On the Run

Cruising down the Interstate 40, an aloe-green Camry is carrying two passengers. The radio plays, Creedence Clearwater Revival's Traveling Band, while a distraught fifty-something year old man drives into the night.

Dennis Finch was never a spiritual man, but found himself in search of some sort of miracle. He hoped, now, more than ever that there was a gracious god somewhere. It had only been six months since the passing of his wife. She died peacefully in her sleep and left no warnings or signs that her time was near its end. Jennifer never asked for anything from anyone and she loved her family more than anything. During her lifetime, she had only asked one thing of her husband. She asked if Dennis could believe in just one thing, for that one thing to be their son, Jasper. Believing, loving and supporting was nothing that Dennis needed to be asked when it came to his family, so he thought it strange that she would even question his ability to do so. Two weeks ago, he finally realized that there would be some difficulty in believing and supporting some of Jasper's acts. Regardless of whatever Jasper did or planned to do, Dennis could never stop loving him, which is why it became crucial for them to get to safety and fast.

Resting peacefully in the passenger's seat is a young boy about nine-years old. He has messy raven-black hair and ashen skin. Jasper's face looks slightly worn from lack of sleep. Tonight is the first time he has been able to sleep comfortably in weeks.

It was six months ago when the odd flashes started and it was only a few weeks ago when the nightmares plagued his mind. Jasper is not like anyone he's ever known. One night, he witnessed his mother's painful death in a vision and it brought tears to his eyes, so he told her. He explained that the vision he saw was like a flash of lightning that held a memory that had never existed. He feared that the sudden flash was not of a memory that had happened, but of a memory that was soon to come. Jennifer told him that she wasn't going to leave him and that it was just a bad dream. He had insisted that it was not a dream, because it was too short and vivid. He continued, "When someone is dreaming, it might seem real at times, but that person can always tell that it's just a dream that they'll wake up from. I wasn't asleep when it happened, I felt like this was real, and I felt like it's not something I can wake up or escape from." His mother wrapped her comforting arms around him and brought him close enough to kiss his head. Just as her lips pressed against his forehead, an electric surge shocked her body. She was frozen for a moment and when she came back, her eyes suppressed tears. Jasper knew the look and could read her well, "Did you see it, too, mom?" The two of them decided not to speak of the strange incident in hopes that not talking about it would prevent any worse activity from occurring.

Unfortunately, Jasper's flashes did not diminish. Instead, he was able to gather insight to people's thoughts and feelings before they said or did anything. He could anticipate what was to come. One day, during recess, he sat alone watching his classmates playing games of tag, soccer, and four-square when it began to rain. Jasper wanted nothing more than to be left alone. He did not want to be around anyone for fear that he could see the good or bad things about them and what would come of them. Feeling useless and wanting nothing more than to prevent these visions and save his mother, he grew angry. Other kids ran to shelter from the rain as it poured harder, but not him. Jasper's rage grew and before he knew it a barrier formed around his body. He could sense some sort of an invisible shield surrounding his body that kept the rain away. This was when he realized that visions were not the only thing that made him different from everyone else. On the day that Jennifer died, Jasper knew it was to be painful. She was supposed to have gotten very sick, but she hadn't and her death was peaceful. The barrier that had shielded Jasper from the rain, shielded his mother from pain and sickness. Although he was only nine, he knew that he had a purpose greater than any other person his age. Telling his dad about everything that had happened wasn't nearly as painful as being able to feel the pain he felt. Once, Dennis found his strength he knew he had to protect Jasper more than any normal father can for a son.

Jasper had a vision of a man located in Arizona who could help with his visions. Father and son, set out in search for this mystery man. The car flew smoothly down the interstate carrying two passengers inside. Jasper sighed and slowly opened his dark green eyes, which were met by his father's. Feeling more at ease to see his son looking rested and healthier than he had in a while, he said, "Hey buddy, we're almost there. Don't worry yourself anymore today. Just sleep, while you can, okay?" Jasper smiled, closed his eyes and rolled back in his chair to continue his sleep.