Storyteller's Universe // Violent Visions
Final Destination
I sit at the outdoor table with benches away from everyone and place my chicken stew down. Spent most of the morning helping with the vegetable garden and found out we’ve got a deer girl who can charm plants; I was wondering where all this food was coming from.
Almost everything is handmade here, even the bowl I’m eating out of someone had to carve out. The feeling of tight-knit community is strong, but I don’t feel like I’ve weaved myself into it yet.
We have many thaumaturges and people with powers like me, everyone chips in with any ability they have to keep this place running. My thing isn’t useful to others though, I feel more of a guest than someone contributing to the life here. Raphael has told me I’m not the only one like so, but it still stings.
The stew is very good, the field kitchen is always busy and I can taste why.
“Shae, I wanted to introduce you to someone!”
Raphael comes up to me with an otter by his side and they both sit opposite of me. I wanted to eat alone… Raphael brought chicken stew too, the otter has a veggie shashlik
“This is Aubrey, they can help with your power.”
“Good to meet you Shae!”
I look at Aubrey quizzically, but it’s Raphael who continues talking, not really about Aubrey or their powers, just about the Haven and what’s happening around here.
And talking, and talking, and talking. Well after everyone ate their food, he’s still going.
Aubrey led me away from the Haven, behind one of the small hills surrounding it.
“Sorry about this, people uhh… Usually underestimate how powerful I can make them.”
“I only sense danger. I will not explode.”
“...Would it surprise you if I heard that before and it turned out not true?”
“Someone exploded while trying this?”
“Metaphorically, yes.”
Should I be doing this? I want to go back.
“I will count you down, try to use as little of your ability as possible please. You will underestimate how much power you’ll have.”
“I don’t activate it, it just does when I’m in danger.”
“It might not work then, especially not here, but let’s try anyway. Five. Four.”
I swallow and brace myself, no idea what I should expect to happen. I notice Aubrey is stepping back and keeping quite some distance from me.
“Three. Two. O—”
Carla slams the door shut after someone who has just left their hotel room. They throw their book on the nightstand before laying down on the bed and sighing heavily. They pull out their phone and before managing to do anything with it, the room folds in half and then in another half again. As quickly as it happened it unfolds itself back into the previous shape.
All of the furniture is broken into splinters, walls are cracked at the folds, Carla’s crushed and broken body is staining the torn up mattress with blood. The door is kicked in by three people who promptly confirm the kill.
“—ou alright? Shae?!”
Aubrey is gently shaking me while I’m laying down in grass. I can’t breathe. Tears are staining my cheeks. I can’t move. I’m trembling.
I can't do anything to save my best friend. I hate it here. I hate myself. I can’t do anything.
I need to contact Kingsley. She needs to know.