The Dragon Rider and the Oracle

Chapter 1

There was something odd about Ivan Newlands, always the odd boy. The boy nobody wanted to hang around with, the boy at school that when time came for teams, his potential team would rather go with one less person than have him. That's happened...twice. The teacher didn't care, they just sat him on the bench while the other children played. That was fine for Ivan, he could spend that time reading or coloring. Up until he hit his teens and just focused on reading.

Ivan read so many books that when he was in fifth grade, he was reading at a twelfth-grade level. When he was in sixth grade he had grown bored of fiction, grabbed another book at his local library and taught himself a whole other language. Through out all of middle school, he learned Greek, French, and German. Books, language, and learning became a comfort for him.

Now he had just started high school at the age of fourteen and he's debating if he wants to know Italian or Finnish, next.

Not even his own twin brother Ian wanted anything to do with him. On many occasions, Ian had called Ivan a 'weirdo' and wished he had a 'normal' brother. Ivan wished he was normal too.

What made Ivan so abnormal? Well, his mother would reckon that he was just socially awkward.

His father said that he was mentally challenged, so much so that the doctors haven't found a reason for it, or even had a name for what was wrong about him.

His twin said that he was just jealous and acting out and purposely doing the things he does.

And Ivan himself? Well, he wants to say that he's cursed. That he can see into future, but his 'visions' if they could be called that weren't exactly 'normal.' Not like how it's portrayed in media like That's so Raven, where she quietly sees a vision and then explains it. No. For Ivan it was quick, violent flashes, like a flashing light that was there and then gone. What didn't help was that he couldn't keep quiet about it.

Literally, he can't, once he's sees this vision he must say it. And that has earned him his 'less than popular' status around the school yard.

Imagine, you're lonely, you see a table with one other lonely soul and you think: "Yeah, I'll sit with him and maybe I can have a friend." Or even 'I'll sit with them because it's the only other empty seat in the library or cafeteria.' So, you sit across from this stranger, they look up from what they're doing, reading probably. Their eyes are unblinking and blank for just a very quick moment, and then they blurt out: "Your grandma is dying next year. You should call her."

It would freak anyone out.

So, Ivan accepted his fate as the loner, probably forever. Even when at home, he's often sent to his room to eat dinner so he doesn't 'disturb' them with his 'sudden outbursts.'

Which was what he was doing now, he was sitting in his bed, a small collapsible desk in front of him as he ate with one hand, and had a thick book in the other hand. He has mastered the art of multi-tasking. That being said: He has, unfortunately, gotten food on his books more times than he'd like. When he wasn't at school, Ivan was in his room at home, or the library. Often he was at the library until closing, then it was off to his room.

When Ivan finished his meal, he bookmarked his current adventure, an encyclopedia on dinosaurs. Of course these books were often dry, but he liked reading them all the same. He ran his fingers over the cover of the book. The book had a pretty typical T-Rex on it, a T-Rex that was raised up ever so slightly so it gave the illusion of breaking free from the book. He put the book down, grabbed his plate, and went out of his room.

"—So, anyways, that's the plan!" His father, Martin Newlands, said rather joyful to the rest of the table. Martin is a big man, not in that he was strong and tough, but in that he was tall at nearly seven foot, and was big in weight. Nearly three hundred pounds, but due to his height that much weight looked normal on him. His dark brown hair was graying at the roots. When Ivan had made himself seen, his father's amber eyes looked at him. Amber like tree-sap, vibrant, but also cold and still. Like seeing Ivan just made his day worse.

"—Oh, that's wonderful!" Ivan's mother, Cloud, clapped her hands. Yes, her name was 'Cloud'. Real hippie parents she had. Ivan hardly remembered his grandparents on his mother's side, but apparently, His father didn't like them, and like a bad habit, her mother dropped them immediately to appease his father. Cloud had auburn hair. Hair that always reminded Ivan of the leaves around Autumn. That perfect blend of brown and red. Hair, that Ivan and Ian both inherited. Ivan and Ian also got another thing from their mother. Her reddened freckles that kissed their faces in several different spots. They weren't the same freckles, however. Ivan's freckles stayed on his cheeks, like Cloud's, but Ian's freckles littered his face. Cloud's eyes were a pale blue, the same pale blue eyes that Ivan also had, but Ian did not.

