Equifinality (Bare Bones)

Goodbyes

                                                                                          Mama

I looked over to Ethan just in time to watch him fall to ground holding his arm. I got up from the swing and ran over to him. I reached down to pick up his head and place it gently on my lap. His eyes were closed but I could tell by the way his chest was moving, he was breathing. 

"Alana, hold his head up please," I said franticly as I got up quickly to get a pillow off the chair for his head. "Hold his head up so I can put this pillow under him." Alana lifted his head, I slide the pillow under him. I could tell she wasn't used to me ordering her around, but she didn't complain. She'd sigh and do as I asked.

Alana reached over and grabbed my arm gently, then spoke softly with the upmost care. "Beth, he is ok. Ethan is having a visit with the god of education." Alana smiled at me, nodding her head in a reassuring way. 

I knew things were going to change, but this is too quick. I'm so scared for Ethan. I don't want to lose my baby boy. I don't care how big he gets, or what he can do, he's mine. I will not let him leave, I can't protect him if he is not here. My heart was getting tighter and tighter as I worked through every terrible thought. I wouldn't be able to protect him anymore.

Alana handed me a handkerchief that she pulled out from underneath her long black cloak. I took it from her and began to attempt to wipe away my tears of fear. I was just so terrified. What if he forgets me. I don't think I can deal with that. Ethan is my son. Was this the last birthday I would ever get to have with him? My attempts to smoother out the fear were lost and I could feel another wave a grief wash over me.

What is on his arm? I grabbed his arm to get a better look. It looked like a cross between a branded mark and a tattoo. What are all of these symbols? There was no way he'd find time to get a tattoo today. Not that I'd ever would have allowed it. He would never be like my past son. A disgrace.

Alana looked at his arm and took a deep breath. "Oh my Gods."

I looked at Alana and noticed how hard she was staring at Ethan's Arm. Suddenly, I became frantic. I could feel blood rushing to my face as an all consuming panic set in. "What? What is it?" It felt like my soul was about to jump out of my body.

Alana set back on her feet and took a deep breath before she began to speak. "T-that's the mark of the God of the beginning."

"You said that he was going to have a mark." I said, not understanding why Alana was so shocked. 

"You're right, but not with that mark. I thought he would have a mark for a chosen one, not THE CHOSEN ONE!" Her mood changed so much I could taste the fear in the air. However, my mind couldn't comprehend what she was trying to say. I had to push down a spout of anger as I realized how much this woman put my boy in danger. Instead of being devoured by hate, I succumbed to my terror. 

If Alana was worried, I was terrified. In all the years since we first meet, she had been the calm one. Always looking at the positive side of every thing. She was not seeming very positive right now and there was no way I could be that for her.  "Just spit it out. What does it mean?" I raised up on my knees as if I was getting ready for the fight of my life. 

"It means that Ethan's path is going to be harder then I thought." Alana looked so worried. 

Before I could responded to the shocking words that she just said, Ethan opened his eyes. 

"Ethan... Ethan, are you okay." I could hear the tremble in my own voice. Ethan looked at Alana and I, then fear casted over his face as he seemed to be looking behind us. I quickly turned my head to look behind me, feeling like someone or thing was behind me, but to my surprise and confusion there was nothing there.