Seer

            When I told my parents of all the bright colors I see emitting from them, from everyone, they naturally did not believe me. They could not comprehend the vivid auras I see in people. Everywhere I go everyone I come across, I bare witness to a spectrum of glorious light unique to the individual. The angels appearing in their faces when they laugh, tell the truth. To the demons in their expression when they act on negativity. Even the lies they try to hide, I can see.
            My parents sent me to a therapist to try to make sense of my erratic imagination. They figured maybe a therapist would understand me since that is what their profession is all about. Instead, I was put on medication. Pills only numbed my thoughts but not my sight. I got sedated, silenced, just to give my parents a peace of mind. To let them know their only child is not crazy. My parents found comfort knowing the medication was turning me normal. To me, I was becoming a mindless zombie.
            Eventually I learned to keep my visions to myself. I was better off keeping quiet of all the wonderful things I see than to be kept as a zombie. All the miraculous spectrum of light emitting from people. The beautiful creatures and gruesome monsters I see in them, I kept it all to myself. No one would or could believe me. We see only what we want to see, I suppose. A heavy realization I carry everyday.
            “You don’t say much do you,” I was asked. Out of nowhere someone approached me from behind, “Neat drawing.” He sat beside me, a beam of light followed. Specks of gold fell like dust as he leaned towards me. “Who is she?” He asked. I closed my sketch pad and turned to him. He must be new, maybe transferred from another school. I did my best not to stare for too long but his aura called to me. “I get it,” he went on, “She’s cute. Hey, is that her over there?” He pointed to a young girl from across the gym, crowded by her friends. “I see why you drew her as an angel.” I stood to walk away.
            “Don’t leave.” His aura changed, “Listen, I’m new here and I saw you by yourself.” I looked away but his aura drew me back to him. His face glowed almost angelic. I could tell he was being sincere. “Just thought maybe we could be friends. I don’t know.” He noticed me staring at him. “I’m Roman.” I could have left him there and go back to being invisible. His aura, his essence, prevented me from that. “You trying to read my mind or something?” I looked away as I sat down.
            “Zeke.” I hid myself back to my sketch pad.
            “He speaks!” Roman teased. I stenciled a new art strip, ignoring his taunts. “You do anime too or you stick to portraits?” He leaned closer to peek at my new design. He took my sketch pad and went through all my drawings. “Hey man, these are amazing.” He beamed at every page. “You have an act for this, wow.” He held my sketch pad afar as he marveled at a landscape I made months ago. Roman took the time to really appreciate every detail. “Is this how you see the world?” He stopped at a drawing I made when I was at the park. He awed at the color scheme emitting from the person.
            “Yeah,” I answered truthfully.
            “That’s incredible, honestly.” Warm shades of red and pink fell from Roman’s body like dust. His facial expression turned heavenly again. He was being truthful, I could see that. “Can’t imagine how others would understand that kind of sight.” He turned to me, “I suppose every artist sees the world in their own way, huh.” He trailed back to my sketch pad, “I mean look at this,” he turned the page, “The way you use colors coming out of people. Its almost as if you can see their aura or something.” He was right but would he believe me if I told him that?
            The school rang in echoes as the clock struck four. Everyone spread into the hallways. “Meet me at the parking lot after school yeah.” Roman added as I made my way down the bleachers. He remained seated while everyone rummaged around. “See you around Zeke.” I turned to ask him something but he was gone. I was too in my head to even question where he had disappeared to. I joined the crowd and made my way to another classroom.
            To be in a room full of people is not for me. The teacher spoke but my mind trailed off, too distracted by the energy in the room. I may not be able to read minds but emotions were hard to ignore. My classmates bright mesmerizing colors told me everything their minds did not. To know what they are thinking is one thing, but to see it in their eyes is another. One reason as to why I avoid eye contact. I get too distracted by what I see in them that I completely muffle out what they are saying.
            By the time the bell rang I waited for everyone to leave the room to make my exit. I took my things and made my way to my locker. Though I try, its hard for me to avoid big crowds; they emit too bright of a light for me to see. At times, I bump into things because large crowds blind me from seeing where I am going. I could wear shades but I would only get teased for using them indoors. I tend to walk close to the walls, its safer that way.
            Once school ended, I thought about my new friend Roman. Odd I haven’t seen him around, I thought as I made my way to my locker. He said to meet him at the parking lot but did not say where specifically. I told myself I would just head home instead. I’ll just tell him that I waited for him at the parking lot and he never showed up, I justified my reason for not going. I stuffed my backpack with books, took my sketch pad and closed my locker. The halls were easier to navigate once everyone had gone outside.
