“My child,” I heard, but it wasn’t the female voice from my dreams. This time, it was more androgynous. At points it sounded male and at others it sounded female. A cacophony of voices all at once. “Mychild.” There was possession in the tone that made the hairs on my arms stand up.
“What do you want?” I squeaked out, rubbing my arms to get the hairs to go down. I was so tired of these visions.
“You are destined for much, and nothing. Much pain, misery. But also greatness, joy. There is much in your future. You will have to decide which path to take.”
More riddles. More confusion.
“Where is the woman I talked to last night?”
“Not here. Just me.”The voice sounded almost amused. Like it was playing a game I couldn’t win.“You pick a path today, child.”
Today? Don’t I need to prepare for this or something? I don’t even know what I’m choosing!
Suddenly the ground shifted, the scenery whirling around me, and I felt like I was moving through time and space. The whirling stopped abruptly, spitting me out in front of two literal pathways.
“Oh, you’re not kidding. Two literal paths.” I couldn’t help the sarcasm that bled into my voice.
The androgynous voice chuckled. “Yes, child. Two paths.”
I stood and stared. There seemed to be no difference between the two. They both started smoothly and darkened before I could really glimpse what the path turned into.
“What’s the difference?” I asked.
“One is wrought with destruction, the other with creation. I cannot tell you what happens on each path. You will have to find that as it unwinds.Choose.”
“Can I know whichpath is which, at least?”
“No. Feel it within yourself. You know.”
I know? What kind of advice is that? It was like the woman’s voice from my dream telling me todestroy. Is this what she meant?
I took a tentative step toward the path on the left, feeling nothing.
Ugh!I stamped my foot in frustration.
“You are acting like a child.”
“Well, you keep calling me that, so maybe it’s fitting that I act like one!” I snapped.
“Ooh! She bites.”That humor again.
I blew out an angry breath through my nose and tried to focus. I felt nothing. Heard nothing. My anger rose—all the annoyances over the past twenty-four hours, the fact that I even had to have my future read like I was some pawn in political games. The slimy feeling of being used crawled across my mind and skin. I was my own person, with my own wants, needs, and desires. Didn’t whatIwant matter?
I was quite tired of my wishes being pushed aside for the will and decisions of others.
“No,” I breathed.
There was silence from the voice after I said it.
“No,” I said louder. “No, I won’t pick. I won’t play these stupid games. I’ll let Fate choose for me. I’m not picking a path.”
There was a pause.“Interesting choice, my child.After all, no choice is still a choice.”
Behind me, a third path appeared. It didn’t look any different than the two in front of me, but I decided I was quite done with trying to figure out where each path led or what it contained. I turned on my heel and strode onto the new path.
“I expected nothing less, child. This is going to be . . . fun.”
The voice’s words echoed in my skull as I opened my eyes with a startled gasp. I was back in my father’s study, but I was lying on the floor, looking up at the ceiling. All three adults were standing over me, staring, looks ranging from horror and concern to terror on their faces.
