The Half-Giant's Guide to Seeing the Future

The Day My Vision Changed

While I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing, there were so many red flags. This guy, who didn't look older than I was, had a key to my apartment. All I knew was something wasn't right, and I needed answers before this guy came any further into my home. Moreno looked at me, stunned, as I held the sculpture of two figures holding hands aloft as if to strike.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"You let yourself into my apartment," I said. "And you've answered none of my questions."

Dad ran into the room dressed in a white shirt and pajama pants. His hair was messy, he was barefoot, and he pointed a gun I didn't even know he owned at us. Then he looked directly from me to Moreno. I half expected him to shoot the intruder. Instead, Dad lowered the gun. He wore his PR business face that I usually only saw when he went to talk to shareholders about his brother's company antics.

"Terri, drop the sculpture," he said. "Moreno, what happened?"

My expression must have been priceless. Dad knew his crazy guy who'd swung down to save me? Seriously, what was going on?

"There was an attack in the elevator," Moreno said slowly. "I saved Terri."

My stepmother Elise appeared behind Dad, wrapped in a silk dressing gown and holding a baseball bat. The color drained from her face as she looked from me to Moreno.

"No," her voice was faint.

"Dad," I said. "What's going on?"

"She's safe for now, but I suggest she doesn't stay here long," Moreno said.

Dad's business-like demeanor broke at once. He looked at me with hollow brown eyes. Every so often, he would do this, especially if someone brought up my mother. My egg donor didn't deserve to be a part of my life, especially since she hadn't seen me or had any contact since a relative dropped me off with my unprepared father when I was just one day old.

"Dad?" I tried again.

Jilly came around the corner with her damp black hair braided back and dressed in her school uniform. She assessed the situation, her eyebrows knitted together.

"Mom?" Her voice was mixed with confusion. "Chuck, what's going on?"

"Mr. Oakeley, we need to go," Moreno said. "They are coming."

As if whatever "they" were was the worst thing in the world. Dad gaped like a fish. Normally, my father was levelheaded in a crisis. Instead, it was Elise who moved first.

"Jilly, grab the earthquake kits and prepare your brothers for an evacuation," she said. "What do you suggest we do, Moreno?"

"You could run," Moreno said. "Or there's always the option of my people's protection."

"You think we should take her closer to the danger?" Dad looked incredulous.

Jilly inched towards the rest of us, only to be met with a disapproving look from Elise, who then signaled towards the room's exit. Elise usually only reserved that for when she was upset, and Jilly and I knew not to cross her when she got quiet. She backed out of the room, and I could hear her barring my half-brothers from entry.

Elise set a gentle hand on Dad's shoulder. They were always a united front. They had been since they'd gotten married when I was seven.

"The compound is probably the safest place for her, Chuck," she said. "They can protect her."

"I'm not ready," my dad sounded fragile. "I never have been."

"Sit down," Elise said. "Breathe, Chuck. Your mother can help with the explanation. We can call Suzie for legal advice. Moreno, do whatever you think is necessary until we can get out of the building."