Slide 1:Hermione’s ABCs Chapter 39 Eye Scream


Slide 2:A Note From the Author It was a dark and stormy night… Happy Halloween, guys! This chapter should either be read in the dark, with no lights on, all alone in your house, or in broad daylight surrounded by people or cats or something with every light on so that environmentalists protest at your front door. Cause hang tight, it’s going to be a spooky night. Do you dare go past slide 134? Eye scream, you scream, we all scream… ~June


Slide 3:Hi, and welcome back to Hermione’s ABCs! In our last chapter, “Special,” kids grew up, Gabi got closure, and Inigo and Imago discovered they were Seers, complete with frightening, cryptic visions. As they were most all the time, Inigo and Imago were together one evening. “What’re you up to?” Inigo asked. “I’m gonna get a job,” Imago said, smiling at him as she booted up the computer. “Wow, really? That’s…rather mature of you, Immy,” Inigo said, impressed. “Getting a job teaches one many things, and I think it’ll help you be more responsible.” “What, like you?”


Slide 4:“Heh, no. I’m not gonna turn around and be a model citizen, Inny. I’m getting a job at that new law firm, being a secretary. It’s the easiest job ever. Answer the phone, type some things, and you get free wi-fi, amazing pay, and all the office supplies I could ever pilfer.” Imago explained with a smirk. “I see you’re one of those Fortune Sims,” Inigo teased. “Why yes. And…done! Sahara Valley Law Associates, kiss your staples good-bye!” Imago said, clicking the mouse with a victorious air.


Slide 5:She got up and said, “Hey, wanna know a secret?” “What sort of secret? Is it like that time with the noodles--” “No! And you promised we’d never speak of that again!” Imago whispered indignantly. “Just follow me.”


Slide 6:She led him to one of the upstairs rooms. “A mirror? Okay, Immy, we all know you’re very pretty…” Inigo joked. “Firstly, yes, I am very pretty. Secondly, it’s not just a mirror. It’s a door.” “Huh?” “There’s a door here, only someone put a mirror on one side to hide it. And if you open it up…”


Slide 7:Imago led Inigo out to an old tree house, with a weathered bookcase and a couch still in reasonably good condition. “…you find this! Whee!” Imago continued, jumping on the couch like she was seven again. Inigo sat next to her, smiling, trying not to get jumped on. “This is so cool! You think Imp or Isla or Ig know about it?” Inigo asked. “I doubt it,” Imago said. “Imp would have made it her own country. Imperius-Land or something. But I do think Mama knew about it, there’s a bunch of books on the shelves that look her style.” Inigo looked over. “Maybe Aunt Mimi, too. Those magazines look very her.” “Yeah, maybe,” Imago agreed, leaping off the couch.


Slide 8:She walked over to the far end of the tree house. “I mean, it’s pretty small. But it’s good enough, right? Good enough for…for…” Suddenly Imago stopped in the middle of her sentence, and her voice faded away. She blinked rapidly, staring into the distance. “Oh, no,” Inigo said, recognizing the signs all too well.


Slide 9:She slumped over, muttering to herself. Inigo couldn’t tell what she was saying; she was talking both very fast and very low. “Immy? Immy! Immy, snap out of it!” Inigo said, knowing his request was futile. Imago’s legs wobbled underneath her, and she swayed to one side. Suddenly Inigo realized the two flaws in the tree house: no railing, and a very long fall…


Slide 10:All at once, still muttering, Imago lost her footing and began to fall, almost in slow-motion. “IMAGO!!” cried her twin, running faster than he ever had in his life.


Slide 11:He ran up behind her and caught her, gently returning her to a standing position. Her hair tangled in his glasses frame, and she was heavier than he had anticipated.


Slide 12:He pulled her to safety in the middle of the tree house and laid her down gently. As he did so her muttering suddenly became clear. Eyes closed, she whispered, “Red and blue, life anew, leave me forever, forever, forever…” and spoke no more. He sighed, half from relief and half from pity. Imago’s visions came at any time, with an accompanying fainting spell, and they came several times a week. No matter what she was doing or where she was, she would faint. Inigo worried constantly it’d be the death of her.


Slide 13:After a minute or two she sat up, looking dazed. “I-Inny? Is that you?” she asked, looking around. “Yes, I’m here. Are you okay?” “I guess so. What happened?” “You got a vision and almost fell ten feet because of it,” Inigo said matter-of-factly. “What?!”


Slide 14:She rubbed her head. “Ow…headache…” “This is really getting ridiculous,” Inigo said. “If I hadn’t been here, you could have died!” “Yes, but you were here, and that’s what matters. We have a gift, a special gift, and we should be grateful.” Imago asserted. She was always determined on this point. Inigo sighed. “Yeah, okay, fine. What if someday I can’t be here?” “You will be.” He looked uncomfortable. “Oh, come on! You know you will be.”


