Reading Between the Lines

Chapter 34: Internalizing

Weird. That color palette reminds me of...

The vision. This is the same exact color palette that lady was wearing! And it doesn't help that my mom is Kannadiga too.

I have to see it again. Because if what I'm suspecting is correct, then I need to be 100% sure.

But how the hell am I supposed to conjure it up? Out of all the random times the vision came, can't God help me out here?

Maybe that walk might be useful after all.

"Vani? Are you still there?"

Realizing what I have to do, I grab the phone and run to the door.

"Yes, I'm here! Sorry, I have to do something important," I explain as I shut the door behind me and walk towards the lake mindlessly. An invigorating facewash can wait. Right now, I need the magic for a different reason.

"Ok. I can call you later if you want-"

"No, stay on the line. Don't worry, I'll be quick."

"Is something wrong? You sound a bit urgent. Are you okay?"

Yes, I am. More than ok. I think I figured it out.

If the vision won't come to me on its own, then I'll make it come.

The neighborhood lake is about 5 minutes from the house, but with my sudden motivation, the time almost halved. I get there in about 3 minutes just from aggressive speedwalking. My mom keeps asking me what's wrong, but I'm not gonna say anything. I have to be certain that what I'm doing is gonna work.

I go into the trees, where I see a girl from college in wolf form just walking around the forest area. The wolf's sage green eyes land on me, and it gives me a faint smile before it walks away doing its own thing. I will still never deal with the fact that wolves can actually smile.

The lake shines under the sun in beautiful cobalt blue, and the pixie dust floats around and gives it an extra shine. It looks so beautiful untouched. Too bad I'm about to ruin it.

"Amma, stay on the line for one second. Don't leave, ok?"

"Why? Vani, you're scaring me. SWITCH TO VIDEO CALL RIGHT NOW!"

I don't answer her.

"Vani? SARVANI! Get back here! Raj, come down! Vani is doing something scary!"

I drop the phone and my jacket into the snow.

"God, give me strength and don't let me die from hypothermia."

I feel a big splash around me. And all I see is blue... and pure darkness.

This world is what I make it. So I'm gonna use it to finally get the answers I need.

***

Why didn't I just splash the water onto my face again?

Right. Because I'm Sarvani. I don't think before I do anything.

I'm probably floating in the water like a lunatic, but it's fine. People in this world don't give a shit unless there's a war going on. I open my eyes to surprisingly soothing water in my eyes, not burning me like typical saltwater does. But I don't see an underwater abyss; I see a courtroom. With actual people. And I hear actual voices around me.