Chapter 3: Terror Eius

2540 Words
PRESENT TIME **AEGON's Point of View** It's been twenty years since that incident, and the memories still haunt me. I can't forget the chaos of that day, the uncertainty that lingers in the corners of my mind. I don't even know what truly happened when I ran away from Mother Lia as she fought those girls with all her strength. I remember it like it was yesterday, even though it's a fragmented recollection blurred by fear and panic. All I knew at that moment was that I had to escape. My voice echoed in the ancient forest as I screamed for help, my cries carrying a desperation that seemed to resonate with something beyond my understanding. But it was what happened next that defied explanation. My body felt strange as if I was drawing in energy particles from the surroundings. It was as though the very fabric of reality was responding to my turmoil. Amidst the chaos, my gaze was drawn to an otherworldly sight—a swirling portal in the void, bathed in a mesmerizing purple glow. It felt like a call, a beckoning to a place unknown. And in that moment, I had no choice but to reach for it. The portal swallowed me whole, and I found myself hurtling through a vortex of uncertainty. I was driven by a singular desire—to see Mother Lia again, to be reunited with the woman who had cared for me like a daughter. I stood up from the bench, clutching my newly finished project—a scrapbook for a certain subject. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the wide soccer field where the university's varsity soccer team practiced tirelessly. Their fan girls were in full force, cheering with enthusiasm that echoed throughout the field. I let out a sigh, feeling a twinge of envy for their camaraderie and their passion for the game. As I took my first step forward, my eyes wandered back to the soccer field. The players, their uniforms glistening in the golden hour light, darted across the green expanse, practicing their moves. The cheers of their supporters were almost deafening. But then, something strange happened. An abrupt, searing pain pierced my brain like a thousand needles. I froze, clutching my head as if that would somehow alleviate the agony. I bit down on my lower lip, attempting to endure the inexplicable pain that had taken hold of me. "God, what's happening?" I whispered through gritted teeth, tears welling up in my eyes. The pain was unbearable, and it left me feeling utterly helpless. I sank to my knees on the ground, clutching my head as if trying to hold my thoughts together. Amidst the haze of pain, I heard hurried footsteps approaching. These were not the normal, carefree steps of students heading to class. It was as if someone was in a desperate rush, running for their very life. Before I could process what was happening, a body collided with mine, jolting me even further. And then, it triggered something inside my mind, something inexplicable. I gasped for air, and in an instant, my surroundings changed. It was as if I was watching a fast-forwarded movie, a blur of scenes that I couldn't comprehend. I desperately tried to move my finger, to regain control of my body, but I was trapped within my mind, a helpless observer of this whirlwind of events. In the rapid sequence of images that flashed before me, I saw a young man, a typical nerd with a slender frame, someone who had likely been the target of bullies throughout his life. Tears streamed down his face as he ran, a look of sheer panic in his eyes. He reached a point where he was about to cross a busy highway, oblivious to the approaching car hurtling toward him at a terrifying speed. My eyes widened in horror as I watched the tragic scenario play out before me. The car struck the young man with brutal force, sending him hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. The world seemed to move in slow motion as he collided with the unforgiving pavement, his body twisting in unnatural ways. The scene was a nightmarish tableau of tragedy, and I was a captive witness, unable to intervene or look away. The pain in my head intensified as if the very act of witnessing this horrific accident was tearing me apart. I held my breath, and in the blink of an eye, I regained my strength. My surprised eyes drifted to the guy who had just bumped into me, and I felt like I was nailed to the ground when I saw his face. It was him—the same guy I had seen in my mind, the one whose impending doom had played out before my eyes. My heart raced, and a chilling shiver coursed down my spine. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, even though I knew I should look away from the living embodiment of my vision. His disheveled appearance, with thick glasses perched precariously on his nose and a backpack that looked like it was about to burst with textbooks, seemed all too familiar. This nerdy guy was supposed to meet his end today, according to the haunting vision etched into my mind. I gulped, and my face must have mirrored sheer terror. I had no idea what to do or how to stop this tragedy from unfolding. All I knew was that I had a premonition, and it seemed destined to come true. The weight of his fate pressed down on me, and the sense of helplessness was overwhelming. "Oh my god! I’m very sorry!" he exclaimed, scrambling to his feet. He reached for my fallen scrapbook and handed it back to me. "It’s my fault I didn’t look where I was going." His apology was heartfelt, and as he looked into my eyes, his own filled with remorse. I was still reeling from the vision, my mind racing with the dire fate I had foreseen for him. Out of nowhere, my mouth seemed to have a will of its own. "Be careful today," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Your life is at risk." I collected my things and left him standing there, stunned by the cryptic warning I had just delivered. -------------- The school day was winding down, and the 4 p.m. class break signaled the approaching end of the day's lessons. With my backpack slung over my shoulder, I joined the flow of students making their way towards the school gate. The buzz of conversations and the footsteps of countless classmates surrounded me, creating a comforting background noise that I'd grown accustomed to. As I walked through the bustling hallway, I couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation from a group of students huddled nearby. At first, I paid them little attention, merely a fragment of the ambient noise in my world. But then, like a siren's call, their words reached my ears. "Have you heard the news!?" one of them exclaimed, their voice carrying a sense of urgency that was impossible to ignore. My curiosity was instantly piqued. What news could be so compelling that it demanded such an animated discussion? I decided to play it cool. "What news are you talking about?" I asked casually, my voice betraying none of my inner turmoil. “I heard that there is a student from the Science department who got bumped by the car," the student continued, their voice laden with shock and a touch of gossip, "He’s that nerd that used to get bullied in their class. The accident happened just