Redemption

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Prophecy

"What do you mean she might be able to see the prophecy?" Micah asked, his eyes wide.

"After Brianne turned, I was part of a team that was trying to capture her and Samuel in a humane manner.

"During one of our group meetings, a man named Markus had mentioned a prophecy that might help us. This was before the prophecy was well known, so most of our team brushed it off. They were more concerned about the immediate danger that Samuel and Brianne were posing, and felt they would only be wasting valuable time researching 'fables'.

"A few of us, myself included, took an interest in what Markus had said, so we met with him in secret to find out more. It turns out that he'd heard a retelling of the prophecy from a fortuneteller who alleged to be a direct decedent of the prophet herself. The girl was able to tap into her ancestor's memory, and recall the vision through a blood to blood séance," Fletcher explained.

"Markus had been obsessed with the prophecy for some time, and had sought the woman directly. She was reluctant at first, but after he earned her trust, she agreed to perform the ceremony and allowed us all to attend."

"Are you saying that you've actually heard the prophecy?" Micah asked, astounded.

"Yes, and if I'm right about Lexi's ability to have visions, she might be able to tap into my memory, and view it through my eyes."

I took a deep breath. "I don't know. The last time I saw through someone else's eyes, it was the King's, and that didn't go over very well," I said, shivering at the memory.

"This would be the only way of knowing what the prophecy says, Alexis. Although we've all learned about it through the generations, everyone who has actually heard it has died. At least, we thought everyone had," Micah said, glancing resentfully at Fletcher.

Fletcher ignored him. "I know you're hesitant, Lexi, but if you truly want to take your destiny into your own hands, this is the best option."

"If it's really the only way, I guess we can give it a shot," I said reluctantly.

We formed a circle and interlock our hands, just as we had in Fletcher's living room so long ago. Remembering my last experience with these illusions, I closed my eyes, and braced myself for the inevitable nausea. After a few minutes, I felt the gut-wrenching pull as my mind was propelled into another dimension.

When I opened my eye, I saw that we were no longer in Tueri, but were standing in the midst of a dark forest with two men, one of whom I recognized as a younger Fletcher.

"I still don't understand why we had to meet your 'friend' out here, Markus," young Fletcher said, looking disgusted as he walked into a cobweb.

"I've told you, Fletch, the woman is paranoid. She says 'dark times are coming', and she doesn't want to risk leaving her house," Markus explained.

They walked into the depths of the forest while me, Micah, and present-day Fletcher followed close behind. The forest thickened as we walked, the green shrubbery becoming a nearly impenetrable wall. It closed in around us, creating a green enclosure above, below, and around us.

It made me feel claustrophobic, as we were plunged into green tinted darkness. Markus pulled out a small flashlight, but it did little to light our way.

For hours Markus and Fletcher used machetes to chop their way through the congested forest. I was starting to fear that we were lost, when I saw the glow of a small light several yards away. As we inched closer, I recognizes it as a campfire. The silhouette of a woman was cast in its radiance.

"You've come alone?" the woman asked from beside the fire, her face hidden beneath the veil of a hooded robe.

"Yes," Markus said. "Just myself and the friend I told you about."