Slide 15:“Immy, what if I’m not? I’m so afraid for you. What if you faint when you’re cooking? Or driving? O-or like now, you’re on a balcony or something and you just fall?” Inigo worried. “Quit being so paranoid,” Imago said, still rubbing her head. He sighed again. Recently he’d found he often did. “Okay. What did you see?”


Slide 16:“I saw two like…blobs of color. One was bright, neon blue, and the other was red. The blue one kept attacking the red one, like bashing into it, only the red never fought back. I…I felt like it was supposed to or something.” Imago explained. “And what about the things you said?” “What? I said stuff again?” Imago asked. “Well, mostly muttering. But I did get one bit: ‘Red and blue, life anew, leave me forever, forever, forever.’” Inigo recanted. “I have no idea what it means.” “I sure as hell don’t either,” Imago said, getting up.


Slide 17:As soon as she was standing, Inigo engulfed her in a huge hug. “I told you, I’m fine!” Imago laughed. “I was worried. Terrified, actually. Watching you start to fall…” Inigo muttered. “Meh. At worst a fall like that would have put me in coma,” she scoffed, trying to reassure him.


Slide 18:“But thanks for saving me from gravity. I know you’ll always be here for me,” Imago continued. “I’ll do my best.”


Slide 19:They returned downstairs to the rest of the family. “Where were you two?” Imperius asked. “Upstairs. Just, y’know, talking and stuff.” Imago lied easily.


Slide 20:Unfortunately Inigo had far more integrity. “She fainted again.” Imago sighed and rolled her eyes. If there was one thing she hated, it was being coddled over her fainting spells. “Again?” Helena asked, alarmed. “Cut it out, Mama. I’m fine!” “We’re your parents. It’s our job to worry,” Seb replied. “Well, get a new job!” Imago said crossly.


Slide 21:The next evening, Inigo and Imago sat in their room. Only they of the five teenagers could stand to be in the fairy tale castle-themed room anymore. Inigo sat on his bed, writing down details of Imago’s vision yesterday. Imago sat cross-legged on the carpet, leaning against her own bed. “Hey, Inny? Come here a sec, I wanna talk to you.” Imago said. He nodded, put the notebook away, and sat across from her.


Slide 22:“Well, I’ve been thinking a lot since yesterday’s almost-incident. I think we should learn more about our gift,” Imago proposed, smiling.


Slide 23:Inigo heaved a sigh. The thought had crossed his mind once or twice, but he’d always come to the same conclusion. “Immy, be reasonable. What more is there to learn? We get visions. They may or may not eventually come true, leaning heavily toward the may. Mine come in dreams, but your visions come when you’re awake, resulting in you fainting, which is starting to become worrisome. The end. What more is there to learn?”


Slide 24:“No, there’s got to be more! Have you ever heard of Seers who pass out all the time? I refuse to believe I’m just defective or something.” Imago said determinedly. “Plus, don’t Seers know, like, everything with their visions? I’ve always felt like something was missing, haven’t you?” “No.” Inigo answered flatly. “And you’re not defective either.”


Slide 25:“But Inny--!” “Immy, think logically for once. If there is something missing, how could we possibly know? It’s not like we know any other Seers.” “What if we could find one?” Imago grinned.


Slide 26:“I mean, we can’t be the only Seers in the whole valley. The statistics are in our favor. How’s that for logical?” Imago asked smugly. “We could be! I don’t think this is a common thing, Immy.” “No, but there are gobs of people living in and around the valley. It’s better than nothing. We could ask Mama, you know we can ask her anything.” Imago decided.


Slide 27:“But Mama doesn’t know we’re Seers. No one does. So why would we want to find a Seer in the first place?” Inigo pointed out.


Slide 28:“Honestly, Inny, we’re asking a question, not planning a nuclear strike! Geez, lighten up. We’re just curious, okay?” Imago said. “This is such a simple thing! It’s not like I’m asking you to fly away with me in a hot air balloon. We’re just asking a question.” With that, the twins went downstairs to find their mother.


Slide 29:The twins found both their mother and their grandmother talking in the kitchen, Helena perched on a countertop. All the better, asking two people at once. “…so that’s why my veins run with coffee and not blood.” Helena was saying. “I will never understand you,” Gabi chuckled. “Hey, at least I don’t drink hot chocolate all the time like you. What are you, five?” Helena teased. “It’s more delicious this way if I get a paper cut.” She paused. “Actually, I was a vampire, so theoretically--”


Slide 30:“Hi, Mama, hi, Grandma,” Imago interrupted. “Oh, hello, honey,” Helena said. Inigo and Imago shared a look and Inigo prepared to ask the question.


Slide 31:“Uh, Mama, Grandma, can we ask you something?” Inigo started nervously. “Sure, honey, anything.” Helena replied warmly. Gabi nodded too. “Um, do either of you know where we can find a Seer?” Inigo expected a reaction, but nothing like this.


