Seer: The Blessed Child

Hero

Like wildfire, word of the attack and Emma's heroic actions spread throughout the school and media in the following days. Emily was in the hospital with a broken jaw. Someone on the scene recorded the attack and uploaded it on social media. It immediately went viral resulting in a public outcry.

Following a special investigative report, the media learned that a Copycat Killer had been targeting young, dark-haired individuals. From witness statements, including Emma's, the perpetrator specifically targeted Emily because of her dark hair.

Outrage soon spread that authorities withheld this information from the public. 

In a press conference, police defended their actions. They stated that if they had released the information to the public, it would have created panic and hysteria.

Parents began withdrawing their children from school. As long as officials couldn't guarantee their children's safety, they would keep them out of school and homeschool them.

All in all, the past few days were hell.

Sachi learned of the attack when McCoy called her that night and insisted on taking her home worried about her safety. After that, he watched over her like a hawk not giving her a moment's peace.

For once, she was happy to be at school because McCoy wouldn't be there breathing down her neck. Thank God for small mercies. 

She opened her locker to find a note taped on the shelf.

At lunchtime, meet me outside by the bleachers. It had Emma's signature on it. "The nerve," Sachi muttered taking the note and shutting the locker door.

"You still up for leaving early today?" Kael said wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her forehead.

He looked tired with dark circles under his eyes. She knew he hadn't slept well for the past few days. "I am," Sachi said. "That's the only way to get McCoy off my back." 

"I'm with you there," Kael said. "There's worrying then there's your godfather. He takes it to the extreme." 

"I want to stop by the store to get the hair dye too," she said. "That reminds me."

She handed him the note that Emma left in her locker. 

"What could she possibly want to talk about?" He said reading it over for any hidden messages. "Maybe about the attack," Sachi said. "I want to know how Emily's doing." "Yeah," Kael nodded. "Who knows?" The bell rang. "I'll meet you by the exit at lunchtime," he said. She watched him disappear into the crowd.

In class, studies were suspended to have a discussion about the attack and the fear gripping the city that the attacker was targeting dark-haired young people. Counselors were on hand to take part in the discussion. Some voiced dyeing their hair. In fact, many arrived in class sporting freshly dyed locks.

During the lively conversation, Sachi thought back to when she learned of the attack. She didn't sense it or see it. Of all times, why did her abilities fail her at such a crucial moment? She then remembered what she was doing at the moment of the attack. Her cheeks turned crimson.

As the bell rang ending the session, the counselors passed out pamphlets for them to take about safety tips. Sachi took it and pocketed it. The time had come for her to find out what Emma had to say.

She headed towards the exit looking back to make sure that no one was following her.

Kael stood by the exit as he said he would. 

With a nod of encouragement, he took her hand, clasping their fingers, and they approached the bleachers where Emma was waiting for their impromptu meeting. "Hi," she said with an awkward wave. "Hi," the twosome said in unison.

She took out a handwritten note from her pants pocket and held it out for Sachi to take. Sachi stared at it with hesitation. 

"This is the room that Emily is in at the hospital. She would like to see you," Emma said urging her to take it.

Sachi took the note. "How is she?" 

"She has a broken jaw," Emma said. "She had to have surgery to get her jaw wired so she can't talk right now." 

"Oh my God," Sachi grimaced imagining the excruciating pain that the girl was in. 

"That also means that Emily won't be able to finish out the school year. She's working out a way to take her exams. That way we'll be seniors together next semester," Emma said. 

"I'm glad to hear that," Sachi said.

A drawn-out silence fell between them. Neither knew what to say making the awkwardness more palpable. 

"I was wrong," Emma said hastily.

Having a sense of where the conversation was going, Sachi waited for Emma to elaborate on her conciliatory statement.

"I realized when that man attacked Emily, that Callie had no chance against the Time Clock Killer," Emma said. If not for my having my pepper spray, Emily wouldn't be here. I'm sure of it. That guy had murder in his eyes. The whole time, he ignored me and went after her. I can't even look at her without feeling guilty. What I'm trying to say is that I was wrong for blaming you." 

She lowered her voice," And for doing what I did."

Though Sachi heard the words, she couldn't help but feel outraged. She wanted to rail on the blond. She wanted to scream that it took Emily, her friend, getting hurt to realize her helplessness in the situation. That what happened to Emily was something out of her control just as what happened to Callie. 

Her cruel prank with the note and alarm clock caused a setback in her mother's recovery. And all for what....petty revenge!

Instead, Sachi heard herself saying, "I accept your apology," her anger crumbling away.

"I could feel Callie there in spirit," Emma said, tears pooling in her eyes. "It was like she was there protecting us like a guardian angel."

The only thing that Sachi could do was muster a smile. What else could she say? Though Emma wasn't asking to be her friend, she did take a step in ending the hostility between them.

"What you did was commendable," Kael said astounding both girls with his politeness. "T-Thank you," Emma said red-faced.

Sachi knew that Kael didn't particularly like Emma for her bullying behavior. Even so, both acknowledged that the girl's heroic actions saved Emily's life. Along the way, the blond also seemed to have learned another valuable lesson—humility. 

Why does it always take a tragedy for some to learn it? In her sixteen years, Sachi still didn't have the answer to that ageless question.