet feel alright though, despite not used for two days, so he needn’t worry about me falling or something.

  “I am okay.” I convince him through clenched teeth. My arm is not going to make my journey painless.

  Neal nods, indicating that I move on. Once sure of the strength of my legs, I start walking, simultaneously making sure