The Unfolding

Chapter One “And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the last time you will ever have to listen to an old fart like me try to teach you about mitosis and meiosis,” Mr. Kent’s voice sank into my barrier, “At least so it should be unless you plan to go to college and learn about it again. God help those of you who do.” Snickers raced through the classroom and woke me with a start. I silently cursed. It always ends, always. This time, the dream seemed more urgent. It almost appeared to be…new. The room wasn’t torch-lit as it usually was, the thrones seemed newly chiseled, and the clothing was definitely not old. More than that, it didn’t feel like a dream, it felt like someone had found a way to put Skype in my head and they were warning me. There was something coming, but they couldn’t tell me what. I felt a sudden stabbing pain in my diaphragm and I gasped without thinking about the fact that I was in a classroom full of people. “Is everything alright Miss Olympia,” Mr. Kent asked and I wasn’t sure what to say but I knew it couldn’t be the truth. “Fine, I’m fine.” “You’re sure?” “Definitely.” With that he went back to the class and I escaped into my thoughts. It had been a while since I had felt that pain, maybe even a year had gone by since the last time, but I was familiar to it and it always took me off guard. It was as if someone invisible were stabbing me with a knife, but I knew I was only imagining things. When the bell finally rang and I was in my car, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go home just yet. I needed some time to clear my head and think about what I’d seen. I quickly made up my mind and called Leslie. “Hey, would it be alright if I go for a jog before I come home,” I asked. “If you exercise any more you’re going to be a toothpick,” she replied calmly and I could almost hear her cooking. “You’re one to talk. Okay, how about I walk?” “Do you have money? Is your phone well charged?” “I always have money, you stuff my pockets when I’m asleep,” I laughed and she laughed too, “And I charge my phone every night.” “Alright, but don’t be out too late Alex. Tomorrow is your birthday, Christmas is in a few days, and you just graduated a semester early; we have a lot to celebrate.” “I’ll try to be home at six, but definitely seven tops.” “Alright, have fun.” I tucked my phone in my pocket with my wallet, cranked up the heater, and took off to my favorite part of the city. In my twenty minute drive my mind was a constant blur of images and speech. A man named Zeus was prepping for a major war and his son, Jason, was telling me to find my way home. I knew all about Greece and its gods, but I didn’t understand why I kept dreaming about them; more than that I felt as if I should know them, especially Jason. I’d never dreamed about him before, never even seen his face before, but I felt like I should know him. When I reached the outskirts of town I parked the car and began my walk down No Man’s Land. I’m the only one that comes here, the only soldier walking between the two fronts where bullets and cannonballs fly, so I wouldn’t have to worry about someone chasing me down or interrupting my thought process. I didn’t have to feel singled out or feel like the world was out to get me. This was the only place that I didn’t feel that way. I was always watching my back and always curious why. In reality it was just a road leading through the woods, but it was my sanctuary. The air was nippy and snow was starting to fall, but I kept walking. Winter is my favorite season next to fall. Even though everything is barren and dead, it reminds you that even when it feels like there’s no hope spring is always around the corner waiting to give the world a rebirth. What I love most is seeing the evergreens covered in snow, but still growing strong. They stand for the people who are the light unto the darker souls of the times; at least that’s how I looked at them. I didn’t know how long I had been walking, but the air was becoming hard to breathe through the cold and the sun was all but forgotten. I was almost ready to turn around and head back for the car when I stopped. I felt a tingly sort of burning on the back of my head, like how you feel when your brain tries to tell you that someone is watching. I slowly turned to the right, my breath coming out in a white cloud. I couldn’t see anyone, but I couldn’t shake the feeling. I took one step closer and squinted into the night and the dark wall of trees. Several seconds passed by before I heard a loud hoot and the dark shape of an owl took off above me, giving me heart failure. I stood in the dark, letting my body reach normal levels again. I felt silly, but I didn’t feel as if I were being followed any more. I pulled my phone from my pocket and pushed a button to check the time and I cursed. It was already seven o’clock. Leslie was going to kill me. I zipped my phone back in my pocket and ran back to the car that I had walked at least three miles from, if not more. Out of breath I locked the doors, turned on the heater, and called Leslie. “You’re late Alexandria,” she answered and I took a deep breath. “I lost track of time. I’ll be home in fifteen minutes if I drive the speed limit.” “Yes, please. I’ll see you in a bit.” With that we hung up and I started my drive home. Todd and Leslie, my adoptive parents, had to be the most easy-going people alive even when they set rules. Leslie, the more organized and controlling of the two had red hair and green eyes and looked like a thirty-five year-old Irish woman. Todd had tousled auburn hair and blue eyes. They were opposites and the same and they fit well together. Out of the seven adoptions I’d gone through, they were my favorite. They liked to keep themselves busy, they were into pretty cool things, and they never backed away from a challenge no matter what the cost.