Ch.10 The Weight of Words

The hologram of Quinn was like a knife being lodged into his chest and then cruelly twisted. Was this some kind of joke? His eyes were riveted to this likeness of her. This is the first time he had seen his sister in five years. And this would be the last. And then the hologram spoke.

Words. Her words leapt out at Travis like a snake, a venomous snake, a cobra, it's neck spread threateningly. And Travis listened to these words allowing this cobra to release it's venom and seep into his veins. He could not fully understand the full definition of these words. He could not fully grasp the weight of this responsibility. But what he did understand was her voice. Her words came out in a frenzied, urgent rush and yet her voice seemed week.

"The watch...counting down...end of the world as we know it...they will find you...trust them...matchbox...light the match and see the vision in red...woman with a scar...don't trust her...she...can destroy you..."

Woman with a scar. This seemed vaguely familiar. He had seen a woman with a scar. He began groping for a memory he couldn't find.

"When you find the matchbox...don't open it...the mistress...the power to use it...I know you can do this...the fate of the world rests in your hands..."

Quinn stopped and drew a shaky breath. She closed her eyes as she gathered strength. Was that a tear in her eye?

"One more thing. You can do this Travis. I believe you can even if you don't. I know I wasn't there for you like I should have been. I don't know when you'll get this. It's been so long. I forgive you, Travis. And I hope you can forgive me too. Close your mouth, Travis."

Travis closed his mouth.

"One last thing. I love you."

With those words, the image faded away. Travis held very still. He didn't dare move. He feared that if he moved, those last words would somehow disappear. Those words would fade away just as quickly as the image had. He replayed them over in his mind. He had forgiven her. He had forgiven her a long time ago. He had just never told her. He had never thought she would forgive him. But now everything had changed. And those last words were bitter sweet in his mouth.

The auburn haired girl seemed to appear out of nowhere and the magic was gone. Quinn was gone.

"You must trust me."

"I don't have much choice, do I?"

At this point, several things happened at once. First, they heard shouting outside. Second, the auburn haired girl pulled out her knife. Third, the door to the apartment burst open with a crack and a bang. Fourth, a woman stood menacingly in the doorway.

And once again, he found his memory. A memory of a woman sitting next to him at the bar. A memory of a calling card tucked neatly away in his pocket. A memory of a woman with a scar on her left cheek...