Slide 32:Both Gabi’s and Helena’s eyes widened, and Gabi gasped loudly. And then they began to freak out. “Why do you want to find a Seer?!” Gabi exclaimed. Helena swore under her breath and then said, “Oh, God, Mom, you know what this means!” “I know, I know! What did she tell you? Oh, heavens, you two must be terrified, I was and I was grown when I met her! What did she tell you?” Gabi asked, sounding frantic.


Slide 33:“Whoa, whoa, whoa, guys, calm down! We haven’t met a Seer, we’re looking to meet one.” Inigo explained. “Why on earth would you want to do that?!” Gabi cried out.


Slide 34:“Um…we’re just curious?” Inigo supplied lamely.


Slide 35:“Inigo, as a fellow Knowledge Sim I can understand curiosity. But you simply cannot go looking for Seers. They are nothing but trouble.” Helena said sternly.


Slide 36:“Yes, listen to your mother, she’s right. Please don’t go looking. Just…just forget about it. We want what’s best for you, okay?”


Slide 37:Imago looked about ready to explode. Inigo hurriedly excused the two of them and they returned to their room.


Slide 38:Once there, Imago exploded. “They definitely knew a Seer. They just couldn’t handle whatever she told them!” Imago yelled, fuming. “Seers get such a bad reputation, but all we try to do is help, and everyone hates us for it!” “If they had known we were Seers they wouldn’t have said that stuff,” Inigo said reasonably, but Imago would have none of it.


Slide 39:“We have to find her.” “Who?” “The other Seer, Inny, duh! They said ‘what did she tell you.’ Someone else has to know her, someone else has to remember.”


Slide 40:“But who?” Inigo asked. “Aunt Mimi,” Imago replied, almost instantly. “Why her?” “Because face it, Inny, she’s a ditz. She’ll tell us everything and not give it a second thought.”“That’s kind of manipulative.” “I don’t care!”


Slide 41:So that very night the twins trekked to their aunt’s house in Bluewater Village, 27 Ocean Breeze Way. Mimi looked confused upon seeing her niece and nephew so late at night. “Hiya, Inigo and Imago! Are you here for Knoxie? He already went out.” Mimi said. “No, actually, we’re here to talk to you, Aunt Mimi,” Imago said. “Oh, okay! Come on in!”


Slide 42:The three of them sat down in Mimi’s dining room. Imago didn’t waste any time. “So, Aunt Mimi, we came to ask you something. Do you know where we can find a Seer?” she asked.


Slide 43:“Oh, yeah, I remember her! She gave my mom a prophecy about me, your mom, and your uncle before we were born. It wasn’t a good prophecy, and my mom tried to stop it from coming true. It came true, but only because of what she did so it wouldn’t come true.” Mimi’s brow scrunched in concentration as she explained it. She was the nicest person you could meet, but no scholar.


Slide 44:“Well, do you know where we could find her?” Imago asked. “Um, no. She only showed up when she had a prophecy to give. No name, no number, no address. It’s almost like she doesn’t exist.” Mimi said.


Slide 45:The twins shared a look, bade their aunt good-bye, and left disappointed.


Slide 46:“Now, I wonder what that was all about…” Mimi wondered.


Slide 47:The twins began their walk home. On the way they passed a park, and Imago’s face broke into a smile.


Slide 48:“Ooh, Inny, look, swings!” Imago said excitedly. “Channeling your inner child?” Inigo laughed. “A little bit. Can we stop, pleeeeeease?”


Slide 49:“I’m not gonna push you on the swings,” Inigo said. “Aw, man.”


Slide 50:The park was deserted and twilit. Bluewater Village seemed to be settling into sleep. No cars passed by and no lights glimmered in the homes and businesses.


Slide 51:They didn’t notice the other visitor to the park. She came nearer and nearer, until she was right behind them. “I know what you are,” she said in a low voice.


Slide 52:Both twins screamed and leapt up from their swings. “Inny, what was that?” Imago whispered. “A person talking to us?” Inigo guessed fearfully. “No one’s here! We would have seen them!” Imago retorted. At the same time they turned, unsure whether to look fearless or fearful.


Slide 53:The woman had long, matted red hair. She wore a heavy red and black dress and an ancient-looking red pendant. “Imago!” Inigo whispered, sounding terrified. “Look at her eyes!” Or rather, lack thereof. No light caught the stranger’s eyes; they blank and milky-white. Imago gasped. She spoke again. “I know what you are, Inigo and Imago Granger. Seers.”


Slide 54:“H-how do you know what?” Inigo asked. “Yeah, we never told anyone,” Imago added. “Seers know other Seers,” the woman replied simply. “Really? How?” Imago asked, eager for further knowledge of her gift.


Slide 55:“You have much to learn, and I shall teach you. Follow me.” The woman turned heel and began to walk away.


Slide 56:Imago went to follow, but Inigo pulled her back. “Are you insane?!” he hissed. “For all we know she could be a hobo or a serial killer or something!” “She knew we were Seers! How else could she know that, unless she was telling the truth and Seers know other Seers?” Imago argued.