"Are we bringing... You know?" Ian would inquire as if 'you know' wasn't in the room currently. Ivan would ignore the comment as he went for the pot of spaghetti on the stove. He was feeling rather hungry, so he helped himself to another serving. Ian, as mentioned had the same hair as Cloud, her same red freckles, but all over his face, and their father's eyes, amber. He was also everything Ivan wasn't. He was outgoing, rather funny when he wanted to be, and one hell of a social butterfly. He had more friends than Ivan could count. They couldn't be farther apart as twins. Even their shapes were different. Ian was more athletically incline and Ivan...Ivan was not.

Ivan was a real 'pudgester' as he was once call. Heavy, but not too fat...at least he didn't see it that way. He was chubby, he had a belly, and arms that were slightly bigger than he'd like. Same with his thighs, but he wouldn't say he was fat. His mother didn't seem to think so anyways. She always said there was just so much love he had to offer other people that he couldn't contain it all. Which seemed like a nice way to call him chubby. It really didn't help that he was helping himself to another serving of food.

"Hm." His father would grunt slightly, and like his brother, he would continue to talk as if Ivan wasn't in the room. "Yes, I suppose so, Ivan, come here for a moment." His father would demand and Ivan would quietly set his plate down on the counter before sheepishly coming up to his father. He kept himself small as he started to twist and pull on his fingers.

"Yes?" Ivan would nervously ask.

"Listen to me, and listen well. In a week, we're all going to Germany for my work. You are to act sane. and not make me a fool like you did last time."

"Martin," Cloud would say with a softly grunt. "There's no need for that."

"Last time he looked my boss dead in the eye and told him he was going to get into a car accident I nearly lost my job." Martin hissed between tightly clenched teeth.

"I could just stay home. I'm fourteen." Ivan would whisper. "I can care for myself..."

'I have been for the past few years anyways...' He thought a little more bitterly.

"Absolutely not." Cloud said before Martin could speak up.

"He'd just ruin it, mom, just leave him some microwaved meals and we can go and have a stress-free vacation." Ian would protest.

"Absolutely not." Cloud now hissed. "You're coming with us and we're all going to have a good time."

"You heard your mother. We are all going to have a good time, act sane, don't be weird and when people talk to you: Don't tell them that they're going to be in any sort of accident." Martin pointed his fork at Ivan. "...Though, if the rumors are true the Greenbloom's may be there as well: You can be weird to them. They might even accept it."

"Martin, don't start, Barnabas and Vita are lovely." Cloud would stand as she had finished her meal.

Martian looked at Ian and made a familiar 'whacko' motion by twirling his finger by his ear. This made Ian chuckle. He would stop when Cloud gave him a sharp look.

"I don't think I've met the Greenbloom's—" It had happened sudden a flash that made Ivan go rigid. "Black!" He yelled out before he could stop. I hadn't hurt, it never hurts. It was just quick and sudden and always catches him off guard. Ivan would put his hands through his hair and shake his head. His teeth buried themselves into his lips to keep himself from having another outburst. It didn't work. "Black hair!" He would yell out just the same. He then kept his hands over his eyes, unable to look at his family as he shook in his place.

Martin sighed and Ian would stand. Ian grabbed his plate and checked Ivan's shoulder with his. "Why can't you be normal? Why is that too much to ask?"

"I don't know..." Ivan whispered back to Ian. Then, without another word he would grab his plate of food and return to his room. Still, he hear his father say to his mother—

"Are you sure you want to bring him?"

It's no surprise that Ivan's mother was the nicest too him out of everyone in the family. Or maybe it was just her tried to feign that nothing was really wrong with Ivan, after all they took him to ten different doctors since he was five, and all of them said he was fine. So in her eyes, he was fine. He had to be. It's probably why she was so insistent on such a trip. Maybe if Ivan 'got out of his shell' and 'spread his wings' he'll be normal.

Normal.

He'd never be normal. It was just the truth.

"Have you tried telling your parents that what you could be seeing is the future?" One may ask him if he had any friends or anyone who cared about him enough to ask such a question. "Maybe your mother will understand." They would say to urge him into it.

He has.

Many.

Many.

Many.

Many.

MANY.

Times.

Each and every time his mother pats him on the head. "Don't be silly. You're just... you must be having some sort of... It's not possible, sweetheart."

And his father would grunt. "No you're not. You're being stupid. You just have some unknown disability that your mother refuses to accept."

To which Ian may chime in with. "Heads up!" and throw something at him. Usually in the back of the head. "Didn't see that, did you!? Just admit you're making it up already!"

Now, that same imaginary friend may then ask: "Did you ever have a vision that came true and couldn't you us that as proof?"

