THE SHORELINE PROPHECY

My heart thumped as I waited for Ruth to wake up. I walked to her and held her hand to help her, but shivered and forcefully pushed me away and yelled "You witch! What did you do to me? You sprinkled hot water her and made me fall! I just came to see my Father, but all your thoughts are evil, I haven't healed from the burns yet but you've already planned to hurt me again! If you knew what was coming for you, you would've left this house long ago!" Ruth glared at me, her voice filled with venom. I was strangely relieved. At least Uncle James heard it.

"What's coming for her?" Uncle James asked. But before we could hear anything else, Ruth fell back onto the bed, unconcious. I stood up and signaled Uncle James to follow me outside. We walked downstairs to the kitchen, where I turned to face him.

"Listen to me very carefully, Uncle, and I beg you to believe what I'm about to say." He nodded slowly with an unreadable expression. "This morning, you came to my room, yelling. You were very angry, and I knew something was wrong with you. Then I saw a small viper coiled around your left wrist. I prayed until it fled."

I took his wrist, looking for the mark, but it was gone. I smiled bitterly. "Did you put something around your wrist yesterday?" I asked.

"Ruth gave me a hand band," he answered

I exhaled sharply. "How did you feel when you wore it?" I looked at him waiting for a reply.

"I didn't feel anything, I fell asleep because I was tired." He spoke

I nodded understanding everything. "Would you believe me if I say it was from Assey? And it was given to you to invoke anger in you? That viper wasn't just an illusion—it was spiritual."

His brows furrowed, but he remained silent.

I pressed on. "I prayed over a bottle of water and sprinkled it on you and all around the room before leaving to prepare food for you because I was scared another attack might come. When I returned, Ruth was on the floor, pleading with Assey to release her from his control. She said she has two minds—one is her own, and the other belongs to Assey."

Uncle James face paled.

"That's when she told me about the prophecy." I took his hand gently. "Please believe me, Uncle. You promised my mother you'd protect me. I have nothing against Ruth—she's just being used to harm me. I see her as my cousin. Her skin scalded because I prayed, not because I poured hot water on her."

A slow mocking clap echoed behind us. "The entertainment industry has really lost a Member. I truly admire your acting skills," Ruth sneered as she limped towards us. She realized she was rude in her father's presence so she frowned and forced tears into her eyes and said. "Why are you doing this? My father will never believe you liar. He will never believe you over me."

Uncle James tensed beside me, his eyes darting between us. I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Ruth, you know I'm telling the truth." My voice firm. "You admitted it before you passed out. Don't deny it now."

Her expression falters for a split second before she let out a dry chuckle. "Me? Admit what?" She tilted her head mockingly. "I don't recall saying anything like that."

My heart sank. This was exactly what I feared. I turned to Uncle James, desperate. "You heard her earlier, Uncle! She said something was coming for me! She admitted Assey was her Uncle and that he was using her—"

"And I suppose you have evidence?" Ruth cut me off, feigning innocence.

She looked at Uncle James, her face twisted in hurt. " Dad, how can you listen to this? How can you even consider believing her when all I've done is try to be a good cousin to her?"

Uncle James pinched the bridge of his nose, looking overwhelmed. "Enough." His voice was quiet but heavy. He turned to me. "Anaya, you're saying Ruth is being controlled by Assey, but I need more than just words. Do you have any proof?"

I took a shaky breath. "I wish I did, Uncle. But spiritual battles aren't always seen with human eyes."

Ruth smiled Victoriously. "Then I guess the conversation is over."

She reached for Uncle James' arm, but the moment her fingers brushed against his sleeve, she flinched, her face twisting in pain. She gasped and yanked her hand back. I stared at her her, realization dawning. It was the holy water I sprinkled on Uncle James earlier in the morning. She clutched are wrist, trying to mask the pain, but I had seen it. Uncle James had seen it too. His eyes flickered with doubt. "Ruth?"

For the first time since she woke up, a flash of panic crossed Ruth's face. "I—I'm just tired," she stammered stepping back.

But I know the battle was far from over.