            “Weird he’d get transferred to a new school so late into the semester,” I spoke out loud. My thoughts led me to the parking lot as I emerged out of the school. The sunlight dimmed everyone’s aura, making it easy for me to see better. The sunlight helped me not get too distracted by their ever changing colors. I’m not sure why I stood by the parking lot, waiting. I suppose part of me wanted to experience what having a friend is about.
            I wanted to leave, to catch the bus, but I stayed. I watched as the bus departed one by one. Each trailing off in different directions. Guess I’m walking, I told myself. I took my phone and informed my mother I might be home late before deciding to wait a bit longer. Not soon after, Roman appeared from behind a parked car. “You showed!” He beamed as he hugged me then placed his hand around my shoulder, restricting me from making an escape. “It’s good to see you again. How was your day? You learned anything?”
            Odd he would ask me that. “There’s this abandoned cabin near the lake that has this cool view from the second floor. Thought you might get some inspiration or something. You game?” I could have said no but with his hand around me I had no choice. I suppose I was more relieved he showed up than to have gone home. I never was invited to most places as I normally keep to myself. For once, I was wanted somewhere by someone who notices me.
            On our way to the lake, Roman spoke most of the time. I occasionally added to the conversation but mostly kept my replies short and to the point. He, on the other hand, had many things to say and elaborated every detail. I began to paint a picture in my head of who Roman could be. His family travels a lot, I noticed by the many adventures he has had over the past year. He mentioned his father being in the military and his mother working as a doctor. For a teenager, Roman has had a colorful life.
            “Anyway,” Roman went on, “My dad got stationed here and my mom stayed in Washington. For now of course. I just hope that this year, we spend Christmas together as a family you know. Instead of just wishing my mom a happy new year through the screen. I don’t mind spending the holidays with my dad, don’t get me wrong. He tends to keep to himself too.” He nudged me with his elbow a bit too hard as I nearly stumbled into some bushes. We entered a trail leading to the lake. I have known about the abandoned cabin, I just never had a reason to visit the place.
            Once we arrived, we made our way inside. “For an abandoned cabin, time has been good to this house.” Roman noted. We entered what once was a living room then made our way upstairs. “Look,” Roman pointed to the graffiti on the walls, “You should add to that. Looks unfinished.” We entered the master bedroom then made our way to the balcony. Roman took a few piles of logs laying on the ground and turned them into stools for us to sit. “See, I told you the view was great.”
            We sat staring out into the lake not saying a word. Birds sang in the distance. Wind rattled the leaves from the trees and rippled the waters in the lake. Nature cradled a peaceful afternoon. I took my sketch pad and began to draw. Roman smiled the entire time, almost as if he had accomplished a life long dream. I drew him from my perspective. His young complexion, tan skin and bright hopeful eyes. He sat in front of me while I sat facing the lake. Every now and then I would glance at him to make sure I get every detail right.
            I took out my color pencils and began to interpret the colors radiating from his body onto my drawing. If he could only see the magnitude of his aura beaming out of him like sunshine. I did my best not to stare at him for too long but with him in front of me that was nearly impossible. He would smirk every now and then. He knew I was looking but he did not mind. “You were suppose to draw the lake not me.” Roman caught me staring. “Let me see.”
            I was going to show him the drawing anyways. “You really have a way of depicting peoples aura.” Roman gazed at the drawing. “It’s almost as if you can see it.” I said nothing. I wanted to but would he believe me? Would he judge me for it? Would he think of me as some crazy nerd? We kept quiet for a moment. “Must be nice to have that kind of gift.” I turned to him. I wanted to reveal that side of me but I hesitated. No one has ever shown that kind of interest in me before.
            “You know,” Roman continued, “I had a friend who had a similar gift like yours.” His face glowed gold, his features turned angelic. He was confessing the truth that confused me. “He was able to see people’s aura. Read people’s emotion in their eyes. He wasn’t as quiet though, very outspoken actually. It was kind of annoying. He once told me he could see angels and demons in people. Depending on their actions.” Chills ran down my spine. It’s almost as if he knew me. As if he knew exactly what I wanted to confess. “He drew too.”
            “What happened to him?” I asked. “You’re friend, that is. You speak of him in past tense.” I did not know if I was in the right to ask him such a personal question but to know that there might be others like me intrigued me. I needed to know.
            “He’s not from this universe.” Roman answered.
            “What do you mean not from this universe?” I asked.
            “You wouldn’t understand even if I told you.” Roman replied.
