Premonition

Chapter #6: Side Effects

“What do you mean you saw me die?” Sarah said incredulously.

“Just before those men showed up….I saw you get run over by the car they were using. But the thing is…..everything I saw was black and white. It wasn’t until I blinked twice that everything became in color again and I warned you about their car….” Keiji said with a confused monolgue.

“If that’s the case, then we need to discuss this in the car,” Sarah warned. “It’s too dangerous in the station right now to be discussing things like this. Hurry, in you go,” she said as she motioned to her car. The two siblings got in, Keiji in the passenger side and Sarah in the driver’s seat. Keiji’s earlier confident demeanor in front of the two men had been replaced with one of discomfort and uneasiness. Clearly, the vision he saw disturbed him. Sarah looked away and silently cursed herself. She had not realized that he would be going through all the side effects of NX7 this soon…or at all. The sensitivity to light was as advertised when she had done her own research on the street drug. However, there was one other side effect of its memory restoring properties that was not in fine print. NX7 had the ability to impress upon its users, precognitive sight, even if it was only for a few seconds. When she had heard of this, she dismissed it as rumors at best, because how could that be even possible? Yet low and behold, her brother now had acquired the ability. Sarah decided to ease him into this disturbing reality slowly, as she new this was her fault.

“I have to tell you something Keiji. I hope you can learn to accept it, because I’m truly sorry.” Sarah explained.

“What is it Sis?” Keiji said concernedly.

“Remember I said in the hospital that we could talk about the side effects of NX7 later?” Sarah said. “Well, it’s later, now. And you need to know..” Sarah took a nervous breath and continued. “NX7 has amazing memory restoring properties yes, but along with its intended use, it has many side effects. One of them being an oversensitivity to light.”

“Ok….”said Keiji who was listening intently to every word. He, however, could interpret her signals, especially because he knew her so well.  He continued shakily. “Are you saying that what I saw was a side effect of NX7? I can see people die?” Sarah nodded but raised her hand as if to stop him.

“Not that you can see people die per say,” Sarah explained. “But NX7 has been told to impress upon its users’ precognitive sight…”

“Precognition…..” Keiji said. “Is it permanent?”

“…I believe so…” Sarah said. “I am so sorry you had to see that Keiji….no one deserves to see someone die, let alone their sister. You might end up seeing things you are not ready for. I don’t think we can reverse it either, so you might have to learn to live with it.” Keiji eyes looked away from his sisters and he crossed his arms. He was grateful for his sisters help and NX7 very clearly saved him from his illness. However, it came at a price that he may not be ready for. Seeing into the future, even just a few seconds, meant he would be privy to things any normal person would not know. It was an otherworldly and disturbing ability. Keiji looked back at his sister; the steel in his eyes now focused. Although even if this ability could give Keiji much to worry about, he chose to air on the side of positivity. Knowing what could happen seconds into the future could also give him an unparalleled level of prediction. Keiji, knew he was the type of person that could use this ability smartly, and chose to view it as a gift, rather than a curse.

“Then so be it Sis,” Keiji said confidently. “You know I’m not the type of person to abuse things, especially a gift like this. I am sure we can put it too good use.” Sarah nodded in confident affirmation and knew her brother was well prepared to handle this new gift. She then turned her car on and drove off to her apartment with a prevailing sense of hope.