WINDOWS TO THE SOUL

Challenge 9 "Eyes of the talented."

Magic, curses, monsters, are all used in one way or another to justify the things that people can't comprehend, and all are equally foolish.

Things like the ability to see one's emotions or perhaps their greatest dreams could easily be explained by such terms. However, I would only describe them as talent since I'm quite "talented" myself. I suppose you could say my whole family is a bit "talented." It's nothing particularly noteworthy or exciting, but laymens would see our "talents" as dangerous. So to avoid duress, we just don't bring it up at the dinner table.

I was 4 years old when I first met my uncle, he had blown away the majority of his trust fund since my mother had died. I believe he was asking my father for money or something because he was extremely vexed. But when I laid eyes on him, I saw the overwhelming melancholy in his soul. I think that was why he took a shine to me, he knew we couldn't hide anything from each other.

Except for my father who taught me discipline and respect and Madison's mother who raised me, I would say Gideon has had the most effect on who I am today.

I played my first ever chess match with him. And also, I gained my first victory.

He is surprisingly wise and worldly, and the most important thing he taught me was how to use my "Talent"; This is why I called him here today. I needed to confirm it to verify her legitimacy. Violet was an enigma, one which drove me to search for the answers.

"So tell me, uncle, can you see through her? "

"No I can't, How is that possible. " His shock is real, well that means we should talk in private.

" Maddy, why don't you have violet help with dinner? you mentioned wanting to spend more time with her right?"

"Of course, I'm sure it would be hilario- I mean adorable for her to cook for the first time." Her soul was bright red like an apple. In the past she would get this way when she played a prank.

I thought they were getting along... Nevermind she left and took violet with her, that's what matters. Now I have time to investigate this seriously .

The truth is I thought that she was his illegitimate child. He was a player in his younger days and old habits die hard, but he seemed to have no knowledge of this. My uncle's lack of recollection of his philanthropy may not seem relevant to the average person; it may even seem ordinary.

My uncle, however, is not an ordinary man.

His talent is to see someone's luster, their shine, the part of them that shows their "wealth" both to the world and to themselves. This lets him know how many cars someone owns, and the number of children they have; His own number is still One according to him. If this is true, then she couldn't be Gideon's. Yet violet is immune to my sight, and Gideon's appraisal. so my theory about her eye's and that medication seem more plausible.

We sat there and talked about our talents. There were times when we misunderstood what we viewed. The reasons were always the same, we were inexperienced. My reason for inviting my uncle here was to find answers; this was not what I had expected. In fact, I now had more questions, and all seemed even more complicated. A challenge that continues to grow to become an insurmountable plateau.

It seemed unsolvable, this is WONDERFUL!
At first, it was just a challenge but now, I can't let it go.
I have to solve every secret of her soul.

"Hey Will! "

"What?"

"lost in thought again."

"Sorry, were you saying something?"

"Yeah, dinners ready."

Gideon's soul told me he was annoyed, but what concerned me more was Violet now standing next to him.

"Violet!"

"Y-yes sir, w-what is it?"
She stuttered? Did she always do that?

" From now on I would like to know how you feel at least once a day, and be completely candid. I want your honest opinions at every opportunity you have to share them."

"You...want to know how I feel, r-really? you won't think I'm being a pest?"

The stutter was still there, is it a speech impediment? Maybe she was confused by my question, she was repeating it to me after all.

"Yes everything, I would never resent you for following a request. Tell me everything."

"Alright I will, thank you,"

She spoke clearly. I suppose it was just a coincidence, I was concerned she would need speech therapy.


"There is something I have wanted to tell you since we met, but I thought you would be upset."

This is it; something she was too afraid to say before. Thinking back she had surprised me before with statements that seemed to hold nothing back, but apparently she was hiding her true intent. If I could learn how she feels, then it doesn't matter that I can't see her soul.

"Go ahead tell me; I want complete honesty."

"Well if you insist here it goes, completely candid."

This was beginning to drag on, what could she feel the urge to tell me.

"William you, well you...are really predictable."

"What? "

"at chess, you are good, but it's predictable to counter, it's always clear. It works, but it's very straightforward."

...what?