Slide 57:“She’s gonna teach us more about our gift! Come on, Inny, what’s the worst that could happen?” “We could die! And if Seers know other Seers, how come we didn’t know her?” “Well, she did seem sort of…familiar to me somehow…” Imago said thoughtfully. “Me too.” Inigo admitted.


Slide 58:“I just have a bad feeling about all this.” Imago looked past him and said, “Come on, she’s almost gone!”


Slide 59:So the twins set out after the stranger. She walked in the opposite direction from the Granger home.


Slide 60:They walked for a long while in near-perfect silence. They followed many roads, and left the Bluewater Village city limits and its grassy terrain faded into desert again.


Slide 61:After a long while, she finally spoke. “Your grandmother called me Cassandra. I’ve grown rather attached to it, so you may call me that.” “Hey, that’s my middle name,” Imago said. “We asked our grandma about a Seer, and she freaked out.” “I suppose that was me. I am not the most friendly-looking person,” Cassandra replied shortly.


Slide 62:“You wish to learn more about your gift?” “Yes, everything!” Imago replied instantly. “I guess so,” Inigo said. “So one of you does.”


Slide 63:Finally they reached their destination. It was on a deserted dead end, a tiny, rather shabby-looking house. It was surrounded by cacti and joshua trees, and looked abandoned. Not just abandoned, but abandoned for many, many years.


Slide 64:Cassandra led them inside. She pushed the door open with a massive creak. With some hesitation, the twins followed.


Slide 65:The inside was dirty as well. The place was lit by an old industrial light and a single candle. On one side of the room stood a lopsided, makeshift bookcase made of cinderblocks and scrap wood. Pencils and crumpled paper were strewn all over. But the most strange were the walls. They were old, stained, torn, and some were covered in drawing and writing.


Slide 66:The twins sat on a dilapidated old couch on one side of the room. Remarkably it held up under their weight. They hadn’t expected it to.


Slide 67:Cassandra was at the bookcase, feeling through the magazines and books until she found what she was looking for.


Slide 68:The book she chose was weathered and old. She turned to the twins on the couch. Inigo asked, “What’s that?”


Slide 69:“Take this book,” she said to him, somehow knowing where he was despite her blind eyes. “I wrote it. In it are all my learnings about Seers. It will be quite useful to you.” Inigo took the book. Knowing was half the battle, and the bad feeling of his had not gone away.


Slide 70:She took the last seat on the couch. “I need to know some things about you. Firstly, you were born Seers, correct?” she asked. They nodded. Inigo said, “Why, though? Why are we Seers? No one in our family is one.” The question had always plagued him.


Slide 71:“The gift can come to anyone,” she began. “It can be hereditary, or just random. If you have supernatural blood the chances are higher. Is anyone in your immediate family a supernatural?” “I don’t think so,” Inigo replied.


Slide 72:“When do your visions come?” Cassandra then asked. “Mine come in dreams,” Inigo said. “Mine come at any time, anywhere. I freeze up and pass out.” Imago said.


Slide 73:“Imago, you are the more powerful Seer between the two of you. Your visions cannot be limited to when you are sleeping.” Cassandra informed them. Imago couldn’t help it; a smile came to her. She loved being special.


Slide 74:Cassandra then said, “You do know Seers are immortal, correct?”


Slide 75:“What?!” the twins shouted. “Apparently not. Yes, you two are immortal. Seers can die, of course, but past adulthood you will no longer age. Seers can starve and drown and such, but they’ll remain young forever. Many Seers purposely end their lives because of this. Watching their family and friends die is too much for them.


Slide 76:“If I have Inigo I’ll be fine.” Imago said, smiling at her twin. Inigo nodded, but looked unsure. Imago turned back to Cassandra.


Slide 77:“Cassandra, can I ask you something?” “You already have, but you may ask something else.” “I’ve always felt…felt like my visions were never complete. Like there’s something more I’m not seeing. H-how do I fix that? Or am I just a bad Seer?”


Slide 78:Cassandra was silent for a moment and then broke into a huge smile. “You’re not an awful Seer. You just haven’t made the eye trade.”


Slide 79:“The what trade?” Inigo asked. “In the book I gave you, start at page 72. Come back when you’ve decided,” she said, still smirking. The twins suddenly realized the lateness of the hour and jumped up.


Slide 80:“Bye, Cassandra! Thanks so much for your help and for the book. Maybe we’ll see you again soon,” Imago smiled. “Yes, good-bye.” “Immy, we’re gonna get in so much trouble, let’s go!” Inigo insisted. “Okay, okay, I’m coming, don’t get your knickers in a twist!”


Slide 81:They were soon gone, and Cassandra walked over to her graffitied wall, still smiling. She ran her hand along the letters and drawings etched into the wood.


