As the sun began to set, Raven was busy in the diner as she arranged a cluster of flowers at the center of each table in the now-empty diner. Her aunt had decided to close early and was busy locking up everything, ensuring everything was set for the following day. Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced Raven's head, causing the succulents to tumble from her grasp as a cry escaped her lips, and she clutched her head in agony.
"Please, no," she whispered, pleading for the pain to subside. She hunched over a table, gripping its edges to ground herself, taking deep breaths, but the pain only intensified.
It was as though someone was sifting through her mind, different scenes flashing before her eyes, images from another time.
Flash
The landscape appeared lifeless, struggling to survive as snow blanketed the ground and dead plants lay scattered, stained with blood.
"We need to do this now."
"We don't know the consequences."
"We don't have a choice; they're coming for us."
"We're not strong enough to handle them."
Raven stood at the side of a cabin, observing a woman in deep discussion. Thunder cracked overhead.
"Our coven will endure, and our power will increase with each sacrifice."
Pain coursed through Raven's body at the woman's words. She gazed down at her arms, her veins dark as if a shadowy substance flowed through her. With a gasp, the woman turned to her, looking eerie. The book in her hands snapped shut, "Graverose" etched on the cover. She offered Raven a sinister smile, dropping the book as she reached out, grasped Raven's head, and drew her close, whispering ominously.
"It's the curse."
"It's the curse."
"The curse."
The flash ended abruptly.
"She bears a striking resemblance to the witches," Oakley whispered, her red eyes staring at the girl in the diner. Taking a deep breath, trying to enter her subconscious mind.
"We must take her now; Dorian would not be pleased," Michael said, scanning their surroundings for any signs of others looking at the girl.
Oakley cried out as pain radiated through her mind.
"What's wrong?" he asked, giving her a puzzled look.
"I don't know; it's as if she's turning it on to me," Oakley groaned, leaning on Michael for support.
"Jameson was right; she is different," Oakley remarked as she fought through her mind, while Michael quickly raised his head to look at the raven. Her eyes flew open, released from the spell. Michael gazed in astonishment at the girl's eyes.
"Get out of my head," she demanded as silence fell.
The headache vanished. Raven composed herself just as she noticed a young woman standing across the street with a man, both staring directly at her. Only to be gone in a blink of an eye.
Raven stood there, unsure of what had happened.
"RAVEN!" her aunt's voice called out as she emerged from the kitchen. "It seems there's been a power outage. Are you alright?" her aunt inquired, gesturing to the broken pot on the floor.
"Yes, I accidentally dropped it; I'll clean it up now. Aunt Mel, you can go home. I will lock up after myself."
Rushing out of the diner, they were gone.
He was no longer looking for her; he had found her.
Raven watched the woman and guy pass her, feeling energy coming off them.
"Raven," a voice called out. Raven turned to the man and woman.
"There is no point in running away," Michael called out to her.
"Who said I was running away?" she told them, turning around, heading back into the diner, and closing the door behind her.