Chapter 1 #3
“Alright, Karate Kid,” Fermena cackles, sitting down and leaning the rifle against the table. “Sit.”
Saraia sucks her teeth and sits across from her, placing her tote bag on the table.
“I called you over here,” Fermena starts, “because I want you to help me figure out more about those orbs. I saw them again this morning and they’re definitely not fireflies, Rai.”
“Well, next time,” Saraia folds her arms. “Lead with that!”
“Like I knew you’d come in guns blazing!” Fermena rolls her eyes and goes on to explain how the orbs showed themselves after her journal entry.
Saraia raises an eyebrow. “Maybe you opened a portal.”
Fermena frowns. “I didn’t even do the ritual.”
“You didn’t, but sometimes the intention of your heart does without knowing. It could’ve been opened in another universe or something,” Saraia explains.
“You could be right. This has to mean something. It just seems like there’s a message for me. You think you can connect?”
“Maybe,” Saraia says. “We can tap into the energy and see if there’s a message for you.”
Saraia reaches into her tote and pulls out her golden tarot cards—she never goes anywhere without them.
She is always prepared in case she needs to read someone down or even herself.
People throughout town are aware of her gift, and whenever they see her out and about, there is never a moment when she doesn’t get stopped for a reading.
“Alright, give me your hands,” she says, reaching out for Fermena.
Fermena does as told, and Saraia instructs her to close her eyes.
“Deep breath in,” she guides her as Fermena fills her chest with air. “Deep breath out.”
“We call upon the spirit guides of Fermena Caldwell, descendant of Fermena Caldwell, Sr., for direction and clarity. If there is a message that she needs to receive for her highest good, may it be revealed right here, right now.”
Saraia releases her hands and begins shuffling her cards.
Each tarot card is engraved with Rider-Waite Tarot symbols to tell a story of messages that may come through.
As she shuffles, she closes her eyes to feel the energy around them.
Fermena watches Saraia’s every move, studying how quickly the cards move through her hands, hoping something will give her the information she needs.
A violet glow surrounds Saraia’s hands as three cards fly out of the deck, landing in a straight line.
Her eyes remain closed, but her pupils can be seen moving from side to side, downloading information as her mouth mutters silent whispers at the speed of light.
Saraia gasps as her eyes fly open, returning to consciousness.
“What, what?!” Fermena yelps on the edge of her seat.
“It’s here …” Saraia whispers, preparing to flip over the first card.
“What’s here?” Fermena grabs the sides of the table and leans forward, anticipating what the first card will reveal.
“Shhh ...” Saraia holds up her finger, needing quiet to receive the downloaded messages fully.
Fermena sits back in her chair with her arms folded—patience is not her strong suit. She watches as her best friend flips each card over to see the revealed truths.
The Moon card.
The Star card.
“Girl,” Saraia gasps, flipping the last card over slowly.
The Lovers card.
“Someone’s coming,” she gasps.
“Whatchu mean—someone’s coming?” Fermena scrunches up her face, confused.
“A lover,” Saraia clarifies.
Fermena’s mouth falls agape.
Saraia explains that the Moon card represents the uncertainty Fermena feels when it comes to opening her heart to find love again.
She’s been dealing with her shadows and a deep sense of loss and fear that have been creating a block.
Although she is uncertain, she is encouraged to use her intuition to guide her.
“The Star card represents new dreams—hopes for the future and a light coming at the end of dark time,” Saraia continues. As she speaks, the orb from that morning returns and hovers over the last card.
“Rai,” Fermena whispers. “Look!”
Saraia slowly follows her gaze without moving a muscle. The orb remains still—not a sound, just its luminous glow radiating.
“Yeah … this is definitely a sign,” she whispers.
They both remain still, keeping their eyes on the glow, not wanting it to disappear. After a few moments of their silence, it vanishes.
They both giggle.
“This is crazy, Rai.”
“Let’s finish,” Saraia continues, wanting to finish the message before it leaves her. “Lovers,” she says, tapping the last card. “The Lovers card indicates a relationship is coming. Your decision will have to be made regarding a potential partner.”
“But who though?” Fermena asks.
“Girl … they ain’t tell me all that,” Saraia cackles. “I’m only the messenger.”
Fermena huffs, folding her arms and leaning back in her chair.
“Relax …” Saraia says. “Whoever it is will reveal themselves in time. You just need to be patient.”
Growing frustrated, Fermena sucks her teeth because she doesn’t want to hear all that. Although the message is clear, she wants more details. She wants to know who, what, when, and where.
“That’s why your guides don’t want to tell you shit,” Saraia says, packing up her cards. “Patience is key, boo.”
Fermena brushes her teeth, preparing for bed.
“Pay attention to your dreams tonight,” Saraia says, snuggling under Fermena’s thick white comforter. “They may give you more answers.”
Fermena spits her toothpaste into the sink. “I sure hope so.” She snatches her bonnet off the sink, placing it on her head and tucking in her large lavender curls.
“Thanks for staying with me tonight,” she says, sliding into bed next to Saraia.
“That’s what friends are forrrr,” Saraia sings. “Goodnight, sleepy head.” She adjusts her bonnet and turns over on her side.
“Night.” Fermena reaches over and cuts off the side table lamp. She wastes no time snuggling into her pillow, meeting slumber shortly after.
As she drifts off to sleep, she begins to hear faint whispers. Undiscernible whispers, murmured too low to understand. She is in complete darkness until a bright light crystallizes her field of vision, and the whispers grow louder.
“What is that?” she thinks.
Trying to follow the words that echo around her, it’s in a language she doesn’t understand; it is native to some foreign land but not earth.
It sounds ethereal, almost like a whispered melody.
She looks down at her bare feet, and beneath her are stones that are lit up in iridescent blues and purples.
She follows her line of sight to reveal a forest of tall trees that stretch up to the night sky.
Each tree's trunk is ginormous, larger than she’s ever seen before.
She knows she isn’t on Earth, as the energy around her feels foreign—but peaceful, providing her a sense of calm.
As she follows the trail of glowing stones, she takes in the trees around her, their branches thicker than her arms and leaves larger than the palms of her hand.
At the tip of every other branch are lanterns that hold a white glimmer.
She looks above and there they are—the glowing orbs.
“What is this place?” she wonders. “It’s so beautiful.”
The melodic whispers continue as she makes her way over a wooden bridge wrapped in forest green vines and moss.
As she walks, her hand trails along the rail, taking in the softness of the moss.
In the distance, a beautiful palace stands with golden filters over the towering stained glass windows that cast glittering rays across the clear, emerald water that surrounds the entrance.
Orbs float through the air like glowing pollen, trailing toward the double doors of the entrance.
At the center of the massive structure are cathedral-like arches with pointed Gothic windows, intricate carvings, and flowing golden details that shimmer.
Ivy and glowing moss curl over parts of the steps, showing nature’s integration with magic.
As Fermena walks over the bridge, she comes closer to the wide staircase that descends from the entrance.
The entire scene radiates calm, power, and a sense of mystery.
“Where am I?” Fermena whispers to herself as she walks up the staircase.
Reaching the entrance, her gaze is caught on the sigils etched into the double doors, each one shimmering with a faint white glow.
She reaches out to brush her fingertips along the carvings when a sudden thunderous bang fills the air.
Heart leaping into her throat, Fermena jerks back as fear rushes through her body.
Without a second thought, she bolts across the bridge and plunges into the forest, not daring to look behind her.