Jesse/Prophecy

'Uughhh . . .'

'Jesse?'

'Uuuuugh no, no no, please stop it, it hurts, it hurts . . .'

'Jesse calm down, you're just sleeping, it's okay, Jess, you're going to be okay . . .'

'NO . . .'

'Please, Jesse . . . Prophecy . . . Speak to us . . . Please speak to us . . .'

'No, please, make it stop—'

'Omar, can't you see it's hurting him, please, you have to stop encouraging it—'

'He'll be fine Maya, he always is, this is too important.'

'You think our son is fine?!'

'PLEASE, MAKE IT STOP—'

'Get Chief Harazi, the prophecy will be starting any second now—'

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

'Listen. I will say this once, and once alone. The time for War is almost upon us. Look for the travellers, for those who are running, for they will find you, it is fate, it is written in the sand and the wind. They will arrive before the moon becomes half in the sky, so make sure to prepare, for once they come, it will be time to go. For They are coming, and the robustans won't be ready, and you won't be either unless action is taken. The Creatures, they are coming, and when they do, so shall the next Great War begin. You must unite the tribes against them, or be warned – you stand no chance. The next Great War is coming.'

I opened my eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out—

Wait. I'm not finished. Jesse, let me speak.

No. Not your turn. I'm going to be sick, you can't do this to me when I'm awake—

I said . . . LET. ME. SPEAK.

No. I said no—

LET ME SPEAK, LET ME SPEAK, LET ME SPEAK—

Stop it, I can't think. Stop, please . . .

LET ME SPEAK LET ME SPEAK LET ME SPEAK LET ME SPEAK—

'Uuuugh . . . my head . . .'

'Jesse? Oh, Jesse . . .'

My eyes were open, but I could not see. Blind, I stumbled out of bed and crashed to the floor. My mother knelt beside me as I cradled my head in my arms and knees, rocking as the screaming, like sirens, grew louder and louder—let me speak let me speak let me speak—and I hid my face so she wouldn't see my tears. But then she put her arms around me, and for a moment I was safe, and I raised my head towards her as the tears streaked down my cheeks.

'Make it stop,' I whispered. 'Please, just for a second, make it stop . . .'

'Oh, Jesse, if only I could,' Mum cried, and she pressed her forehead against my own and together, for sanity, we wept.