Slide 82:She said to herself, “Everything is coming to fruition. All these long, dark years of waiting are coming to a close. Foolish girl in a lonely world, wants to be special, believes what she’s told. Eye for an eye, bonds undone, and finally the Seer has won. This sort of trickery is quite low, false face must hide what false heart doth know.”


Slide 84:Meanwhile, in Bluewater Village, Mimi and Simon bade their son Knox good-bye. “Oh, honey, I can’t believe you’re already going to college! It feels like just yesterday I was changing your diapers,” Mimi said sweetly. “Okay, Mom!” Knox interrupted, embarrassed.


Slide 85:“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie. I know you’re going to do so good at college, you’re my little smarticle Knoxie! But remember, no matter how old you get…”


Slide 86:“…you’ll still be my little baby, which means I can tickle you!” Mimi giggled, doing so. “Aah! Quit it, Mom!” Knox laughed, trying to defend himself.


Slide 87:“We’re so proud of you, Knox. Behave yourself and be nice to your cousins, okay?” Simon said. “Oh, and go to class. Even if only sometimes,” Mimi said. “Ooh, and S o’ D’s got the best parties, make sure you get in!” “Mimi, stop, he’s wild enough as it is!” “Hello! Still in the room!” Knox protested. “He’s not wild, he’s fun. Like me!” Mimi said brightly. “Exactly what I’m afraid of,” Simon teased. “Oh, stop.”


Slide 88:With that, Knox got a cab from snowy Bluewater to La Fiesta Tech.


Slide 89:Not very far away in Sahara Valley, Faith Granger said to her father, “Daddy, I’m ready to go to LFT. I’ve packed my things, I’ve gotten scholarships, Knox left last night, and everyone else will be going later today. So…I guess this is good-bye.” She waited; she was unsure how her father would react to her announcement.


Slide 90:“Well, are you sure? I mean, there’s no rush.” Harry said after a moment. “I’m positive.” Faith smiled. “Okay, if you think you’re ready, then go.” Harry smiled back. “Really?! I thought you’d go all overprotective on me!” Faith said delightedly.


Slide 91:“No. You’ll be safe with your cousins, and you’re old enough. Just remember, family’s the most important thing. When everything else falls through, you’ll always have your family. No matter what happens, your mother and I will be here for you,” Harry said softly. “I know. I love you, Daddy.”


Slide 92:“I love you too, Faith. Find someone nice, okay? I hope you find happiness. You’re a beautiful, smart girl. If a loser like me can find someone so great, you can too.” Harry said, half-serious. Faith rolled her eyes and laughed. “You’re so weird.”


Slide 93:Bella embraced her daughter as well. “Yeah, what he said, but have some fun too. LFT’s got great clubs and lots of people. Make sure you find your classes before anything else, though.” she advised. “Okay, Mom.”


Slide 94:“Now, you got that sugar-sweet Family aspiration from your dad. But if you’re any daughter of mine you should be able to kick ass and kick it good, so don’t let anyone push you around. I mean it, anyone, and if you don’t I will.” Bella said. Harry laughed. “I am dead serious!” Bella insisted. “Don’t worry, Mom, I’m no goody-goody, I just look like one.”Faith said with a grin.


Slide 95:And with that, Faith headed off to LFT as well.


Slide 96:So the three eldest children of the main line followed suit in the evening. “Now you three behave. Study hard, okay?” Helena told her children, kissing Isla good-bye. “Have some fun too, though.” Seb added. “Not too much fun,” Helena said, throwing him a look.” “Don’t listen to her,” Seb joked. They all laughed and the children promised to behave. “Be nice to your cousins…surround yourself with people you love…follow your dreams…oh, I can’t believe you’re going to college!” Helena said, throwing out random bits of advice and tearing up.


Slide 97:“Can we go look at that book now?” Imago asked, impatient as always. “Immy, our siblings are going to college! This is really important, we can wait a few minutes.” Inigo said. “Feh. Knowledge Sims,” Imago scoffed.


Slide 98:After much chatter and commotion, a taxi whisked away the three eldest children of Generation I to La Fiesta Tech.


Slide 99:“Now can we look at the book?” Imago asked the instant the taxi vanished from sight. “Patience is a virtue, Immy.” “I never said I was virtuous.” He laughed. “True. Okay, let’s go.”


Slide 100:They went upstairs and sat. Inigo still had the book, and said, “I’ll look it over first, I read faster.” “Show-off,” Imago muttered. He made a dismissive noise and immersed himself in the book.


Slide 101:“She said page 72, right?” Inigo asked absently. “Yeah.” Inigo hadn’t lied (he rarely did), he was a fast reader and had flipped through several pages in a few minutes.


Slide 102:All of a sudden his eyes became wide and his mouth dropped open. He read the same few lines over and over, hoping, praying he had misunderstood. He hadn’t.