All of his sudden visions, or flashes, come true. All of them. His father's boss did get into a car crash. He made it out okay, thankfully. That kid who 'dared' to sit next to the freak in school? The kid who's grandmother was going to die? Yeah, she died, after all, the woman was like...ninety when Ivan saw her for that brief moment.

When he was nine was probably the best example. During his and Ian's birthday actually. Ivan was standing up there with Ian, Martin had a hand on Ian's head, but not Ivan's. It happened quickly. The vision flashed through his mind.

Ian having some sort of stick sticking out of his cheek, cake and frosting all over Ian's face and torso. Ivan had tried to stop the outburst, he tried covering both hands over his mouth, but it did little as he yelled out: "Don't smash Ian's head into the cake!"

His father took it as a challenge and would do so seconds later. There was indeed a stick in the cake. A stick to keep the three tiered cake in place. Ian got six stitches in his face and Ivan? Ivan got scolded for "Being jealous." As they saw his outburst, not as a warning, but as being jealous that his father had chosen Ian to rough house with.

So, telling them did no good, even with the truth was in front of their very eyes.

His visions always come true. So it made him curious about this recent one. "Who has black hair?" He wondered as he laid in bed, the lights were out for the entire house, Ivan's own room included. He stared out the window, at the night sky that seemed to be winking at him with all it's many stars.

He didn't see a face. He didn't see a gender. All he saw was black curly hair. "Who are you?" He whispered before turning over in his bed, his face pressed up against the wall. "And why are you so special?"

A week came and gone and Ivan had about...three visions since then, two aimed at his teachers, which were promptly ignored and the third one when Ivan yelled "You're going to fall out your window and break your leg!" To a fellow student he over heard talking about plans to sneak out— In a private conversation that was hardly a whisper a no less.— His science teacher was less than pleased and he was given a firm scolding.

Still, all and all, good week, at least he wasn't given detention for his outbursts. Though, he wondered if his teachers all but given up on his little 'outbursts'.

That Friday night, he got home and packed some clothes in a suit case. "Is Germany hot?" He wondered as he looked at his clothes. Living in Florida the weather was a little unpredictable, sure, it was mostly hot, but it was also mostly wet, humid, and even on the rare occasion, cold. Still, he packed both pants and shorts for the occasion as it was spring break.

Though, he won't lie. He wasn't looking forward to this, if given the choice, he would stay home and live on microwavable meals for a week. At least in that situation he'd one: Be comfortable in his room. Two: Not be surrounded by so many strangers where he knows he'll have multiple episodes!

But his mother won the fight there, and so, Ivan was forced to come. "For his own good." As she put it.

He packed what he could, crammed about six or seven different books in his suitcase, because he didn't look at people, he might not have an episode. He planned on having his nose buried in a book and not look at anyone once.

It wasn't going to last, but he was going to try.

"Now, remember." His father would tell Ivan, and Ian, at dinner. Ivan, of course only coming out for seconds, again. "This may be a vacation for you, but it is still my job. You are both going to be respectful to everyone you meet and not touch a thing if you're at the dig sight, understood?" Martin, in a rare moment of not showing favoritism pointed his fork at both Ivan and Ian.

"Yeah, yeah, I don't get the whole thing you guys do anyways. I'll probably just mess with the other teenagers. Last time—" and then Ian remembered he was with their parents and quickly changed his tune with a cough. "—Last time, me and the other kids sung hymns. Yeah."

Martin snorted. "Yeah right. Just stay out of trouble."

"Don't the Greenblooms have a child the twin's age?" Cloud inquired. "A lovely girl, Gwen?" and she looked at Ivan and Ian both. "Maybe you guys could join her in whatever she's doing. I know she's really smart, like you, Ivan."

"Got a new brat from what I hear."

"Oh?! Vita's Pregnant? Or already given birth?"

"No. I heard those two went and adopted. As if one kid wasn't enough, they go and adopt some boy," Martin shook his head. "Could not be me." He would say unapologetically with a head shake. "But I'm just hearing all of this through word of mouth, so I don't know if it's true or not."

Cloud hummed. "Still, this boy must have made quite an impression on them if they went as far as to adopt him."

Ian snorted. "Maybe someone should adopt Ivan."

"Ian Adam Newlands, that is enough of that." Cloud would say quickly. Then looked towards Ivan. "You're not being put up for adoption."

"Yeah." Ivan couldn't help the bit of snark that left his mouth. "I guessed that, mom."

Martin would narrow his eyes at this. "Watch your tone."

