Free The Dark Path by James M. Bowers, Stacy Larae Bowers

for the Headmaster to finish writing. The Headmaster wrote on till he had filled the page and sprinkling the fresh ink with fine sand he looked up to Gen.
    "You have a question?"
    "Yes. Why us?"
    "For a lot of different reasons, but the main one being that you are to the point now where you need to get out in the world a bit. Living secluded here is not what is meant for you; though I feel young Thomas will return here and spend the rest of his days teaching. As for Aaron, I don't like what he's becoming so I'm hoping the world will set him right. Try to keep him away from the bottle while you are gone. "
    "Why Meeka? She has never known anything but the Schola. It will be hard for her to leave."
    "Gen," the Headmaster said rubbing his eyes slowly. Gen noticed that the Headmaster looked very old now. "Meeka told me of her dream. It frightens me, to tell you the truth. I hope it is only a dream but if it is a vision then all of you need to be away from here when it happens. That, and I fear that if I tried to send you away from her, I would be doing a terrible thing. All that and now this incident with Elise." The Headmaster shook his head. "Just go Gen, but be careful. Something bad is swiftly approaching. I can feel its chill in my bones," he smiled sadly.
    "Thank you for telling me the truth, Headmaster. I will do my best to bring this package to the Crow temple," Gen said as he stood and picked up the pouch and placed it atop his own package. "May the Gods watch over the Schola."
    "May the Gods watch over you, Gen," the Headmaster replied with an odd tone in his voice.
    Gen found Thomas waiting for him as he left the office.
    "I'm scared, Gen," Thomas said. He was shaking slightly and his face was still white.
    "I know, but you will be fine. I'm going too, remember."
    "Thank you," Thomas said; and in an odd moment hugged Gen close to him, and cried softly into his shoulder. Gen patted his friend on the back and waited for him to compose himself.
    "I'm sorry. I just... I just get a terrible feeling about all this. Like some dark thing is lurking above us; watching." He shivered.
    "Go to sleep. We have a long walk ahead of us tomorrow," Gen said, and pushed his friend gently down the hall.
    "Good night, Gen."
    "Good night, Thomas," Gen said smiling till Thomas had turned his back. Gen's smile became a deep frown. What an odd day this has been, he thought as he returned to his room still shaken from the image in the mirror.
    He was surprised to find a candle burning in his room; and even more surprised to find Meeka asleep in his bed. Trying to be as quiet as possible, he placed the pouch and his new robes on his small desk. He then took off his tattered gray robes and folded them on the floor beside Meeka's. He was just settling in behind her when she spoke to him.
    "Gen, hold me close tonight," she requested quietly, "I don't want that dream to come back again."
    He replied by squeezing her tight against him and kissing her gently upon her pale shoulder.

 
     
    VIV
    A Mysterious Book
     
     
    Dawn came early for Gen. He had finally slept, if only for a few hours. He wasn't surprised to find that Meeka was no longer beside him. Last night, she had fallen instantly to sleep in his arms. Finally resigning himself to the fact that he was awake, Gen got up and rubbed the dull ache from his arms. He then proceeded across the room to the washbasin to wash the sleep from his eyes. On the top of the basin lay a note. Gen picked it up and began to read.
     
    Gen,
    I'll be in my room packing. Join me there when you've finished getting ready. Try to round up Thomas and Aaron on your way. Hurry now!
    Love, Meeka
     
    Gen refolded the note and placed it back beside the basin. Then, wetting a cloth, he washed his face. He glanced up at the mirror and stopped for a second. The package was still tied on top of his desk. He slowly picked it up and untied the ribbon. The robe was made of a coarse but supple material. It was a deep black with