Chapter 6: An Unexpected Ally
The next day, the frustration in Anjo's face was clear as he sat with Sienna and Garner in the police station’s meeting room. Despite their careful planning and the narrow lead they’d gained, Farrah was still missing, and the kidnapper’s trail had gone cold again.
“I’m sorry,” Anjo muttered, rubbing his temples.
“We were so close. I don’t know where else to look.”
Sienna’s heart ached at the despair in Garner’s eyes. His sister was still out there, in the hands of dangerous men, and they seemed no closer to finding her. Sienna couldn’t shake the sense that her visions were key to the answer, but she didn’t understand how to control them.
She looked at Anjo and Garner, determination rising in her chest.
“I have an idea,” she said, her voice steady.
Anjo glanced up, a flicker of hope in his tired eyes.
“What is it, Sienna?”
“I need to find the original owner of the crystal ball—the one I got online for the school fair. Her name is Madame Zephyra. Maybe… maybe she can help me understand what’s going on. If this crystal ball has some kind of energy, she might know how I can use it better.”
Garner leaned forward, his eyes lighting up.
“You think this fortune teller can teach you to control your visions?”
Sienna shrugged.
“It’s worth a shot. At this point, any lead is better than no lead.”
Anjo sighed, nodding.
“All right. But I’ll come with you, Sienna. We can’t take any chances.”
---
After a brief online search, they managed to find Madame Zephyra’s small shop, tucked away in a quiet alley downtown. The shop was dark, its window filled with dangling charms and dusty, colorful bottles. The sign above the door read **Mystical Insights: Madame Zephyra’s Fortune-Telling** in faded gold letters.
“This is the place,” Sienna whispered, eyeing the mysterious shop.
Anjo gave her a reassuring nod.
“Let’s go.”
As they stepped inside, the faint scent of incense wafted through the air. A strange mix of herbs and spices clung to the room, and the dim lighting gave the place an eerie feel. Crystal balls, tarot cards, and hanging beads decorated every corner, casting strange shadows across the walls.
A voice called out from the back room, sharp yet warm.
“I’ve been expecting you.”
Sienna exchanged a look with Anjo, and then an elderly woman stepped into view. She wore a long, flowing dress with swirling patterns and had a headscarf wrapped around her silver hair. Her eyes were sharp and curious as they settled on Sienna.
“Madame Zephyra?” Sienna asked hesitantly.
The woman nodded, studying her intently. “You have something of mine, don’t you, dear?”
Sienna pulled the crystal ball from her bag, holding it carefully.
“Yes… I bought this from your online store. But strange things have been happening ever since I used it.”
Madame Zephyra’s eyes gleamed as she took the crystal ball in her hands, examining it closely. “Ah, the Crystal of Elaris,” she murmured, a strange smile forming on her lips. “I always wondered who would stumble upon its powers.”
Anjo’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean, powers? This is just a regular crystal ball… isn’t it?”
Madame Zephyra chuckled softly, the sound like a faint chime.
“This is no ordinary crystal ball, officer. The Crystal of Elaris holds a unique energy, a force that can open the mind to visions beyond our reality. But only for those with the sensitivity to feel it.”
Sienna looked at her in astonishment.
“Are you saying… that I have some kind of ability?”
The fortune teller’s gaze softened.
“It’s not so much an ability as a heightened sensitivity to the energies around you. This crystal has simply awakened it, allowing you to see glimpses of events that might happen… or have happened.”
Garner stepped forward, desperation evident in his voice. “Then you can teach her to control it? To make the visions clearer?”
Madame Zephyra nodded slowly. “Yes. But be warned, child. This path is not easy, and each vision takes a toll. If you wish to use this power to help your friend, you must be prepared to face some difficult truths.”
Sienna swallowed, glancing at Garner, who looked back at her with pleading eyes. “I’ll do it,” she said finally, determination in her voice. “If it can help us find Farrah, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Madame Zephyra motioned for her to sit down at a small round table in the center of the room. “Very well. Sit, and I’ll teach you how to focus your mind.”
Anjo and Garner took seats nearby, watching as Madame Zephyra placed the crystal ball on the table in front of Sienna.
“Close your eyes,” the fortune teller instructed, her voice soft and calming. “Take a deep breath, and let your mind empty of all thoughts. Focus on the energy within the crystal.”
Sienna closed her eyes, her fingers brushing against the cool surface of the crystal ball. She felt a faint hum, like a gentle vibration, resonating from the object.
“Now,” Madame Zephyra continued, her voice like a whisper in the dark, “imagine a thread connecting your mind to the crystal. Feel the energy flowing through that thread, merging with your own thoughts.”
A faint light began to emanate from the crystal ball, growing brighter as Sienna focused. Her breathing slowed, and the world around her seemed to fade away. Images began to flash in her mind—blurry and faint at first, but then growing clearer.
She saw a dark room, with Farrah sitting alone, her face streaked with tears. She was curled up in a corner, her arms wrapped around her knees, staring fearfully at a large man standing in the doorway. The man spoke, his voice deep and menacing, though Sienna couldn’t make out the words.
The vision shifted, and Sienna saw a metal door with a strange symbol carved into it—a crescent moon with an eye in the center. She tried to focus on the symbol, willing herself to remember it.
“Sienna?” Madame Zephyra’s voice brought her back, and she opened her eyes, blinking as the vision faded.
“What did you see?” Anjo asked urgently.
Sienna took a shaky breath. “I saw Farrah. She’s…she’s in a dark room, alone. There was a man watching her, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying.”
Garner’s face tightened. “Did you see anything that could tell us where she is?”
Sienna thought back, closing her eyes as she tried to recall every detail. “There was a symbol on a metal door. It was…a crescent moon with an eye in the center. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Madame Zephyra nodded approvingly. “Good. That’s the key to controlling your visions, Sienna—focus on the details, no matter how small. Symbols, sounds, colors…they will help guide you to the answers you seek.”
Anjo’s face was thoughtful. “A crescent moon with an eye… I’ll have to check with some contacts. It could be connected to a gang or some underground group.”
Madame Zephyra placed a reassuring hand on Sienna’s shoulder. “Remember, child, you must use this gift wisely. These visions will come to you when they choose; you cannot force them. Be patient, and trust the crystal’s energy.”
Sienna nodded, feeling a new sense of purpose. “Thank you, Madame Zephyra. I’ll do my best.”
Madame Zephyra smiled softly, her gaze warm. “Good luck, Sienna. And remember, you are not alone in this. Trust in your friends, and you will find the strength you need.”
---
As they left the fortune teller’s shop, Garner turned to Sienna, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “Thank you, Sienna. I don’t know how I’d be handling any of this without you.”
She offered him a gentle smile.
“We’re in this together, Garner. We’ll find Farrah, no matter what.”
Anjo placed a hand on her shoulder.
“You did great in there, Sienna. This symbol might just be the lead we need.”
Sienna took a deep breath, her resolve stronger than ever.
“Then let’s find out what it means and bring Farrah home.”