Forlorn

             I stepped into professor Randal’s office. I looked around for any sign of money or valuables. I was always known for being a good kid, but I was good at hiding my intentions. I figured it was okay to make a different legacy for myself than what people wanted. Given the fact that no one has ever looked after me, why should I look out for them?

When I was four, I was taken to the foster system. I can’t remember anything before that and have tried to forget everything since. I had nothing to tell me about my family. All I had when I entered were bruises, well that’s what they told me at the home.

I had never directly been involved with the law, at least never got caught. I was good at covering my tracks.

            

            I heard a click behind me. The noise startled me as I spun toward the door where the noise came from.

“Oh! Mr. Randal you startled me.”

            

            “What are you doing?” He questioned.

            

            “I heard you wanted to speak to me.” It was the first thing that came to mind. It was always better to throw the conversation back on them, make them feel like they have to come up with a reason.

            

            “Who told you that?”

            “Ms. Larney” I picked the weirdest teacher I could think of, it would make it more believable. “She said you were looking for me.”

            “How did you get in?” I smiled momentarily as I understood Mr. Randal was not a fool.

            “Through the door. Well, if you weren’t looking for me I will just go.”

            Quickly, before I could react, Mr. Randal reached across the room and grabbed my head in the palm of his hand. A surge of energy coursed through me. It felt like the rushing of cool water through my veins. Little violent shocks ran about my body upon his contact. My vision was distorted and all saw were blurry images.

I didn’t know how long that occurred, but it was odd. I had a deep feeling that I went somewhere else entirely. I left his office, but not physically, more so in my mind. I saw my life passing before me. Images and emotions flew past; even physical pain coursed in my joints, simulating severe growing pains. I saw people who I felt strong attachments to, but never met. Then as briefly as they came they were ripped away.

One image, so far the most vivid and powerful dominated my mind. I sat in a hard backed wooden chair, in an elegant room. The chair was the only part of the room not lavishly decorated, the molding was carved with intricate circled patterns and the armchairs against the wall were cushioned and made of exquisite leather. Before me sat a panel of men. They wore suits and although it was not dark they faces were shadowed. Every person I had seen so far their faces were recognizable, but not these ones. They were upset and it was at me. Every instinct told me to move, but no matter what I thought my legs remained stuck to the sunlit marble floor.

“Don’t lie to me!” One man screamed as he stood.

I scampered to my feet and knocked the chair to the ground as I ran from them, but I heard a screaming shot and I fell. The floor was hard and the vision was beginning to fade, as a stream of blood began to stretch past my face. Everything went black and red.

The images had ended and Professor Randal was holding my arm supporting my weight. I was back in his office.

“Are you okay?” he asked looking at me oddly.

“Yea, just a dizzy spell.” Did he have a clue what happened?

“Okay, well just go take a seat then.” I politely excused myself. I assured him I would be okay as I left.

It seemed as though years had passed, but it was just moments from what I gathered.

            I have heard so many people say that if they saw their future they would change it. I myself believe that is not true.

My name is Matthew Larkin and I had the chance to change mine, but ignored my warning and believed it was just a dream.