Short Stories

A Rising Choice

 The forest was a green blur as she rushed on; only the sounds of the retreating animals were left in her wake. She was somewhere between a dog and a cat, but more the size of a horse. Her white paws carried her smoothly across the ground while her long slender form seemed to glide between the trees. Two long tails fluttered as she moved with seemingly little resistance.

Amelia loved running, but right now it felt more like a need. The words from the oracle had been playing on repeat all day and she just couldn't focus on anything else. Every ethereal had a visit from the oracle at birth and, just like her, everyone wasn't allowed to read it until they were 10.

When Amelia first read hers, it seemed weird and she didn't understand what it meant. Of course, she had continually tried to figure it out. Something had finally clicked this morning, but it didn't have to be true... right?

"Right! Like Ashur's wasn't true and don't forget Galena's. Nope, they are not true at all." Storm, Amelia's caeli spirit, commented.

Amelia rolled her eyes as she continued to run, "The sarcasm is not helping Storm! It can't be right though, I mean it makes absolutely no sense." The storm didn't respond and she continued to run through the woods. Yes, both her brother's and her twin's prophecies came true, but that didn't mean anything. Some people didn't fulfill theirs.

"Oh yeah? Name one." Storm instantly challenged.

"Storm! You are not helping." Amelia's paws slowed as she approached her destination. In front of her stretched a large crystal blue lake. The sun reflected off the surface and threw glittering light across all the surrounding trees. The calming atmosphere gave her a quiet place where she could think and discuss things with Storm.

At the edge of the lake stood a large willow tree. Its leaves stretched slightly over the lake and created a beautiful green bubble. As she walked through its swaying branches, she released the breath that had been trapped in her lungs.

The new moon rises with a clan

After the rejection of a plan

A new beginning for the heart

Fleeing from her part

The words ran through her mind once more as she moved over the side of the lake and stared down. The smooth white face of her Caeli form reflected on the water. Her blue eyes were the only things that interrupted the smooth wolf-like face. On the surface, she looked calm, but her mind was a raging tempest. What does the prophecy even mean?

"Maybe you are just ignoring the obvious Amelia." Storm commented.

"Well, Einstein. Will you enlighten me? What about the 'fleeing' part? What am I fleeing from?" Amelia responded. Maybe she was being a bit harsh, but she was tired of the questions circling around and around.

"I am not sure. But shouldn't we start with what we know and work through it?" Storm suggested.

She was probably correct in her thinking, but Amelia couldn't help but say, "Next thing I know you will be singing Do, Re, Mi."

Amelia could basically see Storm roll her eyes as she sang, "Let's start at the very beginning." Amelia's form phased into a humanoid form, her face still white and smooth with only her eyes showing. She turned and sat against the willow, resting her forearms against her bent knees. While Storm continued, "Anyways, the words 'Fleeing' and 'new start' are obvious in their meaning."

"Well yeah, but why would I run? My parents are great and love me. Ashur just became the chief and his wife is amazing! I have plans to go to the local university in August with all my friends. Everything here is great! I could easily meet a boy here as well and I would be willing to become a warrior for the clan, what else would I want?" Amelia's words flooded out instantly rejecting the conclusion Storm was inferring.