*Visions

Intro: This story is like the Brothers story. It's a short story that preludes one of my novels. This one is from “Warehouse Seventeen.” And I'm sorry but it's a little longer than a thousand words. Not by too much but I didn't want to cut anything out. I hope you enjoy.

Jabber rubbed her eyes angrily. Blood dripped on her shirt from a split lip and her ear was sore because someone had torn out her earring in the fight. It was yet another injury that would be futilely explained away by lies. Not that Mister would believe the lies but he always pretended he did.

Traveling to Mister’s shop was easy for her. The city of catwalks and bridges was the only place she knew. Rising three floors and moving four buildings to the south east took nearly three hours. That was only because she had to avoid populated areas. Most people avoided her but there were enough that went out of their ways to find her. She always played it safe.

Mister’s shop was just around the corner. There was a group of several kids sitting lazily against the building and railing. Some dangled their feet into the open air while others let their legs stretch out nearly the length of the walk. Before she could turn and walk around another way, her vision changed. Red became green and the clear of the sky a shocking orange. The boys were no longer in sight. A lone figure ran away, their face hidden by strange white shadows. Another figure came around the corner, dressed in the sharp cut of a sentinel uniform. The sentinel looked her direction and his brow furrowed. He moved closer and reached out a hand. There was no pressure as his finger tips moved down her check but his fingers were coated a bright green.

He walked away, wiping his hands on his trousers and disappeared around the corner. Only then did she look down at herself. Before the colors righted she saw green covering her front and dripping onto the catwalk. Most of her shirt was gone and yellow and orange splotches covered her visible skin. With a blink, the shirt was whole and the splotches gone.

The visions were a part of her life. They'd always been a part of her life, and she hated them. Life would be better if she didn't know the future. Or rather, if she didn't know what wasn't going to happen. The visions never came true. Knowing what wasn't going to happen didn't make life any easier, or more pleasant.

Footsteps on the catwalk brought her out of her musings.

“Heya, cutie.” One of the boys. “Looking for a little fun?”

There was rattle as he held out a bag. Little white pills shifted together. She stared at the bag. Drugs were nothing new and every time someone offered, she refused. As she glanced up, the boy took a step back muttering a curse. Quickly looking down again, she moved backwards, raising her hands defensively.

“What's wrong with you?”

She didn't say anything and continued backing away.

“Freak.” The boy murmured. He stuffed the bag into his pocket but there was a faint clink.

She paused for a moment tilting her head to the side then moved away. It took another twenty minutes to get to Mister's shop. The boys didn't even look her direction when she ducked into the store.

“Happy Birthday, Jabber.”

An elderly gentleman stood behind the counter, a dusty apron tied around his waist. A small cake sat on the counter. She was amazed he fit ten candles on such a small surface. It was the biggest cake they'd ever had. Mister and her could each have several bites.

“Jabber? What happened?” Mister moved forward and gently brushed her hair out of the way.

She shook her head and the long hair fell forward, covering her eyes. “Nothing. Don't worry about it.”

Mister sighed and smiled softly. “How about I close up shop and we start celebrating?”

“But it's still early.”

“Don't worry about it. Today is a special occasion. Closing up early isn't a problem.” Mister smiled and moved towards the front to lock the door. “Just head on back.”

While Mister's back was turned, Jabber glanced in the till. There were only a few bills. The same amount that had been there for the last week. Once again, they were broke. With her heart in her throat, she moved to the back.

A small table was set with two plates and a small wrapped box sat on one side. She froze in the door but a gentle hand nudged her forward.

“Come on, hurry up.”

Mister's chuckle turned into a bone rattling cough. The cough had persisted for two weeks now but there was no money to visit the doctor. Neither of them mentioned it.

After a light dinner of cold cut sandwiches, she picked up the small present. Mister was grinning broadly as she carefully unwrapped the paper. She'd be able to use it for his birthday in a couple months.

“Lewis Carroll.” She said softly and carefully flipped through the book. “Thank you.”

Someone knocked on the door. “Leave the dishes where they are.” Mister instructed as he walked to the front. “I'll do them. You enjoy yourself.”

She looked through the book reverently.

“Where is she? Where are you hiding her?”

Mister answered in a murmured and there was a crash. She ran forward and saw Mister hunched on the floor, blood flowing freely from his nose.

“There she is.” One of the men called out. Without looking at Mister, she ran through the door. The men followed as Mister cried out behind them.

“She's done no wrong.”

Only by hiding in trash shoot did she finally loose them. It was nearly midnight when she stumbled back towards the shop. She stopped around the corner and hesitated. The image of Mister on the floor blood pooling under him brought tears to her eyes. He'd taken her in when no one else had and his shop suffered because of it. For nearly ten years the patrons visiting slowly dwindled.

As she sank down against the wall, something caught her eye. A small white pill rested on the center of the catwalk. It was the same type of pill the boy offered her earlier. A pill that could make her forget. Forget the screams of those who met her gaze and those who hated her.

It went down her throat easily. She leaned her head back against the wall and waited for life to improve. Her vision changed. It didn't invert it swirled. How long she sat there, she didn't know but strange visions passed through her eyes.

“Hey, look what we have here.”

“Mister's freak.”

A rough hand grabbed her hair but her limbs wouldn't obey. Something slammed into her stomach and she vomited the little dinner she had. As strange visions passed in front of her, the pain nearly blinded her. Finally she was dropped to the ground and the figures moved off. She glanced up through swollen eyes and saw a sentinel approaching. He knelt down and gently picked her up. As she was carried away she heard someone say.

“Thank you for finding her. She's my life.”