Mirai

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I was excited when we woke up the next day at the prospect of going out to the real world. Properly go out, more than just right outside for a chat. Dad was right, after all, this world was amazing, but it wasn't the real world. I hadn't realized it before I had made the decision, but I longed for the unpredictability of other people.

New clothes waited for us on a chair next to the bed in the morning. Tamah had continued to be in a white dress and I had worn loose pants and a white t-shirt. The clothes waiting for us weren't much different. Tamah's dress was simply light blue instead and the pants for me were tighter and more proper. But there were also shoes and a jacket each. Sandals and a white jacket for her. Sneakers and a black jacket for me.

We got dressed and then down for breakfast. Dad looked us both up and down as we entered.

"What's the plan for today?" he asked and put some bacon and eggs on the table.

"Going to Toronto," I answered and put food on Tamah's plate. "Just to High Park to walk around for a bit and then back. We won't be gone for long."

I looked back at Dad with a grin but was met by a tense expression.

"As happy as I am about you taking my words about finding a life outside of this place seriously, I do not think it's a good idea right now," he said and sounded much more stern than I had heard him so far. It made me annoyed. He had to have seen all the progress Tamah had made. And didn't he at least trust that I wouldn't put her through something I didn't believe she could handle?

"Everything will be fine, Dad," I answered and matched his sternness with coldness.

"I do not think you've taken all things into consideration."

"She won't turn. And even if she'd be on her way to, I can take care of her and keep her safe!" I scoffed.

"Tamah is not the one I'm worried about."

I had been ready to retort, but his words froze me and I had no idea what he meant or how to respond.

He sighed. "In here, your flagae magic is much more contained. Step outside, and it'll risk overwhelming you."

"It was all fine when I was outside and talked to Mom," I pointed out and crossed my arms.

"Your powers have progressed since then. You don't know how much harder it'll be to resist the visions this time. And you'll be around more people. Strangers even. There'll be a lot more of their lives that you don't know that your powers will pick up on and want to show you."

"It's going to be fine."

"Please stop and reconsider."

"You're the one that talked about having a life outside of this place!" I exclaimed and got up from my chair. "And Tamah needs to ease into that."

"You can do that after..."

"No! Don't start that up again!" I grabbed hold of Tamah's hand. "Come on. Let's go."

I pulled Tamah with me out of the room, out of the house.

"Wait, Mirai," she said behind me. "Maybe your dad is right. Maybe it isn't a good idea."

I rounded on her, still upset. But her eyes were worried, and that made me soften instantly.

"I checked and everything will be alright. I looked into the future," I told her, which was the case. I had looked before we had gone to bed and everything had been alright in the vision. "I wouldn't put you in a situation that might be dangerous for you."

"But Kenji..."

"Is just being a dad and worrying too much." I smiled at her. "But if you think it's better to not go, then we can stay here."

She looked a bit hesitant at first, but then she shook her head. "No, I want to go outside."

"Great! Then let's get going!"

I took a step forward again and we exited the mirror. Like I had known, there was no one in sight as we stepped outside.

"We have to walk through the forest for a bit before I can teleport us to Toronto," I told her and we began to walk.

"What is Toronto?" she asked after we had walked in silence for a bit.

"It's the closest city to here," I began explaining. Then I continued by giving her more information about things that would be different compared to what she was used to. Different things that might scare her if she wasn't prepared at all. Like cars and other vehicles.

I talked for most of the way out of the forest. When I felt us step through the invisible barrier around the coven's area, I stopped and turned to Tamah.

"Ready?" I asked and she nodded.

The next moment, we stood among some trees a bit away from other people. Before us was a green lawn and further away, neatly trimmed hedges surrounding fountains. We moved forward, and I watched Tamah take it all in with big, round eyes. I smiled to myself at her expression and felt happy over the decision to go there and even more annoyed with Dad.

On the lawn, a few kids played with a frisbee. One of them threw it to another and the frisbee soared past the kid. It landed right by us and I bent to pick it up.

"Thank you!" the kid told me as I handed over the frisbee. Our fingers brushed, and as they did, my mind exploded.

I saw the kid under a table as his parents fought, his dad tossed a bottle that broke against the wall. I saw the kid being pushed into a swimming pool. Saw him beat up another kid. Saw a girl run away from him in tears. An empty bottle was placed on a table. Loud noises of chatter and music. Police sirens.

"Mirai!"

I looked into Tamah's eyes. They were filled with tears and wide open.

"Miss? Are you okay?"

I looked around and saw another kid. A girl and images started again.

Dancing. Ballet dancing. She was yelled at. She was hunched over a toilet puking. She was on a stage and a spotlight shone on her.

"Do you need help?" The face of a third stranger appeared. This time a grown-up. I only saw his face briefly and registered that he held onto my arm, then my mind was gone again.

A child crying. A boss yelling. A never-ending pile of papers. Just like the visions. They continued and continued. Poured into my mind until I couldn't even separate them. A blur of images.

A dead tree. A crumbling fountain. A bowl of blood. A fire.

A broken wing.

They poured like water after an ice jam let up, and I had no idea how to stop them. 

Should have listened to Daddy Kenji 😭