When the unicorn came over to him, Merrill was transfixed by its magnificence.  With a small smile, he reached up, touching its white mane.

[b]”Hey there,”[/b] he whispered, and for a second, the years seemed to roll off of him — the weariness that belay his young age.

It was, perhaps, a small sight of the person that Merrill could have been under different circumstances.  It’s horn began to glow....its radiance pure white.  Watching, unable to move even if he wanted to, Merrill could not tear his eyes away as the unicorn placed its horn on his leg.  And there, torn flesh mended.  His flesh knitted back together, and the blood lessened, first to a small trickle.....and then it stopped bleeding altogether.  Stroking its mane, Merrill nodded.

[b]”Thank you,”[/b] he whispered simply.

When Callie whirled to face him, her eyes blazing with fury, Merrill turned his own dark gaze to meet hers.

[i]She is so beautiful.[/i]

He heard her accusation.  Heard her anger.  Watched as the energy coalesced in her hands, and Merrill bowed his head for a second, remaining on his knees despite the healing of his injury.  Then he looked up, meeting her gaze once more, expecting her to strike him down.....destroy him.

It was not an unpleasant thought....to be free from all of this.

He shook his head.  [b]”No,”[/b] he said simply, letting the words hang in the air for a second.

Swallowing, he maintained his gaze.  Dark eyes met auburn and held them.....  For a moment, he felt his own soul shrink under that gaze.....under the hatred that radiated out from them.

It was time.  Time for his own truth.

[b]”I saw it just after you left.  The village...burning.  I saw the creature, the winged creature.  I saw you run into the house.  I watched it.....you....”[/b]

Swallowing again, Merrill broke eye contact, looking down.  [b]”I.....I can see echoes of the future Callie.  I can’t control it.....it controls me.  I see things....”[/b]

His fists clenched together.  Fingernails bit into the palm of his hand as he closed his eyes.

[b]”Some would call it a [i]gift[/i],”[/b] he almost spat his contempt onto the ground before he opened his eyes, looking to her once more.

[b]”A gift.... to see people you care about die in front of your eyes, knowing there is nothing....[i]NOTHING[/i] you can do to stop it.  To be hated and turned out by your own kin because they fear you.  To be chased....always chased because dark things desire your....your [i]gift.”[/i][/b]

Trembling now, Merrill looked down.  A sharp pain in the palm of his hand made him look down....down to where his fingernails had pierced the flesh, drawing blood once more.

[b]”This is no gift Callie.  No gift....”[/b] he sounded tired now.  So tired.

[b]”I have been running now for longer than I care to remember.  Running from village to village, never being able to stay in one place for long, afraid that I will bring the dark things chasing me to them.  I’m tired now Callie.  I just want.....to rest.....for one day.”[/b]

Tears formed in his eyes, and for a brief moment, Merrill looked very much the scared and frightened teenager caught up in circumstances he could not possibly understand....for a second the burden forgotten.  

Only for a second.

Wiping his eyes, he stood now, coldly looking to Callie as he whispered.

[b]”I saw, in my visions, a girl who could use magic.  The first I have ever seen.....the only one alive for all I know.  I knew she would....play a part in fighting the dark.  A darkness from the north.  But not this....”[/b]

He gestured towards the smoke in the distance.

Shaking his head, he whispered.

[b]”.....never this.  I am sorry Callie.  For everything that has happened.  For everything that will happen.  One thing I learned to my cost.....”[/b]

He turned away from her.

[b]”The visions.  They are never wrong, no matter the cost.  No matter how much I wish it to be.”[/b]

[@Guardian Angel Haruki]