this moment ago!" Time seemed to slow to a crawl around me. My feet, once carrying me forward with purpose, now felt glued to the floor. My mind became a whirlwind of confusion and dread. The vision I had experienced earlier, that haunting premonition—it was manifesting before my very eyes. Questions raced through my mind, each one more bewildering than the last. Was what I had seen in my vision truly happening? Why was this happening to me? And most urgently, what could I do to intervene in a fate that seemed cruelly preordained? The world around me blurred as I grappled with the eerie and inexplicable phenomenon unfolding before me. Leaving the gossiping students behind, I sprinted toward the parking lot, my pulse racing with a mix of dread and determination. There, amidst a sea of vehicles, was my trusty bicycle, a faithful companion on my daily journey to school. Its familiar frame, worn handlebars, and worn-out saddle held the memories of countless rides. Today, it would carry me to a place where I hoped to make a difference. I wasted no time, leaping onto the saddle and pedaling furiously toward the school gate. The whispered conversations of my fellow students faded into the background as my singular focus took hold. The world became a blur of faces and buildings as I pushed my legs to the limit, my heart pounding in my chest. The scene of the accident was etched in my mind, every detail vivid and haunting. I knew exactly where it had occurred, a place I frequented when I needed groceries. It was a quiet corner of the city, now tainted by tragedy. As I arrived, the area was already swarming with people—bystanders, rescuers, and the telltale presence of an ambulance. Caution tape cordoned off the scene, delineating the boundary of tragedy. The flashing lights of emergency vehicles cast an eerie glow on the pavement, adding to the surreal atmosphere. My eyes fell upon a shape on the ground, obscured by a white sheet, a chillingly sterile covering that served as a final shield of dignity for the fallen. The edges of the fabric ruffled in the breeze as if trying to conceal the horrifying truth beneath. A crimson stain marred the asphalt nearby, a grim testament to the violence of the accident. It was a stark and brutal reminder of the fragility of life, a sight that seared itself into my memory. My stomach churned, and a sense of helplessness washed over me as I bore witness to the tragic aftermath. I didn't need to lift the shroud to know the horrors that lay beneath; I had seen it all in my vision. The knowledge weighed on me, a heavy burden that threatened to crush my spirit. But I couldn't turn away. I had to understand why I had seen this, why I had been given a glimpse into someone else's final moments. ------------ Returning home with the weight of the day's events pressing upon me, I hesitated for a moment before knocking on the familiar door. It creaked open to reveal a woman, her age gracefully etched into her features, radiating a humble beauty that had always been a comforting presence in my life. It was Mother Nancy, and her eyes, filled with worry, met mine. "Aegon, sweetheart, it's okay," she said softly, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. Without hesitation, I stepped into her embrace, the warmth and familiarity of her hug offering a brief respite from the chaos of the world outside. In the blink of an eye, she ushered me into the cozy dining room, where the inviting aroma of a home-cooked meal wafted through the air. My heart ached with gratitude for the sense of normalcy that Mother Nancy provided. It was as if, at that moment, the world's troubles were held at bay. As I took my seat at the table, I couldn't help but notice the absence of Father, his usual spot unoccupied. Concern knitted my brows, and I exchanged a worried glance with Mother Nancy. It wasn't like him to be late returning from work. The unease that had gripped me since my vision intensified, and a foreboding sense of impending change settled in the pit of my stomach. As I sat down at the table, the aroma of a familiar home-cooked meal filled the air, comforting in its normalcy. Mother Nancy, with her ever-graceful presence, urged me to start eating, her warm gaze filled with concern and love. Yet, I couldn't allow myself to indulge in that warmth just yet; there was something I needed to share. "I have something to tell you," I interjected, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of unease cross my mother's face. She had always been a protective figure in my life, accepting me for who I was with unconditional love. Her attempt to hide her worry from me was evident, but it only amplified my resolve. Before I could utter another word, the door to our home creaked open, and Father William, a man of knowledge with his eyeglasses perched precariously on his nose, stepped into view. His sharp eyes swept the room, immediately sensing the gravity of the situation. "What's going on?" he inquired, his gaze shifting from me to Mother Nancy. He set his belongings down on the couch, his role as a science professor at a distant university was momentarily forgotten in the face of our solemn atmosphere. The gravity of the moment weighed heavily on me as I gazed into the concerned eyes of my parents. Their love and support had always been unwavering, and now, as I was about to reveal something, their curiosity mingled with a hint of worry. "It's about me, there is something you have to know," I stated solemnly, my tone matching the seriousness of the situation. My father, with his deep yet gentle voice, approached me, planting a soft kiss on my forehead, a gesture that brought a temporary sense of comfort. I didn't waste a moment. I began to recount the events of the day, the visions that had plagued me, and the terrible accident I had foreseen. Their expressions grew somber as they tried to absorb the enormity of what I was sharing. A heavy silence hung over the dining area as my father appeared lost in thought. I couldn't fathom what was racing through his mind when suddenly, another sensation overcame me. It started as a tickling feeling, almost imperceptible, but it rapidly intensified, surging from my head down to my ears. I couldn't contain the discomfort, and my scream pierced the stillness of the room, "AHHHH!" As the sensation engulfed me, my parents' voices reached me, fraught with panic and concern. "Honey, are you okay?" my mother's voice quivered with fear. I tried to focus on my dad's voice as he implored, "Look at me, honey." My eyes darted to his, filled with genuine concern. But what happened next filled me with even greater terror. My face mirrored the fear bubbling inside me. I gazed at my parents with watery eyes, unable to hold back my tears. "Dad," I sobbed, tears streaming down my cheeks, "I am so scared." Their faces reflected the deep sadness they felt for me, their child in distress. My mother's voice quivered as she asked, "What are you scared about, honey?" My voice cracked on the last word as I confessed, "I'm scared of myself. I am hearing your thoughts."
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