Branches Book

BRANCHES

know everyone who has ever walked this street and ever will, so I wave farewell to Abhay who cheerfully waves back. I wonder why I awoke with him, I thought he was killed, then again maybe that has yet to happen. Computing my surroundings, I close my eyes to go to somewhere else. I continue walking, now entering my English class that I have for 3rd period in the boarding school I attend in Iowa. The teacher and other students can’t help but notice my inappropriate attire, so I throw my hand up and take my seat now wearing the school uniform. With purple socks of course. The teachers and students avert their eyes back to their own doings now that I have corrected myself. This is a boring boarding school, same as all the others, that's why I leave so often. At least it’s safe to come back here, I remind myself. I need to hide out here for a while but someone will be here soon to talk to me, I’m certain. This is how it always goes, right? Right? Walking from English to math class I accidently summon a force that blows everyone down in the hallway and knocks over the trophy case. It is loud and of all the students here walking to class, many fall and many dropped their books. My eyes begin glowing a piercing blue and my hair flows around me while I am standing in the middle of the commotion. My peers look up at me from their spots on the ground for a brief moment, then simply gather their scattered items and continue heading to their classes. This is a pretty common day so far, same old same old. So tired. “Come with me now,” says a man dressed in black showing me the distinct mark tattooed on his palm. It’s one of them. I oblige with a look and follow him to a special room, for I was taught to trust that mark, even when I can’t trust anyone else. Once we enter the room and close the door, we sit in chairs on opposite sides of the small table within. “What is going on here?” I ask. Knowing why I had come to this room but not understanding the rest of the events taking place in my normal day. “You jumped,” he says. “Yes. When did I leave?” I ask. “Thursday,” he answers with a little concern. “Oh I see.” That’s why I was so weak. “You must take better care of your health Miss, I will send the doctor for you this evening,” he responds. With that the man stands up and exits, leaving me alone in the dark room. Why India. Hmm. What’s happening. It will come back in time I assure myself, scrapping pieces of memory together. I jumped. Now in a large room of an open house nicely furnished. I walk in and sit at the dining room table in the natural sunlight that covers the room. Turning my head left to look out I admire the cracking trees blowing. I’ve always liked these trees. I hear myself come running in babbling with a dolly my mum made me. At only 2 feet it’s hard to see myself over the table. I

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