Free Prophecy by Paula Bradley Page B

color of which were almost black due to the enlargement of the pupils.
    “She doesn’t look like she’s in pain. She finished breakfast. We were talking about what we were going to do today, and...” Raphael was babbling, but Winters remained still, taking in the information, “...and suddenly she stopped moving and talking. I put my hand on her shoulder,”—Raphael repeated the action in case Winters didn’t understand what he’d meant—“and she felt like a block of wood. I spoke directly in her ear. She didn’t react. Then I left her and went straight to your office.” He sounded like a frightened child who had run for daddy because his sister had fallen out of a tree.
    Winters reached for the miniature flashlight he always carried in his pocket and shone the bright light in Mariah’s eyes.
    No reaction in her pupils. No change whatsoever. He was at a loss. His instant thoughts were “doctor” and “hospital,” but somehow he instinctively knew they could do nothing for her.
    Straightening, he spoke to Raphael, his tone assuring and loud enough to break through the boyfriend’s concentration on his girlfriend. “I wouldn’t worry if I were you. She’s done some strange things before, too numerous to count, and I imagine it’s just another phase of her development.” He saw Raphael’s anxiety lessen slightly, so he went on. “I think she’s in some kind of trance. Maybe she’s exploring the galaxy or her brain is ready for her to become proficient at vanishing.”
    It had the desired effect. Raphael relaxed, even smiled. With a large inhalation of air, he said, “You’re right. I just freak when she does something like this.” Almost to himself he murmured, “When’s it going to stop?”
#
    If they only knew what had happened to cause Mariah to become entranced, they would have been a lot more than uncomfortable.
    Something had touched her mind. Instinctively, she had thrown up a block, but it was too powerful. It meant no harm, she felt no malevolence, but it was something strange and unyielding. She had no idea what (or who) it was, but she wouldn’t fight it. She doubted she could.
    With a blue glowing light so intense it made Winters and Raphael cover their eyes, Mariah, once again, became engulfed in its embrace.
    And in that warm brilliance, she felt a familiar touch.
    Serenity enveloped her mind, as miraculous as the first time he came to her. His familiar embrace was, at first fierce, and then protective. Energy flowed from his body into hers.
    She knew who held her, who joined his life force with hers—and her spirit soared in elation. Was her head actually pressing against his chest? Was the sound she heard the steady and hypnotic rhythm of his heart?
    Take me with you, Father . Her lips never moved, and no sound came out: it was her mind that spoke to his. The request was automatic, without thought.
    She felt his warm hands move from her back to clasp her shoulders as he gently moved her apart from him, leaving a chilling sensation of abandonment. She opened her eyes. His gaze was both sorrowful and helpless.
    A flash of stunning recognition filled his senses as his eyes widened extravagantly. Before him, the face so like the one lost to him two millennia past.
    He was beautiful. Dark brown hair, nearly black, framed his oval face; swarthy skin spoke of long hours in the hot sun. His lips were full, expressive, surrounded by a coffee-colored beard of curly hair, deep auburn highlights interwoven among the brown. And he was muscular: a man used to long hours of hard labor.
    Even though his deep brown eyes were the kindest and most compassionate she had ever seen, his words did not alleviate the melancholy and fear that had deepened with each passing day.
    Would that I could, my child, but your time on Earth is not yet over.
    The pain of disappointment cut her as sharply as a scalpel. His eyes clouded with sympathy, with remorse.
    Then why are you here ? She knew her thoughts were