*This was a strange little snippet that I wrote after dreaming about it. Hope y’all enjoy!
His heart pounded almost in time to his running feet. His long silver hair was in disarray and kept slapping him in the face whenever he turned a corner or skidded to slow down. No matter how he felt, no matter how much his body begged him to stop, Kiran had to keep running.
He clutched his messenger bag close to his chest, making sure all the contents inside would stay safe. Though his ribs ached and he could feel the recent blows to his head begin to swell, the only thought that ran though his mind was what kept him going.
If I go, he’ll be safe.
Kiran repeated that phrase like a mantra over and over. His sneakers squeaked in the damp streets and whenever he passed under a streetlight there was the chilling fear that someone would have spotted him. If he calculated it right, he would have at least a ten minute head start. He looked into his mind's eye for a brief moment and saw that ten minutes was just about right. After ten minutes the alarm would be raised and everyone would come looking for him. If he made it to the bus station before then, he may have a chance.
He thought about looking further and seeing if he actually could make it by bus without being caught, but then thought better of it. He barely had the energy to keep running and just the split second of looking to see if he was in the clear had worn him out. Normally he could gaze into the immediate future with no problem, but with his injuries taking up all his energy there was little he could do. Best run and fight for the best, rather than see the future, pass out in the street and surely be found.
To Kiran’s relief within minutes he was at the bus station. He quickly pulled the hood from his sweatshirt over his head, concealing most of his hair and bruises. The most people should see are his steel blue eyes behind slightly broken glasses. If they questioned the cut that his glasses had graciously given him during the fight, he could just say he slipped in the damp night.
A poor excuse, but one which would settle for people with only mild concern.
He was breathing harshly and he fought to slow it down so as to not appear desperate. He would get a ticket for a bus leaving as soon as possible. If he was lucky, his clan would not figure him going to the bus station. Kiran hoped they would assume he went to Zain’s place. A normal move for Kiran to take.
Which was why he was not taking it.
A small part of him wanted to cry, wanted to squat down holding his bag and wait for Zain to find him and put everything right like he always did. But Kiran knew that wouldn’t work this time. If he had any hope of saving his clan, he needed to get away from them. Kiran was about to break every rule a divinator is supposed to live by. He could only pray it would be worth it.
The fates seemed to be working in the young man’s favor as he was able to purchase a ticket and board the bus with no one interrupting, asking too many questions, or trying to stop him. No one asked about his unkempt appearance, though looking at the other occupants of the bus that made sense.
As he found a quiet spot next to a window, Kiran huddled up in his damp cold clothes and made a mental checklist of what to do next. Zain had taught him years ago how to disappear if he ever needed to. There were specific steps to ensure that no one found out where you were or where you were going.
Unfortunately, Kiran had already broken the first rule which was ‘change your appearance’, but in his defense he really didn’t have time nor had he planned to disappear tonight. He could cut his hair or something later.
What were the other steps Zain had told him? Kiran concentrated, but the aching in his chest and head made even thinking feel fuzzy.
Damn. If only he had the energy to reach back with his mind. If he could do that he could watch the conversation he and Zain had those years ago as if being present for it a second time. As it was, he would just have to rely on normal memory.
How annoying.
Kiran wondered where this bus was even going to take him. He had been so intent on buying the first ticket out of here he hadn’t listened to the teller when he stated the bus’ destination. He looked down at his ticket.
This bus was going to travel along the coast. Perfect. If he couldn’t get to a good, out of the way place from the bus, then maybe he could by boat. Anything but a plane. Zain had warned him against planes. Planes required too much information to buy a ticket. Information would leave a trail for others to follow.
The bus engine started. Kiran felt himself rocking backwards as it left its parking spot and pulled onto the road.
No one had stopped the bus.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
It was only then that he started to feel the real panic of what had just happened. He huddled closer to himself and hugged his bag. Not a very manly pose for a twenty year old, but if he wasn’t gripping something he knew the tears would escape. He took a deep breath and released it shakily. His hands felt cold and he could now see the red cuts that covered them in the passing lights of the street lamps. There was sweat on his forehead. His eyes hurt from just being open.
Oh god, what have I done? How am I not dead?
Don’t panic. Another voice sounded in his head. Zain from a few years ago. Another lesson about defense and avoidance. Panic will only make you think about the worst outcomes. If you focus on the worst outcomes, there is more of a chance you will let them happen. Never give your opponent that opportunity.
Once more he tried to think of his next step. The way his mind was fogged he kept getting sidetracked. First the dream, then the attack, and then running to the bus station...it was a wonder he hadn’t passed out. Kiran made a mental note to tell Zain of his increased stamina.
Then he remembered Zain wasn’t there. Kiran would most likely not see Zain for a very long time, if ever again. The bus jolted over a pothole. Kiran hit his head on the glass of the window and groaned.
All the lessons that Zain had given Kiran about disappearing and survival had come with the certainty that Zain would be with him when he did. Every plan included Zain, or at least somebody, by his side. For a Diviner to travel alone was not only unheard of, but practically asking to be killed.
If his faction didn’t find him first, another would. Or worse.
Kiran shivered and hunkered down in the seat. If anything were to happen in the next few hours there was nothing he could do about it on this bus. The best thing he could do was try to rest and maybe enter a light healing sleep. His mind sure needed it, not to mention his body.
Taking care not to have his head on the window again, he closed his eyes.
What he didn’t know was that someone else was on the bus watching him, waiting for the perfect moment to make their presence known to the wayward Diviner.
Sometimes I have dreams about people before they pass. Tonight I had a really vivid dream about my Godfather. I don’t know if it was that kind of dream or not. I’m sort of hoping it wasn’t.
