The World I Thought I Knew

After finally settling down I whisper, "Thanks," to Damien for having subdued a panic attack.

He gives me a slight smile, "No problem," he looks at me as if I'm a puzzle he can't figure out. Uncomfortable under his scrutinizing gaze I ask him about what the hell just happened.

"Your suppressed anxiety and emotions released themselves through psychic energy because they couldn't go anywhere else."

Okay, psychic energy. That doesn't relieve me of my confusion. Is he still referring to magic?

"Dude, I don't know if you got the memo but magic isn't real. Or psychic energy. Whatever you call it."

"It is real and you obviously have access to it. Anyone can with practice but only a small control like psychic mediums and tarot readers or fortune-tellers. People like us have a blood tie to the original source of magic. This allows a deep connection and reality-altering control like you read in fiction books. The thing is it's not fiction it is very real and is a well-kept secret because it can be dangerous for the user and those being used. You're supposed to be taught all of this by your parents." He finally finishes giving me a steady look waiting for my reaction.

I try to comprehend the magnitude of what he is implying. Magic? Real life-altering magic like in fairy tales... My intuition wants to believe him or even does believe him like it's information I'm finally receiving after waiting so long for another to confirm it. It's unsettling to feel so torn in the belief of such a subject. I guess I should give myself a little credit. I did just witness on multiple occasions objects defying physics. I'm not dreaming so is what he's saying true? My parents from what I can remember never mentioned any of this to me. I need proof I can't just believe so willingly. Maybe something done on command so I can confirm what he says. Confirm that I'm not losing my mind.

"How can I know to trust what you are saying? I have only just met you and what is happening is unbelievably strange. It's a lot to take in. This will mean everything I know about the world is false." I reveal bits of my thoughts and gauge his reaction to my words. His eyes reflect a kind of sympathy and concern for me. Like he knows what it must be like to have your whole understanding of the world crumble within moments.

"I would say for your own good you can't fully trust me. You need to be careful in trusting anyone. I know you are in the dark I don't need magic to sense that. Although I could use magic to confirm it. I'll show you something that will help you know what I'm saying is not a lie." He takes my hands and lays my right over his heart and the other cradling one side of his face. I'm startled by the sudden closeness but I can feel an electric buzzing under my hands that intrigues me.

"Close your eyes and concentrate on connecting with the energy around my heart and mind. Do you feel it? It's an electric hum as fast as the wings of a hummingbird. Imagine your hands gripping onto the energy feel the difference between my heart and my mind."

I do as I'm told and am taken aback at how quickly I notice and can see what he describes. Colors and shapes take shape in my mind's eye and I feel the ribbons of warmth and a contrasting coolness around his heart. Like it's caged within knots of different energy streams. While his mind is circled by lukewarm bands that encompass his crown like halos. The image makes me think of Saturn's rings.

"Do you feel it?" his voice is close and reverberates under my touch. The action makes the streams of energy both around his mind and heart shift a bit. It's an amazing thing to witness. It looks and feels so physically real. It reminds me of the dream realm I tend to go to in my sleep. Is this magic?

"Yeah, I can feel it. I... I can see it too. What is that? They're like halos or lightning you can hold in your hands."

I feel the grin forming on his face and open my eyes to confirm it. He looks down at me making sure I keep my hands where they are to keep hold of the connection.

"That is psychic energy. They're like channels that form as you develop as a person. Your thoughts and emotions, they reflect how you develop as a person and what you experience. Being able to connect to this in real-time allows you to tell if someone is trying to be deceptive or alter themselves in order to maintain an image. I'm showing you this now so you can understand what I'm speaking is the truth. You will be able to tell and sense if someone is holding back information or emotions." While he speaks I see the truth in his words. The bands of energy reflect what he is saying there is a purity to the light and feel of the ribbons that vibrate with each word. I can't believe he is showing me this. It seems like such a vulnerable experience and we've only just met. I notice around the heart one or two channels glow dimly almost emitting no light. I feel closer and they are cold as ice. He seems uncomfortable by the invasion so I pull my hands away breaking the connection.

"I see what you mean." I can't keep the wonder from my voice.

"Okay now that we are on the same page will you answer my question?" he gets right back to the interrogation. He's all business again and his face becomes serious. I feel somewhat drained and try to remember what he wanted to know. My mind lags a bit but I recall the question from before I went off.

"Um... yeah I guess. I live with my aunt. She is the closest living blood relative I know of and I've been living with her since I was nine. Ever since..." I take a deep breath. "Ever since my parents left. Presumed dead I guess. The authorities never could figure out what happened. It was like they vanished. I forget how we are related I call her my aunt cause it's easiest but my parents didn't actually have any siblings. I only know about her because when I was about seven my parents took me to meet her for the first time. We visited a few more times after."

It takes a while before Damien says anything else. I watch as he analyzes all the information I've given him. He doesn't seem surprised but when I mentioned the nature of my parents' death his brow furrowed deeper in contemplation.

"Has anything like this happened before today?"

"No today is the only day I've had uh... this happen." As I say the words a memory crosses into my awareness but vanishes so quickly I don't pay much attention to it.

"Today isn't your birthday is it?" Damien's tone tells me he may know the answer without my confirmation. I blink in surprise.

"Okay, no wonder. You are eighteen today, aren't you? That's why your magic is revealing itself. You've had no previous practice considering your lack of knowledge on the subject and now you have no idea how to handle the influx of magical energy. This can't be good." He doesn't say much after as he gets lost in thought. You can almost see the plans constructing themselves in the gray of his eyes. "I'm glad I caught you before anyone else could notice your outbursts."

I'm slightly offended. "Hey! I can't help my emotions and how was I supposed to know this was going to happen. Like you said I was supposed to be informed yet I wasn't so it's their fault." I remark crossing my arms over my chest.

"Well, nothing can be done of the past. Now we'll have to figure out what to do with you now."

We?