            “I think out of all the people you are ever going to meet in this town, I am the only one who would understand.” I added. “The truth of the matter is, I too am able to see all kinds of things. Just like your friend, I too can see people’s aura. I get nearly blinded by their light its hard for me to just walk in the hallways without bumping into things.” I finally confessed. “I tend to not look people in the eye because all I see is their true intentions that I get distracted by what they are telling me. And it’s not just that. I can feel what they are feeling and its exhausting.”
            We stayed silent for a moment, letting everything settle. “I know when people are lying. I see them become angels when they tell the truth. Worst of all, I see them become demons when they act on hate. You would be surprise as to how very little good people there are.” I dropped my head and hunched, almost as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. “The last time I said any of this to someone, my parents sent me to a psychiatrist. They thought I was crazy. My therapist put me on all these pills that were turning me into this numb of a shell.”
            “You eventually kept your gift to yourself.” Roman spoke, finishing my sentence.
            “How would you know,” I asked. “Are you...”
            Before I could say anything else, Roman interjected. “Zeke, you aren’t the only one with gifts.” He called them gifts, I see them more of a hassle. “Back where I’m from, I knew this one person who shared a very similar talent like you. To be frank, he looked exactly like you.” I jerked my head backwards, confused as ever. I stood up, mad and dumbfounded. I see what he was doing, he was making fun of me. Coming up with nonsense to tease me.
            “Wait, let me explain.” Roman stood to block me from leaving. “Please, let me explain.” I saw the sincere in his eyes. I sat back on the stool. Roman sat closer to me. “I am not from this world. I too have a gift just like you only mine is different. You see, my kind of gift has taken me to many places. I have come to know many worlds in many dimensions.” His aura turned gold and his face angelic. He was being honest, he was telling the truth.
            “In my travels,” Roman continued, “I have come to find that there is a title for every gift few are born with. You, for example, are known as a Seer; one who sees into peoples souls. You are a human lie detector. You see color within people. You know their true nature. I, on the other hand, am a Walker. I can travel to different dimensions, different worlds at any time. Think of it as a time traveler. The thing is, I can’t be in the same place at once. So, if I am here, that means the version of me in your universe must have gone elsewhere.” He paused, “That or I’m dead.”
            “You mean,” I tried to make sense of his nonsense, “The version of you in this world, my world, either traveled to another dimension or is dead which gives you access to enter this world.” Roman nodded. “And you knew me in your world?” Roman nodded again in reply. “Okay. I guess I understand. I mean, everything you have said about this gift I possess is true and yes I can tell whether or not you are lying. And thus far, you have not. So then why did you come here?” I paused for a moment. “What happened to me in your world that you keep referring to me in past tense.”
            “Zeke.” Roman’s tone changed, along with his aura. “There are others like us, with far dangerous gifts.” He looked away as to remember some trauma he wanted to forget. “In my world, you were killed by someone who is hunting people like you and me. I’ve met this person from time to time and every time we meet she gets different. In my world, I met her as a woman but in other worlds I’ve met her as a man. One thing that is constant about her is her gift. She is a Taker. With every kill she makes, she takes your essence; your ability.”
            “Is she who killed me in your world?” I feared to ask.
            “No.” Roman answered. “But one of her followers killed you to get to me.” Roman closed his eyes as he looked away from me. His aura turned blue and pale but his face remained angelic. Not once did he tell a lie. “You saved me from their grip.” He held my hand, “I was coming back for you but they killed you. I was going to take you with me but I was too late. I’m so sorry.” Tears rolled down his cheeks as he poured his confession to me. He was talking to the version of me he knew in his world. I then knew why he was so intrigued by me. Roman held his face and cried.
            “I don’t blame you.” Is all I could say to comfort him. I could feel his hurt tugging at my heartstrings. My eyes swelled with tears as we shared the pain he carried. I reached for him to let him know my death was not his fault. “But who is this Taker and how did she find you in the first place?” I did not want to be rude but I needed to know who was responsible for my death. I needed to know what kind of danger is in store for us, for me.
            “We need to get out of here.” Roman said as he wiped the tears from his face. “She has a group of trackers, hunters. There is no stopping her.” Roman was now worried and fearful. “I have been running from her for a very long time. No matter where I go, she always manages to find me. This may all be new to you but you must understand that we are both in danger. She wont stop until she kills us or we kill her. I wish there was another way out of this hell. Trust me, I’ve been roaming for ages looking for a way out but running is our best bet.” He stood and looked around as to see if she is near.
            “It buys us time at the very least.” Roman finished. I turned to my backpack and remembered of all the things I have to do before dinner. Suddenly, none of it matters anymore. I have found someone who knows me, someone who understands me. I stood beside him ready for whatever may come. “There’s somewhere I want to take you.” He took my hand and in a blink of an eye we were gone. We disappeared into a new world, traveled in time from one dimension to another.