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heart again.
    I had no idea how to tell them. But the more I tried focusing on my brother and sister, the more the flashes of my vision permeated my consciousness.
    I stood in front of Dru and Dhelia’s English class, unaware that my feet had carried me down the hall simply by reflex alone.
    As I lifted my hand to knock, I could see Dru on the other side of the room jump to his feet and rush towards the door.
    Before he could make it to the front of the class, Mrs. Reiter pulled the door open. “Yes, Miss. Bishop? Can I help you?”
    As I opened my mouth, Dru and Dhelia stopped beside her.
    With three sets of eyes upon me, the only words I could manage in a broken voice were, “There’s been a terrible accident. We need to leave right away.”
    They knew.
    It was written all over their innocent faces.
    The helpless look in their eyes sent the pain of a piercing bullet straight through my heart.
    An inner battle raged inside of me.
    I wasn’t strong enough for this.
    My heart was determined to protect my family—but my mind knew there was no way I would succeed if my family ever learned the truth.
    In that moment, I knew I could never tell them what happened. What really happened. There was no way I would be responsible for destroying my family—and remaining in Lindenhurst around magic would destroy me .
    So I chose to keep the ugly secrets surrounding their death.
    No one could ever know my father was an adulterer— and a murderer. No matter what.
    I knew our lives would never be the same again, and I would be forced to abandon the only family I had left.
    I had no choice but to leave.
    I couldn’t be around them and risk the truth coming out. Especially since I often talk in my sleep— and during visions.
    So I ran.
    Away from my family.
    Away from my magical gift.
    And away from the truth.
    After the funeral, I took what money I had and flew to California with my mother’s twin sister, Morgan. And I’ve spent the last six years in San Diego with the one person who hates magic more than I do.
    But now, it’s time to rebuild my family’s trust—and gain forgiveness for running away when they needed me the most.
    For the most part, I think Dru forgave me years ago. Dhelia, however, may never. And she’ll never stop punishing me.
    Being back home now is the first step. If we can make it through Pap’s surgery tomorrow, there just might be hope for this family after all.
     
    *  *  *
     
    So today’s the day.
    With heavy hearts, we arrive at the North Shore University Hospital.
    Unlike yesterday, this morning is painfully quiet. Uncomfortable even. What’s even worse, last night the vision of my parent’s death came back to me twice—in its entirety—causing my head to pound this morning.
    Pressing my fingertips to my throbbing temples, I watch the floor numbers on the elevator ascend at a sluggish pace. Regret and hesitation—along with the desire to be anywhere but here— ricochets through my mind as I wait for another unwanted vision to accost me.
    Ding- ding. “Fifth floor,” a canned electronic voice calls out from above. Finally! Readjusting my oversized bag on my shoulder, I step out into the hospital lobby.
    Minutes after arriving to Pap’s room, his neurologist, Dr. Gaslightwala, and his oncologist, Dr. Hashem, meet with us to go over the surgery. They educate the family members who haven’t had a chance to speak with them before today. I know I was worried before, but after hearing what they have to say, everything becomes real. He could actually die during surgery, before he’s even able to fight the cancer.              
    Once the doctor’s finish, we give Pap our love before they wheel him off to the OR, then we make ourselves comfortable in the waiting area just outside his room.
    But there’s something I really think I need to. It’s a bit out of character for me, but I just might be more useful somewhere else. “Gram, I’m heading over to the chapel for a