The Seer's Touch: Help Him

Liam could feel the chilly breeze pierce right into his bones. He shuddered, pulled up the collar of his heavy winter coat to cover his neck that was already embraced by a thick muffler.

It was 12.10 am. He usually closed late from work but never this late. As a computer technician and web developer, he was on a clock to finish an important client's website in preparation for some online conference that would take place in two days time. His client insisted the site must be ready that night.

Having done his part, he could not wait to get home to his two-bedroom apartment and Muddy, his three-year-old polydactyl cat. He'd always enjoyed living alone and that was not about to change anytime soon, no matter how much his mother called to bug him about whether or not he had a girlfriend.

Liam stood by the roadside, hoping a cab would show up soon. He rubbed his palms together and huffed into them. The street was quiet except for a few opened shops and a few people walking around.

It was like the temperature dropped lower as he could not stop shaking. Thankfully, a yellow cab zoomed in front of him, tyres screeching to a halt. Liam's eyes widened in surprise before he bent a little to look at the driver. "Um, number 29, Drapers Garden?"

The driver, an old man with leathery, wrinkled skin, his eyes yellowish and sad, managed to work up a smile. "Sure, son. Hop in and let's go."

As Liam settled into the back seat, he was overwhelmed with a heavyweight of sadness akin to depression. He shook his head to clear his mind. He hated feeling like this. He glanced up and shockingly noticed the old man staring intently at him in the rearview mirror. His heart skipped a beat from the intense strange stare.

"Can we be on our way then?" He asked the driver.

"Sure, son."

Liam watched the street whirl by as the cab sped up. Now his teeth chattered from the cold even though the cab's heater was humming. The whirl of the buildings and street light as the cab moved lulled Liam slowly into a deep sleep.

It was a sweet deep sleep that Liam thought he was home in his comfortable king-size plush bed. He found himself in a beautiful garden area, with lots of blooming sunflowers and chrysanthemums spread all around.

The scent was heavenly, reminding him of chrysanthemum tea his late grandmother loved to make for him when he was a teenager.

He strolled slowly amidst the flowers, running his hand through them.

Die seun van my hart.

Liam glanced around as whispers of his grandmother's voice reached his ears. Then he saw her. She stood right in the middle of the colourful chrysanthemum flowers. He took a step forward towards her then stopped. She had died a long time ago. Why was she here now?

She smiled at him. "Do not doubt, die seun."

He walked slowly towards her. "Ouma van my hart. How are you here?"

"Why do you run, die seun? It is in your blood, no matter the distance you run. You are the last kragtige siener and the mark beats strongly in your heart. You cannot hide from your destiny."

"Ouma, you do not understand. The weight is too much. In this land, I am free to live my life. Nobody asks me to use my powers. This is the modern world. I'm not sure anyone believes in this thing anymore."

"Huff! Die seun, there are many who still believe and seek the kragtige siener, the powerful seer, but you hide. Help him."

"Who?"

"Help him." Her voice began to fade. Liam stretched out his hands to touch her but she was gone.

The next part...

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