"...Sorry." and that was the end of that as Ivan would take his plate and return to his room for the night. The moment the door shut and he set his plate down on the foldable desk, Ivan would be relieved that he was in his room.

That same flash shot through mind like a bullet. It literally knocked him off his feet and back into his bed. Never has a vision ever happened twice, but this one did. "Blaaaaack!" He tried to stop it from leaving his mouth, tried to bring the word back in, but it did no good. "Black! Black!" He slapped his face with both hands, his cheeks stinging as it was more than just the hair this time. No, he saw something else, something black and shiny. So black it almost appeared wet to him at that moment.

Then it was over and Ivan was clutching his chest as he laid on his back, his chest heaving up and down almost wildly. It wasn't just the hair, but something else this time. 'Usually, I say the whole vision, I warn people, but...' He felt so unsure just what this one meant. His ears were ringing, his heart pounding, and his throat was dry as he stared at his ceiling. At his fan that twisted ever so lazily above his head and he only uttered one word. "Black..."

Bright and early Ivan and the whole family would wake, Ivan included, of course. Then they were off to Germany. A long fourteen hour flight. With thankfully, no hiccups. Though, Ivan did note that his seat was away from everyone else. As in his mother, father, and Ian shared a row, and Ivan had a whole row to himself. Which was honestly nice. He got to stretch himself out and read the whole time.

'It is a good thing I already know German.' He thought to himself as he lazily turned the page of his book. 'The rest can't be said about them.' and he cast a wayward glance his family's way before focusing right back around to his novel.

Still, before he knew it, the fourteen hours of, honestly blissful silence with the occasional snack and meal, was over. Then it was right back into the chaos of an airport, but now it was at night. So it felt even more chaotic for some reason. His father was on the phone with his boss, his mom was complaining about the drive in the middle of the night, and Ian...well, Ian was on his phone not really doing much as his parents either yelled or gripped about something or another.

Ivan wanted to chime in, as the main problem was the drive to the hotel. Their mother was worried as they've never been to Germany and didn't know the roads, or laws. She suggested a taxi, while Martin settled on calling his boss to bring a car to come and get them as a taxi driver 'probably wouldn't speak English.' That was when Ivan wanted to chime in. He knew German. He knew the in's and out of the language, sure he may be a little rusty speaking it, but he figured he could still get the point across.

He forced himself to remember that this was his parents. If he said he'd knew German his mother would likely pat him on the head and say "That's nice dear." while Martin would just give a big grunt and say:

"No you don't! Stop talking nonsense!"

So, Ivan stayed quiet and just focused on his book.

Well, thankfully someone would actually come to their rescue moment's later. "Martin? Is that you?" Came a rather pleasant and cheery British accent from an older man. Ivan would turn to see a family come their way, they also had suitcases and luggage, not surprising considering that they were in an airport after all.

The man looked to be older than Ivan's own dad, just by a few years at most. He had wild red hair and thick glasses on his face that looked like they hardly fit on such a large nose—

'Don't be mean, Ivan.' He reminded himself quickly.

Larger than average nose?

Regardless, he looked friendly, like the type of man you could actually talk to and he'd listen.

Beside him was no doubt his wife. A lovely woman, a taller woman than her husband. Her hair was tied up in a bun, it looked to be a deep brown with bits of silver starts to come up at the roots. Much like her husband her air and aura was pleasant. She just simply looked friendly.

Beside her was a girl, who clearly took after her mother. She had the same dark hair, only hers was in a ponytail that just grazed her shoulders. She looked to be close to Ivan's age, maybe a year or two older.

"Barnabas, good to see you..." Martin said in a rather terse tone. "I was wondering if you were going to show..." Martin's eyes flicked from Barnabas to Vita, and then to Guinevere. "Rumor on the street is that you went and adopted."

"Ah! We did—" and then Barnabas looked around quickly. "Vita, we lost one!" He then yelled as he started to twist around.

"Well, that didn't take long—" Vita would chuckle, turn her head slightly and then tap her husband on the shoulder. "He's over there, Dear. Benjamin!" She called out.

As she moved, Ivan leaned to the side slightly to try and get a look at this Benjamin. What did he see first?

Curly black hair.

Vita was blocking most of Ben's body, and his head was turned, as he was looking at something in a guest shop. When she called did his head snap up in alarm. His eyes were a bright blue, his skin was pale, when he looked at them his mouth would form into a nervous smile. "Sorry!" He would yell as he rushed up to the family. "I got distracted." He had a rather noticeable accent. A German one. Now that he was with the rest of the family, Ivan was able to see that he had an average build and body. He also had a backpack that was slung over his shoulder and slightly open. "Hallo!" He would then green the Newlands with a big smile.