Slide 103:Without any warning he flung the book to the floor, turned to Imago, and said, “Forget about the stupid eye trade, Immy! Forget about it right now!” “What, did it bite you?” Imago asked, eyeing the book. “What the--no! Immy, did you hear me? Forget about the trade, it’s not happening, I won’t let you!” “When did you become the boss of me?”Imago asked icily.


Slide 104:“Look, Immy, I know what I’m talking about, trust me. It’s not worth it.” Inigo said, sounding like he meant it. “Why? It’ll let us have our full powers! Why don’t you understand how important this is to me?” Imago asked, crossing her arms. “It comes at a terrible, awful price. Please understand!”


Slide 105:Imago gave her brother a defiant glare, picked up the book, and turned to page 72.


Slide 106:She began to read. Seers have the gift of sight of the future and of prophecy. But these visions and prophecies will be incomplete without making the “eye trade,” or ocular surrender. “Prophecies?” Imago asked. “I…I’ve written stuff in my sleep,” Inigo admitted. “You chose a fine time to tell me,” Imago grumbled.


Slide 107:She returned to the book. The eye trade allows Seers to see complete visions whenever they like. No more fainting spells will occur, none will be able to tell a Seer is seeing, save for another Seer, and a highly observant one at that. Prophecies, and those they are intended for, are also made clear.


Slide 108:But in exchange for such power there is, of course, a price. The eye trade exchanges a Seer’s sight for mortal sight. By making the eye trade, a Seer chooses blindness; hence the term ocular surrender. The trade is irreversible and a Seer may never regain their mortal sight for all eternity.


Slide 109:“See, Immy? Blindness is bad! Really, really bad! So forget it.” Inigo said. Imago scowled. “It’s a small price to pay,” she replied, an edge in her voice.


Slide 110:“What?!” Inigo cried. “Small price to pay? Immy, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you sort of need to see!” “I hate having to make excuses here, at school, everywhere for my gift. I’m sick of incomplete visions. What if I don’t see the most important part?” “I can’t believe you’re actually considering this! What’ll we tell Mama and Dad, that you inexplicably went blind?”


Slide 111:“We can go to college anytime we want, I’m all packed up and I know you are too! We can leave whenever, including in the middle of the night, so I don’t think it matters much! Stop bossing me around, I can do what I want and this is what I want!” Imago yelled. “I’m not bossing you around, I’m trying to protect you!” Inigo insisted. “Well, stop! I don’t need your protection, I’m not a little girl!”


Slide 112:From downstairs Helena called, “Inigo, Imago, time for bed!” The twins broke from their argument, called, “Okay!” and went to sleep.


Slide 113:Night fell on the valley and on the Granger house. Not a single light glowed, and soft snores chorused through the house. The night was pitch-black, with moon and stars hidden behind clouds. A storm was coming, occasionally announcing itself with a roll of thunder.


Slide 114:Imago lay in her bed, awoken from a dream and seething. She was furious at Inigo. How could he not understand the eye trade was a necessary sacrifice? She could really help herself and others with her powers. But no, Inigo knew just what to do, Inigo was always right. As usual. Maybe he was satisfied with his meager visions, but she was not. She was the more powerful Seer, after all, like Cassandra had said.


Slide 115:And besides, who was he to tell her what to do? Quietly, Imago got up from her bed, taking care not to creak a single floorboard. Inigo wasn’t the boss of her. He was her know-it-all brother, not her parent.


Slide 116:She didn’t dare change out of her pajamas. Inigo was the world’s lightest sleeper. She gave him a glance; she was lucky he wasn’t awake already.


Slide 117:She began to sneak across the carpet. Each tentative step got her closer to the door, closer to her destiny… Suddenly a car rushed by outside.


Slide 118:She froze as Inigo sat up with a mumble and rubbed his eyes blearily. He spotted her even without his glasses. “Immy? What’re you doing?” he asked suspiciously, clearing his head.


Slide 119:She scowled and informed him, “I’m going to make the trade, and you can’t stop me!” “What?! NO!” Inigo cried, getting up immediately.


Slide 120:But she already had a running start, and was much faster than him anyway. Imago ran to the room with the mirror-door, thinking he’d never look for her there. Back in their room Inigo dressed with superhuman speed and fumbled with his glasses, wondering which direction she’d gone in.


Slide 121:He ran into the hall, not knowing where to go. Suddenly he heard a door slam and a few moments later, a thump. “Oh, she didn’t…” he hoped to himself, knowing she had.


Slide 122:Imago leapt from the tree house into a pile of leaves, scattering them every which way. The fall wasn’t as bad as Inigo had feared a few days ago, but it was jarring nonetheless. But Imago didn’t have time to spare and took off running.


Slide 123:Inigo opted for the stairs.


Slide 124:Imago ran across the lawn, ignoring the throbbing all over her body, when she heard Inigo’s voice. “Immy! Immy, stop, please!” She ignored him as well, but he caught up to her somehow.


Slide 125:“Immy? Please stop and reconsider.” Inigo pleaded. “No.” she snarled. “Well…I’m coming with you.” “I can’t stop you, can I? Fine. Whatever.” So brother and sister headed out across the desert.


