I did not know where we were, but there were a lot more trees here and the houses were situated a bit far away from each other. My father seemed to be in a good mood, whistling and then singing along with the tunes from the radio. I heard whispers from Mike and Neil’s conversation and it took a lot to prevent me from screaming at the top of my lungs but I kept my eyes closed. After I saw my dad’s eyes go green, I looked to Mike and Neil for confirmation but their eyes went blue and yellow respectively. It made my skin crawl, so I decided to close my eyes for the sake of my sanity, and everyone else’s.

I felt the car screech to a stop.

“Let’s go pee. I’ll get something for you guys to eat.” Immediately I turned to the car handle, wanting to get away from the car as soon as possible.

“Dad, maybe we should get somewhere to sleep?” Mike said, worry in his voice.

“Don’t worry I’ll be fine… Nikita do you even know where the bathroom is?”

“I’ll figure it out!” I yelled, already running away from the car.

I finally looked around at where we were. We were at a gas station, with a provision stop as well. I hoped dad gets me pringles, those things were my weakness. As I promised, I found the bathroom. It was dirty, typical of most public washrooms but I had no choice. I closed my eyes grimacing; I could feel the infection setting in. As I washed my hands, I looked into the mirror. My eyes were glowing red. I thought I would only be able to see auras with Mike’s help. Now I’m seeing them all on my own. I wondered if I should be worried or excited. I was neither; I was scared.

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The mirror, shimmered, now looking like still water that has been tampered with and in effect rippling my reflection. Much to my surprise, my reflection shimmered into Mawu’s own, her dark beautiful face looking angry. As soon as it appeared, it disappeared.

Why as she angry at me?

What did I do?

That is because you are trying to run away from who you are.

“I am not trying to run away from who I am; how can I even do that, it’s staring me in the face” I said to the mirror.

That is what makes it so futile. Stop trying to be something else. You are a god, be one!

I wanted to say I didn’t understand, but a woman came out of the stall, looking at me weirdly. I quickly left the washroom cringing all the way.

As soon I reached the car, Neil and Mike walked over to me, their eyes still glowing.

You are a god be one!

I looked them squarely in the face instead of turning away, my heart in my stomach.

“What do you guys want?”

“Nikki I’m sorry,” Mike began, looking sorry but that did not just mean I would forgive him just like that “I wanted to tell you…”

“But you didn’t. That’s what’s important, you did not tell me” I tried to prevent myself from shouting, like a god, a calm collected not crazy god.

Until Neil touched me. I tore my hand away. It hurt.

“Everything is your fault!” I wanted him to feel my pain. I was a fish taken out of water, suffocating and dying inside and it was his fault “I hate you” it wasn’t like I didn’t. He looked at me like I hit him but I didn’t care, I was hurting too. I turned away and sat at the passenger’s seat looking forward.

“Did I do good?” I whispered to Mawu.

She didn’t reply.