A vision flashed and for Ivan it was quick and violent and he couldn't stop it. All he saw was silver. Silver like jewelry, beautiful and otherworldly. "Silver!" He yelled like it was a tick or a twitch. At this, his father's hand was like a whip. He didn't hit, Ivan, but he did nudge him. To get him to be quiet. Ben had blinked and his eyes focused on Ivan. His eyes like lapis as they bore into Ivan's own eyes.

"Oh... He's older than I expected." Cloud would say and Ivan wanted to nudge his mother the way his father had him. That was a rude thing to say to an orphan. Thankfully, she would realize it was probably not the nicest thing to say to someone because she coughed. "Not that that's a bad thing! It's commendable actually! So, how'd you guys meet? Did you run into him or something, Barnabas?"

"Oh! I found them." Benjamin would say with a smile. "It's a long story all things considered."

"It is a long story." Barnabas chuckled as he reaffirmed Ben's supposed 'long story.' "So, where are you two heading? The same hotel as us, I presume?" Vita inquired next.

"Oh, we were trying to get someone to pick us up. We don't exactly know German, so all the Taxi's are out."

"Oh, no need to bother our boss!" Barnabas said quickly. "We all know German, you can come with us. It helps that German is actually Ben's first language."

Benjamin blushed as he was put on the spot. He would hide his hand his face and Guinevere patted his shoulder.

"Oh...." Martin ticked his tongue. "Of course. Of course, thank you." He would quickly say moments later when it was clear he couldn't think of an excuse.

So, it was decided as the two families walked together. Ivan stayed on the end of his family, away from the Greenbloom's with three bodies between them. Though, he would find himself sneaking a glance Ben's way. 'Curly black hair. Silver.' He mused on his two visions.

His eyes landed on Ben for just a moment, just a single moment, and Ben's blue eyes looked back at him. When they're eyes locked, Ivan pretended to look all around like he was taking in the airport and not just staring.

'What makes him so special?' Ivan would continue to wonder. They would go outside and the air was cool against Ivan's skin and gave him goosebumps. He rubbed his hand against his arms to try and smooth out his flesh. Mr. Greenbloom would try to flag down a taxi, but that failed. Ben would tap on Barnabas's shoulder and speak to him in German.

Now, Ivan thought his German was good, and he was sure it was, but Ben? Someone clearly born and raised in this land? Ben made Ivan feel like a novice. His speech was quick, punchy, and spoken with elegance. Every word that left his mouth was beautifully pronounced, people like to clown on the German language, calling it silly and nonsensical, but to Ivan, he loved hearing it, and hearing it spoken so expertly? It made him smile a little.

What was Ben saying that was so profound?

He telling Barnabas to call a bigger taxi with his cellphone so they all wouldn't be crammed in one tiny car.

Instead of dismissing his son, like Martin would most likely do if it was Ivan telling him the same thing, Barnabas gave a soft laugh and ruffled Ben's hair. "Good idea." Barnabas would say as he pulled out his phone. Ben clearly didn't like having his hair ruffled as he quickly tried to fix his hair. Unfortunately, Ivan had been staring just a smidge too long this time around and Ben's head would snap to look at him— no doubt feeling . There was no denying that Ivan had been staring at him now and Ivan, like an actual deer in the headlights, just froze.

Ben would look at him, his eyes would dart away quickly. — 'Eye-contact avoidance' Ivan read in a book that all types of mammals have some sort of eye-contact avoidance.— Ben would then look back at him and then wave. It was an awkward wave, but a wave nonetheless. He didn't seem disgusted. Just confused. Ivan would be too if someone were staring at him this long.

Ivan didn't just look away. He turned around, found the nearest corner, and pressed himself against it. He didn't want to look at anyone and he was good at being ignored, right? So, he was sure if he just made himself invisible this situation would go away.

"Oh..." He heard Ben whisper softly.

"...Why are you like this?" Ian grunted in an annoyed tone at Ivan.

"Ian, do me a favor, will you? Bite. Me."

"Moron..." Ian then would leave Ivan to sulk in the corner. Time would tick, Ivan would not remove himself from the corner. Not unless instructed to, or hell, if his family just wanted to leave him at the airport, he'd be okay with that too.

"Uh...Hallo."