Slide 126:Far too soon for Inigo’s liking, they passed the last streetlamp and turned onto the dead end street where Cassandra’s shack barely stood. “Immy, please, you don’t have to do this!” Inigo begged. His pleading hadn’t made any effect the entire trip, but he refused to give up. “Yes I do!” Imago said heatedly. She was growing quite sick of him. “Why?”


Slide 127:“You wouldn’t understand.” “I’ve understood everything before,” Inigo said sadly, “why not this?” “You just don’t,” she informed him.


Slide 128:They entered Cassandra’s house, where she was waiting for them. “Cassandra, I want to make the eye trade,” Imago said. Cassandra smiled. “I thought you might.”


Slide 129:“Immy, can we just go home and talk about this? Please! I’m begging you!” Inigo said, in a last-ditch effort to save her.


Slide 130:Upon Inigo’s plea, Cassandra spun on him angrily; it seemed everyone was. “Shut up, boy, and stay the hell out of my way!” she spat, sounding enraged beyond belief. Inigo recoiled, then looked at Imago, and was defiant for perhaps the first time in his life.


Slide 131:He linked arms with his twin, and said, “I’m not sc-scared of you,” although really he was anything but unafraid. Cassandra glared in his general direction. Imago closed her eyes and said, “Don’t mind him, he just can’t understand some sacrifices are necessary.” “Well-put,” Cassandra agreed with a smirk.


Slide 132:“Now, Imago Granger, you do realize you will lose your mortal sight by making this trade?” “Yes.” “And you do realize the trade cannot be undone?” “Yes.”


Slide 133:Imago was slowly beginning to lose her nerve, realizing she’d never see a sunset, fireflies, flowers, her family, anything, ever again. She could wander into traffic and never know, or walk into poles. But Inigo will help me get around, she thought. And I can help so many people with my new, better powers. And I’ll finally, finally be special. It’ll be okay.


Slide 134:Cassandra smirked and held up a piece of paper. “Read,” she ordered. Imago loosened Inigo’s death grip on her arm and he fearfully stepped aside. “Immy, please…” She ignored him and read. “I, Imago Granger, do make the eye trade with the Seer Cassandra. I willingly surrender my mortal sight to her, and I know the trade cannot be undone.”


Slide 135:Imago gasped sharply as the last syllable escaped her throat. “Oh.” she whispered, clutching her middle as though she was going to be sick. “Immy?” Inigo asked tentatively. Imago gasped again, and again, faster and faster until she was hyperventilating.


Slide 136:“I…my…eyes…Inny, they’re stinging! It…OW! It hurts!” Imago cried out, her hands flying to her eyes. “It hurts, it hurts, make it stop, make it stop, make it stop, please!!” Inigo heard her voice breaking from pain, but he didn’t know what to do.


Slide 137:“Ow! Ow, ow, ow!” Her breath came fast and sharp, and it sounded as though she was crying. And then she started screaming. “Immy!” Inigo called, but he could hardly hear himself over her hair-raising shrieks.


Slide 138:She spun around and reached for him, doubled over in pain. She was screaming so loudly it hurt just to hear. “AUUUUGHHHHH! Help me, please, make it stopppp…AAAAAH! PLEASE!!” Imago was screaming so violently, so pitifully, but Inigo was rooted to the spot. He knew nothing could be done.


Slide 139:“STOP!! I don’t…I don’t want it anymore! No, no, no, AUGH!! It…it feels like…like someone’s ripping them out, Inny, please make it STOP!” She fell to the floor in a crumpled heap, still reaching, her entire body convulsing. Inigo yelled at Cassandra, “You never said it would hurt like this! You’re torturing her!”


Slide 140:But Cassandra was laughing cruelly, the merciless sound mixing with Imago’s frenzied screams.


Slide 141:She was on the floor at his feet, and suddenly the screaming stopped and faded to shallow gasps. Imago’s shoulders slumped and she sat there pathetically, occasionally shaking. “I-Immy? Can you hear me?” Inigo asked, peering at her hesitantly.


Slide 142:She sat up and opened her eyes, and Inigo yelled. Imago’s eyes, once a rich, chocolate brown, were now milky and blank. She blinked several times, and turned her head from side to side. “I-Inny.” she said in a limp, defeated voice. “I-is that y-you? Where…I can’t see you…” Inigo wanted to cry.


Slide 143:She rubbed her head. “I’m sore all over. All o-over. I’m not joking.” She shook again.


Slide 144:He knelt down next to her. “Immy, I’m here, I’m right here.” he assured her, fighting back sobs. “I’m not going to leave you. Can you get up?” “I th-think so,” she said, shakily pulling herself up. “Come on, I’ll get you to the couch. You need to rest.”


