My Third Eye

Chapter 9

 Marcus | ANXIETY ATTACK WARNING | 

"I really hope the information we need is on a higher shelf," I whisper. One of the glass panes on the window must've been broken during the storm and let in all the rainwater. Now, along with the flooding from the marsh, everything on the first two shelves is ruined.

"That would be helpful, yes," Ezra agrees and he begins sifting through the bookcases. How is he so determined? I don't understand how he does it. Just the thought of wet socks makes me want to curl into a ball and die.

"What section do you think it'd be? History?" I ask him. He turns around and tilts his head.

"Probably, heh. I was just looking randomly," Ezra says, "History is that way." I snap finger guns in the way he's pointing and I walk through the water. Books and papers float aimlessly and I gulp as ink drips across the pages, worrying that one of those pages has the information we want.

I must've been making a face because Ezra punches my arm supportively.

"Don't sweat it, Mark. We'll find what we need," he smiles.

I nod, "Of course we will." I force a cheerful smile and I make my way through, looking above at the hanging signs that display the category of book. History. Third Eye. Flynn. It all swirls around my head, my brain trying to pick one to think about. I shake my head, some thoughts too painful to think about.

"Were there any authors who wrote books about this stuff in school?" I question.

"How would I know?" Ezra asks back.

I shrug, "I don't know, you actually listen." He rolls his eyes but then an object in the water seems to catch his gaze. Ezra wades over and leans down to pick up a soaked emerald colored book.

"How is that any different-," I begin but he interrupts me.

"Who Who Sees the Past or Future," he reads off the cover.

I immediately walked over to stand next to him, "That sounds very promising."

"Only problem," he opens it up and the pages are soaked and ripped. Ink splattered all over, the words unintelligible. Damn. The universe did not want me to have this book. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from freaking out. I internally attempt to calm myself down. It's fine, totally fine. Just because this book is ruined, doesn't mean the other books are. There are probably other copies. Why do I even care? I've never cared about my sixth sense.

"Who's the author, maybe there is another copy? I ask, hopefully.

"I don't know, I could barely read the title," Ezra holds the book over towards me.

I squint as I try to interpret the writing at the bottom of the cover, "You're right, I can't tell what it says either." Shit. Shit. Sh-. Shush screaming inside my head.

"We can keep looking, there has to be more than just one book about having a sixth sense," Ezra reasons. My heart beats rapidly in my chest and I barely register what he's saying.

"Mark, you okay man?" He asks, concern lacing his words. I nod slowly, as I try to keep my breathing level.

"You sure?" He attempts to place his hand on my shoulder but I flinch as soon as he makes contact. He looks at me worriedly and the words start tumbling out of my mouth.

"Of course, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be? I really don't even care about this. I've been doing fine not knowing my whole life! So why would I start caring now? I don't care," my voice trembles as I speak.

"Even if I did care, which I don't. I wouldn't deserve to know. I should really just suffer forever. I'm a terrible person. I'm a terrible son, and I was definitely a terrible brother. Oh man, was I the worst brother on the planet! I really should just be in pain forever."

"No you shouldn't-." Ezra tries to say but I keep going.

"Oh yes I should, did you know I killed my brother? Yeah, I can see it on your face. When I was six my parents found out I could see people's deaths, so they had me use it on my brother but it ended up just killing him! I found out he would die from Malaria and boom a month later he was dead because he was already dying! I don't even know why it allowed me to do that," I gasp, "I should only be allowed to see how people died when I'm asleep. But for some reason the universe hates me and made it happen. Maybe I should've died instead of him, that would've been fair. He didn't deserve to die," I wheeze, "He was going to go to college in a few years! He was going to leave Wantera and actually do something with his life, but I ruined it..." I confess shakily, my lungs struggling in my chest.

"He was smart," I gasp for air, "and hard working and kind." I crumple to my knees, water splashing around me. "I loved him and I killed him! How could I do that," I pant heavily and I close my eyes tightly as I clutch my chest with one hand. Water moves around next to me and then something splashes in front of me.

"Hey, look at me," Ezra says gently.

"I-I can't breathe," I choke, tears trickling down my face, "S-shit I'm d-dying."

"No, no you're not. It's okay, I need you to look at me though," He asks carefully. My eyes open weakly and I lift my head to meet his gaze, my chest heaving.

"Breathe with me, okay?" Ezra is kneeling in front of me and has his pointer finger in the air, he draws a straight line, "In."

I take a breath, trembling.

"Hold," he brings his finger down in a vertical line. I try to hold it but I end up gasping spasmodically.

"I-I cant."

"That's okay but we're gonna try again," he moves his finger across, "In."

I take another breath in. "Now hold," Ezra draws his finger up, closing the box. I hold it for a few seconds before I start coughing.

"It's okay you can breathe out," he smiles comfortingly. We do this system a few more times until I am breathing reasonably steadily.

"Are you alright?" His eyes widened, "Sorry that was a stupid question."

"I'm okay," I say quietly. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me to his chest, gently.

"You're still shaking, do you wanna stay like this until you feel better?" He asks. I nod and melt into the warm embrace of his arms. 

What's up! Hope you're doing well, it was super fun writing this chapter, but don't worry next chapter is fluff with a side of more fluff. Sticking with Monday and Thursday updates make sure to stick around till the next one!