Ivan inhaled sharply and turned quickly in surprise as Ben was right there. Not too uncomfortably close, but was still close enough that it had frightened Ivan to hear him. Ben was cautiously approaching. He waved to Ivan again as he took another shy step towards him. "I didn't mean to startle you. I was just wondering if anything was the matter?"

"Oh, uh, no. No." Ivan said quickly and dismissively. "Nothing, I was just..." Ivan wanted to think of a quick lie. That no he wasn't staring at Ben because Ben was weirdly...cryptic in Ivan's visions. Something that's never happened before. So, he swallowed his pride and tried a different approach. "Ich habe dein Deutsch bewundert..." ("I was admiring your German") He whispered as he wrung his hands together nervously.

Ben's eyes lit. up.

"Du sprichst Deutsch?!" ("You speak German!?") He yelled excitedly.

"Ja, aber nicht so gut wie du!" ("Yes, but not as good as you!") Ivan put his hands out as he felt frantic, his heart was racing and his face was suddenly hot.

"Unsinn, du bist ein Naturtalent!" ("Nonsense, you're a natural!") Ben laughed as he looked elated. His eyes were just sparkling as he stared at Ivan.

"What the—" Ian might have finished that sentence, if not for Cloud giving him a warning look.

Martin's eyes were wide, his cheeks reddened, but Ivan had to wonder if it was from embarrassment that his son was speaking another language. Or embarrassment that his son was speaking another language that they needed. Ivan saw it briefly, Martin and Cloud sharing a look. He knew he was going to be getting a talking to once alone.

"Well, would you look at that." Barnabas didn't seem to mind that Ivan secretly knew German all the time as he gave the boy a smile. "Do you know any other languages?" He asked Ivan in a gentle tone.

"Uh... Yes sir. I know Greek and French on top of German." Ivan whispered nervously.

"No you don't!" Martin just couldn't help himself.

"I do." Ivan defended himself quickly. "J'aime apprendre de nouvelles langues." ("I like to learn new languages.")

"Well, aren't you a smart young man." Barnabas said. "You'll go far with that kind of knowledge. Keep at it."

Ivan swore he felt his heart swell at such nice words. He would nod quickly to Barnabas.

Ben smiled at him as well before turning around to go to his sister. They would whisper to each other quickly about something that Ivan couldn't hear. Still, he felt worried as he knew it had to be about him. As Ben looked back at him once and then focused back on his sister.

It was a good thing when the Taxi showed up. Well...kinda. As it was a good thing, until eight people were all crammed into a van. With Ivan being pretty close to his twin. So close that when they brushed shoulders, Ian pushed him away. It was a pretty good push too that nearly caused Ivan to slam into the window. He might have if he hadn't of reached out and put a hand on the window to brace himself.

Ben and Guinevere were across from Ivan and Ian. Ben had clearly seen the push. So, it surprised Ivan when before the door closed, Ben stood up. "Switch with me?" he asked politely.

"Huh?" Ivan's response felt dumb as he stared at Ben in surprise.

"Switch with me? I would like to sit there, if that's okay?"

"O...Oh..." and Ivan would give his brother a look before he silently stood up and they swapped places. Ben sat next to Ian, he kept his bag in his lap and slightly open. Ivan would sit next to Guinevere. Guinevere would look at him and give him a soft smile.

Ben didn't really acknowledge Ian as he still mostly spoke to Guinevere. The two of them making small talk while Ian more or less sulked and would toss the occasional glare Ivan's way. Ian never made an attempt to push or hurt Ben, and that was purposeful. Ben was still the kid of one of Dad's coworkers. Ben was a peer in Ian's eyes, and a put of Ivan wondered if Ben knew this.

Ivan was prepared to read during this ride, and he had just about gotten his book open when something caught his eye. He had looked up from his book as something shiny got caught in the light of a car on the road. Ben had a necklace on, Ivan hadn't noticed it before because it had been hidden under Ben's shirt. He saw a chain, possibly made of silver, but that wasn't what got caught on the light.

'Silver...' Ivan's mind whispered as he saw something that was a beautiful silver, the same otherworldly silver he had seen in his vision prior. However; he was not allowed to peek at this beautiful silver for too long. Ben must have felt it slip, because he would clasp his fist around the silver and tuck the neckless back into his shirt. All without looking away from Guinevere.

As the hotel approached, Ivan had so many more questions than he felt he had answers. His book would snap shut and as he and his family left the taxi; bidding everyone a goodbye for the time being. Ivan would look back at the boy with the curly black hair and the otherworldly silver around his neck. And he knew this was only the start of something extraordinary.

His visions never lie. Never