Slide 145:He led her to the old couch, took the seat next to her, and put an arm around her, letting her rest against him. “How are you feeling? Do your…your eyes still hurt?” “A little bit. They’re stinging, but it’s much better now.” Cassandra was still laughing. “What’s that sound?” Imago asked, twisting her head around. Inigo scowled. “Cassandra.” He looked up and yelled, “Would you shut the hell up already?” And then he gasped.


Slide 146:“Say what you wish, but I will continue to celebrate,” Cassandra said, smiling her unsettling smile which spread to her bright blue eyes. “What happened?” Imago asked. “She’s not blind anymore,” Inigo replied, his own eyes wide. “Indeed not. Thank you, foolish child, for your eyes.” Cassandra said. “My…what?!” Imago exclaimed.


Slide 147:“Oh yes, when you made the trade with me I received your mortal vision. I’ve been blind for years, ever since I made the trade myself long ago. Now I can see, and I get perfect visions. What, you didn’t know? Oh right, of course you don’t know, I must have forgotten to write that in the book.” Cassandra began to cackle again in vicious victory. “Making the trade is an awful thing indeed. I think we both learnt something today. You learnt the truth about the trade, and I learnt just how stupid you are.”


Slide 148:“How could you exploit someone like that?!” Inigo asked indignantly. “You…you’re a manipulative psycho! You were just plotting to get my eyes all along, weren’t you?!” Imago said, her voice breaking from rage and pain. “Why, yes. Fools like you exist for people like me to exploit. Now get out of my house.”


Slide 149:And just like that, they were shoved out into the night. “Come on, we might as well head home. We can’t fight here. Here, I’ll help you,” Inigo said wearily. “Okay. I’m so tired…” Imago replied weakly. “I know,” he said gently.


Slide 150:“And when we get home…well, we’re both packed for college. We’re gonna leave, tonight, before anyone finds out about this.” “I hate that psycho. I hate her,” Imago said darkly. “Me too. Let’s get home fast, before anyone wakes up.” Inigo said. And he led her back to Granger Estate.


Slide 151:Imago changed and the twins were ready to go within ten minutes. Taxis were called, a note was left, and they stood outside waiting. “Um, Inny?” Imago began hesitantly. “Yes?” “I have no idea where I’m going.” He could tell she was embarrassed. “It’s okay. Take my hand,” he said. “Or rather, I’ll take yours. Easier?” She nodded.


Slide 152:And hand-in-hand, the twins went to the taxi slowly. Inigo wanted to make sure Imago wouldn’t trip. “Thanks,” she said. “My pleasure,” he replied, smiling, forgetting she couldn’t see it.


Slide 153:The headlights of the taxi illuminated only a tiny fraction of the dark night. The twins weren’t sure what was ahead of them, but they had a funny feeling it wasn’t good.


Slide 154:And with that, it’s time for our Generation I heir poll. “Hi, everyone, Happy Halloween! I’m Ted T. Bear, official mascot of heir polls, and it’s time to cast your vote! Vote on Boolprop.com or on June’s guestbook, but really, ever since we left the Exchange all our readers have either followed or became jerks and left. So yeah.”


Slide 155:Our first candidate is Imperius, nicknamed Imp against her will. Imperius is a Cancer, 9/2/6/3/5, and a Family Sim who wants to marry off six kids. Imperius is extremely bossy and loves to get her way, and is quite intelligent as well. Calling her by her nickname equals instant death, or so she threatens. Imp is also a big daddy’s girl.


Slide 156:Then there’s Isla, our second candidate. Isla is a Taurus, 10/7/6/7/5, and a Popularity Sim who wants to be Captain Hero. Isla’s got the most balanced personality this generation, and is very sweet-natured. She’s a gamer as well, like her uncle Harry, and is quite adept at making friends.


Slide 157:The middle child is Ignotus, called Ig. He’s a Capricorn, 10/4/1/10/2, and a Knowledge Sim who wants to be an Education Minister. Ignotus has an unrequited fascination with the supernatural and loves to learn.


Slide 158:Then we have Inigo. Inigo is also a Capricorn, 10/6/1/8/10, and a Knowledge Sim who wants to be a Mad Scientist. Inigo is logical, cool-headed, and often the voice of reason or the only sane one left, with a nice streak a mile wide. Inigo is the twin of Imago, and both twins are Seers. Inigo could do without his powers, and he’s never really been very enthusiastic about them. He’s terribly far-sighted.


Slide 159:Finally we have Imago. Imago is a Virgo, 10/2/10/2/1, and a Fortune Sim who wants to top the Law career. Imago, like her twin Inigo, is a Seer and loves it. She has an obsession with being special, and believes her powers are the route to that. Imago gave up her mortal sight for better Seeing ability and has been rendered blind. Still, she loves her gift. Well, that’s all for now. Vote and keep on the lookout for Chapter 40, “Traitor.”


Slide 160:If you were here I’d never have a fear So go on, live your life But I miss you more than I did yesterday. You’re beautiful… Do you care at all?