Witness: See Series (Volume 1)(8)
“That’s ridiculous. You’ve been gone for months, looking for people like us – then you come back in town with people, and no one thought to mention that? Send a friendly text, at least? Seriously, what’s going on?”
“Nothing…” Evan’s eyes slowly moved across my face. “I think Draven is trying to make sure he trusts them before he brings you around them.”
“Are they dangerous?”
Evan looked out the window, then back at me. “I guess that depends…do you think Draven’s dangerous?”
“What? Are you serious? Why would you ask me that?”
“Because they see the way Draven does…they see the darkest of the darkness – and when they see, darkness floods their eyes.”
“Why would that make them dangerous? Draven dangerous? Why does it matter how our eyes change – that they change?”
“How your eyes change is just a connection I made a few weeks ago…I never realized it reflected what you saw…that my son was seeing living nightmares…that you were not.”
“You never knew that we saw differently?” I asked sarcastically, doubting his every word. I knew Nana could see…that she knew what we went through.
“I suppose I was spared from the details…I didn’t…I didn’t realize how complicated – and different – it was for each of you.”
“Why would how Draven sees make him dangerous?” I asked impatiently.
His expression filled with empathy. “I think your father…I think you should ask your father.”
“He’s dead,” I said louder than I should have. The people at the table next to us glanced in our direction. I nervously looked out the window again as I pulled my hood a little lower before locking eyes with Evan. “Look – I’m tired. I’m over this. I don’t understand what we are, why we have to be the ones to save these damned souls. All I want is for it to end. If you know something, then just say it. Don’t play games with me – I’ve had enough one-sided conversations with Dad for a lifetime. I deserve to hear an answer from someone – and right now, you’re the one staring back at me, so start talking.”
Evan took a sip of his coffee, then sat cup down as he glanced out the window.
“Evan,” I said to get his attention.
He looked back at me as he reached for the blinds on the window and pushed them up slightly to make it hard to see in but easy to see out. I wondered for a moment if he knew who was out there – why I was so anxious when I came in here.
“Listen…I don’t think…” he looked down and then up at me again. “I know that no one has ever talked to you about how your dad could see – how what he could do led to his death – and right now, I’m not sure telling you is such a good idea.”
I sat up straight, my eyes wide. I tried to focus on him to ‘see’ him, to see what he knew from a forgotten past, but I was too anxious. He was right: no one had said anything about how my dad could see. ‘Led to his death’ – what was he talking about?
He raised his hand to stop me. “You will not be able to see it – so don’t try. I’ve lived in a house full of people that can see most of my life. I know if I don’t think about it, you will not see it.”
“Start thinking about it,” I said coldly “This is my dad – and now you’re saying that he and Draven see or saw the same way – that it killed my dad? How dare you even try to hide something like that from me?!” I said shortly as I glanced nervously at the parked Aston Martin.
“Stop looking out the window. I have no doubt that boy can feel your energy and knows you’re close. You need to be still – calm. Hide yourself in this crowd.”
“What? My energy?”
“Yes, your energy – you know what I’m talking about. You know when your dad is there, even if he doesn’t show himself. You feel Draven or others near you. Britain, that girl with him – they’re very aware of energy...trust me.”
I swallowed hard as the reality of Bianca only a few feet away from me sank in; I hated that I feared her. “How do you know that?”
“I just do. That’s what we are: energy, a solid energy - and what Britain and his friend do is control energy, control positive, aware energy. He knows when you’re scared, when you lie, and how you feel about others just by being aware of you.”
“I’m never around him; just text.”
“That’s enough to let him know what’s going on.”
“Are you trying to make me feel guilty? Change the subject? I’m gonna tell Draven about the texting as soon as I get to your house. Seriously, Britain is just a friend; even he would tell you that. Tell me why you asked me if I thought Draven was dangerous. Tell me why you think seeing killed my father.”
“Alright,” Evan said as he leaned forward and held my stare. “When you see, tell me what it’s like.”
“I don’t know. It’s like falling into your imagination. I’m not here anymore; I’m standing in the thoughts of others, scenes of their lives - but I don’t even know if I’m doing it right, that I’m not just making it up – assuming.”
Evan smiled slightly, and I saw a twinkle of pride in his eyes. “I’ve yet to grasp it, but I know that you’re explaining it right…I know that you need to trust yourself.”